Resuming Your Sex Life After Prostate Cancer Treatment

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Prostate cancer is one of the leading types of cancer affecting men in Singapore. As the disease affects the prostate, which is located next to blood vessels, key nerves, and muscles that aid in having an erection, many naturally wonder if the condition and prostate cancer treatment may affect their sex lives. 

The good news is that while some may face issues in the bedroom after prostate treatment, these problems are usually temporary or treatable. With time and proper treatment, you can continue having a fulfilling sex life after prostate cancer. Notwithstanding complications, you can typically resume sex a couple of weeks after undergoing radiation therapy for prostate cancer.

However, you should be aware that patients who undergo prostate cancer treatment may experience sexual dysfunction, such as erectile dysfunction (ED) or the loss of libido (sex drive). For those affected, they may require additional time before they can engage in sex. The sexual health recovery time post prostate cancer treatment can vary depending on the patient’s age, general health, emotional health, and sexual function.

If you wish to learn more about how this condition may affect your sex life, read on as we examine how your sex life may evolve after prostate cancer treatment and the treatments available if you are concerned about your sexual function.

Can You Have Sex After Prostate Cancer Treatment?

Sexual and urinary side effects are possible risks of prostate cancer treatments. As such, it is common for many to wonder if they can still have sex after prostate cancer. Let us explore the primary forms of treatments for prostate cancer and how they may affect your sexual function. 

Treatment #1: Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy normally does not affect your sexual function. However, if you require help in the bedroom after cancer treatment, a study indicates that ED medications like Viagra or Cialis can help you maintain an erection while increasing sexual desire and overall satisfaction with sex. 

In addition, patients undergoing radiation therapy may receive adjuvant hormonal treatment in the form of androgen deprivation therapy to reduce testosterone in their bodies. The drop in testosterone level may cause ED and loss of libido. But once hormonal treatment stops, testosterone levels will gradually increase, resulting in improvements to one’s sex drive.

Those planning to resume sex after radiation therapy should allow their bodies ample time to heal from the side effects of radiation. The recommended waiting time is a couple of weeks after undergoing external beam radiation.

Learn More: Proton Therapy: How It Is Beneficial For Prostate Cancer Patients

Treatment #2: Radical Prostatectomy

During radical prostatectomy, the surgeon will remove your prostate gland and seminal vesicles. The pelvic lymph nodes may also be removed as part of the operation. After surgery, up to 60– 85% of men may experience ED. Although, most will experience significant improvement within a year. Some may take up to two years to fully recover. 

For this reason, healthcare professionals recommend that patients undergo penile rehabilitation immediately after radical prostatectomy to manage symptoms of ED after treatment. Treatment may involve ED medications and psychological counselling.

Treating Sexual Dysfunction After Prostate Cancer Treatment

While the risk of impotence may appear substantial after prostate cancer treatment, rest assured that most patients experience significant improvement in sexual function over time. Various intimacy solutions are also available post-prostate cancer to help men maintain an erection or achieve orgasm. 

Solution #1: Medications 

ED medications, like sildenafil (Revatio and Viagra), tadalafil (Adcirca and Cialis), and vardenafil (Levitra and Staxyn), can improve blood flow to your penis, enabling you to maintain an erection. Alprostadil (Edex and Muse) is another medication that helps enhance blood flow to your penis without being stimulated. This small pellet is administered through the urethra (urinary opening) of the penis.

Giving yourself a shot of medicine in the base of your penis is another way to maintain an erection without sexual stimulation. It is injected into the penis’s shaft with a tiny needle to increase blood flow. Caverject (alprostadil) is an injectable form of the same drug used in MUSE. Trimix is another popular compounded medication for the same purpose.

Solution #2: Devices

In addition to medications, there are devices available to help pull blood into your penis. These mechanical devices, which utilise suction, are placed over the penis and activated with a manual or battery-operated pump. These tools are usually recommended for men who can get an erection but cannot maintain it. Alternatively, a surgeon could surgically place a penile implant in your penis to help you have an erection.

Solution #3: Supplements

Specific herbs and substances, such as Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), L-arginine, Ginkgo, Ginseng, Yohimbe, and Zinc, are known to improve sexual desire and function. However, there are no known scientific studies to back up these claims, and some can be dangerous. Please consult your doctor before consuming these supplements. 

If you are worried about how prostate cancer treatment may affect your sex life, do not hesitate to consult our cancer specialist, Dr Johann Tang. Dr Tang can assist in addressing any concerns you may have about treatment, including possible risks and side effects. Contact our clinic to schedule an appointment with us today.

References:

• https://www.webmd.com/prostate-cancer/sex-life-after-prostate-cancer
• https://health.clevelandclinic.org/sex-after-prostate-cancer