Contents:
- Medical Video: Male Breast Cancer - Hormone Therapy and Risks
- The vagina is dry or even secretes fluid
- Mood changes
- Joint pain
- Reduced sexual desire
- Hot flushes and sweating
- Changes in the menstrual cycle
- Nausea
- Tired
Medical Video: Male Breast Cancer - Hormone Therapy and Risks
Side effects of hormone therapy depend on the type of treatment. You experience side effects from hormone therapy because hormone therapy lowers hormone levels or stops the body from using hormones. The advantages and risks of hormone therapy must be considered carefully for every woman.
Hot flushes (body feeling hot), night sweats, and vaginal dryness are common side effects due to hormone therapy. Hormone therapy also disrupts the menstrual cycle in women who have not experienced menopause.
Side effects of hormone therapy cannot be predicted before you start treatment. You may experience one side effect but you don't experience other side effects. You may also notice the worst side effects occur at the beginning of treatment but will subside after a few weeks or months. Many people only experience one or two mild side effects.
Side effects sometimes have a positive effect on some women. In some women who experience such effects hot flushes, night sweats, and joint pain, they have a 10% chance of avoiding recurrence of breast cancer, compared with women who do not experience side effects.
Side effects of hormone therapy generally include:
- dry or vaginal fluid
- mood changes
- reduced sexual desire
- hot flushes and sweating
- menstrual changes
- feeling nauseous
- tired
The vagina is dry or even secretes fluid
Dryness can cause the possibility of infection in the vagina and also make intercourse painful. Vaginal fluid is more common if you use tamoxifen compared to other types of hormone treatment.
Mood changes
Hormone treatment can cause mood changes. You might experience it mood swing or feel very sad. Most women will improve over time, but consult a doctor if this condition persists.
Joint pain
Joint pain occurs especially if you use aromatase inhibitors and luteinising hormone (LH) blockers, but other hormone treatments can also cause joint pain. Mild painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen can help relieve pain. If the pain continues, tell the doctor or nurse.
Reduced sexual desire
Hormone treatment can cause reduced sexual desire. Androgen hormones, which affect sex drive, are produced from the adrenal gland. Low levels of androgens can reduce sexual desire. Other factors that affect this condition include vaginal dryness, fatigue, mood swings, anxiety and loss of confidence. After the treatment is over, your sex drive will usually return to normal.
Hot flushes and sweating
Low estrogen levels can cause hot flushes and sweating. Hormone therapy used for breast cancer causes hot flushes common in luteinizing hormone (LH) blockers, because these drugs stop estrogen production in the body. Hot flushes usually subside over time. You will be given medication controllers hot flushes and sweat like clonidine or antidepressants.
Changes in the menstrual cycle
Menstruation can be lighter and irregular or even stop altogether if you have not experienced menopause and use tamoxifen. Luteinising hormone (LH) blockers will stop your menstruation. Menstruation will start again when therapy is over. But in some women whose menstruation does not return, they will experience premature menopause. This is more likely if your age is close to the age of menopause.
Nausea
You may feel nauseous for the first few days of using the drug, but this will improve. If you feel very nauseous, you cannot eat or drink, consult a doctor or nurse. You might be given an anti-nausea tablet.
Tired
Naturally, if you feel tired while undergoing hormone therapy. Experiencing these side effects can be difficult and frustrating. Your energy will improve over time, but you may always feel tired every time you take medication.
Always consult a doctor if you feel the side effects of this hormone therapy interfere.
