LHRH is shorthand for Luteinizing hormone releasing hormone. LHRH is released from the hypothalamus of the brain when the hypothalamus detects dropping levels of testosterone. LHRH is received by the receptors of the pituitary gland which releases luteinizing hormone or LH which travels to the testicles and begins the production of testosterone. In prostate cancer hormone therapy, LHRH agonists and antagonists are used to prevent the pituitary gland from releasing LH. The levels of testosterone will drop 90 to 95 percent to what is called castrate level. The use of a LHRH agonist or antagonist is prostate cancer hormone therapy therefore is often called chemical castration. LHRH is also referred to as gonadotropin hormone releasing hormone. As a prostate cancer treatment, the removal of the testosterone from the body will temporarily stop or slow the growth and spread of the disease.
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