[An introduction to synthetic progestogens pharmacology (author's transl)].

Synthetic progestins differ in their progestomimetic and other endocrine effects. Their affinities for different steroid hormone receptors have been measured and their pharmacological activities (progestomimetic, uterotrophic, anti-estrogenic, androgen and anti-gonadotrophic) have been evaluated concomitantly. Derivatives of the pregnane series are basically progestomimetic only, whereas derivatives of the norandrostane series have distinctly androgenic and anti-estrogenic properties. A knowledge of these various activities facilitates the choice of an appropriate therapy.