Comments: This is a hoax whose only reason for existence is to frighten young women. "Progesterex" doesn't exist. There's no mention of it anywhere in medical or scientific literature.

All versions of the forwarded warning, in circulation since November 1999, display features common to urban legends and Internet hoaxes:

* an urgent, fear-inducing tone;
* a lack of verifiable sources (instead, a reference to an unnamed authority figure — "my best friend's mom");
* the usual plea to forward the message to everyone one knows.

Rohypnol, the surgical anesthetic also mentioned in the email, does exist and has frequently been implicated in cases of date rape. It is said to dissolve quickly in liquids, and, when combined with alcohol, causes drowsiness, lowered inhibition, and memory loss. (The drug was recently reformulated to change color when dissolved in liquid so its presence is more detectable.)

It's important for young women to be aware of the crime of date rape and the fact that drugs are used to sedate date rape victims. But it's equally important to separate fact from fiction. The "Progesterex" scare is baseless. If you receive this hoax by email, please don't forward it on.