Aromasin is the brand name for the medication exemestane. It belongs to a class of drugs known as aromatase inhibitors. Aromatase inhibitors work by blocking the enzyme aromatase, which is responsible for converting androgens (such as testosterone) into estrogen. By inhibiting aromatase, exemestane reduces the levels of estrogen in the body, particularly in postmenopausal women.
Aromasin is primarily used in the treatment of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Estrogen can stimulate the growth of certain types of breast cancer cells. By lowering estrogen levels, Aromasin helps to slow down or stop the growth of these cancer cells.
In addition to its use in breast cancer treatment, Aromasin is sometimes used off-label in bodybuilding and steroid cycles to mitigate estrogen-related side effects caused by the use of anabolic steroids. When anabolic steroids are used, the body’s natural production of testosterone can increase, leading to higher levels of aromatization and conversion of testosterone into estrogen. This can result in side effects such as gynecomastia (enlargement of breast tissue in males), water retention, and bloating. Aromasin is used to help prevent or alleviate these estrogen-related side effects during steroid cycles.
