What Are the Sexual Side Effects of Prostate Cancer Treatment?
Prostate cancer and its treatment can significantly impact your sex life, self-esteem, and relationships. Whether you're single or in a relationship, and regardless of your sexuality, understanding these changes and knowing the available treatments and support can help you manage this aspect of your life.
Prostate cancer treatments can affect your sex life in several ways, including:
Surgery (Radical Prostatectomy) When Can I Have Sex or Masturbate?
- Mind: The emotional impact of a cancer diagnosis can reduce your interest in sex.
- Body: Treatments can damage nerves and blood supply needed for erections. Hormone therapy can reduce your desire for sex.
- Relationships: Coping with cancer can change the dynamics of your close relationships.
- Safe to have erections and masturbate when you feel like it, but it may be uncomfortable if you have a catheter.
- After keyhole surgery, you can have sex once your catheter is removed.
- After open surgery, wait until the wound heals and feels comfortable.
- If you have anal sex, wait about six weeks.
What Problems do men commonly experience after removing their prostate?
- Problems getting an erection, which may improve over time.
- Shortening and a slight change in the shape of the penis.
- No ejaculation, but orgasms are still possible (may feel different).
- Infertility.
- Urine leakage during sex.
- Possible pain during orgasm.
- Reduced libido.
External Beam Radiotherapy (EBRT) When Can I Have Sex or Masturbate?
- You can have sex or masturbate as soon as you feel like it.
- Use contraception during treatment and for at least one year afterwards if pregnancy is possible.
- If you receive anal sex, wait until any bowel problems or sensitivity pass.
What Problems do men commonly experience after radiotherapy?
- Gradual development of erection problems.
- Uncomfortable ejaculation.
- Reduced or no semen production.
- Orgasms may feel different.
- Infertility.
Brachytherapy (Internal Radiotherapy) When Can I Have Sex or Masturbate?
- Wait a few days after treatment before having sex or masturbating.
- Use a condom the first five times you ejaculate.
- Use contraception if pregnancy is possible, potentially up to a year after treatment.
- For anal sex, wait until bowel problems or sensitivity pass.
What Problems do men commonly experience after brachytherapy?
- Gradual development of erection problems.
- Reduced semen production but possible orgasms.
- Potentially painful ejaculation soon after treatment.
- Infertility.
High-Dose Rate (HDR) Brachytherapy When Can I Have Sex or Masturbate?
- Wait at least one week before having sex or masturbating.
- Use contraception if pregnancy is possible; consult your doctor for the duration.
- For anal sex, wait two months.
What do men commonly experience after
- Gradual worsening of erection problems over years.
- Reduced semen production but possible orgasms.
- Infertility.
High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) When Can I Have Sex or Masturbate?
- Wait at least one to two weeks before having sex or masturbating.
What Problems Might I Have?
- Erection problems.
- Reduced or no semen production but possible orgasms.
- Infertility.
Cryotherapy When Can I Have Sex or Masturbate?
- Wait at least one week before having sex or masturbating.
What Problems Might I Have?
- Erection problems.
- Infertility.
Hormone Therapy When Can I Have Sex or Masturbate?
- Safe to have sex or masturbate if receiving injections, implants, or tablets.
- After surgery (orchidectomy), wait until the wound heals.
What Problems Might I Have?
- Erection problems and reduced libido.
- Shortening of the penis and smaller testicles.
- Reduced intensity of orgasms and less semen production.
- Physical changes like weight gain or hot flushes affecting sexual desire.
Chemotherapy When Can I Have Sex or Masturbate?
- Safe to have sex or masturbate as soon as you feel like it unless advised otherwise by your doctor.
- Use contraception if pregnancy is possible, potentially up to six months after treatment.
What Problems Might I Have?
- Infertility.
- Orgasms may feel different.
- Physical changes such as hair loss, fatigue, or feeling unwell affecting sexual desire.
What Treatments Are Available for Erection Problems?
- Tablets: Medications like PDE5 inhibitors.
- Vacuum Pumps: Devices that help achieve an erection.
- Injections: Medication injected directly into the penis.
- Pellets or Cream: Applied to the penis to help achieve an erection.
- Implants: Surgically inserted devices to help achieve an erection.
- Testosterone Replacement Therapy: For those with low testosterone levels.
Can I Still Have an Erection on Hormone Therapy?
Hormone therapy lowers your desire for sex, making some treatments less effective. However, injections, pellets, cream, or a vacuum pump might still help you achieve an erection. Regular erections can help maintain penile health and prevent shrinkage.
How Can I Fit Treatments Into My Sex Life?
Some treatments might feel artificial, but with time, you and your partner can integrate them into your routine. Consider involving your partner in the process to help them understand and support you.
What If I Have Other Health Problems?
Certain conditions might make some treatments unsuitable:
- Heart problems
- Sickle cell disease
- Peyronie’s disease (curved penis)
- Medications like nitrates
How Can I Improve My Desire for Sex?
- Hormone Therapy: Lowers testosterone and sex drive.
- Thoughts and Feelings: Loss of self-esteem or masculinity.
- Tiredness: Fatigue from cancer treatments.
- Other Side Effects: Urinary and bowel problems and physical changes.
How Can I Boost My Sex Drive?
- Intermittent Hormone Therapy: Consult your doctor to see if this suits you.
- Address Emotional Issues: Seek support for depression or anxiety.
- Plan Your Day: Maximise energy levels for intimacy.
- Communicate: Talk openly with your partner about your feelings.
Can I Have Children After Prostate Cancer Treatment?
Prostate cancer treatments can affect fertility. If having children is important, consider storing sperm before treatment. Consult your doctor or nurse for local sperm storage options.
How Can I Support My Partner?
Partners may also be affected by changes in your relationship and sex life. Open communication, understanding, and seeking support for both of you can help manage these changes.
