Side Effects of Hormone Therapy

The most common side effects of hormone therapy for cancer include: (5, 6)

• Fatigue.
• Hot flushes.
• Mood changes, among others.

But generally, the side effects of hormone therapy for cancer can be grouped into:

Physical Side Effects: 

• Fatigue, which goes beyond just feeling tired. You may feel significantly more worn out than usual after tasks that once came easily to you.
• Hot flushes.
• Night sweats, which are not associated with hot weather. You may even sweat in the cold.
• Joint and muscle pain. May be mild or severe.
• Some people experience changes in body composition during hormone therapy, including increased body fat and reduced muscle mass (7).

Emotional or Cognitive Side Effects:

• Changes in your mood, which can be mild or more pronounced (8).
• Anxiety about your treatment or anxiety in general, a feeling of unease that just cannot be explained.
• Depression or prolonged sadness that makes you feel worn down and uncomfortable.
• Some people experience difficulties with concentration, memory, or clear thinking, sometimes referred to as “brain fog” (9).

Sexual or Reproductive Side Effects: 

The type of sexual and reproductive side effects depends on the hormone therapy being used and whether the treatment affects the oestrogen- or testosterone-related pathways. You may experience:

• Low libido (10).
• Problems with fertility, such as absence of ovulation for biological females or problems with sperm production for biological males (11).
• Irregular bleeding or spotting between your periods.
• Breast changes, such as an increase in breast size.
• Long-term testosterone suppression may lead to testicular shrinkage and changes in sexual function. Some individuals may notice changes in genital tissues over time.
• Male breast development or gynecomastia. You may notice that you are growing breasts as a biological male.
• Vaginal dryness, discomfort during sex, and other genitourinary symptoms may occur when oestrogen levels are reduced.

Many common hormone therapy side effects like fatigue, hot flushes, joint pain, mood changes, and sexual side effects can be managed by making small lifestyle changes and/or adopting some medical and complementary therapies.

Note that you have to discuss changes and adoptions, especially complementary therapy like acupuncture, with your medical team.

Fatigue

Rather than do one big task at once, try splitting one big task into smaller bits that you can handle one after the other at different intervals.

Schedule short rest breaks during the course of your day, and don’t wait until you are exhausted to rest.

A small walk, some stretching, or light yoga can also help you feel more energised.

Maintain good sleep hygiene and try to get the right amount of sleep every night (12). Make sure to eat a balanced meal, get enough calories and nutrients to support your body through treatment to recovery.

Hot Flushes

Hot flushes and night sweats can be very uncomfortable.

It helps to:

• Wear layered and loose clothes: Breathable fabrics made from cotton or linen can make it easier for you to adjust to temperature changes, as air moves through these clothes to cool you.
• Use cooling accessories: Having your AC on can make hot flushes a bit easier to deal with. Get ice packs. Use a small handheld fan.
• Avoid triggers: If you know about your activities or circumstances that trigger hot flashes, it may help to avoid these. Avoid spicy foods, alcohol, caffeine, or beverages that are too warm.

Joint Pain 

Joint pain can be relieved, at least to some degree, by low-pressure exercise like swimming, taking a walk, cycling, among others. These exercises stretch out your joints and keep them from feeling stiff.

Hot and cold therapy can also help. Use warm compresses or heating pads on joints that hurt. 

Eat meals that contain natural anti-inflammatory compounds like omega-3 fatty acids. These include oily fish (such as salmon and tuna), walnuts, and flaxseeds. 

Mood Changes 

If you are struggling to focus, some apps can help you streamline your day-to-day activities. Set clear reminders to deal with any feeling of clouded thinking. 

Mindfulness can help deal with anxiety. 

Build connections with people whom you know to care about you, and lean into the support they provide. If you can, you may want to talk about your feelings. 

You can find support groups and online forums to belong to. These groups contain people who have had similar experiences as yours, and these experiences can offer some relief. 

Sexual Side Effects 

If your vagina feels dry, you can try using lubricants when you have sex. 

Avoid any products that can irritate your vagina. Wash your genital area with warm water and stay away from harsh soaps or scented ones, bubble baths, or harsh detergents. 

Some pelvic exercises can help improve blood flow to your pelvic region and improve sex.