Orgasms will be different after prostate cancer treatment, whether you’re having radical prostatectomy, radiation treatment, hormone therapy, or combination therapy. But you can still experience the full range of sexual pleasure. Here’s what you need to know.
How do orgasms change after prostate cancer treatment?
Many men continue to have pleasurable orgasms after surgery.
Some men notice that orgasms take longer to achieve and are less intense.
Your orgasms will be “dry” after surgery, meaning that you will not ejaculate when you reach orgasm.
You might feel pain when you reach orgasm. This usually gets better with time and with sexual stimulation.
Some men have loss of sensitivity in the penis.
For some men, orgasms are also less intense.
When you reach orgasm, less semen will come out.
Low testosterone can make it harder for some men to reach orgasm.
When you reach orgasm, less semen will come out.
Lower testosterone makes it harder for some men to reach orgasm.
Some men have loss of sensitivity of the penis after radiation treatment which can also affect orgasm.
For some men, orgasms are also less intense.
When you reach orgasm, less semen will come out.
Why do orgasms change after prostate cancer treatment?
Surgery (radical prostatectomy)
If you have surgery, your prostate gland and seminal vesicles are removed. Why are these key? They both help your body make semen, which you ejaculate during orgasm. Once these have been removed, your body doesn’t produce semen anymore. It doesn't mean you can't have an orgasm. It just means that your orgasms will be ‘dry.’
Radiation therapy
If you have radiation therapy, your orgasms can be less intense, and you will ejaculate less because of nerve damage and reduced blood flow to the penis.
Hormone therapy
If you’re having hormone therapy, your orgasms can be less intense because your body will have less of the sex hormone, testosterone.
Prostate gland
Seminal vesicles
What exactly is a dry orgasm?
Pretty much exactly what it sounds like. After surgery, the body will no longer produce semen.
When you orgasm (or cum), semen doesn’t come out, so your orgasms are considered 'dry.' This might feel pretty different for you, but the orgasms will still be pleasurable. It’s possible they’ll feel more intense or less intense than before.
If you had a different type of prostate cancer treatment besides surgery, you will still produce semen but may ejaculate less when you reach orgasm.
Can I have an orgasm without an erection?
Absolutely. Even if you’re experiencing erection troubles, you can still have a mind-blowing orgasm.
After surgery, most men experience erectile dysfunction (ED) and have issues getting and staying hard. So, you’re not alone there. It might take longer to climax, but orgasms can still feel amazing.
Hear from a guy who’s been there:
"For months I thought my sex life was over and I would never orgasm again. I was playing around in the shower and low and behold, ACTION! It was an incredible feeling."
As always, if you’ve got questions about changes to your orgasms and ways to improve, talk to your doctor or healthcare team.
