Provided are compounds of general formula A and A′, wherein X1 and X2 are each C, CH or N; R3 and R4 are each H, optionally substituted C1-C30 saturated or unsaturated chemical group, or together form an optionally substituted C5-C8 cycle; Z1; Z2 and Z3 are each N or CH; V is C═O, C═S or CH2; n is from 1 to 12; W1 and W2 are each H, CH2, O or S; and R1 and R2 are each H, Cr1C6 alkyl, C1C6 aryl, C1C12 alkylaryl, optionally substituted phenyl, C1C6 alkoxy, C1C6 thioalkoxy, F, Cl, Br or I. These compounds inhibit steroid sulfatase (STS), act as selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), increase alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and are useful in the treatment of medical conditions involving hormones such as breast cancer, prostate cancer, endometriosis, osteoporosis, benign prostatic hyperplasia and endometrial cancer.