Methallenestril

Methallenestril is a synthetic, steroidal estrogen that is no longer marketed. It is a member of the class of compounds known as estrogens. Estrogens are hormones that are important for sexual and reproductive development, mainly in women. They are also involved in other functions such as bone health.

History

Methallenestril was first synthesized in the 1950s. It was one of many synthetic estrogens developed in an attempt to find drugs with improved safety and efficacy profiles compared to natural estrogens. However, like many of its contemporaries, methallenestril was eventually withdrawn from the market.

Pharmacology

Methallenestril, like other estrogens, works by binding to and activating the estrogen receptor. This leads to a cascade of events that result in the expression of estrogen-responsive genes. The exact mechanism of action of methallenestril is not fully understood, but it is thought to involve a combination of genomic and non-genomic effects.

Clinical Use

Methallenestril was used clinically for a variety of indications, including the treatment of menopausal symptoms, osteoporosis, and certain types of breast cancer. However, its use was associated with a number of side effects, including an increased risk of thromboembolism and endometrial cancer. These risks, combined with the development of newer, safer drugs, led to the withdrawal of methallenestril from the market.

See Also

• Estrogen
• Estrogen receptor
• Menopause
• Osteoporosis
• Breast cancer
• Thromboembolism
• Endometrial cancer