Sex After Cancer for Men

Cancer treatment can affect theblood vessels, nerves, hormones and penile tissueinvolved in getting and maintaining an erection. Pelvic surgery and radiation can have particularly direct effects, but chemotherapy, hormone therapy, medications and changes in overall health can also contribute.
Dr. Bawa evaluates what may be causing the erectile dysfunction rather than treating every man the same way. Depending on what she finds, treatment may include BawaWave®, BawaRF®, BawaShot®, hormone optimization or a combination of therapies.

Yes. Cancer treatment may affect blood flow, nerves, hormones and penile tissue, all of which can contribute to erectile dysfunction.
Dr. Bawa evaluates the factors affecting your erections and develops an individualized plan to help restore function whenever possible. Depending on what has changed, treatment may include BawaWave® to support circulation, BawaRF® and BawaShot® to address penile tissue and function, hormone optimization when appropriate, pelvic floor treatment or a combination of therapies.

Men should not assume erections will simply return with time. Prostate surgery can affect the nerves, blood flow and penile tissue involved in erections, and erectile dysfunction may persist without active treatment.
Dr. Bawa takes a proactive approach to sexual recovery by evaluating circulation, nerve function, hormones and penile tissue and developing an individualized treatment plan to support erectile function and penile health after prostate cancer treatment.

Yes. Erectile dysfunction after pelvic radiation may develop gradually rather than immediately. Radiation can affect the blood vessels and tissues involved in erections, so a man who initially had good erectile function after treatment may notice changes later.
If erections have become weaker or less reliable after radiation, Dr. Bawa can evaluate what has changed and discuss treatment options.

Yes. Chemotherapy can contribute to erectile dysfunction through fatigue, hormonal changes, nerve effects, medications and changes in overall health. Sexual problems after chemotherapy are not limited to men who had prostate or other pelvic cancers.

Cancer treatment can reduce or eliminate ejaculation for several reasons. After prostate removal, a man can still experience orgasm but no longer ejaculates semen because the prostate and seminal vesicles have been removed.
Some cancer treatments and surgeries can also cause retrograde ejaculation, in which semen travels backward into the bladder instead of exiting through the penis.

Yes. Orgasm and ejaculation are different processes. A man can still experience orgasm after prostate removal even though he no longer ejaculates semen. Some men notice that orgasms feel weaker, different or take longer to reach after cancer treatment. Changes in nerves, sensation, blood flow, hormones and pelvic function can all contribute.
Dr. Bawa can evaluate what may be affecting orgasm and sexual sensation and recommend options to help improve function when possible. Virtual and in-office consultations are available.

Penile shortening, loss of fullness, reduced girth and decreased scrotal volume can occur after some cancer treatments. Weaker erections, hormonal changes, tissue changes and loss of fullness can all contribute.
Dr. Bawa can help increase blood flow and improve erectile function, and with BawaBig®, she can increase penile girth and restore volume to the penis and scrotum for men who have noticed size changes after cancer treatment. Virtual and in-office consultations with Dr. Bawa are available.

Yes. Some cancers and cancer treatments can affect testosterone production. Testicular cancer, removal of a testicle, chemotherapy and hormone treatments are among the factors that may affect hormone levels.
Symptoms can include low libido, decreased energy, changes in erections and reduced well-being. Dr. Bawa evaluates testosterone along with other hormones and relevant laboratory markers rather than relying on a single testosterone number.

Yes. Many men continue to produce adequate testosterone after removal of one testicle, but some develop hormonal changes that affect libido, erections, energy or fertility.
If sexual function or energy has changed after testicular cancer treatment, Dr. Bawa can evaluate whether hormones or other factors may be contributing, and what can be done to treat you.

Yes. Surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and nerve injury can affect penile sensation in some men. You may notice that the penis feels less sensitive, that sexual stimulation is less intense or that it takes much longer to reach orgasm.
Dr. Bawa evaluates nerve function, circulation, hormones and tissue health when addressing changes in sensation after cancer treatment.

Low libido after cancer can have several causes, including hormonal changes, fatigue, medications, stress, changes in erections and the physical effects of treatment. Hormone therapy for prostate cancer can have an especially significant effect on sexual desire.
The goal is to identify what is contributing rather than assuming loss of libido is simply something you have to accept after cancer.

It depends on the type of cancer, your cancer history, current treatment, laboratory findings and individual medical circumstances.
Low testosterone or low libido after cancer does not automatically mean testosterone therapy is not an option. Dr. Bawa evaluates the complete clinical picture and coordinates with your oncologist or other treating physicians when appropriate.

Penile rehabilitation refers to strategies used to support erectile function and penile tissue after cancer treatment, particularly after prostate surgery or pelvic treatment.
The appropriate approach depends on what has been affected. Dr. Bawa may focus on blood flow, nerve function, penile tissue, hormones and pelvic floor function rather than relying on one treatment for every man.

Yes. Cancer and cancer treatment can lead to urinary leakage by affecting pelvic floor strength, bladder function, nerves or surrounding tissues. It is especially common after prostate, bladder and other pelvic cancer treatments, but it can occur after other cancers as well.
Dr. Bawa can evaluate what is contributing to the leakage and develop an individualized plan to improve urinary control and sexual confidence.