Updated June 09, 2015.
Written or reviewed by a board-certified physician. See About.com's Medical Review Board.
Some experts believe that reduced circulating testosterone levels, caused by hormone therapy for prostate cancer, can lead to a decrease in lean body mass and an increase in body fat. In addition, the fatigue and resulting sedentary lifestyle often associated with hormone therapy may also play a role in weight gain.
For men undergoing hormone therapy, these changes often happen within a few months of starting treatment.
The good news is that weight and body mass changes usually stabilize after about a year and a half. Also, there is growing evidence that even a modest organized exercise program can significantly reverse these negative effects.
In addition to weight gain and decreased muscle mass, hormone therapy may also result in a higher risk of developing diabetes, higher cholesterol levels and certain cardiovascular diseases. Because of this, your doctor may want to do more regular screening tests for these conditions.
Sources:
Alibhai SM, Duong-Hua M, Sutradhar R, et al. Impact of androgen deprivation therapy on cardiovascular disease and diabetes. J Clin Oncol. 2009;27(21):3452.
Basaria S, Lieb J 2nd, Tang AM, et al. Long-term effects of androgen deprivation therapy in prostate cancer patients. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2002;56(6):779.
Segal RJ, Reid RD, Courneya KS, et al. Resistance exercise in men receiving androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer. J Clin Oncol. 2003;21(9):1653.
Written or reviewed by a board-certified physician. See About.com's Medical Review Board.
Some experts believe that reduced circulating testosterone levels, caused by hormone therapy for prostate cancer, can lead to a decrease in lean body mass and an increase in body fat. In addition, the fatigue and resulting sedentary lifestyle often associated with hormone therapy may also play a role in weight gain.
For men undergoing hormone therapy, these changes often happen within a few months of starting treatment.
The good news is that weight and body mass changes usually stabilize after about a year and a half. Also, there is growing evidence that even a modest organized exercise program can significantly reverse these negative effects.
In addition to weight gain and decreased muscle mass, hormone therapy may also result in a higher risk of developing diabetes, higher cholesterol levels and certain cardiovascular diseases. Because of this, your doctor may want to do more regular screening tests for these conditions.
Sources:
Alibhai SM, Duong-Hua M, Sutradhar R, et al. Impact of androgen deprivation therapy on cardiovascular disease and diabetes. J Clin Oncol. 2009;27(21):3452.
Basaria S, Lieb J 2nd, Tang AM, et al. Long-term effects of androgen deprivation therapy in prostate cancer patients. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2002;56(6):779.
Segal RJ, Reid RD, Courneya KS, et al. Resistance exercise in men receiving androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer. J Clin Oncol. 2003;21(9):1653.
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