Pharmacology of the Contraceptive Steroids

Reviews the pharmacology of contraceptive steroids providing analyses of the pharmacokinetics and intermediate metabolism of orally administered synthetic progestins and oestrogens and of steroids administered by long-acting injections and implants.

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The evolution of the field of steroid contraception is traced and examined in this volume. "Pharmacology of the Contraceptive Steroids" presents a balanced synthesis of the latest knowledge on hormonal contraception, focusing on what has been learned about the ways in which such agents are developed and tested, as well as what still needs to be done to yield maximum practical compliance and non-contraceptive benefits. The book's coverage includes analyses of the pharmacokinetics and intermediate metabolism of orally administered synthetic progestins and oestrogens and of steroids administered by long-acting injections and implants; as well as comprehensive exploration of the specific pharmacodynamics of steroid agents in relation to: the hypothalamo-pituitary-ovarian axis; the mammary gland; the uterus; the adrenal cortex; the thyroid; the liver; the skeleton; the skin and muscle; the nervous system; cardiovascular function (blood pressure, coagulation, atherogenesis); metabolism of nutrients; the immune system; and teratogenesis.
It begins with a concise historical perspective on the progestins and the oestrogens, and then moves on to explain the basic mechanism of action of steroid hormones and antagonists. The next three chapters examine laboratory studies with animals, followed by an exploration in 21 chapters on pharmacological studies, focusing first on pharmacokinetics and intermediate metabolism and then pharmacodynamic studies. The book concludes with a review of interactions of contraceptive steroids with other drugs, and a consideration of statistical and epidemiological issues.