Author: Simon Walters

Hormone Therapy

Simon Walters

Hormone Therapy San Diego involves taking medicine that blocks or interferes with hormones in the body. It can help control cancer and prevent health problems that occur with age.

It can also reduce symptoms of menopause and improve long-term health. But the benefits and risks depend on what type of hormone therapy you take and how you use it.

Hormone therapy uses medications to block or change the way hormones work in the body. It is one part of cancer treatment and often is given with other drugs or treatments, such as surgery or radiation. It can be used to treat hormone-sensitive cancers that depend on estrogen and progesterone to grow, such as uterine cancer or breast cancer. It can also be used to help reduce the risk that cancer will come back after treatment, called recurrent or metastatic cancer.

Many people who have hormone-sensitive cancer will take some type of hormone therapy for the rest of their lives. It may be daily, monthly, or yearly. The length of time will depend on your health and what kind of treatment plan is being followed for your cancer.

You will need to have regular blood tests and doctor visits while on hormone therapy. Some types of hormone therapy are delivered through a skin patch, gel, ring, or pill that is taken by mouth. Others are injected into the body with a needle. You will also need to follow your health care team’s instructions for what to do if you get sick or have other medical problems while on hormone therapy.

There are different ways to use hormone therapy for menopause, including a combination of medications, such as the estrogen estriol and progestin medroxyprogesterone acetate or the drug letrozole (Femara). This medication is usually given by mouth in a capsule or a gel that is put on the skin. It can also be put into the uterus through an intrauterine device that contains the hormone levonorgestrel. This device is approved for pregnancy prevention and bleeding control in the United States under the brand names Liletta, Kyleena, and Mirena. It is also sometimes used “off-label” along with estrogen to help relieve symptoms of perimenopause, such as irregular periods and hot flashes.

Some women will also need to have a surgical ablation, which involves removal of an organ that makes certain hormones. For example, the testicles may need to be removed to decrease testosterone levels as a part of prostate cancer treatment. Or the ovaries may need to be surgically removed to stop making estrogen as part of breast cancer treatment, which is called an ovarian ablation or bilateral orchiectomy. This is done in a hospital or specialized medical center.

Injected hormone therapy

The type of hormone therapy you get will depend on the type of cancer and where it has spread. Hormone therapy can’t cure advanced prostate cancer, but it can stop it from growing and help control symptoms like bone pain. It may also help you live longer.

Some types of hormone therapy are given as injections. Others are taken as tablets. Your doctor will give you a prescription and you’ll go to a pharmacy to pick it up on a regular schedule. You can find out more about what to expect when having hormone treatment and how to manage your side effects in our booklet, Living with hormone therapy: a guide for men.

You might be offered an injection called lHRH agonists (luteinizing hormone receptor agonists). These work to make your body produce less testosterone. You’ll usually be given a course of anti-androgen tablets as well. You’ll start these before your first lHRH agonist injection and keep taking them for a few weeks.

Other kinds of hormone therapy are used to treat prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of the body (advanced or metastatic prostate cancer). These can be given alone or in combination with other treatments, including radiotherapy. You might be offered abiraterone (Zytiga(r)), enzalutamide (Xtandi(r)) or apalutamide (Erleada(r)). These are newer types of hormone therapy and they’re also sometimes called second-line hormone therapy. They’re often given when your cancer stops responding to other hormone therapies.

These drugs are able to reduce levels of testosterone in the blood, so they can stop your tumours from growing. But they can cause other side effects, such as muscle and joint pain. You might also have problems with your sexual function. These side effects can affect both men and women.

Your doctor will check your PSA level before starting hormone therapy and regularly throughout your treatment. This is to see whether the treatment is working and to catch any changes in your PSA that might mean the cancer is coming back or has stopped responding.

Most of the time, hormone therapy doesn’t cause long-term side effects. But some do last beyond the end of your treatment and need to be managed. Your health care team can help you manage these, so it’s important to tell your doctor about any problems that might be related to your hormone therapy.

Oral hormone therapy

Hormones are chemicals that travel in the bloodstream and help control how some cells and organs act or grow. They are produced by glands (such as the thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal glands, pancreas, ovaries and testicles). Hormone therapy changes the levels of these hormones in your body by blocking them or lowering them. It can help control cancer that uses hormones to grow and improve your quality of life during and after treatment.

You might need oral hormone therapy if you have a certain type of breast or prostate cancer that uses hormones to grow or spread. It can also be used to relieve side effects of other treatments. Hormone therapy can be taken by mouth or as an injection into a vein. It can also be used to treat menopause symptoms such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness. The type and duration of hormone therapy you need depends on your age, the severity of your menopause symptoms and the types of cancer treatments you receive.

Medications called aromatase inhibitors reduce estrogen levels by blocking the enzyme that turns other hormones into estrogen. They are often used in combination with tamoxifen to treat estrogen receptor-positive (ER-positive) cancer. ER-negative cancers are less likely to use estrogen to grow. Tamoxifen is often given with an ovarian suppression drug called progestin to prevent ovulation.

