Abstract
This article describes fundamental aspects of the structure of pharmaceutical steroids, especially sex hormones (progestogens, oestrogens, androgens) which are used in medicine in hormone replacement therapy to offset the effects of menopause, as oral contraceptives to control fertility, and to correct hormonal deficiencies or imbalances. Structural relationships of the major drug chemicals currently used are discussed, together with some of the commercial processes employed in their production, and the natural raw materials that are exploited.
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