Reproductive Pharmacology & Hormone Therapy

Vocabulary flashcards covering key hormones, drugs, and conditions discussed in the reproductive pharmacology lecture.

Gonadotropic Hormones

A group of anterior pituitary hormones that include FSH, LH, and LTH, regulating gonadal function.

Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH)

Gonadotropin that stimulates ovarian follicle growth in females and sperm production in males.

Luteinizing Hormone (LH)

Gonadotropin that triggers ovulation and supports corpus luteum development; aids testosterone production in males.

Luteotropic Hormone (LTH)

Prolactin-like hormone that promotes progesterone secretion by the corpus luteum and milk production.

Androgens

Male sex hormones (e.g., testosterone, androsterone) responsible for development of male characteristics.

Testosterone

Primary androgen that induces and maintains male secondary sex characteristics and spermatogenesis.

Androsterone

An androgenic steroid hormone contributing to male traits; less potent than testosterone.

Hypogonadism

Deficiency of gonadal hormone production; treated with androgen replacement therapy.

Methyltestosterone

Synthetic androgen used as hormone replacement and as an anti-estrogen in some breast cancers.

Danazol (Danocrine)

Synthetic androgen used to treat endometriosis, fibrocystic breast disease, and hereditary angioedema.

Cachexia

Severe weight loss and muscle wasting seen in chronic diseases; androgens may help reverse it.

Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) Inhibitors

Drug class (e.g., sildenafil, tadalafil) that enhances penile blood flow to treat erectile dysfunction.

Sildenafil (Viagra)

PDE-5 inhibitor for erectile dysfunction; notable for vision disturbances and interaction with nitrates.

Tadalafil (Cialis)

Long-acting PDE-5 inhibitor for erectile dysfunction and BPH; less ocular and cardiac strain than sildenafil.

Alpha Blockers

Drugs (e.g., tamsulosin/Flomax) that lower blood pressure; combined use with PDE-5 inhibitors risks hypotension.

Estrogens

Female sex hormones responsible for secondary sexual traits and regulation of menstrual cycle.

Progesterone

Hormone that prepares endometrium for implantation and maintains pregnancy; secreted by corpus luteum.

Menopause

Natural cessation of menstruation; declining estrogen causes vasomotor and systemic symptoms.

Thromboembolic Disorder

Formation of blood clots that may cause DVT, MI, or stroke; risk increases with estrogen therapy.

Tamoxifen

Selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) used to prevent and treat estrogen-receptor–positive breast cancer.

Endometrial Carcinoma

Cancer of uterine lining; risk rises with unopposed estrogen therapy in women with intact uterus.

Oral Contraceptives

Combination or progestin-only pills that inhibit ovulation to prevent pregnancy.

Progestin

Synthetic progesterone used in contraceptives and hormone therapy to oppose estrogen effects on endometrium.

Estradiol (Estrace)

Potent natural estrogen used for hormone replacement therapy.

Conjugated Estrogens (Premarin)

Mixture of estrogens from equine sources; treats menopausal symptoms.

Medroxyprogesterone (Provera / Depo-Provera)

Synthetic progestin for contraception, abnormal uterine bleeding, and HRT combination therapy.

Premphase / Prempro

Fixed estrogen-progestin combinations for menopausal hormone therapy.

Triphasic Pill

Oral contraceptive delivering varying estrogen/progestin doses over the cycle to mimic physiology.

Depo-Provera

Injectable progestin-only contraceptive given every 3 months; prolonged use linked to bone density loss.

Mirena

Levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device providing up to 5-year contraception.

Postcoital (Emergency) Contraception

High-dose hormones taken within 72 h of unprotected intercourse to prevent implantation or ovulation.

Next Choice / Plan B One-Step

Over-the-counter levonorgestrel emergency contraceptives taken within 72 h of intercourse.

Ulipristal Acetate (Ella)

Prescription emergency contraceptive effective up to 5 days after intercourse; one dose per cycle.

Oxytocin (Pitocin)

Posterior pituitary hormone that induces or augments uterine contractions and stimulates milk let-down.

Dinoprostone

Prostaglandin E2 vaginal gel used for cervical ripening and second-trimester pregnancy termination.

Methylergonovine (Methergine)

Ergot derivative that prevents or treats postpartum hemorrhage by increasing uterine tone.

Terbutaline

Beta-agonist bronchodilator used off-label to delay preterm labor; may cause maternal/fetal tachycardia and hyperglycemia.

Hyperbilirubinemia

Excess bilirubin in blood; neonatal side effect of terbutaline-exposed premature infants.

Magnesium Sulfate

IV drug used to prevent and control eclamptic seizures; CNS depressant causing possible flaccid paralysis.

Preeclampsia

Gestational hypertension with proteinuria and edema that can progress to eclampsia (seizures).

Leuprolide (Lupron)

GnRH agonist antineoplastic that suppresses gonadal steroids; treats hormone-dependent tumors and endometriosis.

Endometriosis

Ectopic growth of endometrial tissue causing pelvic pain; treated with hormonal suppression (e.g., leuprolide).