Hormone therapy for prostate cancer

Male hypogonadism Diagnosis & treatment

Some of the physical changes caused by masculinizing hormone therapy can be reversed if you stop taking testosterone. Others, such as a deeper voice, a larger clitoris, scalp hair loss, and more body and facial hair, cannot be reversed. Masculinizing hormone therapy is used to make physical changes in the body that are caused by male hormones during puberty.

Early diagnosis and treatment in men offer better protection against osteoporosis and other related conditions. Testosterone levels generally peak during adolescence and early adulthood. As you age, your testosterone level gradually declines — typically about 1% a year after age 30 or 40. For older men, it’s important to determine if a low testosterone level is due to normal aging or if it is due to a disease (hypogonadism). Find out what’s a normal testosterone level for women known — and not known — about testosterone therapy for normal aging. Considering testosterone therapy to help you feel younger and more vigorous as you age?

Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. You will receive the first newsletter in your inbox shortly. This will include exclusive health content about the LGBTQ+ community from Mayo Clinic. All surgery carries a risk of pain, bleeding and infection. This treatment to remove the testicles is rarely used.

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional. The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor’s orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine.

Make sure your doctor knows if your sexual partner is pregnant. If a pregnancy occurs while you are using this medicine, tell your doctor right away. This medicine may cause changes in the level of cholesterol and fats in your blood. If this condition occurs, your doctor may give you a medicine to adjust the cholesterol and fats.

Recommendations may include sex education, counseling, and sometimes medicine and hormone therapy. If you take hormone therapy for prostate cancer, you’ll have regular follow-up meetings with your doctor. Your doctor may ask about any side effects you’re experiencing. These medicines treat advanced prostate cancer that no longer responds to other hormone therapy treatments. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals.

Receive trusted health information and answers to your questions about sexual orientation, gender identity, transition, self-expression, and LGBTQ+ health topics. Consider avoiding use of DHEA if you have high cholesterol or a condition that affects the supply of blood to the heart (ischemic heart disease). DHEA might reduce high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or „good,“ cholesterol levels. Explore Mayo Clinic studies of tests and procedures to help prevent, detect, treat or manage conditions. Hormone therapy for prostate cancer also is known as androgen deprivation therapy. This medicine should not be used by women who are pregnant or might become pregnant. Testosterone may cause birth defects if a pregnant woman comes in contact with the medicine.

Low sex drive can be challenging for you and your partner. It’s natural to feel frustrated or sad if you aren’t able to be as sexy and romantic as you want or used to be. The National Collegiate Athletic Association has banned DHEA use among athletes. Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements. Testosterone injection is also used in women with breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic). If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible.

This medicine comes with a patient information leaflet. Make a gift to our 2025 Drive to Cure Cancer and transform the way cancer is treated and defeated. Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press.