Private MD News

Men can recover from side effects of prostate treatment, experts say

Category: Prostate

Following a positive PSA test for prostate cancer, men have many concerns. Chief among these is often the worry that they won’t be able to enjoy a satisfying sex life after they have surgery or radiation therapy to treat the condition. However, experts say that this is frequently not the case.

Lorraine Grover, who is an expert in psycho-sexual counseling at the Prostate Centre in London, said that men often confuse psychological conditions with physical hindrances following surgery. However, talking through these issues may help them regain a normal sex life.

"On average, 8 out of 10 men I see who have had prostate surgery continue having sex lives afterwards,” she said. “Psycho-sexual counselling, in addition to a wide range of medications and devices, plays a key role in helping men address these sorts of fears. That's why men shouldn't ignore prostate problems, but get themselves checked out."

While fear of sexual and other side effects is one of the main reasons men give for not seeking prostate treatment early, Grover said that this is no excuse for not seeking PSA testing.