Body Anatomy
Cancer treatment can affect sexual health in many ways. Knowing the anatomy involved in sexual function, pleasure and hormone production can help to make sense of these changes. You may not identify with terms, but understanding them can help you navigate the info about treatment and sexual health.
Understanding Your Body
Cancer treatment can affect sexual health in many ways. Knowing the anatomy involved in sexual function, pleasure and hormone production can help to make sense of these changes. You may not identify with terms, but understanding them can help you navigate the info about treatment and sexual health.
Internal and External Genitals
A quick overview can help you make sense of changes during and after treatment.
- The penis and scrotum are external
- The testicles produce sperm and testosterone
- Sperm travels through the vas deferens to the prostate
- Fluid is added to create semen, which exits through the penis
- Prostate gland - helps produce the fluid and is filled with nerve bundles and can be pleasurable when stimulated
- A vasectomy cuts the vas deferens, so semen no longer contains sperm
- Orchidectomy - surgical removal of one or both testicles
- Rectum - while most commonly known as part of the intestinal system that stores stool, it can also be an important and pleasurable part of sexual activity
Hormones
Testosterone is the main hormone in men’s bodies that supports sexual function.
Testosterone:
- Is made mostly in the testicles, but also in by the adrenal glands
- Affects sex drive, arousal, and energy and penile health
- Naturally decreases with age, stress, or illness
- Some cancer treatments can lower testosterone significantly
Some cancer treatments directly impact hormones:
- Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for prostate cancer (ADT can impact testosterone and estrogen function)
- Testicular cancer treatment - surgery to remove a testicle
- Chemotherapy can also reduce gonadal function and lower testosterone
Provided you are not receiving ADT for prostate cancer - which is purposely designed to reduce testosterone to manage the cancer, you may be offered testosterone replacement if your testosterone is low.
Lower testosterone may lead to:
- Reduced genital size, erectile function and sexual desire
- Increased breast size/growth and/or tenderness
- Low energy or mood
You don’t need testosterone to have sex, but it can affect desire and function.
Talk to your care team if you’re curious about testosterone replacement—it’s not right for everyone.