What is hormone therapy for breast cancer?

Some breast cancers need the hormones estrogen or progesterone to grow. Hormone therapy keeps these cancers from getting the hormones they need. It helps slow or stop cancer growth. The treatment works by lowering the amount of estrogen your body makes or by blocking the estrogen from getting inside the cancer cells.

Some types of hormone therapy for breast cancer include:

Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs).

Examples are raloxifene and tamoxifen.

Selective estrogen receptor down-regulators (SERDs).

Examples are fulvestrant and elacestrant.

Aromatase inhibitors.

Examples are anastrozole and letrozole.

GnRH or LH-RH agonists.

Examples are goserelin and leuprolide.

Side effects of hormone treatment depend on the drug that is used. They may include hot flashes, mood swings, nausea, diarrhea, and vaginal dryness. They also may include headaches, low energy, less interest in sex, and thinning bones. Some drugs may cause aching joints or trouble sleeping.

Some drugs may also raise your risk for blood clots, stroke, and endometrial cancer.

Removing your ovaries makes you start menopause, if you haven't started it yet. Menopause often has symptoms like hot flashes, vaginal dryness, urinating often, and having less interest in sex. And it raises your risk for other diseases, like heart disease and osteoporosis.

When your ovaries are removed, you can no longer get pregnant through sex.