Testicular Cancer Treatment Affect Your Sexuality – Is It True?

Many people usually experience some changes in their lives after treatment for various types of cancer-based on the treatment method used on them. The most common types of cancer treatment which may affect the life of an individual include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, high-dose chemotherapy and stem cell transplant. There have been instances where men who were treated for prostate cancer or testicular cancer by either surgery or chemotherapy later experienced reduced sex drive or libido.

When an individual goes for testicular cancer treatment the method of treatment which suits him will be determined by the stage of his cancer. There are instances where more than one type of treatment may be used to treat testicular cancer in an individual.

The fact that testicular cancer treatment may affect a person’s sex life is enough reason for you to discuss all of your treatment options and their possible side effects with your doctors so that they can help you make an informed decision on the best decision that will best suit your unique needs.

What are the Effects of Testicular Cancer Treatment on your Sexuality?

Treatment for testicular cancer will definitely have an effect on your sexuality but this should not cause you any alarm as long as the treatment is administered by a professional doctor.

Below are some effects that treatment for testicular cancer may have on your sexuality based on the treatment method used:

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*All individuals are unique. Your results can and will vary.

The Effects of Testicular Cancer Surgery on your Sexuality if one Testicle is removed
If for instance you have one of your testicles removed your ability to have children, your sexual performance and libido should not be affected. This is due to the fact that even after one of your testicles has been removed the remaining one will continue to produce sperms and testosterone and you will certainly still be able to father children.

Your libido will also still not be much affected because enough testosterone will still be produced in the remaining testicle to help your sex drive.

It will be normal for you to find sex a little less interesting for a while immediately after the surgery and of course this is pretty normal. Any form of treatment may still make you feel this way. The other side effects may include feelings of exhaustion thus lowering your libido but only for a while. Fortunately all these experiences will only exist temporarily but as you continue recuperating from the treatment, you will eventually go back to your healthy sexual life that you once had before.

The Effects of Testicular Cancer Surgery on your Sexuality if two Testicles are removed
If your two testicles are diagnosed with testicular cancer both of them will have to be surgically removed. When two of your testicles are surgically removed you will no longer be able to produce testosterone or sperms naturally. This means that you will not be able to father a child naturally. Without your two testicles and your inability to produce testosterone naturally you will have to receive the hormone artificially.

The process of administering for someone testosterone is referred to as testosterone replacement therapy. This will have to be done to your to help boost your libido and sex drive for you to be able to even achieve an erection. When you have low levels of testosterone it may also affect your mood and make you feel tired.

Below are some options for testosterone administration that you can opt for:

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*All individuals are unique. Your results can and will vary.

  • Injection.
  • Skin patches.
  • Skin gel.
  • Tablets.

Because tablets are not well absorbed they are not often used nowadays. Injection is now being used more because of its effectiveness and convenience. Injections can be administered to you on the muscles of your arms or legs in every two to three weeks.

Research suggests that the levels of testosterone in the blood of a person are usually more stable if he has injections of it in at least every two weeks. Signs of less testosterone in the blood may include feelings fatigued, frequent changes in mood and reduced sex drive. When you see these symptoms it is important that you go for injection of the hormone immediately.

Effects of Retroperitoneal Lymph Node Dissection on your Sexuality
This testicular cancer form of treatment can affect your sex life negatively. This form of treatment involves the removal of the lymph nodes at the back of your abdomen. This treatment is usually done if even after radiotherapy or chemotherapy, your lymph nodes still remain enlarged. The problem with this procedure is that it may make you develop retrograde ejaculation in which you ejaculate backwards.

What this means is that your semen and sperms go backwards into your bladder instead of coming out of your penis. You may also feel dryness in your penis when making love. You will not be able to have children through sexual intercourse.

Conclusion

When you are diagnosed with testicular cancer it is normal for you to harbor emotions such as fear, anxiety and anger. These may also affect your libido too, but the good news is that this will only be temporary. When you will have gotten over your treatment you will come to terms with the reality and slowly your libido will eventually come back and your overall health will be improved for the better.

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