For some premenopausal women, a surgery to remove the ovaries can be used to lower estrogen and may help to control breast cancer that uses hormones to grow. This is known as ovarian ablation or suppression. In addition, a surgical removal of the testicles to reduce testosterone can be done to control some forms of prostate cancer. This is called bilateral orchiectomy.

Your UPMC Hillman Cancer Center team will carefully review your options for hormone therapy during your appointment at a dedicated office visit for this discussion. They will consider your age, family history and personal medical history as well as the severity of your menopause symptoms. They will also talk about your risk of developing osteoporosis and other health problems. UPMC Hillman Cancer Center care teams will work with you to find the best ways to manage side effects during and after hormone therapy.

Side effects of hormone therapy

Hormones are chemicals that help control the activity of certain cells and organs by moving through the bloodstream. They play a role in many body functions, including growth and development, reproduction, mood and how the body turns food into energy. Hormone therapy changes the amount of hormones produced in the body. This can cause side effects. Before you start hormone therapy, talk with your doctor about what to expect and ask questions.

The side effects of hormone therapy can vary depending on the type and dose of drugs used. They can include hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness and thinning or loss of hair. Some types of hormone therapy can increase your risk for heart disease or gallbladder disease. It is important to discuss the risks and benefits of hormone therapy with your doctor at an office visit that is dedicated to this discussion.

Some hormone-related side effects, like thinning or loss of hair, may get better after the first few weeks of treatment. Others, such as hot flashes or vaginal dryness, may take longer to go away. Your doctor can prescribe medications to help ease these symptoms if they are bothersome.

Depending on the type of cancer you have, it is possible that hormone therapy will affect fertility. Women who are trying to conceive should not begin hormone therapy until they are sure they will be able to get pregnant. Men should avoid hormone therapy if they are trying to father children, as it can lower sperm counts. This can be reversed after stopping hormone therapy for 3-6 months, but the sperm count will not return to normal immediately.

Anti-hormone therapy can also treat some cancers by blocking or lowering the hormones that promote tumor growth. It is usually used in combination with other cancer treatments, but it can be used on its own. These drugs can be taken by mouth or injected. Surgery to remove an organ that makes hormones is also sometimes used.

After you complete hormone therapy, your doctor will watch you closely to make sure the treatments are helping and do not cause any unwanted side effects. You will have routine blood, urine or saliva tests to check your hormone levels and adjust the dose if needed.

Articles on Pest Control

Simon Walters

Articles provide a way for businesses to educate and inform consumers on various topics. From food safety checklists to tips on how to use a product, articles serve many purposes.

Eliminate access points to your home by closing cracks and crevices. Clutter like stacks of wood and trash can also offer pests hiding places. Contact Pest Control Trophy Club TX now!

The first step in pest control is to correctly identify the organism that needs to be managed. This is important because different organisms have different characteristics that impact how and when pest management tactics are used. Misidentification can cost time and money as well as result in unnecessary risks to people and the environment. If you are unsure about the identification of a particular pest, contact your local county Extension office or ask a pest management professional for help.

The next step in pest control is monitoring the pest to determine if it is damaging crops, natural resources or human structures and facilities. This is done by observing the pests, collecting samples and/or analyzing existing data. This information allows the operator to make decisions about whether or not a pest is causing damage that needs to be controlled and what control methods are needed if the decision is made to manage the pest.

A good monitoring program will help you detect a pest problem early and develop a control strategy before the damage becomes unacceptable. Sampling should be conducted throughout the growing season and focused in areas where pests have historically occurred to get the best picture of pest populations and activity.

During the monitoring process, it is important to evaluate the benefits and risks of any control tactic that may be used. Control options include prevention, suppression, or eradication. The goal of any control strategy is to cause the least amount of harm to non-target organisms and to our environment.

In addition to being correctly identified, it is also essential to understand the biology and life cycle of a pest to be able to manage it effectively. For example, many insect species look very different at various stages of their life cycle. Immature beetles often resemble caterpillars, and mature beetles can sometimes resemble worms. Knowing the pest’s life cycle and behavior will allow you to discover weaknesses in the pest’s development or life history that can be exploited with appropriate controls.

Pests can be a serious threat to our cropland, forests, landscapes and home gardens. They can destroy or displace desirable plants, interfere with animal life, and create health hazards. They can also impact water quality and wildlife habitat. In addition, they can contribute to soil erosion and degradation.

Pesticides

Pesticides are chemicals used to kill organisms that invade or damage crops, food stores or homes. They include insecticides (killers of insects), herbicides (weed killers), rodenticides (control of destruction and contamination by rodents) and fungicides (control of diseases such as mildews, rusts, molds and rots). Some household products also contain pesticides, including some weed killers, dishwashing liquids and fruit and vegetable sprays.

