Richard J Wassersug1. 1. aDepartment of Medical Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia, Canada bAustralian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) causes erectile dysfunction and increases patients' emotionality while diminishing their sexual interest. ADT has been linked to erosion of spousal bonds; however, this is not an invariant outcome. Understanding the factors that lead to these various outcomes may help couples deal with ADT. RECENT FINDINGS: A subset of couples report that they became closer as a result of the patients going on ADT. Recent data suggest that what helps couples most is preemptive awareness of ADT's side-effects and congruence in how patients and their partners understand and accept the psychosexual impact of ADT. Sex therapy for prostate cancer patients divides along gendered lines, with distinctly 'male' (recovery of erections) and 'female' (promoting sexual practices that are not erection dependent) approaches. Unfortunately, neither is very effective for couples when the patient is on ADT. Options beyond the standard gendered framework, such as use of an external penile prosthesis, may be worth offering to ADT patients trying to find a 'new normal' that is sexually rewarding for them. SUMMARY: Intimacy is sharing something with someone that one shares with no one else. Exploring novel sexual practices can help couples stay intimate, even when the patient is on ADT.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) causes erectile dysfunction and increases patients' emotionality while diminishing their sexual interest. ADT has been linked to erosion of spousal bonds; however, this is not an invariant outcome. Understanding the factors that lead to these various outcomes may help couples deal with ADT. RECENT FINDINGS: A subset of couples report that they became closer as a result of the patients going on ADT. Recent data suggest that what helps couples most is preemptive awareness of ADT's side-effects and congruence in how patients and their partners understand and accept the psychosexual impact of ADT. Sex therapy for prostate cancerpatients divides along gendered lines, with distinctly 'male' (recovery of erections) and 'female' (promoting sexual practices that are not erection dependent) approaches. Unfortunately, neither is very effective for couples when the patient is on ADT. Options beyond the standard gendered framework, such as use of an external penile prosthesis, may be worth offering to ADTpatients trying to find a 'new normal' that is sexually rewarding for them. SUMMARY: Intimacy is sharing something with someone that one shares with no one else. Exploring novel sexual practices can help couples stay intimate, even when the patient is on ADT.
Authors: Marigdalia K Ramirez-Fort; Paula Suarez; Margely Carrion; Daniel Weiner; Claire Postl; Ricardo Arribas; Mehdi Sayyah; Digna V Forta; M Junaid Niaz; Amir Feily; Christopher S Lange; Zhahedia Zhaythseff Fort; Migdalia Fort Journal: Rep Pract Oncol Radiother Date: 2020-04-30
Authors: Tsz Kin Lee; Erik Wibowo; Gary W Dowsett; Christian J Nelson; John L Oliffe; Darryl Mitteldorf; Samantha Tze Sum Wong; Richard J Wassersug Journal: Sex Med Date: 2022-02-08 Impact factor: 2.523