[Administration route of natural sex steroids (estradiol, progesterone, testosterone) (author's transl)].

The natural sex steroids (E2, T, P) may be used in therapeutics. Estradiol and testosterone esters (decanoate and undecanoate) may be administered orally. A local effect always follows the percutaneous application of sex steroids, and this is usually accompanied by a systemic effect. But because of the very important metabolism of progesterone by the skin, it is necessary to administer it by other routes (intravaginal, intrarectal) in order to obtain a systemic effect.