Psychosocial Perspectives on Sexual Recovery After Prostate Cancer Treatment

Overview

Journal Nat Rev Urol

Specialty Urology

Date 2015 Mar 11

PMID 25753250

Citations 23

Authors

Lauren M Walker

Richard J Wassersug

John W Robinson

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Many therapies for erectile dysfunction (ED) after prostate cancer treatment improve erectile firmness, yet, most couples stop using aids within 1-2 years. Patients and partners who expect immediate and complete success with their first ED treatment can be demoralized when they experience treatment failure, which contributes to reticence to explore other ED aids. Comprehensive patient education should improve sustainability and satisfaction with ED treatments. Pre-emptive and realistic information should be provided to couples about the probability of recovering natural erections. Beginning intervention early and using a couple-based approach is ideal. Recommendations are provided about the timing of ED treatment, the order of aid introduction, and combination therapies. Renegotiation of sexual activity is an essential part of sexual adaptation. From the outset of therapy, couples should be encouraged to broaden their sexual repertoire, incorporate erection-independent sexual activities, and continue to be sexual despite ED and reduced libido.

Citing Articles

Changes in Relationship Dynamics in Men and Women After Receiving the Diagnosis of Breast Versus Prostate Cancer: A Population-based Study.

Heath F, Ockerman K, Wiesemann G, Safeek R, Heath M, Momeni A Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2025; 13(2):e6494.

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Patient Reported Sexual Adaptation Following Prostate Cancer Treatment: An Analysis of Related Variables and Sexual Outcomes Associated with Sexual Adaptation Styles.

Shah F, MacLeod F, Walker L Arch Sex Behav. 2024; 53(6):2377-2395.

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Sexual satisfaction in prostate cancer: a multi-group comparison study of treated patients, patients under active surveillance, patients with negative biopsy, and controls.

Walker L, Santos-Iglesias P J Cancer Surviv. 2023; 18(6):1790-1798.

PMID: 37365387 DOI: 10.1007/s11764-023-01420-2.

Sexual health and treatment-related sexual dysfunction in sexual and gender minorities with prostate cancer.

Dickstein D, Edwards C, Lehrer E, Tarras E, Gallitto M, Sfakianos J Nat Rev Urol. 2023; 20(6):332-355.

PMID: 37217695 PMC: 10389287. DOI: 10.1038/s41585-023-00778-3.

Implementation of patient-reported outcome measures into health care for men with localized prostate cancer.

Singhal U, Skolarus T, Gore J, Parry M, Chen R, Nossiter J Nat Rev Urol. 2022; 19(5):263-279.

PMID: 35260844 DOI: 10.1038/s41585-022-00575-4.

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