What are the potential harms of hormone medications to the human body?
Recently, I have been using some hormone medications, but I heard that they might be harmful to the body. I would like to know, what are the potential adverse effects of hormone drugs on the human body?
Doctor's answer (1)
Hormonal medications may cause various adverse effects on the human body, including metabolic disorders, osteoporosis, immune suppression, gastrointestinal symptoms, and endocrine-related symptoms.
Hormones can elevate blood sugar levels, triggering or worsening diabetes. At the same time, they may also promote fat accumulation in the body, especially abdominal obesity. Long-term hormone use accelerates bone loss and increases the risk of fractures, particularly vertebral and hip fractures. Hormonal drugs can suppress the immune system, making patients more susceptible to infections and slower to recover after infection.
Hormonal medications may damage the gastric mucosa, potentially leading to severe complications such as stomach ulcers and duodenal ulcers, which can further cause gastrointestinal bleeding. These medications may also cause symptoms such as obesity, acne, hypokalemia (low potassium levels), hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), and swelling of the face and limbs.
In addition, hormonal medications may affect blood glucose levels, increasing the risk of diabetes, and may lead to skin problems such as dryness, redness, swelling, and rashes. Hormonal therapy must be strictly administered according to medical instructions, with regular monitoring of health status to minimize potential harm. When necessary, doctors will gradually taper the dosage or switch treatment plans to reduce the risk of side effects.
