Post-orchiectomy hot flushes

Orchiectomy is a frequently performed androgen ablative therapy in men with prostatic cancer. Sudden withdrawal of sex steroids in men can lead to troublesome menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes (HF) and profuse sweating. In the past, HF in men have received little attention and therapeutic options are not widely known. HF are a side effect of orchiectomy and other androgen ablative therapies and can no longer be neglected. The considerable decrease in quality of life caused by HF is particularly hard on patients who are dependent on palliative treatment. Because most patients will seek palliation, it is important that medical practitioners be made aware of the etiology and treatment of HF. In this article the frequency and intensity of HF in 32 patients were studied and present-day treatment options are summarized.