Hormonal Blockade Therapy
Urologists & Sexual Medicine Experts located in Beverly Grove, Los Angeles, CA
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Hormonal Blockade Therapy services offered in Beverly Grove, Los Angeles, CA
Hormonal blockade therapy uses hormone-suppressing medication to reduce the production of androgens (male hormones). Slowing the production of certain hormones prevents prostate cancer from spreading, making treatment more effective. At Comprehensive Urology in the Beverly Grove neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, the board-certified urologists use hormonal blockade therapy to complement traditional prostate cancer treatments. Call the office or book online today to determine if hormonal blockade therapy is right for you.
Hormonal Blockade Therapy Q&A
What is hormonal blockade therapy?
Hormone blockade therapy is an advanced treatment for prostate cancer. It uses oral medication to reduce the production of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the two hormones that fuel prostate cancer cell growth.
Hormonal blockade therapy doesn’t cure prostate cancer, but it can shrink tumors and prevent cancerous cells from growing so quickly.
When is hormonal blockade therapy used?
Comprehensive Urology might recommend hormonal blockade therapy if you have prostate cancer and:
- It can’t be treated with surgery or radiation
- It comes back after you’ve already undergone radiation or surgery
- High prostate specific-antigen (PSA) levels
- It’s started growing outside your prostate
Your Comprehensive Urology provider might also recommend hormonal blockade therapy to try to shrink a cancerous tumor before beginning radiation therapy.
What types of hormonal blockade therapy are there?
Comprehensive Urology offers several hormonal blockade therapies, including:
Surgical castration
During surgical castration, your Comprehensive Urology provider removes your testicles. After surgery, your prostate cancer shrinks or stops growing for a time. Your provider can even replace your testicles with prosthetics so your scrotum looks natural.
Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonists
LHRH agonists reduce the number of hormones that your testicles produce. With LHRH agonists, you can avoid surgery, but your testicles will shrink over time.
Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) antagonists
If you have advanced prostate cancer, your provider might prescribe LHRH antagonists. These drugs lower your hormone levels more quickly than agonists and don’t present as many side effects.
Is hormone blockade therapy safe?
Hormone blockade therapy is safe and usually well-tolerated, but it’s normal to experience side effects, including:
- Low sex drive
- Shrinkage of testicles and penis
- Brain fog
- Erectile dysfunction (ED)
- Growth of breast tissue (gynecomastia)
- Depression
Hormone blockade therapy might also increase your cholesterol levels.
Which hormone blockade therapy might benefit me?
The hormone blockade therapy that will most benefit you depends on several things, including your age, health history, and symptoms.
After a review of your medical records, a physical exam, and blood work and urinalysis, your Comprehensive Urology provider makes treatment recommendations.
Explore the benefits of hormone blockade therapy today by making an appointment at Comprehensive Urology. Call the office or click the online booking feature.