Living with the effects of hormone therapy for prostate cancer

Hormones are natural substances in your body. Testosterone is the main sex hormone in men. Treatment for prostate cancer can lower the amount of testosterone in your body. 

Hormone therapy for prostate cancer can change the levels of sex hormones in your body. This can cause hot flushes. 

Prostate cancer treatments can lower the levels of sex hormones in the body. This can lead to difficulties sleeping. 

Some hormone treatments for prostate cancer can cause swelling and tenderness in the breasts. This is called gynaecomastia. 

Weight and muscle changes can be a side effect of hormone therapy for prostate cancer. It can cause you to put on weight and lose muscle strength. 

Low levels of sex hormones caused by hormone therapy can lead to memory changes, difficulty thinking and problems with concentration.

Low levels of testosterone can affect your risk of heart disease and diabetes.

Hormone therapy for prostate cancer can lower the levels of sex hormones (testosterone) in the blood. This can lead to bone thinning and weakness.

Prostate cancer treatments can affect your sex life in different ways. Some treatments can damage the nerves or affect hormone levels that you need to get an erection.