hormone therapy

noun

: the therapeutic use of hormones: such as

a

: the administration of hormones especially to increase diminished levels in the body

especially : hormone replacement therapy

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 therapy …

—Carina Storrs

Examples of hormone therapy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Over the past five years, she’s been in and out of the hospital for radiation, chemotherapy, surgeries and hormone therapy, as the cancer spread to her liver, lymph nodes, spine and bones. —Sophia Liang, The Courier-Journal, 12 June 2024

In his order, Judge Hinkle noted that Florida had allowed for medications such as puberty blockers and hormone therapies to treat gender dysphoria for many years. —Patricia Mazzei, New York Times, 11 June 2024

For example, one study looked at nearly 22,000 trans people nationwide who sought hormone therapy. —Marla Broadfoot, Scientific American, 19 Mar. 2024

However, opponents raise concerns about potential advantages in strength, endurance and muscle mass that transgender women may retain even after hormone therapy. —Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 28 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1914, in the meaning defined above

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

especially : hormone replacement therapy

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 therapy …

—Carina Storrs