Orchiectomy for Prostate Cancer
What To Think About
Removing the testicles is one way to cut down on testosterone and other male hormones, or Reference androgens Opens New Window. Taking medicine is another way to reduce androgen levels in your body. Some men may prefer surgery over taking pills or having injections. But if you choose to take medicine, you can stop taking the hormone drugs. And the side effects from taking medicine may go away. An orchiectomy is permanent.
Some men choose to have reconstructive surgery after an orchiectomy. For this, the surgeon replaces the testicles with artificial testicles.
Complete the surgery information form (PDF) 
(What is a Reference PDF Opens New Window document?) to help you prepare for this surgery.
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: September 12, 2012 |
| Medical Review: | Reference E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Reference Christopher G. Wood, MD, FACS - Urology, Oncology |
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