Living with the effects of hormone therapy for prostate cancer
Hormone therapy lowers the levels of testosterone. This can cause thinning and weakening of the bones.
Make sure your diet has enough calcium and vitamin D. This helps to keep your bones healthy.
Your doctor may suggest you take medicines called bisphosphonates if you have been diagnosed with bone thinning (osteoporosis).
for prostate cancer can lower the levels of sex hormones (testosterone) in the blood. This can cause different side effects including problems with your bones.
Hormone therapy lowers the levels of testosterone. This can cause thinning and weakening of the bones.
Make sure your diet has enough calcium and vitamin D. This helps to keep your bones healthy.
Your doctor may suggest you take medicines called bisphosphonates if you have been diagnosed with bone thinning (osteoporosis).
Prostate cancer usually needs testosterone to grow. Hormone therapy aims to stop:
the testicles from making testosterone
testosterone from reaching cancer cells
Bone loss is a common side effect of hormone therapy. But how much bone loss you might have varies from person to person. And not all hormone treatments cause bone loss.
Your nurse or doctor will tell you if they think you might be at risk of bone loss. Especially, if you are at high risk of having problems with your spine.
Find out more about hormone therapy for prostate cancer
It can be difficult coping with prostate cancer and its treatment. There is support available.
Find out about coping with prostate cancer
The Royal Osteoporosis Society has a lot of information about the causes, prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.
Last reviewed: 10 Sept 2025
Next review due: 10 Sept 2028
Hormone therapy for prostate cancer can affect the levels of your hormones. This can cause different side effects including hot flushes, swollen breasts, sleep disturbances and weight changes.
Prostate cancer usually depends on testosterone to grow. Hormone therapy blocks or lowers the amount of testosterone in the body.
Get practical and emotional support to help you cope with a diagnosis of prostate cancer, and life during and after treatment.
Prostate cancer is cancer of the prostate gland. The prostate gland is part of the male reproductive system, and is at the base of the bladder.
Prostate cancer is cancer that starts in the prostate gland. The prostate gland is found at the base of the bladder and is about the size of a walnut.
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