Weight gain being on Hormone Therapy for treatment of prostate cancer.

Hi, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2015 and was put on Hormone Therapy for 18 months and had 20 sessions of Radio Therapy. That got my PSA down to 0.01 and over the years slowly went up to 15 about a year ago (Back when I was diagnosed it was 31 in 2015.)  For the last year my weight has gone up from 10 stone 5lb to 12 stone and my stomach has gone from being flat to being flabby. I have always kept fit and I go to the gym 3 to 4 times a week and a walk most days. I also lack energy and get tired easily. This has al happened since the Zoladex Hormone Therapy treatment. I am getting really getting fed up of being like this and even have considered coming off the treatment. Have you any ideas on what I can do.  I also watch my diet. Kind Regards  Geoff.  PS  Do other fellow prostate sufferers also have this problem. 

  • Hello and thanks for your enquiry,

    Unfortunately, this is not uncommon. Hormone therapy can cause loss of muscle mass and strength.

    Exercise can help to maintain muscle strength, but it needs to be a combination of aerobic and resistance exercise. Aerobic exercise is any exercise that makes your heart and lungs work faster to provide more oxygen to the muscles. An example is walking or gardening. Resistance exercises include weight training and swimming. You have to use your muscles to push against the weights or water, which helps to strengthen them.

    Some men may need to change their diet to include more vegetables, pulses, and wholegrains, and change the type and amount of starchy carbohydrates they have. It can take some time working out what suits.

    You may find it helpful to join the online community at the uk charity prostate cancer uk where other users can share tips and their experience of similar.

    I hope that this helps,

    Kind regards,

    Vanda