Your sex life with prostate cancer
A prostate cancer diagnosis brings more than just medical concerns—it often touches deeply personal aspects of a man's life. "Prostate cancer strikes a personal part of a man's body, and for most, it is a glaring sign of aging and a reminder they are not as young as before," says Dr. Mark Pomerantz, oncologist at Harvard-affiliated Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
Treatment Decisions Can Affect Sexual Function
While much focus is placed on beating the disease, men often overlook how their treatment path can impact their sex life. “Common treatment options often affect sexual function and desire in some way, from erectile dysfunction to low libido,” explains Dr. Pomerantz.
Surgery, radiation, and hormone therapy—key tools in treating prostate cancer—can all disrupt sexual performance. Nerve damage from surgery may make erections more difficult. Radiation can affect blood vessels and nerves over time. And hormone therapy, which reduces testosterone to slow cancer growth, often results in decreased sexual desire and energy.
Navigating the Emotional Toll
The emotional impact of these changes is significant. For many men, intimacy is closely tied to self-esteem and identity. “Managing prostate cancer is difficult for many men,” says Dr. Pomerantz. “Knowing how it may cross over to other parts of their life, especially their sexual one, can help in the decision-making process.”
What You Can Do
Understanding how treatment may affect your sex life empowers you to plan ahead. Here are a few proactive steps to consider:
Talk openly with your doctor. Before selecting a treatment, ask how each option could affect sexual function and what recovery might look like.
Include your partner. Honest communication can reduce stress and foster support throughout your cancer journey.
Explore supportive therapies. Penile rehabilitation, medications, vacuum erection devices, or counseling can all help manage changes in sexual health.
Takeaway: Plan for the Whole Picture
Prostate cancer treatment is about more than controlling the disease—it’s about preserving quality of life. If you're facing a diagnosis, be sure to consider how treatments may impact your intimacy, and have conversations early with your care team and partner. Addressing your sexual health as part of your treatment plan can lead to better outcomes—both physically and emotionally.
At Bastion Health, we help you navigate the physical and emotional impacts of prostate cancer with expert support, personalized care, and tools to protect your sexual well-being—covered through your employer-sponsored benefits.
