Prostate The diagnostic biopsy might result in less seminal fluid in the ejaculation. Surgical removal of the prostate can cause similar problems and, with hormonal therapy, the ability to get an erection and ejaculate may be lost altogether.
Radiation produces problems too, but only half as many as the surgical approach. When the pelvic lymph nodes are removed and a radiation implant is used for localized tumors, 15 to 25 percent of men have difficulties with erections and about 30 percent have a retrograde ejaculation. New surgical approaches and new chemotherapy treatments may help reduce erection and ejaculation problems.
Drugs That Affect Sexual Activity Most cancers occur in people over 50, many of whom are usually already experiencing some decrease in sexual activity. This decrease can be accelerated by the very fact of having cancer and by the drugs that are often taken for other diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, alcoholism or psychological problems. A great many drugs can affect sexual activity and can lead to sexual dysfunction:
• alcohol
• anticancer drugs and hormones
• antihypertensive drugs, including beta blockers pain medications
