title: Andropause syndrome in men treated for metastatic prostate cancer: a qualitative study of the impact of symptoms.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) has become the cornerstone of treatment for men with metastatic prostate cancer. However, treatments are associated with a number of adverse effects that collectively are referred to as andropause syndrome, or the male menopause.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study explored the experience and impact of andropause symptoms, particularly hot flashes, among men undergoing ADT for metastatic prostate cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-one men receiving ADT for metastatic prostate cancer underwent a qualitative interview focusing on the adverse effects of ADT and the impact of these symptoms on daily living and coping strategies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The most frequently mentioned adverse effects were hot flashes and night sweats, gynecomastia, cognitive decline, and changes in sexual function. Hot flashes did impact on everyday functioning, and night sweats regularly disturbed sleep patterns and led to participants feeling tired and irritable. Participants reported a lack of control over their hot flashes and night sweats. There was reluctance among our sample to disclose the type of symptoms experienced to others.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The occurrence of andropause symptoms, including hot flashes and night sweats, was common among this sample. Participants reported a range of cognitive and behavioral responses to these symptoms. There was some reluctance about discussing a prostate cancer diagnosis or the occurrence of symptoms with others.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings have implications for a range of individual and couple interventions to manage the impact of this constellation of symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology Department, King's College London, England. beth.grunfeld@kcl.ac.uk
authors.forename: Elizabeth A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Grunfeld
authors.forename: Amber
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Halliday
authors.forename: Pauline
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Lawrence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Drudge-Coates
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000726:Androgen Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects*; D047649:Andropause / Q000502:physiology*; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000523:psychology; D006177:Gynecomastia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000523:psychology; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019584:Hot Flashes / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000523:psychology; D013546:Sweating; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000726:Androgen Antagonists; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal