Aromatase Inhibitors: What They Are, How They Work, and Which Ones Are Right for You

When you hear aromatase inhibitors, a class of drugs that stop the body from making estrogen. Also known as estrogen blockers, they’re a cornerstone of hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer treatment in postmenopausal women. These aren’t chemotherapy drugs—they don’t kill cells. Instead, they cut off the fuel that lets some breast cancers grow. Estrogen doesn’t come from the ovaries after menopause; it’s made in fat tissue, skin, and other places by an enzyme called aromatase. Aromatase inhibitors shut that down. That’s why they work so well for women whose cancer feeds on estrogen.

There are three main types you’ll see in practice: anastrozole, a non-steroidal inhibitor sold as Arimidex or Altraz, letrozole, another non-steroidal option, often used after tamoxifen, and exemestane, a steroidal inhibitor that permanently binds to aromatase. Each has subtle differences in how long it lasts, how it’s metabolized, and what side effects it causes. Anastrozole and letrozole are usually first-line because they’re well-tolerated. Exemestane is often switched to if the others stop working or cause joint pain. And while tamoxifen is sometimes grouped with them, it’s not an aromatase inhibitor—it works differently by blocking estrogen receptors, not making estrogen.

Side effects are real. Bone thinning, joint stiffness, hot flashes, and fatigue are common. That’s why many patients on these drugs also take calcium, vitamin D, or even bone-strengthening meds like bisphosphonates. Some studies show letrozole might have a slight edge in preventing cancer recurrence, but the difference is small enough that doctors often pick based on cost or tolerance. And yes, you can buy generic versions of these drugs online—just make sure the pharmacy is verified. You’ll find real patient comparisons between Altraz and other options in the posts below, including how side effects changed daily life, what worked for pain, and how costs stacked up across brands and generics.

These drugs aren’t for everyone. Pre-menopausal women need different treatments. And they’re not used for prevention unless someone has a very high genetic risk. But for millions of postmenopausal women, they’ve turned a once-deadly diagnosis into a manageable condition. What you’ll find here isn’t just clinical data—it’s the real talk from people who’ve lived through it: the good days, the tough ones, and the choices that actually made a difference.