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Multiple actions of steroids and their antagonists

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Abstract

Our scientific language is often misleading. We speak, for example, of virilizing progestins when we should be speaking of “dihydrotestosterone-like” progestins because genital virilization is normally brought about by DHT. We speak of the anti-libidinal properties of antiandrogens as though we knew that their mechanism of action was through the blockage of androgen receptors; some of these agents are antiestrogenic and progestational as well. Until we know the mechanism of action of androgens, estrogens, antiandrogens, antiestrogens, aromatase inhibitors, and reductase inhibitors we should be cautious in our terminology. All hormones and their antagonists have multiple effects.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of California, 92521, Riverside, California, USA

    Richard E. Whalen Ph.D.

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  1. Richard E. Whalen Ph.D.
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Whalen, R.E. Multiple actions of steroids and their antagonists. Arch Sex Behav 13, 497–502 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01541432

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01541432

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