Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Kathleen on August 15, 2020, 07:49:05 PM
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Hello ladies.
A question for all the science minded types out there.
Why is it that men who are given Oestrogen injections to treat prostate cancer suffer from hot flushes and night sweats? As we know the Oestrogen is given to counteract the testosterone that is fuelling their cancer but why the flushes? They can't be the result of declining Oestrogen as for us women.
Many ladies have a return of symptoms despite high or previously adequate levels of Oestrogen and I wondered if the experiences of these men could throw any light on it.
Any and all comments welcome as usual.
Wishing you all well.
K.
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Hi Kathleen. I thought the main treatment for prostate was Zoladex injections which stops the production of hormones. The hot flushes are believed to be the body's reaction to low testosterone levels but more research is being done I believe. I have a few friends/relatives who are currently being treated for prostate cancer.
Taz x
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Hello Taz2 and thank you for your comments.
I brought the subject up because I had been talking to a friend who is living with stage four prostate cancer. Like you I know of a few other men in the same situation.
I wondered if us ladies flush from lack of testosterone as well as oestrogen. This would explain why despite large amounts of oestrogen the flushes return and why testosterone helps so many women. I understand that after menopause we continue to produce our own testosterone so perhaps our flushes result from low levels until production reaches a decent level.
We all concentrate so much on Oestrogen and progesterone but maybe our homemade testosterone is more important than we thought lol.
Wishing you well.
K.
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A neighbour has put on a great amount of weight with oestrogen treatment for prostate cancer and also has flushes, he sleeps apart from his Wife for that reason.
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Hello Taz2 and thank you for your comments.
I brought the subject up because I had been talking to a friend who is living with stage four prostate cancer. Like you I know of a few other men in the same situation.
I wondered if us ladies flush from lack of testosterone as well as oestrogen. This would explain why despite large amounts of oestrogen the flushes return and why testosterone helps so many women. I understand that after menopause we continue to produce our own testosterone so perhaps our flushes result from low levels until production reaches a decent level.
We all concentrate so much on Oestrogen and progesterone but maybe our homemade testosterone is more important than we thought lol.
Wishing you well.
K.
Testosterone gel has given me my life back. I was a recluse before adding this in, now I’m out and about again x
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Hello Annie0710 and thank you for your response.
You were one of the ladies I was thinking about because I remember you saying that testosterone made a big difference to you. I take it that you were already using Oestrogen but the social benefits only came after adding the testosterone?
I understand it is unsafe to take T when oestrogen levels are very low which feels like a missed opportunity. Perhaps even the hot flushes etc would be easier to bear if we also felt confident and energised!
Take care.
K.
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I know someone who has estrogen he was told by his Dr that he would probably get hot flushes and also man boobs,so it seems the lower the testosterone the more they get hot flushes, so ladies who are short of testosterone would probably get hot flushes too
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Hello Annie0710 and thank you for your response.
You were one of the ladies I was thinking about because I remember you saying that testosterone made a big difference to you. I take it that you were already using Oestrogen but the social benefits only came after adding the testosterone?
I understand it is unsafe to take T when oestrogen levels are very low which feels like a missed opportunity. Perhaps even the hot flushes etc would be easier to bear if we also felt confident and energised!
Take care.
K.
Hi Kathleen, yes my oestrogen levels have always been good as I’ve been on hrt for years but at 45 I came crashing down and really started to suffer bad with social anxiety. I had a scan and they couldn’t find my ovaries so assumed they’d dissolved as I had the blood supply severed accidentally years before. So giving me T gel really has helped enormously. I only use a small blob 3 times a week and a can of Tostran lasts me about 6-7 months x