When taking hormone therapy (ADT) each of us experiences different side effects and each of us experiences them differently.  Anyone experiencing hot flashes, probably the most commonly reported side effect of ADT during hormone therapy (ADT) knows how difficult, embarrassing and uncomfortable they can become as you go through your life.

Some men, who find that the hot flashes are so burdensome, will go to their oncologist for assistance. One of the more commonly prescribed remedies is a drug called Megace (megestrol acetate). Historically, it was used as a hormone therapy itself at a dose of 120 mg daily in combination with diethylstilbestrol 0.1 mg.

For some men, Megace, which is a steroid, does provide some remediation from their hot flashes. However, the drug is most often used to stimulate the appetite in people who need to gain weight, often cancer patients who have found it difficult to eat because of depression, anxiety or as a result of their other treatments.

One other very common and unhealthy side effect of ADT is weight gain. So, if you are taking Megace to help with hot flashes be very careful of the possibility of even more unhealthy weight gain (increased appetite). Your adding Megace can pose a new issue that can itself be significant.

Be careful and ask yourself which would be worse, hot flashes or weight gain.