Miscellaneous Exogenous Hormones and Breast Diseases: A Matter of Concern for the Gynecologist

Background: The effect of exogenous sex hormones on the risk of breastcancer has been shown for some compounds but for other compounds it is underdetailed investigation. This study, as part of a quadruple of articles reviewing theconsequences of using sex hormones in women with various breast conditions,discusses the prescription of non-oral hormonal contraceptives and miscellaneousexogenous steroid hormones.Method: We browsed international clinical guidelines and carried out acomprehensive search in the literature by relevant keywords in order to extract dataabout the effects of hormone-releasing intrauterine devices, injectable depotmedroxyprogesteroneacetate, contraceptive implants, cyproterone acetate,finasteride, and spironolactone on the breast.Results: Studies are scarce for most of these compounds, and informationcomes mainly from researches about oral contraceptives and hormonereplacement therapy. Although none is recommended for use in patients withbreast cancer, administration in benign disorders of the breast, women withpositive family history of breast cancer and general women is acceptable withminor risks.Conclusions: Most non-oral hormonal methods of contraception andmiscellaneous available hormone compounds prescribed for the treatment ofhormonal disorders are safe for temporary use, except for women with breastcancer. For them, analogues of gonadotropin-releasing hormones may beconsidered a safe hormonal prescription.