The origins of oral contraception: The role of Mexican scientists in developing the first synthetic oral contraceptive progestin.

Between 1949 and 1964, advancements in chemistry and medicine, along with societal demands, made fertility regulation possible. Most of the chemical work occurred outside traditional centers, and it was at Syntex S.A. in Mexico City that the pioneering work of George Rosenkranz, Carl Djerassi, and Luis Miramontes achieved a breakthrough, resulting in the synthesis of norethindrone (19-nor-17α-ethynyl testosterone) on October 15, 1951. This compound was a potent and orally active progestogen, establishing the basis for modern contraception. Meanwhile, Syntex's simultaneous success in synthesizing cortisone from diosgenin (a compound found in Mexican yams) demonstrated how an industrial laboratory in a developing scientific country could compete with and outperform better-funded international rivals. Meanwhile, across the border, research on contraceptive steroids gained momentum. Frank B. Colton (G.D. Searle) synthesized norethynodrel in the United States, which became the first FDA-approved oral contraceptive in 1960. However, history would restore its balance. In fact, norethindrone and its derivatives from Syntex were soon available worldwide, becoming the most widely used progestins in oral contraceptives. This review examines the interactions between scientific and social history, clarifying the roles of key figures and situating Mexico's contributions within a broader global context of reproductive autonomy.