RT Journal
T1 EStrogen therapy—a warning
JF Journal of the American Medical Association
JO Journal of the American Medical Association
YR 1939
FD December 23
VO 113
IS 26
SP 2323
OP 2324
DO 10.1001/jama.1939.02800510045013
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.1939.02800510045013
AB The last ten years has seen a remarkable development in our knowledge of the endocrines. Especially great strides have been made in the therapeutic application of sex hormones, notably the estrogenic substances. Pure highly potent preparations of estrogens are being manufactured. Furthermore, biochemists are constantly striving to discover new compounds of even greater activity or to increase the efficiency of those already known. Pharmaceutic chemists are looking for better preparations which may be protected by patent. Much attention has been given to the preparation of estrogens for oral use, since the advantages of such therapy over hypodermic administration are appreciable.Two new compounds—ethinyl estradiol and diethyl-stilbestrol—have been used clinically in recent months and have been shown to be as effective as the injected estrogens in moderate doses. General acceptance of these compounds has been prevented by complaints of disagreeable symptoms following their ingestion. Ethinyl estradiol induced in a considerable percentage