Prostate Cancer and Sexual Intimacy

This morning I read Dr. Mehmet Oz' message board at Oprah.com. A viewer there inquired whether men who become physically impotent generally also become "emotional vegetables". The answer is that this can occur but is not inevitable. Still this question prompts us to review some of the causes of ED, including prostate cancer and its treatment after-effects, and to address what men can do when impotence/ED leads them to become "emotional vegetables."  What follows is a response I left at Dr. Oz' message board.

To say that many men with penile impotence (ED) become "emotional vegetables" is true at times. There are many causes of male impotence: medical conditions like diabetes that stop the flow of blood to the penile area; libido-lowering medications such as the hormone Lupron; alcohol; depression, or certain medical procedures like prostate cancer surgery (a radical prostatectomy) to remove a cancerous prostate, leaving 50% to 75% of men physically impotent. This in turn can create a man's loss of self-esteem and lead to further withdrawal from previously close relationships with his wife or partner.

When educated about medical means like Viagra, Caverject penile injections, or vacuum erection pumps (VED's) that can offset erectile dysfunction, 3/4 of these men will be able to have erections again and re-engage in sexual relations. Furthermore, after following psycho-social steps such as those in my book, Conquer Prostate Cancer, men can learn what women often know already: that manhood is defined by who you are and how you act, not how your body functions.

Men who follow these steps may have to retrain themselves, on their own or with professional guidance, to recognize that the crux of a husband-wife or partnership relationship is not "having sex" but rather, "making love" in every mutually acceptable way imaginable. This will help them retain the self-esteem and sexual intimacy they crave, so they don't become "emotional vegetables."

Comments

[new balance]

Very lucky to come to your blog here, I got a large amount of information, I really like your blog. Thank you for sharing!
-N.B.

Fantastic and inspirational posting. I love your blog and judging by the commentary you have a great list of followers. Will bookmark this site and keep updated..cheers!
-GS

Thanks for your comment. Feel free to ask any questions of interest to you. I'm glad to help men and their spouses/partners and others cope with prostate cancer and their side effects.
-Rabbi Ed

[Health Related Articles]

More & more people know that blogs are good for every one whenever we can get more knowledge. Nice job! Keep it up!
----Jessica

--Thanks for the compliment! It's my hope that the thoughts you read at this site will give you a basis for making some solid health decisions in conjunction with your doctor and your family. -
----Rabbi Ed

[mike and connie miller]

Dear Ed, Thanks for your book. For the first time in our 35 years together my husband, Mike, actually is reading a book that he is interested in. He is going to have his robotic surgery on June 17th 2009. Sincerely Connie M.

Hi, Connie,

I'm glad the book gave Mike some insights about robotic surgery. It is an outstanding treatment option for those who have no previous heart problems, want to have a minimum of pain (if any), and recuperate quickly. Let us know how Mike and YOU are doing, now that two weeks have past since his operation. - Rabbi Ed (July 1, 2009)