When faced with a cancer diagnosis, sexual health is probably the last thing on your mind. However, with improved technologies for treating cancer comes a growing body of survivors, as well as urgent questions regarding the quality of sexual life after treatment. A recent review in the Journal of Urology published data on the prevalence of ejaculatory dysfunction and erectile dysfunction in cancer patients and survivors. They found that sexual dysfunction rates can range from 6.8% to 68.7%, depending on the location of the cancer and the type of treatment used. These rates were particularly high in people being treated for cancers in the pelvic region, including bladder, colon, rectum, testicle, and prostate cancer.
Pelvic radiation can cause erectile dysfunction, although it’s not clear why. Radiation can damage nerves in the pelvic area, block blood flow to the penis, or lower testosterone levels in the body. Radiation side effects begin slowly about six months to a year after treatment. Whether you experience erectile dysfunction as a result of radiation therapy depends on the amount of radiation you receive and how much of the pelvic area is treated: higher radiation to a larger part of your body is more likely to cause sexual side effects.
The experts challenged physicians and patients to open a dialogue about how cancer and its treatment can affect a patient’s sexual health and fertility, and how best to address the patient’s needs in the future.
Men experiencing sexual dysfunction and/or fertility issues after treatment may not even realize that their sexual health issues are related to their cancer treatment. For patients interested in infertility after cancer, they recommended fertility preservation, such as Cryobanking, before their cancer treatment. Cryobanking is a specialized process that involves collecting, freezing, and storing sperm for future use. Cancer survivors suffering from erectile dysfunction or ejaculation disorders should take comfort in knowing they are not alone and that treatment options are available.
If you think you may be suffering from erectile dysfunction, impaired ejaculation, or any other sexual health issue, consult a doctor. He may prescribe ED medicines like Cenforce 200 or Kamagra oral jelly 100 mg to help you maintain an active sex life.