Hormones are natural messengers in your body. They are made by glands and pass through your blood to control growth, mood, and even how your organs work. Sex hormones are one of these hormones that are very important for reproduction, growth, and overall health. But if cancer or its treatments mess with these hormones, your body can shift a lot.
Sex Hormones
Estrogen: The Most Important Hormone for Women
Estrogen is made mostly in the ovaries and is important for:
- Controlling menstrual periods
- Getting breasts and hair in the pubic area and underarms throughout puberty
- Helping bones and the heart stay healthy
Did you know? Men’s testes and adrenal glands also make small amounts of estrogen, which helps sperm mature and boosts libido.
Progesterone: The Hormone That Helps You Get Pregnant
Progesterone is also created in the ovaries.
- Regulates the menstrual cycle
- Gets the body ready for pregnancy
- Helps make breast milk
The placenta makes progesterone during pregnancy to keep the pregnancy healthy.
Testosterone: The Powerhouse for Men
Testosterone is made mostly in the testes and drives:
- Making sperm
- Muscle and bone growth
- During puberty, you get hair on your face and body and your voice gets deeper.
Women make it too! The ovaries and adrenal glands create modest amounts of it, which helps keep muscular mass and sex drive up.
How Cancer and Treatment Change Hormones
Cancer treatments, especially for breast and prostate cancers, often change hormone levels by:
✔ Stopping hormone production (for example, stopping estrogen or testosterone)
✔ Damaging glands that make hormones, like ovaries that are affected by chemotherapy
✔ Causing changes that last a long time or a short time
Hormonal Changes Can Cause These Common Symptoms
Hormonal imbalances can happen because of cancer or treatment. They can cause:
- Sweating at night and hot flashes
- Tiredness and trouble sleeping
- Anxiety and mood swings
- Changes in weight
- Loss of bone (increasing the risk of osteoporosis)
- Problems with memory or focus
For Women:
- Periods that don’t happen regularly or at all
- Dryness in the vagina
- Pain when urinating
For Men:
- Problems in getting an erection
- Lowered libido
- Soreness in the breasts
Dealing with Changes in Hormones
Some symptoms may go away after treatment, while others may stay. Talk to your doctor if you’re having bad side effects. There are things you can do to help, such taking medicine or changing your lifestyle.
Have You Had Changes in Your Hormones?
Every person’s cancer journey is different. We want to hear from you! Please leave a comment below to share your story or ask a question. 💬