Ethinylestradiol is an estradiol used as a contraceptive. Ethinylestradiol was first synthesized in 1938 by Hans Herloff Inhoffen and Walter Hohlweg at Schering.
- Mechanism
- Curator reviewed · 6 references
Ethinylestradiol is a synthetic estrogenic compound. Use of estrogens have a number of effects on the body including reduced bone density. Combined oral contraceptives suppress ovulation by suppressing gonadotrophic hormone, thickening cervical mucus to prevent the travel of sperm, and preventing changes in the endometrium required for implantation of a fertilized egg. Ethinylestradiol decreases luteinizing hormone, decreasing vascularity in the endometrium. It also increases sex hormone binding globulin.
- Primary indication
- Ethinylestradiol is combined with other drugs for use as a contraceptive, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, moderate acne, moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms of menopause, prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis.Curator reviewed · 22 structured indications
- Formula / weight
- C20H24O2 · 296.4034 g/mol (avg)
- First approval
- Canada, 1999 · United States, 1973 · European Union, 2020
- Also known as
- 17-ethinylestradiol · 17alpha-Ethinyl estradiol · Ethinyl estradiol · Ethinyloestradiol · Ethynyl estradiol
- Code names
- NSC-10973
- Brand names
Resolves to
BFPYWIDHMRZLRN-SLHNCBLASA-NSMILES[H][C@@]12CC[C@@](O)(C#C)[C@@]1(C)CC[C@]1([H])C3=C(CC[C@@]21[H])C=C(O)C=C3What you can answer from here — as of September 23, 2026
Which drugs share a target with Ethinylestradiol, and which of those have an active Phase 3 trial?
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