When choosing a pesticide, consider not only the effectiveness against the specific pest you are trying to get rid of, but also its effect on other organisms, including pets and native plants. The toxicity of the pesticide is affected by the form it takes, the way it is applied and whether it is absorbed through the skin. The label on a pesticide container is helpful in making this determination. For example, a skull and crossbones symbol on the label indicates an extremely toxic compound that can be fatal at very low doses. A label that says “may cause eye and skin irritation” is less hazardous.

Another factor that can affect the safety of a pesticide is the extent to which it contaminates soil and water. Regardless of how well the pesticide is formulated to limit such contamination, it can still occur from runoff or drifting spray and can harm ecosystems in rivers, lakes, streams and the groundwater supply.

In addition to the actual pesticide, pesticide products may contain solvents, diluents and other ingredients that are not active against the specific pest you are trying to control. In fact, the inert ingredients often make up more than 95% of a pesticide product and can be as toxic or more so than the active pesticide.

Whenever possible, try non-chemical methods to control pests before resorting to chemicals. Also, when using any kind of pesticide, read and follow the instructions carefully. Store pesticides in a safe place where children and pets cannot reach them and use only as much as is needed.

Preventive Measures

Keeping buildings and grounds clean, in good repair, and avoiding waste is the best prevention against pests. Pest control is only necessary when a pest population becomes a nuisance or causes damage that exceeds an acceptable level. Preventive measures are usually less expensive than treatment. Integrated pest management (IPM) emphasizes prevention and monitoring, rather than extermination.

IPM programs include routine inspections to detect pest problems and provide recommendations for improvement. These services are often provided at a low cost or free of charge to homeowners and businesses. Inspections are conducted by trained personnel who evaluate sites for possible infestations. They look for the presence of pests and note signs such as holes in plants or walls, discarded nests, and scurrying sounds. They also inspect for the presence of birds, which can cause significant damage in large numbers by pecking and droppings.

Weather conditions affect pests by killing or suppressing them. The availability of food, water and shelter also influences the size of a pest population.

Many insects and other pests can be controlled by predators and parasites that feed on them. Pathogens can also reduce pest populations by attacking or infecting them. Natural landscape features such as mountains and bodies of water restrict the movement of some pests.

The most effective way to prevent pests is to remove their food, water, or shelter sources. This includes removing waste, keeping trash cans tightly closed and emptied frequently, repairing leaky plumbing, and storing food in sealed plastic or glass containers. It is important to keep landscape areas well-groomed and to remove or trim bushes, trees, and other tall vegetation that can serve as hiding places or pathways for pests.

In addition, it is important to maintain garbage and compost bins in a closed or covered container. Finally, it is a good idea to not let water accumulate around homes or buildings, especially under houseplants or in the refrigerator. Regularly cleaning gutters can also help to avoid water accumulating in places where pests may nest. The most important thing to remember when it comes to pest control is that preventing an infestation is much cheaper and easier than dealing with one once it starts.

Biological Control

Biological control involves the introduction of natural enemies (predators, parasitoids and pathogens) to kill pest insects or disease organisms. Natural enemies are not prone to resistance like chemical pesticides and therefore can be more effective. The cost of developing and releasing a biological control agent is also lower than that for producing and evaluating new chemical pesticides.

Unlike chemical pesticides, which can have unpredictable and toxic side effects, biological controls generally do not damage native species or ecosystems. This is because the species of predator or parasitoid introduced to control a particular pest is highly host-specific, killing only the targeted insect. However, it is important to accurately identify the target pest to the species level so that the correct natural enemy can be purchased for mass production and released.

The success of biological control has led to a worldwide commitment to reduce pesticide use and promote integrated pest management. It is a key part of a’systems approach’ to pest control that includes a range of preventive measures and the development of crops with built-in pest resistance or tolerance.

A number of different techniques for introducing and deploying biological control agents have been developed, including classical, augmentative and conservation biological control. Classical biological control is used mainly against exotic pests that have become established in a new region or country. Small numbers of a suitable natural enemy are collected from the region of origin of the pest, and then ‘inoculated’ into the local environment in order to establish a population that will provide long term control.

Augmentative biological control is a more widespread technique, where large numbers of the natural enemy are released in order to quickly overwhelm and suppress the target pest population. This is a more efficient way to control pests than the inoculative method and is used against a wide range of pests including Cotesia parasitoids against sugar cane borer, Trichogramma tephritidis against soya bean caterpillar and Anticarsia gemmatalis multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus against citrus green mite.

The main limitation of biological control is that it takes longer than spraying with a chemical pesticide to suppress target populations, because the natural enemies have to feed and breed before attacking. A further challenge is that many of the most effective natural enemies are rare or endangered, so there is a need to develop more efficient methods of identification and evaluation, and more efficient ways to distribute useful predators and parasitoids to farmers.