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Slide 2: Tough, But Common and Normal
Intimacy with your partner is needed more than ever when facing prostate cancer. Unfortunately, it’s common and normal for treatment to cause sexual changes.
It’s important to remember these changes aren’t a reflection of the love, desire and connection between you and your partner.
Slide 3: Talk About It
Silence allows shame to creep in and chip away at intimacy. Talking openly about the physical changes happening can prevent shame, disappointment and fear from growing into a relationship wedge. Acknowledging what’s happening and talking about the feelings that arise are an important step in coping.
Slide 4: Sex Therapy Can Help
Talking about sex can be tough, and prostate cancer treatment only makes it tougher. A sex therapist can give you tools for better communication and can help partners find new ways to create intimacy in and out of the bedroom during this time.
Slide 5: Try Medication
Your clinician is another good resource. They may be able to prescribe medicine that can help with the common side effect of erectile dysfunction.
These medicines can be:
Slide 6: Devices Are Available
Clinicians can also recommend devices that can help men get an erection. Most men who have tried a vacuum seal constriction device to force blood into the penis have found it works to create an erection. There are permanent surgical options too, such as a penile implant that can be activated before sex.
- Vacuum seal constriction device
- Penile implants
Slide 7: Maintain Emotional Closeness
Intimacy isn’t limited to physical connection. Plan activities together to remain emotionally close to your partner. This is a vulnerable time, and prioritizing your relationship now can strengthen your bond, even when sex isn’t possible.
Slide 8: You’re Not Alone
It’s common for patients and partners to feel isolated by sexual changes. Online support groups can help you understand just how common these changes are and how others are dealing with them. A couple in the same situation can be a great resource.
Slide 9: Adjust to a New Normal
While it’s natural to grieve losing the sex life you once knew, grief fades as some sexual changes improve over time and as you develop new ways to find pleasure in connection. Be patient and know it’s possible to experience emotional and physical intimacy after prostate cancer.
This educational resource was created with support from Bayer.
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