Conditions
Sex After Cancer
Cancer treatment has the potential to drastically affect sexual function. This can occur in a number of ways depending on the type of cancer and method of treatment undertaken.
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Women’s Perceptions and Experiences of Sexual Health After Radical Cystectomy
Bladder cancer is more common in men, but women often have more advanced disease and worse health outcomes after treatment. Women with high-risk bladder cancer may undergo radical cystectomy, which in...
Exploring Intimacy for People with Ostomies
An ostomy is a surgically created opening in the abdomen for waste elimination (either urine or stool) after the removal of a portion of the digestive or urinary system. Many people with abdominal or ...
After Bladder Surgery, Cancer Patients are Still Interested in Sex
Many bladder cancer patients remain interested in sex after having bladder removal surgery, according to the authors of a recent Journal of Sexual Medicine study.
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New Instrument Assesses Sexual Health in Survivors of Cervical and Endometrial Cancer
Scientists are developing a new assessment tool to evaluate the sexual health of women after cervical cancer and endometrial cancer.
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Sexual Issues Need Attention in Female Childhood Cancer Survivors
About 1 in 5 female survivors of childhood cancer experience sexual problems as adults, according to new research in the Journal of Sexual Medicine.
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About Half of Breast Cancer Survivors Seek Help for Sexual Issues
Why do some breast cancer survivors seek help for sexual problems while others don’t?
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After Childhood Cancer, Sexual Dysfunction More Common in Women
When female pediatric cancer survivors reach adulthood, they are more likely to have sexual problems than their male counterparts, according to new research in the Journal of Sexual Medicine.
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Prostate Cancer Survivors Report on Treatment Outcomes
In a recent survey of prostate cancer survivors, 45% of the men said they’d felt some anxiety or depression, according to new research.
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Arousal Incontinence a Concern After Prostatectomy
Arousal incontinence – urine leakage when a man is sexually aroused - is common after radical prostatectomy, researchers report in the Journal of Sexual Medicine.
Radical prostatectomy (the surg...
Many Doctors Not Trained in Post-Cancer Sex Health
Cancer treatment can have many sexual side effects, including erectile dysfunction, low testosterone, and poor vaginal lubrication. But research suggests that healthcare providers often don’t discuss ...
Low Testosterone Common in Germ Cell Tumor Survivors
In a recent study of germ cell tumor survivors, roughly half had hypogonadism – low testosterone – regardless of whether they were treated with surgery alone or surgery with platinum-based chemotherap...
Hormone Therapy Linked to Poor Sexual Outcomes in Women with Breast Cancer
Women who undergo hormone therapy (also called endocrine therapy) to treat breast cancer often face sexual problems, including vaginal dryness and painful intercourse, according to a recent study.
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Statins Before Prostatectomy Don’t Improve Erectile Function, Study Finds
Taking statins before radical prostatectomy doesn’t seem to affect erectile function after surgery, scientists report in the Journal of Sexual Medicine.
Prostatectomy – surgical removal of the p...
Sex and Fertility Issues May Continue Two Years After Testicular Cancer Diagnosis
Based on the data, 26% of the men reported sexual difficulties. About 18% said they weren’t satisfied with their sex lives, and 17% said they had little interest in sex. About 8% had problems with ere...
Women with Colorectal and Anal Cancer Need Sexual Support
Understanding the sexual impact of treatment is important for women with colorectal and anal cancer, and support is essential, experts report in a recent Sexual Medicine Reviews study.
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9-11 Responders Have Higher Rates of Prostate Cancer
Rates of prostate cancer are higher among first responders who handled operations at New York City’s World Trade Center (WTC) following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. And now, scientists...
Prostate Cancer Survivors and Partners Want Information on Sexual Recovery
After prostate cancer treatment, men and their partners often need guidance on the sexual aspects of recovery. What do they look for? A recent study investigated this question.
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Prostate Cancer Survivors Need Sexual “Support”
Most men experience sexual problems, especially erectile dysfunction (ED), after prostate cancer treatment. But for many, these problems aren’t addressed by doctors, according to a recent survey of me...
Prostate Cancer is a “Couples Disease,” Scientists Say
When a man has prostate cancer, his partner may feel the effects, too.
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Breast Cancer Treatment Could Preserve Ovarian Function
Ovarian function could be preserved for some women with breast cancer, reducing their chances of undergoing early menopause and potentially increasing their chances of becoming pregnant, according to ...
One in Three Male Childhood Cancer Survivors Has Erectile Dysfunction, Study Finds
Almost 30% of male childhood cancer survivors develop erectile dysfunction (ED) as adults, according to a research letter published last month in JAMA Oncology.
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Counseling Cancer Survivors With Vaginal Pain
Nurses are encouraged to consider a counseling model when treating female cancer survivors with sexual pain, according to a paper published last year in Nursing2017.
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Survey Reveals the Emotional Impact of Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer packs an emotional punch as well as a physical one, a new survey reveals.
Life-changing, frightening, and sad were just some of the answers survey respondents gave...
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Makes Recommendations on Prostate Cancer Screening
Men between the ages of 55 and 69 should “make an individual decision” about PSA testing for prostate cancer, according to new recommendations from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF).
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Sex Aids Not Always Available at Cancer Centers
Cancer survivors can face a number of sexual issues after treatment, but most cancer centers don’t carry aids that could help them, according to a recent survey.
