Side Effects of Androgen Deprivation Therapy

Hormone Therapy, or androgen deprivation therapy, is a technique used to control or slow the growth of cancer in the prostate. Certain side effects, some of which are severe, may be experienced by patients who undergo this type of therapy. Some of the side effects are manageable with drugs or lifestyle, while others require time to adjust to.

Identification

• Androgen deprivation therapy, or simply hormone therapy, is a method in which prostate cancer may be treated. This therapy involves the physical or chemical alteration of a man's hormone production to produce the desired effect of shrinking, managing or even curing cancer of the prostate.

  Androgen deprivation therapy is performed in several ways. The most simple way to induce androgen deprivation is to remove the source of androgen within the body: the testicles. By removing the man's testicles, androgen production almost completely ceases and can cause cancer cells in the prostate to stop growing and make the cancer more easily treatable.

  Other ways to induce androgen deprivation therapy is by using drugs that contain hormones that counteract the action of androgen. These can be implanted devices, injections or pills. Your doctor will help you decide which method is right for your specific circumstances.

Sexual Side Effects

• Men who have prostate cancer who undergo androgen deprivation therapy will most likely experience severe sexual side effects.

  Impotence and decreased or non-existent desire to have sex are common with this type of therapy. In patients who undergo a surgical removal of the testicles, impotence is guaranteed, as the man will no longer be able to produce sperm or semen.

Mental Side Effects

• Decreased mental alertness and depression are fairly common side effects of androgen deprivation therapy. Antidepressant drugs may be prescribed if depression is severe or interferes with daily activities.

Metabolic Side Effects

• Raises in blood cholesterol levels are reported by some men who undergo androgen deprivation therapy.

  If blood cholesterol levels get too high, the doctor may prescribe a statin medication such as Zocor or Lipitor to help lower cholesterol levels and reduce the cardiovascular risk associated with high cholesterol.

Bodily Side Effects

• Osteoporosis, a thinning of the bones which can lead to breaks and fractures, has been reported with androgen deprivation therapy.

  Hot flashes (which may alleviate with time), loss of muscle tissue, low red blood cell counts (anemia) and tenderness or growth of male breasts are experienced by many men who undergo androgen deprivation therapy as well.

General Side Effects

• Weight gain and lethargy (tiredness) are common side effects that may be caused by androgen deprivation therapy. Eating a healthy diet and getting plenty of exercise can help alleviate these symptoms.