We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Medicine

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Is Histrelin?

By Jillian O Keeffe
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 2,596
Share

Histrelin is a medication that alters hormone production in the body. These effects can be beneficial for children who are experiencing the onset of puberty abnormally early, and can also help slow the progress of prostate cancer. As the hormonal treatment typically needs to be over the longterm, histrelin comes in an implant form that can deliver regular doses over time.

In healthy people, a complex regulation system is present in the body to control appropriate levels of hormone. Histrelin is a substance that acts in the same way as a natural hormone in this regulatory system. Modeled on a substance that the brain's hypothalamus gland produces, histrelin performs its action on the brain. This action is to tell the brain to lower the blood concentration of male and female hormones like estrogen and testosterone.

Kids who have a condition called Central Precocious Puberty (CPP) develop unsually early into adolescence, and have abnormal hormone concentrations. Normally, children from about the age of 11 years begin producing male or female hormones which signal to the body to produce adult characteristics such as breasts, pubic hair and changes in body shape. Kids who have CPP can be treated with histrelin, as this medication can help reverse the production of sex hormones and slow the onset of puberty.

Men with prostate cancer may also receive histrelin as part of their treatment. Although the medicine does not cure the cancer, the reduction in hormone level can slow down the growth of the cancer, and thus make the symptoms of the illness more comfortable. For both pediatric and adult use, the medication comes as an implant.

Doctors insert the implant under the skin of the patient, in an area such as the inner side of the arm. The procedure involves only a small incision, and the implant can stay in place for up to a year. After this time, it may need to be replaced as the medicine inside runs out. Some patients may experience side effects from the medication, which are commonly associated with either the location of the implant or the bodily effects associated with the resultant hormone changes.

Examples of problems at the insertion site include irritated skin, soreness and itchiness. The incision may also result in a scar, although this may not be obvious at the chosen site. Female patients can have bleeding from the vagina or a change in breast size. Male patients may see changes in the size of the testicles, and problems having sexual intercourse. Abnormal feelings of heat, called hot flashes, are also possible.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-histrelin.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.