Estrogens and Progestins

Estrogens and Progestins: Pharmacology and Therapeutic Uses

• Estrogens are primarily produced by the ovaries in premenopausal women and by adipose tissue in postmenopausal women and men.
• Three major estrogens are produced by women: estradiol, estrone, and estriol, with estradiol being the most important and biologically active hormone.
• Synthetic estrogens such as ethinyl estradiol, mestranol, and diethylstilbestrol are commonly used.
• Compounds with estrogenic activity are found in plants and some chemicals used in the plastic industry.
• Estrogens are well-absorbed and extensively bound to sex steroid-binding globulin (SSBG). They are metabolized by conjugation and oxidation.
• Estrogen receptors are located inside the nucleus and interact with specific DNA sequences to regulate gene transcription.
• Estrogens play a crucial role in female maturation, metabolic effects, and brain function.
• Estrogens are used in postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy, hormonal contraception, and to treat dysfunctional uterine bleeding, endometriosis, and uterine fibroids.
• Progesterone is the natural progestin synthesized primarily in the ovary by the corpus luteum and by the placenta during pregnancy.
• Synthetic progestins such as hydroxyprogesterone, medroxyprogesterone, megestrol, and norethisterone are more widely used than natural progesterone.
• Progesterone acts on intracellular nuclear receptors to regulate various gene transcriptions and maintains the thickened uterine lining during the luteal phase.
• Progestins can possess some androgenic activity, and the metabolic effects of progesterone are weak.

Test your knowledge on the pharmacology and therapeutic uses of estrogens and progestins with this quiz. Learn about the different types of estrogens, their sources, and how they are metabolized. Understand the crucial role of estrogens in female maturation, metabolic effects, and brain function. Explore the various therapeutic uses of estrogens, including postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy and hormonal contraception. Additionally, learn about the natural and synthetic forms of progesterone, their mechanisms