Medicinal Chemistry

Anti-Fertility Agents- Estrogens

Abstract

Revathi B and Prashanth K

Estrogensare the primary female sex organs which can be either natural steroidal or synthetic non-steroidal. This group of compounds has their importance in menstrual and estrous reproductive cycles. They are basically used as oral contraceptives. Also as estrogen replacement therapy and in hormone replacement therapy for postmenopausal women and trans women respectively. Contraception is the method of preventing normal process of ovulation, fertilization and ovum implantation nothing but pregnancy. Oestrogens are synthesized by the ovary and placenta and in small amounts by the testis and adrenal cortex. As for other steroids, the starting substance for oestrogen synthesis is cholesterol. As such many anti-fertility agents have been developed as it is the need of hour in today’s living scenario.