Method of treating the symptoms of menopause and osteoporosis

摘要

Compounds of the following general formula are useful in treating the symptoms of menopause and osteoporosis: <IMAGE> wherein R is -CHO or -CH2OR1; each of R1 and R2 is hydrogen, alkylcarbonyl wherein the alkyl moiety has from 1 to 20 carbon atoms and is straight or branched, benzoyl, phenylalkylcarbonyl wherein the alkyl moiety has from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and is straight or branched or cycloalkylcarbonyl wherein the cycloalkyl moiety has from 5 to 10 carbon atoms; R3 is hydrogen; or R2 and R3 together form a double bond between the 17-position carbon atom and the oxygen atom.