Sex and relationships after treatment for prostate cancer
Prostate cancer and its treatments can cause a loss of interest in sex. This is also called a low libido. Or a low sex drive.
Your sex drive might be lower for a number of reasons. These include:
tiredness
anxiety about having prostate cancer
loss of confidence and self esteem
It may also be a side effect of hormone therapy.
Hormone therapy blocks or lowers the amount of in the body. This can cause less interest in sex.
You can ask your doctor about intermittent hormone therapy if you're struggling with low libido. This means you stop your hormone therapy for a set period of time. Or you might stop hormone therapy when your PSA level is low and stable. And you start it again if it starts to rise.
Some studies have shown that intermittent hormone therapy can help to reduce sexual problems like low sex drive. But there might be a risk that this may not control the cancer for as long. It is difficult to predict whether your interest in sex will improve with a break in treatment. It may take some time before this happens.
You can talk to your doctor about some of the treatments for erection problems. They might also help your low libido. Your doctor might recommend you try treatment with a:
PDE 5 drug such as tadalafil (Cialis) or sildenafil citrate (Viagra)
vacuum pump
Many of these problems can disappear once your treatment finishes. And your desire for sex might go back to normal. But it may take some time, so don’t worry too much if you don’t feel like having sex for a while.
If you're on treatment long term and your desire for sex doesn’t return, it may help to explore other ways to stay close and connected to your partner.
It’s important to talk to your partner about how you feel if you are in a relationship. Many people find it difficult to talk about sex even with a long term partner. But not talking about it can affect your relationship with them. Even if you are not interested in having sex, you can still enjoy physical contact.
Hugging, cuddling and kissing are comforting and can help you relax. If you have physical contact it might help to be clear with your partner about how far you want to go. Some men find that feeling relaxed and having physical contact can gradually lead to them becoming aroused.
It may also be helpful to speak to a counsellor or therapist, either separately or together.
Prostate surgery causes some men to leak urine during arousal or at the point during orgasm. For some men, this is only temporary. But it could be a long term problem for some.
It's normal to feel embarrassed about it. You might have less interest in sex as a result.
It might help to talk things through with your partner if you have one. Discussing it with a new partner may be particularly difficult. But there are things you can do to help you cope with this. It might help to pass urine before you have sex or you could use a condom.
If you’re worried about anything to do with your sex life or sexuality, you may want to talk through how you’re feeling. You could do this with a counsellor or therapist. Or you could contact some of the organisations that offer support and information.
Prostate cancer resources and support organisations
Last reviewed: 04 Sept 2025
Next review due: 04 Sept 2028
You may have a choice of treatments such as surgery or radiotherapy. Or your doctor might suggest that they monitor your cancer instead of treatment straight away.
Prostate cancer treatments can affect your sex life in different ways. Some treatments can damage the nerves or affect hormone levels that you need to get an erection.
Get practical and emotional support to help you cope with a diagnosis of prostate cancer, and life during and after treatment.
Prostate cancer treatments can affect your sex life. These changes to your sex life and relationships can be difficult to cope with. Support is available.
Metastatic prostate cancer means that a cancer that began in the prostate has spread to another part of the body. It is sometimes called advanced prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer is cancer that starts in the prostate gland. The prostate gland is found at the base of the bladder and is about the size of a walnut.
About Cancer generously supported by Dangoor Education since 2010. Learn more about Dangoor Education
What to ask your doctor about clinical trials.
Meet and chat to other cancer people affected by cancer.
Questions about cancer? Call freephone 0808 800 40 40 from 9 to 5 - Monday to Friday. Alternatively, you can email us.
