It releases growth hormone, oxytocin and others from the central nervous system. In addition, relaxin may function like a modulator and regulator for the secretion of many hormones within the body. Therefore, you may need to reduce insulin or oral hypoglycemia pills intake by about 20-30 percent if you are diabetic. Relaxin is a hormone from the insulin family and differs significantly in molecular structure from the estrogen family. In fact, research seems to indicate that relaxin may actually inhibit the growth of cancer cells.
Most side effects occur in females.
From 1952 to 1972, porcine relaxin was an FDA-approved drug. There seem to have been no resultant health problems reported. In 1966, Congress passed legislation requiring that drugs must prove effectiveness in addition to passing toxicity tests. The company that produced relaxin during that time chose to fight the FDA for five years and lost. The product was taken off the market, but not because of safety issues.