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ethinyl estradiol + norethindrone (WC3026 / Generess Fe)

✓ Approved

Actavis · ESR1 · Small Molecule

What is ethinyl estradiol + norethindrone?

ethinyl estradiol + norethindrone is a small molecule developed by Actavis. It is approved for therapeutic indications via oral (po).

Drug Profile

Brand NamesWC3026, Generess Fe
CompanyActavis
Drug ClassSmall Molecule
Molecular TargetESR1, PGR
RouteOral (PO)
StatusApproved
Sources: ClinicalTrials.gov, Actavis

Mechanism of Action

Molecular Targets

ethinyl estradiol + norethindrone acts on 2 molecular targets:

ESR1estrogen receptor 1 (ER, ESR)
PGRprogesterone receptor (NR3C3, PR)
Want deeper analysis?Noah AI can explain complex mechanisms and compare to similar drugs.

Related Research Articles

PubMedInternational journal of primatology2026-10-15

Hair Steroid Signatures of Cooperative Breeding in Male and Female Common Marmosets (Callithrix jacchus).

Laubi Benjamin N BN, Glauser Gaëtan G, Willems Erik P EP, van Schaik Carel P CP et al.

Cooperative breeding presents social and reproductive challenges that differ from those associated with independent breeding, but its endocrine correlates are not well understood. We investigated cumulative steroid hormone profiles in common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus), a primate species characterized by shared caregiving and clearly defined reproductive roles between primary breeders and non-breeding helper group members. Using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) on hair samples, we simultaneously quantified six steroid hormones across 71 individuals varying in breeding role, sex, age, and group reproductive context. Glucocorticoids were highest in breeder females, declined with age, and were higher in breeders when dependent offspring were present. Testosterone showed a comparatively modest male-female difference and was positively associated with the presence of dependent offspring in breeders, whereas androstenedione closely paralleled testosterone across age, consistent with shared regulation. Ovarian steroids showed clear sex differentiation in progesterone, with markedly elevated levels in breeder females, whereas estradiol differences were smaller, emerging as a modest sex effect within breeders and an age effect in helpers. Together, these findings highlight weaker sexual dimorphism in sex hormone profiles than often reported for independently breeding primates. They also reveal hormonal signatures of stress and vigilance related to caregiving, consistent with cooperative breeding in marmosets. Our study demonstrates the value of hair for long-term hormonal assessment and underscores the utility of HPLC-MS/MS for quantifying multiple hormones with high specificity in socially complex primates. The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1007/s10764-026-00568-9.

PMID 42876644
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PubMedExpert opinion on drug delivery2026-10-14

A pharmacokinetic study comparing a low-dose estrogen contraceptive transdermal system with an oral contraceptive tablet in healthy adult females.

Hummel Matthew M, Liu Mark M, Jagtap Sandeep S, Bose Debdipta D et al.

This study evaluated the pharmacokinetics (PK) of a once-weekly low-dose estrogen contraceptive transdermal system (TDS) and a once-daily combined oral contraceptive (COC) in healthy women. In this Phase 1 study, 24 healthy women aged 18-35 years were randomized to a crossover sequence of three consecutive 168-h applications of the norelgestromin (NGMN; drug load, 4.86 mg)/ethinyl estradiol (EE; drug load, 0.264 mg) TDS to the abdomen (Treatment A) or buttock (Treatment B), followed by once-daily COC (drug load 0.18 mg norgestimate/0.025 mg EE) for 7 days (Treatment C). Plasma NGMN and EE concentrations were assessed using PK parameters. Application-site irritation, residual patch analysis, and safety were also evaluated. Variability in NGMN and EE exposure was lower for Treatments A and B versus Treatment C (AUCτ,ss: NGMN, 38.4% and 31.7% versus 47.0%; EE, 49.3% and 35.4% versus 51.2%) with comparable/lower Cp, ss(max) variability. EE Cp, ss(max). Normalized exposure were lower with the NGMN/EE TDS. No serious adverse events occurred. Residual patch analysis indicated delivery of ~200 µg/day NGMN and 19 µg/day EE. The NGMN/EE TDS demonstrated lower PK variability, EE peak concentrations and normalized EE exposure than the COC. No new safety signals were reported.

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PubMedPrzeglad menopauzalny = Menopause review2026-10-14

Modulation of hormones in perimenopausal women by probiotics associated by specific gut bacteria: a pilot study.

Lozano Herrera Sara Julietta SJ, Aguilar López Tania T, Cruz Sancen Niko Alain NA, Gutiérrez Nataly García NG et al.

Perimenopause is characterised by hormonal fluctuations that can affect metabolism. Recent studies suggest that the gut microbiota, which can be regulated by taking probiotics, influences hormone regulation. One proposed mechanism is the activity of β-glucuronidase, which hydrolyzes excreted hormones, allowing them to be reabsorbed. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of supplementation with Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium longum on oestrogen levels through their β-glucuronidase activity. A single-arm pre-post pilot study was conducted on 20 perimenopausal women aged 50-55 years who received 109 colony-forming units/day of probiotics for 12 weeks. Symptoms were assessed with the greene climacteric scale. Samples were collected before and after the intervention to determine hormone levels and biochemical parameters in the blood, as well as β-glucuronidase activity, oestrone and specific gut bacteria in the stool. Probiotic supplementation with Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, and Bifido- bacterium longum resulted in benefits, including improvement in specific gut bacteria, an increase in estradiol (6.86 ±-5.20 pg/ml), and an increase in β-glucuronidase activity (1.21 ±-1.15 mg phenolphthalein). It can be concluded that supplementation under the described conditions improves specific bacteria, increases estradiol, and increases β-glucuronidase activity. Although methodological limitations prevent demonstrating a direct impact on quality of life, this mechanistic approach to the estrobolome provides valuable support for guiding the design of new research on hormonal homeostasis in perimenopause.

