Learn about condoms and/or contraceptives: Condoms may be advised to prevent your partner’s exposure to chemotherapy drugs that may remain in semen.There are also surgical procedures in which a firm rod or inflatable device ( penile implant) is placed in the penis, making it possible to get and keep an erection. Medicines can be given to increase blood flow to the penis. For example, there are medicines and devices that may be prescribed once a sexual health problem has been diagnosed. Learn about treatments: Based on symptoms you are having, your oncologist or a urologist will advise you on treatment options.Depending on the type of treatment you are receiving, condom use may be advised. For example, there may be times during treatment when you are at increased risk of infection or bleeding and may be advised to abstain from sexual activity. Most men can be sexually active during treatment, but you’ll want to confirm this with your doctor. You may also want to talk with a sexual health expert to get answers to any questions or concerns. People on your health care team have helped others cope during this difficult time and can offer valuable suggestions. Health problems, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking, can also contribute to changes in your sexual health. Medicines used to treat pain, some drugs used for depression, as well as medicines that affect the nerves and blood vessels may all affect your sex drive.Sometimes nerve-sparing surgery can be used to prevent these problems. Surgery for penile, rectal, prostate, testicular, and other pelvic cancers (such as the bladder, colon, and rectum) may affect the nerves, making it difficult to get and keep an erection.Learn more about side effects of Hormone Therapy for Prostate Cancer. It may be difficult to get or keep an erection. Hormone therapy can lower testosterone levels and decrease a man’s sexual drive.If the prostate is damaged, you may have a dry orgasm. If blood vessels or nerves are damaged, it may be difficult to get or keep an erection this is called erectile dysfunction. External-beam radiation therapy to the pelvis (such as to the anus, bladder, penis, or prostate) and brachytherapy (also called internal radiation therapy) can affect a man’s sexual function.Chemotherapy does not usually affect your ability to have an erection. You may be advised to use a condom, because semen may contain traces of chemotherapy for a period of time after treatment. Chemotherapy may lower your testosterone levels and libido during the treatment period.Your doctor will talk with you about side effects you may have based on your treatment(s): Other side effects may be long term or may start after treatment. Many problems that affect a man’s sexual activity during treatment are temporary and improve once treatment has ended. the amount of time that has passed since treatmentĬancer treatments may cause sexual problems in men.Whether or not you’ll have problems that affect your sexual health depends on factors such as: For more information about how treatment may affect your fertility, see Fertility Issues in Boys and Men. Other questions to consider asking are listed at the end of this page. Your doctor or nurse may talk with you about how cancer treatment might affect your sexual life or you may need to be proactive and ask questions such as: What sexual changes or problems are common among men receiving this type of treatment? What methods of birth control or protection are recommended during treatment? While you may not have the energy or interest in sexual activity that you did before treatment, being intimate with and feeling close to your spouse or partner is probably still important. Men being treated for cancer may experience changes that affect their sexual life during, and sometimes after, treatment.
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