How Testicular Cancer Impacts Sex for Men
I recently had a young man in my practice who had been treated for cancer of the testicles. He had several sexual issues now that his cancer treatment was winding down. Here is some information that may be of help to anyone else facing this medical condition.
Testicular cancer tends to strike at a younger age than most other cancers - usually in men between the ages of 17 and 34 years. My client was 30.
Cancer of the testicles can be a particularly devastating diagnosis if it is bilateral (on both sides) since many men attempt to start families around this age. It can significantly lower sperm counts and quality even before the treatment begins. So sperm banking is an important topic to discuss with one's physician.
The risk of getting testicular cancer is greater for men whose testes descended from their lower pelvis into their scrotum after age six or never descended at all. It occurs in approximately 4 of every 100,000 men.
Cancer of the testes is highly curable if it is discovered early. Early detection is possible if a man examines his testicles about once a month. To do this: roll each testicle between the thumb (placed on the top side) and the index and middle fingers (placed on the underside).
Any hard lump should be examined immediately by a physician. A lump may turn out to be a boil or a cyst, both of which are much less serious. As with any cancer, delayed treatment increases the risk of it spreading to other parts of the body. Partners can rest assured that cancer cannot be transmitted through sexual activity and if radiation therapy is being used, they will not be contaminated.
Treatment usually involves surgical removal of the diseased testicle. If physiologically possible, intercourse and/or other sexual activities may be resumed about six weeks after surgery. But sexual functioning may be affected. There may be interference with ejaculation and the ability to reach orgasm. Men may experience "dry orgasms" due to surgery in which the semen goes into the bladder rather than through the urethra and out of body. It is then excreted when a man urinates later.
Usually if there is a remaining testicle, it can produce enough male hormones to maintain masculine traits and typical male bodily functions. If testosterone levels are decreased, hormone replacement therapy can begin after the treatment is finished. For cosmetic enhancement, a saline implant that resembles the removed testis can be surgically placed in the scrotum to create the usual appearance of the scrotum.
So, even though the rate of testicular cancer is fairly low, the minute it takes to do a self-examination is a small price to pay, especially if you're the one in 25,000 who develops it, discovers it, and has it treated.
Related Topics: Technorati Tags: testicular cancer, sex, mens health, health and wellness
Testicular cancer tends to strike at a younger age than most other cancers - usually in men between the ages of 17 and 34 years. My client was 30.
Cancer of the testicles can be a particularly devastating diagnosis if it is bilateral (on both sides) since many men attempt to start families around this age. It can significantly lower sperm counts and quality even before the treatment begins. So sperm banking is an important topic to discuss with one's physician.
The risk of getting testicular cancer is greater for men whose testes descended from their lower pelvis into their scrotum after age six or never descended at all. It occurs in approximately 4 of every 100,000 men.
Cancer of the testes is highly curable if it is discovered early. Early detection is possible if a man examines his testicles about once a month. To do this: roll each testicle between the thumb (placed on the top side) and the index and middle fingers (placed on the underside).
Any hard lump should be examined immediately by a physician. A lump may turn out to be a boil or a cyst, both of which are much less serious. As with any cancer, delayed treatment increases the risk of it spreading to other parts of the body. Partners can rest assured that cancer cannot be transmitted through sexual activity and if radiation therapy is being used, they will not be contaminated.
Treatment usually involves surgical removal of the diseased testicle. If physiologically possible, intercourse and/or other sexual activities may be resumed about six weeks after surgery. But sexual functioning may be affected. There may be interference with ejaculation and the ability to reach orgasm. Men may experience "dry orgasms" due to surgery in which the semen goes into the bladder rather than through the urethra and out of body. It is then excreted when a man urinates later.
Usually if there is a remaining testicle, it can produce enough male hormones to maintain masculine traits and typical male bodily functions. If testosterone levels are decreased, hormone replacement therapy can begin after the treatment is finished. For cosmetic enhancement, a saline implant that resembles the removed testis can be surgically placed in the scrotum to create the usual appearance of the scrotum.
So, even though the rate of testicular cancer is fairly low, the minute it takes to do a self-examination is a small price to pay, especially if you're the one in 25,000 who develops it, discovers it, and has it treated.
Related Topics: Technorati Tags: testicular cancer, sex, mens health, health and wellness
5 Comments:
I am a 46 year old man and now a 27 year survivor of testicular cancer. Although difficult to deal with especially at such a young age (19), I was able to resume a normal and healthy life.
I did experience retrograde ejaculation initially, but this did reverse itself after a short time. Although I have two step children (by choice), I was tested for and did have a healthy sperm count, so biological children were possible.
I do not often think of this experience as it was so long ago; I realize I was very lucky to have a doctor catch the disease so early.
I did some volunteer work with the American Cancer Society, and is the case with all women, I strongly encourage self-examination. It's a real life saver for a disease that gets little exposure but deserves so much more.
HI, i am a 28yr old female, and i have been mariied for 11yrs. recently i started to like anal sex with my husband. what are th risk with anal sex? can you get hiv, or anal cancer, even if we both are fidel?
I went to the E.R. for pain in left testile, pelvic area, and lower back. They done blood test's and eventually done a ultrasound. They found 1.5 to 2.0cm bilateral cysts on testicle's and they also found a varicocele. The doctor said he did not think it was cancer, but he said it could be. He wanted me to see a urologist. I dont have insurance and can not afford 125.00 office visit. Ithas been all most five months now and I am worried. Still having pain in testicle's, lowerback and now I have a sickening feeling in my stomach. Any Suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I am 33 year's old and I was 32 when I went to the E.R.
This comment is for the guy who is 33 years of age. The one that went to ER 5 months ago. You should go and get an ultrasound done ASAP. Take it from there after. %90 of the time is just a cyst but why chance it. I had the same problem on Feb of 2007. I went and they found no lumps. Now is Nov and I still get pain. I'm not going to stop though I will go and check again just to be sure. Sometime when you think to hard and get scared you start geting stomach pain and other pain by strasing. Just go and you will feel better about it.( Ask someone to borrow $120 for the visit it will be worth it). If you do not go and is something canceres it will not happened fast but every month or few months go buy it could spread little by little without having any pain until is to late. If it is something bad the cure rate of testicular cancer is %99. If you are that %1 then GOD wants and is your time. That is the way you should see it. Good luck and go see a urologist.
i started having severe testicular pain today along with pain in my pelvis and back i also felt a lump on my left testicale and my doctor said it was nothing i am returning to the doctor tomorrow but just for any other male in this position never stop until you get answers because you never know what it could be. I am also in the army and it is normal pratice for doctors to just dismiss problems that you are having until you return for multiple visits with them so just don't stop trying because only you know that you have a problem until it is diagnosed so everyone in these situations good luck and god bless
A U.S. soilder (22 years of age)
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