Prostate cancer and its treatments can lead to sexual side effects for patients, perhaps most notably erectile dysfunction, but also changes in ejaculation, sex drive, and other issues. Previous studies have described the impact on the patient’s sexuality and quality of life, but much less is known about the impact on their partners.
Urologist Dr. Stacy Loeb of NYU Langone Health discusses a new survey she and her team have developed to quantify the effects on female partners of patients, recently published in the prestigious journal European Urology Oncology. The questions explore topics such as communication, distress, frustration with sexual counseling, and expansion of sexual repertoire.
Loeb and team found that many partners were struggling with feelings of isolation and that the disease had changed their connection as a couple. However, some partners reported better sexual quality of life, for example, if they had sought counseling or had explored new ways of being intimate.
Partners can download the survey, mark their responses, and consider using it to start a conversation with their doctors. Loeb notes that they may need to seek help from other types of providers, such as a sexual medicine specialist.