Types of hormonal therapies

The hormonal therapy recommended by your doctor could be done through surgery (for example, removing the ovaries) or chemical substances/drugs

In the clinic, ways to block ER signals include:

Measures to prevent estrogen binding to their receptors (ER)

  • Anti-estrogen drugs, such as tamoxifen or Fulvestrant (Faslodex ®), block ERs, preventing estrogens from binding to them;

Measures that reduce estrogen levels in the blood

  • Surgical removal of the ovaries (ablation) significantly and permanently blood reduces estrogen levels in pre-menopausal women;
  • Drugs called LHRH agonists (LHRH is a hormone that, among other effects, stimulates the production of estrogen) can temporarily inhibit estrogen production in pre-menopausal women ;

  • Aromatase inhibitors (aromatase is a protein that stimulates the production of estrogen) stop the production of estrogen in organs other than ovaries in post-menopausal women. After menopause, the ovaries stop producing estrogen, but aromatase from muscles and fat tissues can still lead to its production and release into the blood.
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