Suitable sexual health care according to men with prostate cancer and their partners

Lorena A. Grondhuis Palacios, Esmée M. Krouwel, B.L. Den Oudsten, Marjolein E. M. Den Ouden, Gert Jan Kloens, G. van Duijn, Hein Putter, Rob C. M. Pelger, Henk W. Elzevier

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

22 Citations (Scopus)
110 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Purpose.
To determine which health care provider and what timing is considered most suitable to discuss sexual and relational changes after prostate cancer treatment according to the point of view of men and their partners.

Methods.
A cross-sectional survey was conducted among men diagnosed with prostate cancer or treated after active surveillance, who received laparoscopic radical prostatectomy, brachytherapy, intensity-modulated radiotherapy, and/or hormonal therapy. If applicable, partners were included as well.

Results.
In this survey, 253 men and 174 partners participated. Mean age of participating men was 69.3 years (SD 6.9, range 45-89). The majority (77.8%) was married and average length of relationship was 40.3 years (SD 14.1, range 2-64). Out of 250 men, 80.5% suffered from moderate to severe erectile dysfunction. Half of them (50.2%, n = 101) was treated for erectile dysfunction and great part was partially (30.7%, n = 31) up to not satisfied (25.7%, n = 26). Half of the partners (50.6%, n = 81) found it difficult to cope with sexual changes. A standard consultation with a urologist-sexologist to discuss altered sexuality is considered preferable by 74.7% (n = 183). Three months after treatment was the most suitable timing according to 47.6% (n = 49).

Conclusions.
During follow-up consultations, little attention is paid to the impact of treatment-induced sexual dysfunction on the relationship of men with prostate cancer and their partners. A standard consultation with a urologist-sexologist 3 months after treatment to discuss sexual and relational issues is considered as most preferable.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)4169–4176
JournalSupportive Care in Cancer
Volume26
Issue number12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2018

Keywords

  • COMMUNICATION
  • COUPLES
  • ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION
  • Erectile dysfunction
  • PENILE REHABILITATION
  • Partners
  • Prostate cancer
  • QUALITY-OF-LIFE
  • RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY
  • RADIOTHERAPY
  • RECOVERY
  • SURVIVORSHIP
  • Sexual counseling
  • Sexual dysfunction
  • Sexual health care

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Suitable sexual health care according to men with prostate cancer and their partners'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this