Whether you’re single or in a relationship, prostate cancer can have important impacts on your intimate life.

Indeed, your body can change, as well as your desire for the other, and it is especially true since this cancer can affect the sexual function. So you need to become comfortable with these changes, alone or in couple, in order to continue to have a satisfying sexual and emotional life, despite the disease.

In a relationship

Your relationship can be all new or last since years, but it is important that you’re able to rely on the person who shares your life as well as their understanding. Despite the new hardships brought by prostate cancer, whether they are physical or emotional, you need to address the sexual matter frankly with your partner.

It may require some adaptation and a lot of patience, but the disease should not stop you from having moment of intimacy and pleasure with your partner. Who knows? The disease could strengthen your relationship or, conversely, the strength of your relationship could help you to overcome cancer.

Single

It is not always simple to seek for a new relationship while suffering from prostate cancer. Also, most of single men dealing with this disease prefer to face this hardship on their own. In this way, they are able to focus on healing, rather than reassuring others on their situation.

Nonetheless, the disease doesn’t have to stop you from meeting new people and, maybe, to find love if it is what you desire and if you feel comfortable enough with the changes caused by cancer.

Defining Intimacy

Even if the sexual aspect is an important part of the intimate life, the latter doesn’t end there. So, facing prostate cancer can be an opportunity to redefine what intimacy means for you and your partner. For example, you can learn to give more place to tenderness and physical or emotional closeness.

While the subject may be difficult to address, if you have worries or questions, don’t hesitate to speak with a health professional. They will be able to advise you, to reassure you, and to refer you to additional support if needed.

Finally, even though prostate cancer can complicate your romantic and intimate relationships, you don’t need to neglect them. Sometimes, it is in the small and daily happiness that we find the strength to continue our road. So when you’re sick, you have more appreciation than ever for the good things around you.

See also

Intimacy and Prostate Cancer