Prostate Disease and Sexual Concerns
Sexual issues related to prostate disease and its treatment may include impotence, decreased sex drive, and abnormal ejaculation (such as
retrograde ejaculation).
Concern about sexual function can interfere with sex as much as the treatment itself. Men may be able to regain sexual function earlier by having an understanding of their medication or by talking to the doctor about any concerns before treatment. Some men also find it helpful to speak to a counselor during the adjustment period following treatment for a prostate disease.
Sexual issues affect men differently depending on whether they have BPH or enlarged prostate, prostate cancer, or prostatitis. Select one of the following links for more specific information concerning your condition:
Sexual Issues With BPH or Enlarged Prostate
After surgery to treat BPH or enlarged prostate, it may take some time to fully recover sexual function, but most men can eventually resume normal sexual activity. As a general rule, many urologists assert that if you could achieve and maintain an erection before surgery, you will regain this ability after surgery.
Medications for BPH or enlarged prostate may cause impotence and decreased sex drive. These side effects are reversible — they will usually go away when the BPH or enlarged prostate medication is stopped.
BPH or enlarged prostate surgical procedures and medications can cause retrograde ejaculation, reduction in ejaculation volume or absence of ejaculation. You should tell your doctor if you think you’re experiencing any of the above symptoms and discuss alternative treatments.
Sexual Issues With Prostate Cancer
Men often remain impotent 6 to 12 months after radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer. It’s important to give your body time to heal. In the meantime, emphasize aspects of sex that involve touching and closeness. Men are capable of sexual intimacy, and can experience pleasure even if they are impotent.
If enough time has passed without a return of sexual potency, you may want to consider various medications, implants, injections, and devices that are available to treat impotence. This is a decision that requires a great deal of openness and communication. You should discuss this condition with your partner and your physician.
Sexual Issues With Prostatitis
The three different types of prostatitis can lead to different sexual symptoms:
- Chronic bacterial prostatitis can cause occasional blood in urine or semen.
- Chronic nonbacterial can cause pain in the genital area, occasional blood in urine or semen, and painful ejaculation.
- Acute bacterial prostatitis is a serious condition that requires medical treatment. It can cause pain in the genital area and lower abdomen, but sexual issues are far less important than treatment of the disease itself.
