Connect
Hot flashes after Lupron: 7 months and counting
I had a single Lupron shot 7 months ago before beginning radiation. I'm 68, Gleason 9, had surgery 11/11/24. My PSA was still low (0.04) in October but trending the wrong way so we chose radiation. Lupron shot 10/15/25, and 39 radiation sessions. I am undetectable for 2 months.
But the hot flashes continue. The Rad Onc gave me a suggestion for a menopause drug to combat it, and that worked but only after the hot flash began. I'd love to not wake up 2-3 times a night with heat radiating off my body. Summer has started in Phoenix, and I don't need internal heat when it's 110 outside.
And now, back to our regular programming.
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Prostate Cancer Support Group.
Connect
@pesquallie
Give it time. You never had real high testosterone, it can take a while to come back.
Mine was over 600 when I first started ADT.
@jeffmarc
My urologist is urging me to use Trimix even though I have zero libido. I have read that Trimix will not work well if you currently have no libido or erections. I plan to wait a few more months to see if I get any improvement in testosterone, but my testosterone used to be between about 208 and 341 before Lupron and now is about 115 after 10 months.
@pesquallie
You might try a light dose of estrodiol. They can Increase the libido, even though you have low T. Ask your doctor about it, but also do some research, Not all doctors are really aware of the benefits.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@jeffmarc
Jeff,
A 2020 NIH study indicates that estradiol and high rates of estradiol to testosterone levels can worsen ED.
"Erectile dysfunction attributable to testosterone deficiency is less common in young males, and the effect of estradiol on erectile function in eugonadal young males is unclear. We analyzed data from 195 male participants, including 143 eugonadal patients with erectile dysfunction and 52 healthy men. To distinguish psychogenic and organic erectile dysfunction, penile rigidity was measured using the nocturnal penile tumescence rigidity test. Serum levels of sexual hormones were quantified by electrochemiluminescence, and penile vascular status was assessed by penile color Doppler ultrasound. Both serum estradiol levels and the ratio of estradiol to testosterone were higher in patients with organic erectile dysfunction than in patients with psychogenic erectile dysfunction or healthy controls. Organic erectile dysfunction was negatively associated with estradiol levels and the ratio of estradiol to testosterone, and estradiol was the only significant risk factor for organic erectile dysfunction (odds ratio: 1.094; 95% confidence interval: 1.042–1.149, P = 0.000). Moreover, serum estradiol levels were negatively correlated with penile rigidity. Serum estradiol levels were higher and penile rigidity was lower in patients with venous erectile dysfunction than in patients with nonvascular erectile dysfunction. We conclude that elevated serum estradiol levels may impair erectile function and may be involved in the pathogenesis of organic erectile dysfunction in eugonadal young men.
@pesquallie
While that is is technically true. I know that people have said it does help. I think this is why.
By making physical intimacy more comfortable and reducing distracting side effects like fatigue and hot flashes, adding estrogen can sometimes indirectly improve your desire for sex.
@jeffmarc
Jeff,
Your comments make sense. In my case my wife uses an estradiol creme for her post menopause vaginal atrophy that is likely to be present when we have intercourse. I wonder if this creme would be a net positive or negative for my ED. This is getting complicated. I mentioned this to my urologists last month and did not get a response.
@pesquallie
Don’t hold your breath, Though you could get an estrogen test after sex.
There is actually an estradiol gel, That’s what Richard Wassersug uses for his estradiol dose.
I am headed for ADT therapy in July here in sunny Fl. Temperatures will be in high 90s and dew points in the 70s. I would love to know how to avoide the hot flashes and night sweats. My saving grace is I am retired and I can stay inside in the AC. I am investigating options and will ask oncologist what I can be done.
I understand the problem. I live in Phoenix. Average high a month from now will be 105. At least there's no humidity.
@fbuckwalter
I had really severe hot flashes for the first year on ADT. This is the hot flash came on. I would feel fatigue, and then the sweat would start pouring down into my eyes. At night, the sheet under me would get completely soaked. My oncologist prescribed a Depo Prevea shot, and that completely stopped the hot flashes until I started on Zytiga, which brought them back just not as strong.
I found out about the Embrlabs.com Wave Device and actually beta tested it. It worked OK during the day to stop The hot flashes that came on. At night. However it worked really well and completely stopped the problems that had been waking me up.
I know people that have had Acupuncture sessions and it has worked for them other it has not worked. Some people say black cohosh works. A couple of people at ancan.org Meetings have said oxybutynin has worked for them.
Doctor during one of the Mayo clinic monthly meetings posted a slide which showed the number of drug drugs, which work and what their side effects are. This might give you an idea about what to try.