It lowers the level of the male hormone testosterone, robbing the cancer of its stimulation. A proportion of the cancer will die, but not all . The remainder of the cancer is unable to behave aggressively, effectively paralyzing it. This is not permanent and eventually the cancer starts to grow again. Second line hormone therapy can be used at this stage, but is less effective.
All hormone treatments are similarly effective.
Hot flushes - similar to female menopause. Sudden feeling of heat and sweating. The aim is to keep you free of symptoms for the rest of your life. Because of the potent effect of hormone therapy chemotherapy is not a common treatment for prostate cancer. It has a role however in improving symptoms once the hormone therapy becomes ineffective.