Managing most common side-effects and symptoms
Sexual problems
Prostate cancers, as well as their therapies, have an effect on fertility, and sexuality. If you intend to become a parent, you will receive dedicated sexuality support as well as preventative measures to prevent infertility.
Stress, anxiety, and exhaustion that accompany a diagnosis sometimes result in a decline in desire. However, sexuality is more than just a matter of anatomy. Affection, tenderness, talking... are all examples of sexuality. Desire also returns in small doses over time. Since the body's appearance is altered, several questions can arise before, during, and after treatment. Difficulties may arise, such as the fear of being devalued in the eyes of the other, a loss of virility, a loss of self-esteem, and doubts about one's ability to seduce. Relationship and sexual issues may arise because of these issues. Communication and the resumption of an emotional and sexual life may be facilitated by addressing the topic within the couple. After the illness, with a satisfying mental and sexual life
If you're having trouble getting a good erection for sexual intercourse, there are a variety of therapies available. The more often, your doctor will prescribe you medication. Start with a pill if it doesn’t work there are other alternatives. Some are injected into the cavernous bodies* at the base of the penis (known as extracavernous injections), while others are in the form of a gel to be applied into the urinary meatus*. Erections can also be obtained with the aid of a vacuum pump. The use of a penile prosthesis can be suggested as a last resort.
To assist you during and after care, sex counselling and/or committed psychological support may be given. These consultations can include your partner. It can take some time to integrate and adapt to the disease's and treatment's physical and psychological effects. It's easier to relearn how to have sex when you have confidence and contact with your partner.
Digestive problems
Digestive side effects are rare, but the proximity of the prostate to the rectum makes it inevitable that some damage can occur with surgery or radiation. External beam radiation therapy can cause temporary colo-rectal effects, diarrhea and rectal inflammation or proctitis.
Long-term sequelae are rare with current radiation techniques, but diarrhea or increased stool frequency and rectal bleeding may persist. With brachytherapy, rectal symptoms are temporary.
Fatigue
Extreme exhaustion is referred to as fatigue. Cancer patients also experience fatigue. Fatigue may be exacerbated by a variety of factors, including the cancer itself, cancer scans and treatments, poor nutrition, low red blood cell counts (due to the cancer or its treatment), coping with stressful feelings and feeling nervous or depressed, poor sleep, or symptoms such as discomfort, breathlessness, or fluid retention.
After treatment, fatigue can last for several weeks or months.
If you are experiencing exhaustion, it is important that you inform your doctor or nurse so that they can assist you.
Urinary problems
Urinary symptoms induced by the treatment usually improve with time, but if they last for an extended period of time, discuss with your doctor of how he could help you. – The following are some of the signs you can encounter:
- Urine leaking (urinary incontinence)
- Urine discharge is slowing down, and you're having trouble emptying your bladder completely.
- Frequently passing urine (more than 8 times a day).
- An urgent need to go to the bathroom (urgency)
- Urine with blood in it
- nocturia, dysuria, low voided volumes, and even urinary retention
Handling the emotional impact of Prostate cancer
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