Sex, Sexuality, Fertility concerns

Erectile dysfunction

Cancer and cancer treatment can cause various changes to your body that might affect your sex life.

You might find it hard to get hard (get an erection).  

Getting an erection can be difficult if:  

  • Cancer, or cancer treatment, has damaged nerves and blood vessels in your pelvis  
  • You’ve had surgery to your prostate, bowel, testicles, bladder or rectum 
  • You’ve got low levels of the hormone testosterone. Testosterone can be reduced by radiotherapy or surgery to your testicles, or by treatment to the pituitary gland in your brain  
  • You’re stressed and/or tired.  

You might not come when you have an orgasm  

This is called a dry orgasm. Some surgery for testicular or prostate cancer might cause this. Some people say that it doesn’t change the way an orgasm feels; others think it can make things feel a bit less intense.  

If you have any concerns around erectile dysfunction, it can feel embarrassing to talk about it. But your GP will have had this conversation many times before – and you can ask to speak to a male GP if you’d prefer. They’ll be able to help you understand things and have suggestions of things that might help.  Your GP could also refer you to a local psychosexual service, who can explore issues around erectile dysfunction.

For further online support, please follow the below links:

For more support with the emotional impact of erectile dysfunction, you may want to explore having counselling, you could access counselling by visiting your GP or following the below link to find your local NHS talking therapy service and self refer: