Novel and anti-estrogenic compounds are provided which are useful to treat a variety of disorders, particularly estrogen-dependant disorders. Preferred compounds have 1,3,5-estratiene nucleus, and are substituted at the C-17 or C-11 position with a molecular moiety which renders the compounds effective to competitively block the binding of estrogen to its receptor. Particularly preferred compounds are 17-desoxy-1,3,5-estratienes. Therapeutic methods and pharmaceutical compositions are provided as well.