Many men develop erectile dysfunction...
U.S. House Resolution: Continue Health Coverage for Certain Men with Incontinence and ED
The United States House of Representatives is considering a resolution that would protect Medicare and Veterans’ Administration (VA) benefits for men who need urological therapies after treatment for ...
Special Therapy Addresses Body Image in Breast Cancer Survivors
Researchers in Canada have developed a promising program that aims to help breast cancer survivors with body image.
Restoring Body Image After Cancer (ReBIC) is a group therapy approach that combines...
Prostate Cancer Treatment Affects Both Patients and Partners
Radical prostatectomy – the surgical removal of the prostate gland – is an effective treatment for prostate cancer, but it can also have sexual complications for both patients and partners.
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Sexual Problems Continue for Young Cancer Survivors
Cancer and its treatment can lead to a number of sexual problems for patients and survivors, including painful intercourse, erectile dysfunction (ED), and trouble with orgasm. Now, new research sugges...
For Breast Cancer Survivors, Sexual Concerns May Last Years
For breast cancer survivors, sexual problems related to treatment may last for several years, according to a recent study in BMC Cancer.
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Breast Cancer Has Sexual Impact on Both Survivors and Partners
Scientists estimate that between 45% and 77% of breast cancer survivors develop sexual problems after treatment, from low desire and poor lubrication to painful intercourse. However, new research sugg...
Some Men Regret Prostate Cancer Treatment Decisions
Almost 15% of long-term prostate cancer survivors regret their treatment decisions, according to new research in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
The findings underscore the need for infor...
Radiation to Penile Bulb Might Result in Severe ED, Study Suggests
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common side effect of radiation therapy for prostate cancer. However, new research suggests that avoiding the penile bulb – the base of the penis – during treatment migh...
Study: ED Drugs Don’t Increase Risk for Prostate Cancer Recurrence
New research suggests that oral drugs for erectile dysfunction (ED) don’t increase a man’s risk for biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer.
The term “biochemical recurrence” refers to the possibil...
ED After Transperineal Prostate Biopsy Generally Improves Within 3-6 Months
Sometimes, men develop erectile dysfunction (ED) after a transperineal prostate biopsy. However, new research shows that such ED is usually temporary and that erections don’t typically worse...
Women Have Sex Less Frequently After Treatment For Gynecologic Cancer
After treatment for gynecologic cancer, women have sex less frequently, according scientists from the University of Colorado Cancer Center.
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Prostate Cancer Surgery May Affect Both Partners
When a man has surgery for prostate cancer, it can affect sex for both him and his partner, Swiss researchers have found.
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Obesity Linked to Higher Risk of Prostate Cancer Progression in Men Undergoing Active Surveillance
Scientists from the University of Toronto have found a link between obesity and a higher risk of prostate cancer progression in men on “active surveillance.”
Prostate cancer tends to grow slowly. As ...
Possible Link Found Between Prostate Cancer and STI
A team of scientists from the Argentina, Italy, and the United States has found a possible connection between the sexually-transmitted infection trichomoniasis and prostate cancer.
Trichomoniasi...
Sildenafil Citrate May Help Men Who Have Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer
Men who have undergone radiotherapy for prostate cancer may benefit from taking a drug called sildenafil citrate, American researchers say.
The drug could improve their ability to have erec...
Sex Health Blog
What Should Men Know About Prostate Health and Sexual Function?
The prostate gland may not be something men think about often, but it plays an important role in both urinary and sexual health. Understanding how the prostate functions and the impact it can have on ...
Quality of Life and Sexual Function of Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer Survivors
Locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) can be treated with chemoradiotherapy (CRT) or neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) and radical hysterectomy (RH), and there is much debate about which treatment str...
Take Advantage of Cancer Rehabilitation Options
When you’re finished with cancer treatment, you might feel relieved and excited to start a new chapter in your life. It can be a hopeful time.
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How Might Cancer Treatment Affect Sexual Function
CAN YOU TELL US, HONESTLY, HOW TREATMENT MIGHT AFFECT OUR SEXUAL FUNCTION?
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The Effects of Chemo/Radiation/Surgery on the Body
WHAT WILL THE CHEMO/RADIATION/SURGERY DO TO PARTS OF MY BODY THAT HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THE CANCER?
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Did You Know?
How Prostate Cancer May Affect Sexual Health
The prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system that surrounds the urethra and is about the size of a walnut. It is responsible for making seminal fluid, which is the fluid that sustains and c...
What is the Definition of “Cancer Survivor”?
In 2016, the American Cancer Society (ACS) reported that there are over 15.5 million cancer survivors in the United States. And that number is expected to increase to 20 million by 2026.
But who, exa...
Supplement Use Popular Among Men with Prostate Cancer
Use of complementary and alternative treatments for prostate cancer has increased since the mid-1990s, experts report in the Journal of Urology.
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Sexual Problems After Pelvic Cancer Might Affect Men’s Mental Health
After treatment for pelvic cancer (such as prostate cancer), men often face sexual difficulties, such as erectile dysfunction. While oncologists do their best to preserve sexual function as much as po...
Mindfulness After Prostate Cancer Treatment
Prostate cancer survivors and their partners often face long-term sexual problems, especially erectile dysfunction (ED). Medical treatments can be effective, but some experts think adding other t...