Objective: Review of the pharmacology of progestins used in combined oral contraceptives. Design: Review article. Setting: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, General Teaching Hospital, Charles Universi- ty, Prague. Conclusion: The author presents a review of pharmacology of progestins used in combined oral contraceptives. He compares important pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of different progestins. The paper includes comparison of the influence of progestins on lipids, carbohydrates, steroid transport capacity and coagulation. The different pharmacology of proges- tins is an important factor in the process of pill selection.

        Key words: oral contraceptives, progestins, pharmacology