Male sex hormones

Hormones are natural substances made by the glands and organs of your body. Treatment for prostate cancer can lower the amount of sex hormones in your body. This can affect you in different ways.  

Cancer treatments and hormones

Hormones act as messengers and carry signals from one part of the body to another. There are many different types of hormones. They move through the body in the blood to certain cells and organs.

Some cancers or cancer treatments can lower the level of hormones the body produces.

They might do this by:

• blocking the action of hormones
• reducing the amount of the hormone the body makes

Sometimes, treatments can stop the body from making a particular hormone altogether. Changes in hormone levels may be temporary or permanent.

Sex hormones are the type of hormone most commonly affected by prostate cancer and its treatment. Changes in the level of sex hormones in the body can cause particular symptoms.

The role of male sex hormones

Testosterone is the main sex hormone in men. Most testosterone is made in the testes (testicles). Small amounts are also made in your adrenal gland (in the kidney).

Testosterone has a role in:

• sex drive (libido)
• making sperm
• muscle mass and strength
• bone density

How prostate cancer treatments affect your sex hormones?

Prostate cancer treatments can affect the amount of sex hormones in your body. They include:

• hormone therapy
• radiotherapy
• chemotherapy

Hormone therapy

Hormone therapy is one of the main treatments for prostate cancer. They work by:

• stopping the production of hormones in your body
• blocking the action of hormones

Hormone treatments for prostate cancers include:

• bicalutamide (Casodex)
• goserelin (Zoladex)
• degarelix (Firmagon)
• abiraterone (Zytiga)

The hormone symptoms you have depend on which treatment you have.

Surgery to remove the testicles

Surgery to remove the testicles is called an orchidectomy. Removing your testicles is a type of hormone therapy for prostate cancer but it is not a common treatment. You usually only have an orchidectomy if you need your testosterone levels reduced urgently. 

Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy uses radiation, usually x-rays, to destroy cancer cells.

The pelvis is the area between your hip bones and contains organs including the testicles and prostate. Radiotherapy to this area of the body can affect sex hormone levels.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses anti cancer drugs to destroy cancer cells. These drugs are also called cytotoxic drugs . The drugs circulate throughout the body in the bloodstream.

Chemotherapy can cause damage to healthy cells and lower the amount of testosterone in your body.

Symptoms of low testosterone levels

Low testosterone levels can cause:

• hot flushes
• changes in memory or mood
• changes to weight and muscle mass
• erection problems (erectile dysfunction)
• breast swelling
• higher risk of other diseases such as heart disease, diabetes or osteoporosis