How to improve your sex life after prostate cancer

Cancer of the prostate gland and its treatment can have a lasting, negative impact on sexual activity in men. Difficulties range from losing sexual desire to being unable to get an erection.
In this article, we look at how people can manage the potential effects of prostate cancer treatment on their sex lives. We also discuss the links between prostate cancer and sexual activity.
prostate cancer
Managing prostate cancer and sex
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Several strategies can help a person regain past levels of sexual function if prostate cancer treatment leads to problems achieving or maintaining an erection.
Some medications are beneficial in treating erectile dysfunction. These include:
erectile dysfunction
oral drugs, such as sildenafil (Viagra), avanafil (Spedra), tadalafil (Cialis), and vardenafil (Levitra)
sildenafil (Viagra)
tadalafil (Cialis)
vardenafil (Levitra)
topical creams such as alprostadil (Vitaros)
alprostadil in the form of injections and pellets
Learn more about the different medications for erectile dysfunction here.
Learn more about the different medications for erectile dysfunction here
Alternatively, people can try some physical or “mechanical” therapies. These include vacuum pumps and implants.
vacuum pumps
implants
All these therapies mean rehabilitation is possible after treatment for prostate cancer. Rehabilitation can allow a person to regain an erection and engage in sexual activity and enjoyment.
It is common for people to experience anxiety, depression, anger, and stress when living with prostate cancer. These can all affect a person’s interest in sex or sexual performance.
common
Some people may also benefit from psychological support, for example, with a sex therapist. This may help if the effects of cancer and its treatment strain relationships. Couples therapy may support people in making adjustments to sex and other aspects of their relationships as they accommodate physical changes.
sex therapist
Understanding the likelihood of sexual dysfunction after prostate cancer treatment may help individuals cope with the changes they experience.
In this area of interest, a study that took information from 32,000 men found that more frequent masturbation and ejaculation might lead to a lower risk of prostate cancer.
study
masturbation
A further 2017 study found that among men ages 20–29 who had 21 or more ejaculations a month, there were 2.39 fewer in every 1,000 who developed prostate cancer compared to those ejaculating 4–7 times a month.
2.39 fewer
Researchers also found that among men ages 40–49, 3.89 fewer people per 1,000 developed prostate cancer.
The reasons for these results are unclear, but one theory refers to prostate stagnation. This means that less frequent ejaculation allows prostate secretions to build up, possibly contributing to cancer.
Effects on orgasm and ejaculation
The prostate gland produces fluid that comprises the majority of semen. As a result, removing a prostate gland and other prostate cancer treatments can stop a person from ejaculating seminal fluid at climax as previously.
climax
However, people will still be able to feel sensations of pleasure and reach orgasm after prostate cancer therapy. People can reach climax without ejaculating semen. Instead, they may have a “dry orgasm.”
people
Some people may find these orgasms painful or less intense than before treatment. Passing urine when climaxing is also a potential side effect of some prostate cancer treatments.
may find
Learn more about orgasms after prostate removal here.
Learn more about orgasms after prostate removal here
Causes of sexual problems
While many men experience sexual issues following prostate cancer treatment, these issues are not often due to prostate cancer itself.
Treatment options with a risk of erectile dysfunction include:
Surgical removal: Surgical removal of cancer tissue or the prostate carries a risk of damaging nerves that control erections. Damage to these nerves can cause erectile dysfunction.
Cryotherapy: In this procedure, surgeons use probes to freeze prostate cancer cells. This treatment carries a high risk of erectile dysfunction.
high risk
Radiation therapy: Radiation exposure can damage blood vessels and nerves critical for achieving and maintaining erections.
can damage
Brachytherapy: In this procedure, surgeons plant radioactive seeds in the prostate gland. Brachytherapy has a lower risk of erectile dysfunction than other types of radiation therapy.
Hormone therapy: This treatment, which includes removing the testicles and using antiandrogen drugs, can cause erectile dysfunction, reduce interest in sex, and cause fertility problems.
Living with prostate cancer, and undergoing treatment, can cause psychological complications. Anxiety and depression are common in those living with prostate cancer, and this can often affect a person’s sexual desire and performance.
are common
Some men may choose to manage very slow-growing prostate cancer with “watchful waiting” or “active surveillance.” If so, these treatment paths may not cause problems with sex.
The prostate gland and prostate cancer
The prostate gland is a male reproductive organ that sits around the urethra, the outlet tube for urine, just below the bladder. The gland’s surface is usually smooth and regular. The prostate is about the size of a walnut.
After skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the United States.
skin cancer
most common cancer in men
Learn more about prostate cancer in our dedicated hub.
Learn more about prostate cancer in our dedicated hub
Symptoms do not often occur with prostate cancer. When symptoms do start, they can include:
weak or unsteady urine flow
weak or unsteady urine flow
urine leakage
urine leakage
urinary hesitancy
urinary hesitancy
having to strain to produce urine
having to strain to produce urine
blood in the urine
blood in the urine
Takeaway
Prostate cancer and treatments for cancer might impact a man’s ability to achieve and maintain an erection and cause reduced sexual desire. Different surgeries for cancer can also disrupt the ejaculation process.
Certain medications and physical treatments, such as Viagra and related pills and creams, are available to treat erectile dysfunction. These include vacuum pumps and implants.