It is a life-changing experience to be diagnosed with prostate cancer. It takes tremendous mental and emotional fortitude to face a cancer diagnosis head-on and to go through the process of getting treatment. If you’re lucky, your prostate cancer is discovered when it’s still in the early stages of development. In some cases, surgery and radiation therapy may be required, depending on the stage of the condition.
The question of whether prostate cancer treatment procedures and treatments will have an impact on a man’s sex drive is one that many men with prostate cancer worry about. In fact, some prostate cancer treatments can cause side effects that impair a man’s sex drive and ability to perform sexually.
Negative Side Effects of Prostate Cancer Treatment
Men who undergo prostate cancer treatment may experience any of the following:
● Low libido
● Erectile dysfunction
● A change in penis size
● Dry orgasm
● Low sperm count
● Urinary incontinence
The treatment goal for prostate cancer is determined by the stage of the disease and the patient’s expected life expectancy at the time of diagnosis. Patients who have been advised to undergo active surveillance and watchful waiting do not receive any treatment. Although men can relax and enjoy sex while under active surveillance and watchful waiting, the fear of cancer spreading can make them unable to relax and lose their desire for sex.
Treatments for prostate cancer, such as radical prostatectomy, which involves the removal of the prostate, and radiation therapy, can cause nerve damage, which can lead to sexual dysfunction. Problems with sexual performance can also put a damper on a man’s desire to have sex. Contrary to this, hormone therapy for prostate cancer, which is intended to reduce testosterone production, can also result in a decrease in libido. Testosterone is responsible for your sexual drive.
In most cases, when prostate cancer is in remission, a man’s sexual drive will return, which is a welcomed relief.
What should a man do if he begins to experience negative side effects as a result of his medical treatment? It’s important to understand that when doctors plan your treatment, they will take the side effects of each medication into consideration. Do not be afraid to ask for help if you are experiencing negative side effects from your treatment.
If you are experiencing severe side effects from a particular treatment, your doctor is usually willing to make changes (big or small) to alleviate your symptoms. For example, if you are experiencing low libido as a result of hormone therapy, your doctor may recommend that you undergo intermittent hormone therapy. It is generally considered safe to alternate between hormone therapy and non-hormonal therapy. Treatment for low testosterone levels may be considered safe to use once remission has been achieved.
Low sex drive and erectile dysfunction caused by surgery or radiation therapy, as a result of some degree of nerve damage, may be treated with erectile dysfunction medications, penile injections, or implants.
Taking care of your prostate cancer is absolutely essential for your overall health and well-being. If cancer treatment has caused long-term changes in your sexuality, a urologist can assist you in finding solutions.
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