Hormonal Treatment Uses and Types – Its Side Effects
Hormonal Treatment and All about It
What is Hormonal Treatment?
Hormonal treatment, also called hormone therapy, endocrine therapy, or hormonal therapy, is a treatment that involves using hormones to treat some types of medical conditions. This treatment can be either used to increase or decrease hormone levels in the human body, based on the conditions being treated. It's commonly used for conditions such as prostate cancer, menopause, and breast cancer.
Uses of Hormonal Treatment
There are many uses of hormonal treatments. Here are the uses of the hormonal treatments.
1. Uses in Cancer Treatment
- Breast and Prostate Cancer
Hormone therapy helps treat cancers that rely on hormones to grow, like a few types of breast and prostate cancer. It can either slow or stop these hormone-sensitive tumour growths by blocking the body's down capability to generate hormones or disturbing how hormones affect cancer cells. - Other Cancers
Hormone therapy is also used for a few other types of cancer. - Before or After Other Treatments
Hormone therapy can be used before surgery to shrink tumours, making them easier to remove, or after other treatments like radiation or chemotherapy to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence.
2. Uses in Menopause
- Reduces Symptoms
Hormone therapy, often called menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) or hormone replacement therapy (HRT), helps treat the symptoms of menopause, like hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness. - Stops Osteoporosis
A key hormone called Estrogen, often replaced during menopause, helps preserve bone health and can stop osteoporosis. - Addresses Sexual Dysfunction
Hormone therapy can also help with sexual dysfunction associated with the menopause, like vaginal dryness. - Managing Premature or Surgical Menopause
Women who get menopause before the typical age (e.g., because of surgery or other medical reasons) might get an advantage from hormone therapy to cope with the symptoms and address long-term health complications.
3. Other Uses
There are many other uses of hormone therapy. Let’s discuss other hormone therapy uses.
- Hypothyroidism – Hormone therapy helps treat hypothyroidism, which is a condition in which the thyroid gland doesn't generate sufficient thyroid hormone.
- Testosterone Insufficiency – During testosterone deficiency cases, hormone therapy helps in maintaining healthy testosterone levels.
- Diabetes – Hormonal treatments serve in managing diabetes, helping to control the blood sugar levels.
- Reproductive Therapies – Hormonal treatments have uses in different reproductive therapies.
- Chronic Disease Management – Hormonal therapies have an important role in managing a few chronic diseases.
Hormonal Treatment Procedure Steps
There are many steps involved in the hormonal treatment. Let’s discuss the steps involved in the hormonal treatment procedure.
1. Consultation and Assessment
A healthcare professional will check the medical history of the patient, his/her current health status, and the particular condition being treated.
2. Diagnosis and Treatment Plan
Based on the analysis of these things, a diagnosis is made, and a proper treatment plan will be made. The hormonal treatment plan will decide the type of hormone therapy, dosage, and method of administration.
3. Hormone Administration
- Oral – Hormone therapy can be used orally in the form of pills or tablets.
- Injection – Hormone therapy Injections can be intramuscular (into the muscle) or subcutaneous (under the skin).
- Topical – Hormones can also be applied topically, like with skin patches, creams, or gels.
- Surgical – In a few cases, surgery might be used to clear off the hormone-generating organs such as ovaries or testicles.
4. Monitoring and Adjustments
Monitoring regularly is important to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment and make any needed adjustments for the dosage or administration methods.
5. Managing Side Effects
Hormonal treatments can have side effects, so healthcare providers will also monitor and manage any side effects.
Side Effects of Hormonal Treatment
There are many side effects of hormonal treatment. Here are the side effects of hormonal treatment.
- Hot flashes – These are quick sensations of intense heat, often accompanied by sweating.
- Decreased Sexual Desire – Hormone therapy can impact libido in both men and women.
- Erectile dysfunction – Hormonal treatment can cause trouble in getting or maintaining an erection, which is a common side effect for men.
- Fatigue – Feeling tired or lacking energy is a frequent complaint.
- Weight gain – Hormone therapy can result in weight gain, especially around the abdomen, and decreased muscle mass.
- Bone loss and increased fracture risk – A few hormone therapies could weaken bones, thus increasing the risk of fractures.
- Mood changes – Depression, mood swings, and other emotional changes could also occur.
- Breast tenderness or pain – This is general in women, but it also happens in men as a result of hormone therapy.
- Nausea or vomiting – A few people feel digestive problems.
- Menstrual changes – Irregular bleeding or spotting could happen, particularly in the first few months of continuous combined hormonal treatment.
- Vaginal dryness or discharge – This is general in women.
- Blood clots – A few hormone therapies could increase the blood clot complications.
What are the types of Hormonal therapy?
Hormone therapy types can be classified into Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) for menopause and hormone therapy for cancer treatment. Within HRT, there are estrogen-only and combined estrogen-progesterone choices, administered through different methods such as pills, gels, patches, or vaginal applications. For cancer, hormone therapy might use aromatase inhibitors, estrogen receptor antagonists, SERMs, LHRH agonists, or surgery to clear off the hormone-generating organs.
1) Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) for Menopause
- Estrogen-only HRT
This procedure is used for women who have had a hysterectomy, replacing estrogen to mitigate the menopausal symptoms such as vaginal dryness, hot flashes, and mood changes. - Combined HRT
This procedure combines estrogen and progesterone to safeguard the uterus from the effects of unopposed estrogen, especially in women who still have their uterus.
Delivery Methods
HRT can be used via pills, gels, skin patches, sprays, vaginal creams, or rings.
