Term: luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist

Pronunciation: (LOO-tih-NY-zing HOR-mone-reh-LEE-sing HOR-mone A-guh-nist)

Description:

A substance that keeps the testicles and ovaries from making sex hormones by blocking other hormones that are needed to make them. In men, luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonists cause the testicles to stop making testosterone. In women, they cause the ovaries to stop making estrogen and progesterone. Some luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonists are used to treat prostate cancer. Also called GnRH agonist, GnRHa, gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist, and LHRH agonist.