Abstract
The estrogens acting in concert with progesterone are the ovarian hormones responsible for the regulation of female reproductive function. Importantly, the estrogens are required for the development and maintenance of the secondary sexual characteristics and the reproductive tract in females. These actions constitute the basis for the principal clinical uses of the estrogens. It is estimated that approximately 5–10 million women in the United States utilize estrogens in managing the symptoms secondary to the estrogen deficiency of menopause. Likewise, as many as 15–20% of women in their childbearing years employ combinations of estrogens and progestins for fertility control. Thus, the estrogens represent an important class of widely used drugs. However, the use of estrogens requires careful consideration of their pharmacological characteristics and their potential adverse effects.
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© 1986 Plenum Publishing Corporation
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Thomas, J.A., Keenan, E.J. (1986). Estrogens and Antiestrogenic Drugs. In: Principles of Endocrine Pharmacology. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-5036-1_7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-5036-1_7
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