PMID 42871936
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PubMedDevice2026-10-14

Multiplex ovarian hormone monitoring in sweat using a dual-aptamer wearable sensor.

Lee Yerim Y, Ye Cui C, Yeom Jeonghee J, Chen Yonglin Y et al.

Estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) jointly regulate reproductive function, menopausal transition, and hormone-therapy response, yet their assessment relies on intermittent blood sampling that provides only snapshots of dynamic endocrine processes. We report a wearable sweat sensor for multiplex E2 and P4 monitoring. Two redox-orthogonal aptamer-reporter systems, encoded by methylene blue and ferrocene, are integrated on a single inkjet-printed gold electrode, enabling independent quantification of the hormones through sequential square-wave voltammetry scans at physiologically relevant picomolar concentrations. An integrated passive microfluidic module normalizes sweat pH and ionic strength before analysis, eliminating auxiliary correction channels and enabling consistent operation across different sweat-induction methods and body locations. In a single-subject feasibility study spanning reproductive, perimenopausal, and postmenopausal participants, measurements agreed with laboratory reference assays and enabled longitudinal tracking of ovarian hormone dynamics. This approach establishes a strategy for multiplex wearable endocrine profiling and motivates larger cohort studies for personalized women's health monitoring.

PMID 42871933
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PubMedArchives of medical research2026-10-14

Sex-Specific Neurobehavioral Programming in Offspring by a Maternal High-Fat, Plant-Based Diet: A Central Role of the Hippocampus.

Djurić Emilija E, Šutulović Nikola N, Puškaš Nela N, Jerotić Djurdja D et al.

Long-term maternal high-fat diets (mHFDs) and obesity have been associated with an increased risk of neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders in offspring, likely due to altered neural circuit programming. This study aimed to investigate the effect of plant-based mHFD on activity, mood regulation, and cognition in offspring of both sexes. Female rats were assigned to an HFD or a control diet (CD) (45 vs. 4% fat) for 4 weeks before mating, and throughout gestation and lactation. The offspring were weaned to CD and assigned to either mHFD groups (FH-female HFD, MH-male HFD) or CD groups (FC-female CD, MC-male CD). Behavioral assessment included the open field test (OFT), elevated plus maze (EPM), novel object recognition test (NORT), sucrose preference test (SPT), and the forced swimming test (FST). Immunochistochemical staining was performed to evaluate Ki67+, DCX+, and PV+, while serum hormone levels were measured by ELISA. The mHFD induced hyperactivity in the OFT and impaired learning and memory in the NORT in both sexes. In females, it reduced anxiety-like behavior in the OFT, but increased depression-like behavior in both SPT and FST. These effects were accompanied by decreased neurogenesis in females, as observed in both Ki67+ and DCX+ cells. The mHFD also decreased estradiol and increased corticosterone in females, and decreased testosterone in mHFD males. A long-term plant-based mHFD exerts sex-specific effects on offspring activity levels, mood regulation and cognition, which may be attributed to impaired hippocampal neurogenesis and hormonal regulation.

PMID 42874171
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PubMedCombinatorial chemistry & high throughput screening2026-10-14

Efficacy and Safety of Acupoint Catgut Embedding Combined with Hormone Replacement Therapy versus Sham Acupoint Embedding Combined with Hormone Replacement Therapy for Diminished Ovarian Reserve: A Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial.

Zhang Yijin Y, Sun Wei W, Lao Jianting J, Wang Yueping Y et al.

To investigate the differences in efficacy between Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) combined with Acupoint Catgut Embedding (ACE) and HRT combined with Sham Acupoint Embedding (SAM) in patients with Diminished Ovarian Reserve (DOR). A prospective, multicenter, randomized, single blind, controlled trial design was employed. Participants were randomly allocated to either the HRT + ACE group or the HRT + SAM group. Active treatment lasted 3 menstrual cycles, followed by 3 cycles of follow-up. Serum AMH, AFC, Ovarian volume, and serum Testosterone (T), FSH, LH, Estradiol (E2), Prolactin (PRL), and Cytokines (IL-2, IL-6, IL-17) levels were measured pre-treatment and post 3- treatment cycles and at follow-up for 3 treatment cycles. In the treatment group, after 3 treatment cycles, AMH levels increased from baseline (P < 0.05). AFC, ovarian volume, and E2 all increased significantly in both groups compared with baseline (P < 0.05). Basal FSH (bFSH), basal LH (bLH), and IL-2 levels significantly decreased in the two groups (P < 0.05). All indicators in the treatment group at both post-treatment and 3- month follow-up were significantly better than baseline (P < 0.05). The treatment group was better than the control group in terms of AMH, AFC, bFSH, bLH, and IL-2 after 3 months and 6 months follow-up (P < 0.05). No serious adverse events occurred in either group. This study demonstrates that HRT combined with ACE can regulate neuroendocrine function, stimulate the reproductive axis, and modulate HPO axis function to improve ovarian function. Although ACE cannot normalize ovarian function, it optimizes follicle development and menstruation. It is a promising low-risk alternative for HRT-intolerant DOR patients. HRT combined with ACE can improve certain ovarian reserve indicators, including increasing AMH levels, AFC, and ovarian volume in DOR patients, with effects superior to those of HRT combined with SAM, suggesting that HRT combined with ACE may enhance ovarian function in DOR patients.

PMID 42872448
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