Orchiectomy is a frequently performed androgen ablative therapy in men
with prostatic cancer. Sudden withdrawal of sex steroids in men can l
ead to troublesome menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes (HF) and pr
ofuse 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 treat
ment. 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 w
ere studied and present-day treatment options are summarized.