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.*Currently best for people who’ve had prostate cancer surgery and their partners.
Sex after prostate cancer treatment
Common sexual changes to expect
RememberThe challenges you’ll have to work through depend on which treatment you have, how your body responds to treatment and your overall health and wellbeing.
For example, here’s a diagram
of how surgery can impact your sex life:
Body
Treatment can damage the nerves and blood supply needed for erections.
Mind
Cancer and sexual challenges following treatment can make you feel down and anxious, changing your feelings about sex.
Relationships
Coping with cancer and sexual challenges with a partner, or your feelings about starting a new one.
With some prostate cancer treatments, men typically have issues with:
their penis not getting as hard
changes in orgasm or not being able to orgasm
leaking urine during sexual activity or when aroused
These changes do not occur after every treatment, so it’s important to talk to your doctor and care team about what you can expect. A sexual health counselor can also be helpful in guiding you towards satisfaction.
For more detailed information about
changes after surgery, radiation therapy
and hormone therapy, choose a treatment below.
How might surgery affect my sex life?
How might radiation therapy affect my sex life
How might hormone therapy (ADT) for prostate cancer affect my sex life?
Coping with sexual changes
Many individuals say that after having prostate cancer and treatment, they initially struggled with sexual changes. And after working through these changes, although their sex life is different, they now feel satisfied with their ‘new’ sex life.
Here’s what some men have said about their new take on sex and intimacy:
“For months I thought my sex life was over and I would never orgasm again. I was playing around in the shower, and lo and behold, ACTION! It was an incredible feeling."
“So far I have not been able to get my penis as hard as I want. I do feel angry at times and miss my old sex life. I’ve had to try new things, it’s a struggle."
These are just a few thoughts men have had while working to improve their sex life after treatment.
It may not be easy at first, but have patience, share your feelings openly and regularly with your partner, and keep trying.
Remember, treatment doesn’t just affect one part of you. You’ll have to look across all 3 areas, body, mind and relationships, to improve your sexual wellbeing. It will take some work, but you don't have to face any of these challenges alone. Your doctor and care team are there to support and encourage you.
