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Hormonal Burden

Meaning

Hormonal Burden refers to the cumulative, long-term physiological exposure of an individual’s tissues and organ systems to endogenous or exogenous steroid and peptide hormones, which can exert both therapeutic and potentially detrimental effects over a lifetime. This concept quantifies the total biological “load” placed on the body by the cyclical, fluctuating, or sustained presence of hormones, particularly estrogens and progestins, which are potent drivers of cellular proliferation and differentiation. A high hormonal burden is a critical factor considered in risk assessment for hormone-sensitive conditions, such as breast or endometrial pathologies, emphasizing the need for precision in endocrine management.