Prostate Cancer and Sex
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Men link prostate cancer and sex together in many different ways. When you are diagnosed with prostate cancer men believe they will never have sex again. The good news is that many prostate cancer victims have normal sex lives, and some discover the problems they were experiencing before the diagnosis have been relieved. While you may go on to have a normal sex life, having sex may not be the simple and thoughtless act it once was to you and your mate. There are treatments available that can help you continue to have a great sex life even after prostate cancer. While your sex life may never be exactly as it once was, sex is still possible, and this should be your focus.
Sex After Prostate Cancer
During treatment for prostate cancer you may find that you don’t want to have sex, or think that it just isn’t possible. Depending on your treatment you may not be able to achieve an erection, have difficult maintaining an erection, or you may simply be too tired to have sex. These are normal responses during treatment for prostate cancer, and you should remember that you won’t really be able to judge the quality of your future sex life for some time.
Having and being treated for prostate cancer often goes hand in hand with having a difficult time obtaining an erection. There are many causes for this including radiotherapy to the prostate, prostate surgery, removal of both testicles, and hormone therapy. After surgery you are likely going to be impotent, though this may be temporary. If you had a radical prostatectomy your impotence may be permanent.
Hormone therapy can positively affect your ability to have sex. When you discontinue injections or oral medications you may find your ability to achieve an erection slowly return. Other people find that it is not as easy as it once was. You never know how your body is going to react until you are in the moment, so don’t assume things will happen for you one way or another. Some men cannot get an erection from the day they start hormone therapy while others are completely free of any issue.
With radiotherapy you may initially find you have no problem with erections, but over time it may become more difficult. It can take up to two years after radiotherapy before you experience impotence (a result of long term nerve damage.) You’ll just have to wait and see what happens with this type of therapy.
Your State of Mind
Many men are so worried about being able to have sex again that they literally psyche themselves out about it. When you are so worried about your treatments, your health, and even sex itself, you may find that you cannot maintain an erection even though it has nothing to do with your disease. Be open and honest about your worries and what you are feeling to your mate. That way your concerns will be validated and you can focus on your treatment instead of your erections. Sex is possible during and after prostate cancer, just don’t make it your priority or you may find your problems are more emotional than treatment related.
Many people have come before you and anything that you experience, or find that you suddenly are not experiencing, is not something new. If you are worried about sex or you aren’t sure what to expect, you needn’t be embarrassed to speak to your doctor about it. Your doctor will help relieve your fears by connecting you with a specialist who can help you come to terms with your worries, or even get you connected with a support group who will teach you how to talk to your partner about sex during and after prostate cancer and what the future holds for the both of you. Staying positive and not allowing for anxiety to get the best of you really is important when it comes to sex and prostate cancer, so think positive thoughts and you will be rewarded!
Copyright 2008 - Battle Prostate Cancer
