Prostate cancer is a significant health concern for men. The disease, which primarily arises in men over 50, is one of the most common types of cancer. It can be managed with treatment and sometimes even cured, but these treatments often have side effects, including erectile dysfunction (ED).
On average, about 1 in 8 men will have prostate cancer in their lifetime. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with prostate cancer and undergone prostate surgery, you need to know the link between ED and these conditions.
In this article, we will discuss how prostate cancer, treatment, and surgery impacts one’s libido and sex life and offer potential solutions to combat sexual side-effects and maintain a healthy and fulfilling sex life.
Can Prostate Cancer Affect Your Life?
Prostate cancer affects nearly as many men as breast cancer affects women. It’s not just a matter of statistics: Prostate cancer significantly affects your life and causes various problems on many levels. It can affect your daily activities, both inside and outside the home.
It can cause you to miss the things that matter most and take you away from the important people to you.
Prostate cancer can affect your life in other ways, too. It can make you feel depressed, guilty, or frustrated. It can cause you stress and anxiety, making it harder to rest or relax during the day and more challenging to sleep at night. It also takes a toll on your sexual ability and enjoyment of life due to discharges, pain, bleeding, or other problems. Prostate cancer may even affect the quality of sleep that you get.
How Can Prostate Cancer Treatment and Surgery Affect a Person’s Sex Life?
Following treatment for prostate cancer, it’s not uncommon for men to experience erectile dysfunction (ED) or low libido because of hormonal changes that occur following surgery or radiation therapy. Prostate cancer treatment may affect four significant aspects of erectile function:
#1. Orgasm
Men who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer may find it more difficult to have orgasms. Associated pain and soreness may also result, however these symptoms usually resolve on their own.
#2. Ejaculation
After prostate cancer treatment, some people will emit little to no ejaculate. The prostate and seminal vesicles that create ejaculate are removed and irradiated during therapy, which can impede or prevent the ability to ejaculate entirely.
#3. Libido
When the doctor treats a patient for prostate cancer, the person’s sex drive is often affected. Hormone therapy, a typical treatment for prostate cancer, inhibits the progression of the disease by reducing testosterone levels in the body. It does, however, often also affect a person’s libido.
#4. The Ability to Have a Firm Erection
The mechanical ability to have a firm erection is also affected by prostate cancer treatment. Your nerves, blood vessels, and muscles may be affected due to surgery. Many men are unable to get an erection for a while following surgery.
How Can Prostate Cancer Treatment and Surgery Affect a Person’s Sex Organ?
Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer in men. There are many options for both treatment and surgery. These therapies have helped dramatically lower mortality rates from prostate cancer and extend life expectancy by ten years or more.
However, one of the adverse effects individuals may encounter after surgery to remove malignant cells is a change in their sex organs. Some men will notice that their genitals are a little smaller than usual. It could be due to the tissues shrinking due to the cancer treatment.
What is Erectile Dysfunction (ED)?
ED is a significant concern for many men who have undergone prostate cancer treatment. Men who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer are twice as likely to suffer from ED than men without prostate cancer.
Hormonal changes occur when the nerve endings in the penis are injured as a result of surgery or radiation therapy, leading to ED. Because treatment destroys the testicles and any other source of testosterone production in the body (e.g., the pituitary gland), testosterone levels are often drastically reduced.
Consider a Non-Surgical, Non-Medical Option for ED
NonMedErect is a new, innovative erectile aid for managing erectile dysfunction. It is an ideal solution for those who have not had success with alternative medical treatments, and who do not wish to undergo surgery to resolve their condition.
First commissioned for the US Army for soldiers who sustained catastrophic injuries on the battlefield, NonMedErect offers a wearable prosthetic device that offers a wholesome intimate and sexual experience. NonMedErect is a safe, non-medical solution that does not require a doctor’s prescription. For more information, and to speak with our highly confidential professionals, please contact us today.
