Androgen Blockade: What It Is, How It Works, and What You Need to Know

When your body makes too much androgen blockade, a medical strategy that stops male hormones like testosterone from fueling certain diseases. Also known as androgen deprivation therapy, it’s a cornerstone treatment for prostate cancer, a common cancer in men that often grows in response to testosterone. This isn’t just about lowering hormone levels—it’s about cutting off the fuel that lets tumors spread.

Androgen blockade doesn’t just mean one drug. It usually combines two types: LHRH agonists, like leuprolide or goserelin, which shut down testosterone production in the testes, and anti-androgen drugs, such as bicalutamide or enzalutamide, which block testosterone from reaching cancer cells. Together, they create a more complete shutdown than either could alone. This approach is used not just for advanced prostate cancer, but sometimes for early-stage cases to improve outcomes after surgery or radiation.

It’s not a magic bullet. People on androgen blockade often deal with fatigue, hot flashes, loss of muscle mass, and lower sex drive. Some notice mood changes or even bone thinning over time. That’s why doctors often pair it with lifestyle changes—like weight training to fight muscle loss or calcium and vitamin D to protect bones. It’s also why newer treatments, like intermittent therapy (taking breaks from drugs), are being tested to reduce side effects without losing control of the cancer.

What you’ll find in the posts below isn’t just theory. You’ll see real comparisons between drugs like enzalutamide and abiraterone, how side effects stack up, and what studies actually show about long-term use. There’s also insight into how androgen blockade overlaps with other treatments—like JAK inhibitors for inflammation or bone-strengthening drugs like risedronate. These aren’t random picks. They’re the tools real patients and doctors use together. Whether you’re newly diagnosed, managing long-term side effects, or just trying to understand what’s happening in your body, this collection gives you the straight talk you need.