hormone therapy

noun

: the therapeutic use of hormones: such as
a
: the administration of hormones especially to increase diminished levels in the body
b
: therapy involving the use of drugs or surgical procedures to suppress the production of or to inhibit the effects of a hormone (such as estrogen or testosterone)
hormone therapy to treat breast or prostate cancer
c
: the administration or use of sex hormones (such as estrogen or testosterone) or other agents (such as antiandrogens) to suppress or induce the development of certain secondary sex characteristics to better align with the gender identity of a transgender or gender nonconforming individual
Many transgender people take lifelong hormone therapyCarina Storrs

Examples of hormone therapy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Menopause can also be the result of chemotherapy or hormone therapy for breast cancer. Korin Miller, Health, 19 May 2024 As a result, menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) was shelved by many doctors and rejected by many fearful women. Mary McNamara, The Mercury News, 15 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for hormone therapy 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hormone therapy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1914, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hormone therapy was in 1914

Dictionary Entries Near hormone therapy

Cite this Entry

“Hormone therapy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hormone%20therapy. Accessed 29 May. 2024.

Medical Definition

hormone therapy

noun
variants or hormonal therapy
: the therapeutic use of hormones: as
a
: the administration of hormones especially to increase diminished levels in the body
b
: therapy involving the use of drugs or surgical procedures to suppress the production of or inhibit the effects of a hormone (as estrogen or testosterone)
hormone therapy to treat breast or prostate cancer
c
: the administration or use of sex hormones or other agents (as antiandrogens) to suppress or induce the development of certain secondary sex characteristics to better align with the gender identity of an individual
Many transgender people take lifelong hormone therapyCarina Storrs
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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