What are side effects of hormone therapy?

Side effects of hormone therapy in women

• Tiredness. You may feel more tired when you are taking hormone therapy.
• Digestive system problems. Hormone therapy can cause a few problems with your digestive system.
• Menopausal symptoms.
• Hair thinning.
• Muscle and bone changes.
• Weight gain.
• Headaches.
• Memory problems.

How long can a man stay on hormone therapy for prostate cancer?

Hormone therapy can help shrink the prostate and any cancer that has spread, and make the treatment more effective. You may be offered hormone therapy for up to six months before radiotherapy. And you may continue to have hormone therapy during and after your radiotherapy, for up to three years.

What are the side effects of hormone therapy for cancer?

Women getting hormone therapy for breast or endometrial cancer might have these possible side effects:

• Hot flashes.
• Vaginal discharge, dryness, or irritation.
• Decreased sexual desire.
• Fatigue.
• Nausea.
• Pain in muscles and joints.
• Bone loss and a higher risk for fractures.

Is weight gain a side effect of hormone treatment for prostate cancer?

Hormone treatment can also cause you to put on weight (fat). This is usually around your waist. Hormone treatment can also make you feel tired and this can make you less active. This can then make the weight gain worse, as you might be less active.

Why is hormone therapy not recommended?

Known health risks include: An increased risk of endometrial cancer (only if you still have your uterus and are not taking a progestin along with estrogen). Increased risk of blood clots and stroke. Increased chance of gallbladder/gallstone problems.

How quickly does PSA drop after hormone therapy?

Some men find that their PSA level falls for a few months, or sometimes longer. The side effects of anti-androgens can be similar to the side effects of other types of hormone therapy and can include breast swelling and breast tenderness.

Does hormone treatment stop prostate cancer from spreading?

Hormone therapy on its own doesn’t cure prostate cancer. But it can lower the risk of an early prostate cancer coming back when you have it with other treatments. Or it can shrink an advanced prostate cancer or slow its growth.

Can you live 20 years with prostate cancer?

Men with prostate cancer that is localized to the prostate or just nearby. These men have a high long-term survival rate for their prostate cancer. Almost all will survive their prostate cancer for longer than five years — and well beyond for many men.

Can you build muscle while on hormone therapy for prostate cancer?

This includes jumping and hopping exercises. A properly-designed exercise program can reduce fat build-up, increase lean muscle mass, reduce fatigue and promote bone strength in men taking hormone therapy. A team of Australian researchers in Perth are world-leaders in exercise medicine for men with prostate cancer.

How quickly does hormone therapy work?

It may take a few weeks to feel the effects of treatment and there may be some side effects at first. A GP will usually recommend trying treatment for 3 months to see if it helps. If it does not, they may suggest changing your dose, or changing the type of HRT you’re taking.

At what age should you stop taking hormone replacement therapy?

If you are healthy, most experts agree that HRT is safe to use at the lowest dose that helps for the shortest time needed. If you’re 59 or older, or have been on hormones for 5 years, you should talk to your doctor about quitting.

What is normal PSA after hormone therapy?

Recent studies have shown that for optimal results, PSA levels should be lower than 1 ng/ml, and even lower than 0.5 ng/ml.

Can you live 30 years after prostate cancer?

Many men with prostate cancer actually will live much longer than five years after diagnosis.

Where is the first place prostate cancer spreads to?

Where does prostate cancer spread? The most common place for prostate cancer to spread to is the bones. It can also spread to the lymph nodes, liver and lungs and other organs. A large tumour in the prostate gland can spread into or press on areas around the prostate, such as the back passage or urethra.

What is the highest PSA level a man can have?

Understanding Your PSA Test

• 0 to 2.5 ng/mL is considered safe.
• 2.6 to 4 ng/mL is safe in most men but talk with your doctor about other risk factors.
• 4.0 to 10.0 ng/mL is suspicious and might suggest the possibility of prostate cancer.
• 10.0 ng/mL and above is dangerous and should be discussed with your doctor immediately.

What is the best exercise for prostate cancer?

Walking. The side effects of prostate cancer treatment can impact your quality of life. Walking at an easy pace for three hours a week, or at a brisk pace for 90 minutes, can alleviate some of the symptoms of prostate cancer treatment, such as fatigue, depression, and body weight.

What kind of exercise is good for prostate cancer?

Aerobic exercise, such as walking, jogging, or swimming, is important because it burns calories to keep weight under control. However, men with prostate cancer should avoid prolonged bicycling because of the pressure the seat puts on the perineal area, which is between the scrotum and the anus.

How long does it take to feel better from hormone replacement therapy?