Hormone therapy for men

Hormone therapy for cancer uses medicines to block or lower the amount of hormones in the body. This can stop or slow down the growth of cancer.

Prostate cancer is the most common men's cancer to be treated with hormones. Testosterone can stimulate the growth of prostate cancer cells. So, you may have treatment to block testosterone from working, or to stop your body producing it.  Rarely, men are diagnosed with breast cancer. You may have hormone therapy for this.

Hormone treatment might affect how you are feeling sexually.

Side effects of hormone therapy

If you are having hormone treatment for prostate or breast cancer you may have some side effects such as:

• having less interest in sex
• not being able to have an erection
• hot flushes and sweats
• loss of energy, feeling sluggish

Loss of interest in sex (libido)

Testosterone plays a role in your sex drive. So, if you're having treatment for cancer that lowers the amount of your testosterone, your sex drive may be lower. Not everyone who has low hormone levels has a loss of interest in sex. For most people, the cause is a combination of factors, rather than just the level of hormones in the body.

These include:

• tiredness (fatigue)
• stress or anxiety
• loss of confidence or self esteem
• changes to how your body looks or how you feel about your body
• other medications that you are taking, particularly blood pressure and antidepressant tablets

It can be difficult to think about sex if you are experiencing side effects such as hot flushes or feeling generally unwell. Managing these side effects may help you to have an interest in sex.

Talking to your partner if you have one about how you feel might also help. You may not feel like having sex for a while but hugging, cuddling and kissing can be comforting and help you relax.

You may want to put intercourse on hold for a while. Some people find that feeling relaxed and having other physical contact can gradually lead to them becoming aroused and wanting to have sex.

Some antidepressants can cause a low sex drive. Speak to your doctor before you stop taking any antidepressants as you may have side effects if you stop suddenly and your depression may come back.

Erection problems (erectile dysfunction)

Lower amounts of testosterone can lead to problems getting and maintaining an erection. This is a common side effect of hormone therapy.

Other treatments for cancer such as surgery and radiotherapy to the pelvis can cause erection problems for many men. This can be a very difficult side effect to cope with. It can often have a big effect on confidence, self esteem and quality of life.

Talk to your partner about any problems you have and let your doctor know. There are a number of treatments that can help.

Different treatments work for different people and they can have side effects.

Treatment might include:

• drugs, such as tablets or cream
• vacuum pumps
• surgical implants

Hot flushes and sweats

Hot flushes can vary from one person to another. They can start as a feeling of warmth in your neck or face. This often spreads to other parts of your body. You might have:

• reddening of the skin
• light or heavier sweating
• feelings of your heart beating in your chest (palpitations)
• feelings of panic or irritability

This could make it more you feel less like being intimate.

You can talk to your doctor about ways to reduce the number and severity of the attacks you are having.

Help and support

These changes and the emotions it can bring can be difficult to cope with. It might help to talk to a partner, relative or friend. Let your nurse, specialist or GP know how you are feeling. They can let you know what help and support is available in your treatment centre or in your area. 

Some people choose to talk things through with a counsellor or therapist. Or you could contact some of the organisations that offer support and information about relationships and sexuality.