Medical castration

Medical castration is a term referring to the use of medication to suppress or halt the production of testosterone or other hormones. It is often used as a treatment for prostate cancer and other hormone-dependent conditions.

Overview

Medical castration is a form of chemical castration, which uses pharmaceutical drugs to deactivate the testes. Unlike surgical castration, where the testes are removed through an incision in the scrotum, medical castration avoids the need for surgery.

The drugs used for medical castration are known as gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists. These drugs work by sending a signal to the pituitary gland to stop producing luteinizing hormone, which in turn stops the testes from producing testosterone.

Uses

Medical castration is primarily used as a treatment for prostate cancer. By reducing the levels of testosterone in the body, the growth of prostate cancer cells can be slowed or stopped. This treatment is often used in combination with other treatments, such as radiation therapy or chemotherapy.

In addition to prostate cancer, medical castration can also be used to treat other hormone-dependent conditions, such as breast cancer and certain types of ovarian cancer.

Side effects

Like all medical treatments, medical castration can have side effects. These can include hot flashes, fatigue, weight gain, and loss of libido. In some cases, long-term use of medical castration can lead to osteoporosis.

See also

• Chemical castration
• Prostate cancer
• Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist

Medical castration Resources
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