2) Hormone Therapy for Cancer
- Aromatase inhibitors (AIs)
Aromatase inhibitors help block the generation of estrogen, used in breast cancer treatment. - Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs)
SERMs bind to estrogen receptors in some tissues, such as breast tissue, while blocking estrogen in others; this is used in breast cancer. - Estrogen Receptor Antagonists
Block estrogen receptors, preventing estrogen from binding and motivating cancer cell growth. - Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonists
Minimises the generation of hormones that trigger cancer cell growth, used in prostate and breast cancer. - Surgery
Oophorectomy (removal of ovaries) or orchiectomy (removal of testicles) could be used to stop hormone production.
3) Other Hormone Therapies
- Oral contraceptives: Oral contraceptives contain synthetic hormones (estrogen and progestin) to prevent pregnancy.
- Androgen replacement therapy(ART) : Androgen replacement therapy (ART) helps treat low testosterone levels in men.
- Gender-affirming hormone therapy: This is used to align secondary sex characteristics with a person's gender identity.
- Medications for hormonal imbalances: This is such as Metformin for PCOS and levothyroxine for hypothyroidism.
Are hormone therapy and hormone replacement therapy the same?
Though hormone therapy and hormone replacement therapy are used interchangeably by the healthcarepeople, there could be slight differences between the two.
Hormone therapy (HT) is a broader term, which means it might apply to any kind of treatment involving hormones. For example, hormone therapy for cancer or to treat certain hormonal imbalances.
The hormone replacement therapy (HRT) usually means the hormones are replacing the natural hormones your human body is no longer making, particularly for people in their 30s - 40s. The difference is that HRT can have various complications based on your age.
When some people say hormone replacement therapy, they’re generally talking about menopause. But when people talk about hormone therapy, they aren’t always speaking about menopause. The term your healthcareprovider uses might also have something to do with your age. When you’re closer to the natural age of menopause, they may use the term hormone therapy.
When to Call the Doctor
At the time of hormonal therapy, if you have vaginal bleeding or other unusual symptoms, then contact your provider. Make sure to continue asking your provider for regular checkups when taking hormonal therapy.
Who should avoid hormone therapy?
To ensure it's safe for you, consult your doctor before you take it:
1) If you have ever had an allergic reaction to oestrogen or progestogen, or to any other medicine.
2) If you have ever had breast cancer, are having tests for breast cancer, or are considered high risk because of the family history.
HELP CENTRE
Confused? We’ve got the answers
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FAQ
Is hormone treatment safe?
<p>Hormone treatment, including hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for menopause, has many complications and benefits that must be carefully considered. The particular complications and benefits can differ based on factors such as age, health history, and the type and duration of hormone treatment. </p>
What is the safest form of hormone therapy?
<p>Estrogen patches are generally considered to be the safest form of estrogen hormone therapy, particularly if you're above 35 or smoke, as they are less prone to cause blood clots than estrogen pills. </p>
Who is eligible for hormone therapy?
<p>If you go through menopause or have your ovaries removed prior to the age of 45, or your ovaries stop working before age 40, you might get an advantage from menopause hormone therapy. That is due to the fact that you would have low estrogen for a longer time than if you went through menopause at a typical age.</p>
What is the need for hormonal treatment?
<p>Hormonal treatment refers to a cancer treatment that either slows down or inhibits the growth of cancers that are based on hormones to grow. It functions by blocking the body's capability to generate hormones or interfere with how hormones affect cancer cells.</p>
Is hormone therapy permanent?
<p>People who take masculinising hormones can see permanent changes like voice deepening, facial and body hair growth, clitoral enlargement and scalp hair loss – which will not go away if they even stop using hormones. Other changes are reversible.</p>
How costly is hormone therapy?
<p>The prices of hormonal therapy can vary. Many plans from the health insurance companies offer health insurance coverage for the estrogen products, but your out-of-pocket costs might be high. You might become eligible for savings via manufacturer discounts and patient assistance programmes.</p>
How to quit hormone therapy?
<p>In general, to discontinue hormone therapy safely, it's recommended to taper off the medication gradually instead of stopping it abruptly. This means lowering the dosage or frequency of the medication over a time period of weeks or months, in consultation with a healthcare professional. The particular tapering schedule must be tailored to the individual and their particular circumstances, like the type of hormone therapy, the reason for taking it, and the seriousness of any potential withdrawal symptoms. </p>
Does hormone therapy cause hair loss?
<p>Yes, hormone treatment can in some cases cause hair loss, though it's not a guaranteed side effect and the severity can differ. </p>
Will my hair grow back after hormone treatment?
<p>In some cases, hair might even begin to grow back before treatment has completed. However, a few people can get permanent hair loss. The fastness your hair regrows differs from person to person, but many people will have a full covering of hair three to six months after treatment. For a few people, this might be patchy.</p>
Is hormonal treatment used for imbalance?
<p>Yes, hormonal treatment is mostly used for addressing the imbalances in hormone levels within the human body. These imbalances can result in a variety of symptoms and impact many bodily functions.</p>
What are the alternatives for hormonal treatment?
<p>Alternatives to hormonal treatments for menopause symptoms are non-hormonal medications, complementary and alternative therapies, and lifestyle modifications.</p>
Does hormonal treatment cause diabetes?
<p>Yes, hormonal treatment can raise the risk of developing diabetes, especially in some individuals and with particular types of hormone therapy.</p>
Does hormone treatment cause constipation?
<p>Yes, hormone treatment can result in constipation. This side effect is seen in some hormone therapies, especially those involving estrogen or progestogen. </p>
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