6,6-Difluoronorethisterone

6,6-Difluoronorethisterone is a synthetic steroid that is related to nandrolone. It is a potent progestogen, but has weak androgenic and anabolic effects. It has been studied as a potential contraceptive.

Chemistry

6,6-Difluoronorethisterone is a synthetic androstane steroid and a derivative of testosterone. It is more specifically a derivative of nandrolone (19-nortestosterone) and is a member of the estrane (C18 steroid) family. It is also related to other 19-nortestosterone derivatives including noretynodrel and ethisterone.

Pharmacology

As a progestogen, 6,6-Difluoronorethisterone has the ability to bind to and activate the progesterone receptor. This leads to changes in the endometrium that make it unsuitable for implantation of a fertilized egg, thus preventing pregnancy. It also thickens the cervical mucus, making it difficult for sperm to reach the egg.

Despite its relation to nandrolone, 6,6-Difluoronorethisterone has only weak androgenic and anabolic effects. This is because it is not metabolized to a more potent androgenic or anabolic metabolite in the same way that nandrolone is.

History

6,6-Difluoronorethisterone was first synthesized in the 1960s as part of a search for more potent progestogens for use in contraceptives. It was found to be a potent progestogen, but its weak androgenic and anabolic effects made it less suitable for use as a contraceptive than other compounds that were being developed at the same time.

See also

• List of progestogens
• List of androgens/anabolic steroids