What is Hormone Therapy Screening? Know the Purpose and Procedure
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What is Hormone Therapy Screening? Know the Purpose and Procedure. Hormone therapy is a treatment method in which hormones are used to regulate or replace hormonal functions in the body. Here is the procedure and its side effects.
Hormone therapy is one of the medical approaches that is often used to treat various hormone-related diseases.
This therapy involves the use of hormones or hormone-dependent drugs to treat a variety of diseases, including certain types of cancer.
In this article, we will discuss what hormone therapy is, its purpose, types, procedures used, and possible complications and side effects.
What is hormone therapy?
Hormone therapy, or hormone therapy, is a treatment that uses hormones or drugs that affect the activity of hormones in the body.
Hormones are chemicals produced by the glands of the endocrine system and play an important role in regulating various bodily functions, including growth, metabolism, and sexual function.
Hormone therapy is used for a variety of purposes, from treating conditions caused by hormonal imbalances to managing menopausal symptoms to treating hormone-dependent cancers.
This therapy may involve giving additional hormones, reducing hormone production, or blocking the effects of certain hormones.
Purpose and function of hormone therapy
The main goal of hormone therapy is to eliminate diseases caused by hormonal imbalances or disorders. The functions of hormone therapy include:
1. Managing menopausal symptoms
Hormone therapy is often used to reduce menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness.
2. Treats hypogonadism
In men with low testosterone production, hormone therapy can help restore hormone levels to normal.
3. Treats thyroid disease
Additional thyroid hormones may be prescribed to people with hypothyroidism to regulate metabolism.
4. Treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Hormone therapy can help regulate the menstrual cycle and reduce symptoms of PCOS.
5. Treats hormone-dependent cancers
Breast cancer and prostate cancer are often treated with hormone therapy to suppress the growth of cancer cells affected by hormones.
Types of hormone therapy
There are different types of hormone therapy that are used to treat various diseases. Types of hormone therapy include:
1. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
This therapy is often used to manage menopausal symptoms by administering additional estrogen and/or progesterone.
2. Anti-androgen therapy
Used to reduce the effects of the hormone testosterone in men, it is often used in the treatment of prostate cancer.
3. Anti-estrogen therapy
These include drugs such as tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors, which are used to suppress the effects of estrogen in women with breast cancer.
4. Progestin therapy
It is used to treat menstrual irregularities and reduce the risk of endometrial hyperplasia in women receiving estrogen therapy.
5. Thyroid hormone therapy
Levothyroxine it is a synthetic thyroid hormone and it is used to treat hypothyroidism.
Organs that can be examined with hormone therapy
Hormone therapy is not used directly to examine organs, but is used to treat conditions that affect certain organs that are affected by hormones.
Some of the organs that can be affected by hormone therapy include:
1. Breast
Hormone therapy is often used to treat breast cancer by reducing or blocking the effects of estrogen.
2. Prostate gland
Anti-androgen therapy is used to treat prostate cancer by suppressing the effects of testosterone.
3. Ovary and uterus
Hormone therapy is used to manage symptoms of PCOS, menstrual irregularities, and the risk of endometrial hyperplasia.
4. Thyroid gland
Thyroid hormone therapy is used to treat hypothyroidism and regulate metabolic function.
5. Testicles
Testosterone hormone therapy is used to treat hypogonadism in men.
More article: How to do hormone therapy for the treatment of breast cancer patients
Hormone therapy procedures
Hormone therapy treatments vary depending on the type of therapy and the condition being treated. Here are the main steps of the hormone therapy procedure:
1. Initial consultation
Patients will consult with their doctor to assess their health and determine the appropriate type of hormone therapy.
2. Pre-therapy examination
Blood tests and other tests may be done to measure hormone levels and assess the function of relevant organs.
3. Drug selection
The doctor will prescribe hormones or medications that are appropriate to the patient's condition. This can be pills, injections, patches, gels or creams.
4. Take medication
Hormone therapy can be given in a variety of ways, including oral (pills), injections, patches applied to the skin, or topical creams.
5. Monitoring
Patients will be monitored regularly to assess response to therapy and to identify side effects. Blood tests can be done periodically to measure hormone levels.
6. Dosage Adjustment
Doctors can adjust the dosage of the drug based on the patient's reaction and the results of laboratory tests.
What to do before hormone therapy
Before undergoing hormone therapy, there are several steps that must be taken to ensure the safety and effectiveness of treatment:
1. See a doctor
Discuss your medical history and existing medical conditions with your doctor. Stay informed about the medications you take, including supplements and herbs.
2. Blood test
Do a blood test to measure hormone levels and organ function accordingly. This test helps the doctor in determining the right dose.
3. Assess risks and rewards
Discuss with your doctor about the potential risks and benefits of hormone therapy, as well as alternative treatments that may be available.
4. Stopping Certain Medications
Some medications or supplements may be withdrawn before starting hormone therapy to avoid drug interactions.
5. Mental and emotional preparation
Prepare yourself mentally and emotionally for hormone therapy, especially if the treatment lasts for a long time.
Complications and side effects of hormone therapy
Hormone therapy can cause a variety of side effects, which vary depending on the type of medication and the individual's response to treatment. Some common side effects include:
1. Estrogen side effects
Including an increased risk of blood clots, stroke and breast cancer. Other symptoms include headaches, nausea, and mood swings.
2. Progesterone side effects
Including weight gain, breast pain, and changes in the menstrual cycle.
3. Testosterone Side Effects
Including acne, an increased risk of heart disease, and mood swings.
4. Antiandrogen side effects
Including decreased libido, fatigue and hot flashes.
5. Anti-estrogen side effects
These include hot flashes, joint pain, and an increased risk of osteoporosis.
6. Cardiovascular problems
Some hormonal treatments can increase the risk of cardiovascular problems, such as hypertension and heart attacks.
7. Metabolic changes
Hormone therapy can affect metabolism, causing changes in body weight and blood lipid levels.
Hormone therapy is an important treatment for a variety of hormone-related diseases.
With a better understanding of what hormone therapy is, its purpose, types, procedures used, and possible complications and side effects, patients can be better prepared for this treatment.
Hormone therapy involves the use of hormones or drugs that affect the activity of hormones in the body and can be used to treat a variety of conditions such as menopausal symptoms, hypogonadism, thyroid disease, PCOS, and hormone-dependent cancers.
Although hormone therapy can cause a variety of side effects, with good planning and proper medical support, patients can better cope with these treatments.
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