The invention pertains to a process for the preparation of a high purity composition of (7 alpha ,17 alpha )- 17-hydroxy- 7-methyl- 19-nor-17-pregn- 5(10)-en-20-yn-3-one. The process provides for a composition with less than 0.5 % of (7 alpha ,17 alpha )- 17-hydroxy- 7-methyl- 19-nor-17-pregn- 4-en-20-yn- 3-one. This composition can be used as a source for the preparation of stable pharmaceutical dosage units.
