A visit to the urologist or a mental health professional may benefit your sex life.
Nearly all of the treatments for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer have the potential to cause sexual problems. For instance, surgery and radiation therapy can result in erectile dysfunction, and BPH medications and hormone therapy can produce both erectile dysfunction and reduced sex drive. Even the anxiety and stress associated with having a prostate disorder can affect erectile function and interest in sex. But do not despair.
Making an appointment with your urologist, a mental health professional, or both can help you regain a satisfying sex life.
Seeing the Urologist For Help with a Sexual Problem
If you have been treated for BPH or prostate cancer, you probably already have a urologist. Many urologists who treat BPH and prostate cancer also treat sexual function problems, particularly problems that have a physical cause such as damage to the nerves or blood vessels that control erections.
To determine the cause of your sexual problem, the urologist will take a detailed medical and sexual history, perform a physical examination, and conduct tests. If the cause is found to be physical, several treatment options are available. They include oral medications like Viagra (sidenafil) or Cialis (tadalafil), vacuum pumps, drugs that are injected into the penis or placed in the urethra, and penile implants.
The choice of treatment depends on the cause and severity of your sexual problem as well as personal preference (both yours and your partner’s). Some men try a number of treatments before finding the one that works best for them.
If your urologist doesn’t specialize in sexual dysfunction, ask your primary care doctor or current urologist for a referral. You can also check out the Web site of the American Urological Association (www.auanet.org). Click on the “Patient Info” link and then on “Find a Urologist.”
If you do not have Internet access, you can call the organization at 866-RING-AUA or 410-689-3700. Unfortunately, the Web site does not list the urologists’ subspecialties, so be sure to ask before making an appointment.
Seeing a Mental Health Professional for Help With a Sexual Problem
Sexual dysfunction can cause emotional distress and negatively affect the relationship between you and your partner. So even if your sexual problem has a physical explanation, seeing a mental health professional can be beneficial. Mental health professionals who provide counseling to people with sexual dysfunction include psychiatrists, psychologists, and sex therapists.
Counseling for sexual function problems typically involves both you and your partner meeting with a mental health professional once a week for two to three months. It may also involve homework assignments—putting into practice the skills you learn in counseling each week.
The counseling can help relieve the anxiety and depression that often accompany and exacerbate sexual problems, improve communication and strengthen your relationship, and teach new ways to enjoy each other sexually, besides sexual intercourse.
To find a mental health professional who specializes in sexual problems, ask your primary care doctor or urologist for a referral or call the American Psychological Association at 800-374-2721.
You can also visit the Web site of the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (www.aasect.org). Click on the link “Locate a Certified Sex Therapist/Counselor/Educator Near You.” Before choosing a mental health professional, be sure he or she has experience in dealing with sexual problems related to prostate disease.
