Prostate cancer kills many men and impacts millions worldwide. Skin cancer is more common in men, but one in eight will develop prostate cancer. Many fear it will damage men’s libido. One could ask if they can enjoy sex normally after diagnosis and treatment.
Can prostate cancer patients have sexual relations? It will discuss how this condition affects men’s sexuality.
Definition of Prostate Cancer Basics
Prostate cancer is more common in men because it starts in the prostate gland, a tiny organ below the bladder, and in front of the rectum. Semen released after ejaculation by prostate glands nurtures and transports sperm.
Uncontrolled prostate cells form tumors, causing prostate cancer. These aberrant cells may spread untreated to nearby bones, lymph nodes, or organs.
Prostate cancer symptoms vary with stage, including frequent toilet visits, blood in the pee or sperm, inability to get an erection, hip, back, or chest pain, and weakness or numbness in the legs or feet. Remember that early-stage prostate cancer may not present any symptoms. Detecting and treating the condition early requires regular tests.
Patients with prostate cancer may have surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, or a combination. It depends on age, health, cancer stage, and aggression. Exercise, healthy eating, and not smoking or drinking too much may reduce prostate cancer risk.
What They Are
In early prostate cancer, there may be no symptoms. Some men may have trouble urinating, getting an erection, or ejaculating with hip or pelvic pain as the condition progresses. These symptoms may indicate other diseases, so see a doctor immediately to diagnose cancer.
Men with prostate cancer may still have intercourse, but they should know how the disease and therapy affect this.
Desired:
Prostate cancer and therapy can reduce sexual interest. Some people avoid sex out of fear of cancer and treatment (NHS Choices). Low testosterone levels can also affect libido during hormone treatment for this cancer2. Your doctor may prescribe testosterone replacement if levels dip too low.
Visual changes:
Some prostate cancer patients may see smaller penises. This one-centimeter change in size may be due to penile shrinkage, among other factors. It can also worsen with blood vessel and nerve cell injury. Consult your doctor about any concerns. He may prescribe Viagra or Cialis for ED.
ED:
Prostate cancer surgery or radiation can damage erection-controlling blood vessels and nerves. Erectile dysfunction can result from a radical prostatectomy, which removes the prostate gland. But nerve-sparing medications can prevent men from being chronically impotent. Medicines can treat erectile dysfunction (ED).
Women and men should know how to spot prostate cancer and talk to their doctor. For many men with this illness, early treatment will help them live long, happy lives. Regular checkups and screenings can detect prostate cancer early and improve treatment.
What Affects Sexual Performance With Prostate Cancer?
Sexuality has nothing to do with prostate cancer. The American Cancer Society believes early prostate cancer is less likely to cause sexual issues. Prostate cancer treatments can work yet have adverse effects.
Even without a prostate, nerves, muscles, and blood arteries can cause erections and pleasure. This area produces seminal fluid, which is essential for sexual function. Because prostate cancer treatment alters the gland, it may make sexual pleasure tougher for men.
Prostate Cancer Therapy Causes Sex Issues
Radiation, hormone therapy like ADT, chemotherapy, surgery, and other treatments are available for prostate cancer. These medicines try to kill cancer cells, but others say they reduce libido.
- Surgery procedures:
Radical prostatectomy, which removes the prostate gland, is a common prostate cancer treatment. However, surgery can harm neurons and blood arteries that assist in getting an erection, causing erectile dysfunction (ED).
- Radiation therapy:
A prominent prostate cancer treatment is radiation therapy, which comprises external beam radiation and brachytherapy. This could damage pelvic nerves or blood vessels, making it harder to get or hold an erection or affecting your desire or ejaculation.
- Hormone Use:
Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) reduces androgens, which fuel tumor growth. ADT treats cancer, but it can cause impotence, sex apathy, and testicular shrinkage.
- Getting chemotherapy:
Some doctors may recommend treatment for prostate cancer that has spread. Chemotherapy eliminates cancer cells but also damages healthy cells. This can make a person nauseous, exhausted, and unable to have sexual interactions.
Managing Sexual Health After Prostate Cancer
Many men can have joyful sexual lives with the correct tools and mindset despite prostate cancer and its treatment.
- Talk
Open up to your partner about sexual concerns and desires. Talking about how your sexuality has changed and how you’re still finding new ways to be intimate helps maintain an emotional connection.
Another option is medical care. Erectile dysfunction medications include pills (Cialis, Levitra, Viagra), penile shots, vacuum erection devices, and penile implants. Consulting a specialist is best.
- Lifestyle changes
Better lifestyle choices can improve sexual health. This involves sleeping enough, not smoking, eating well, managing worry, and exercising.
- Groups that help
Men with prostate cancer or erection issues benefit most from support, counsel, and community. You feel alone and humiliated, but meeting people who understand may help.
Conclusion
Finally, prostate cancer treatments can make sex tougher, but a person can still enjoy it. Men with prostate cancer can still have meaningful relationships and enjoy intimacy by knowing how the disease impacts their sexual lives and attempting different treatments.
When dealing with these issues, include healthcare professionals, partners, and support groups to ensure your sexual health and happiness. Prostate cancer may affect sexual function. Fortunately, the correct support systems and procedures can fix these issues.
Sahil Sachdeva is the Founder of curemedoc.com and a Digital Marketing professional with 6+ years of experience. If you need help in Content writing and want to increase your website ranking, connect with him, as he has some premium websites where you can share blogs with DoFollow links and increase your website’s ranking on Google.
