Sexual Health
Counselling and support
Counselling and talking therapies
Your GP is trained to deal with ED but they (and your cancer team) can also refer you to cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Sex therapy and other types of counselling are also an option, though there may be a long wait so you may prefer to find a private accredited therapist through the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists.
These therapies can help you manage how you feel about the changes you are going through, and help you think through how they impact your relationships. If you find it hard to communicate with your partner or are concerned about the impact of these changes on your relationship, you may be able to access couples therapy on the NHS or find someone privately.
Support groups
Cancer Care Map provides details of a range of support groups for people with cancers that may affect people’s lives. (Go to Cancer Care Map and type ‘erectile dysfunction’ as the keyword. Prostate Cancer UK provides a listing of prostate cancer support groups. The relationship charity Relate provides sex therapy, while the College of Sexual and Relationship Therapists provides a range of factsheets and information about therapies.
Author: Dipl. Biol. Esther Witte| Reviewer: Dr. Christian Keinki
Sources:
- Homepage. (2022). Cancer Care Map. https://www.cancercaremap.org/
- NHS website. (2021a, November 18). Erectile dysfunction (impotence). Nhs.Uk. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/erection-problems-erectile-dysfunction/
- NHS website. (2022b, May 30). What does a sex therapist do? Nhs.Uk. https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/sexual-health/what-does-a-sex-therapist-do/
- Sexual problems | Prostate cancer | Cancer Research UK. (2019). Cancer Research UK. https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/prostate-cancer/practical-emotional-support/hormone-symptoms/sex-hormones-relationships
- Carter, J., Lacchetti, C., & Rowland, J. H. (2018). Interventions to Address Sexual Problems in People With Cancer: American Society of Clinical Oncology Clinical Practice Guideline Adaptation Summary. Journal of Oncology Practice, 14(3), 173–179. https://doi.org/10.1200/jop.2017.028134
- sda.uk.net. (2016). Sexual Advice Association. http://www.sda.uk.net/ed
- British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. (2022, July 6). British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. https://www.bacp.co.uk/
- Support groups. (2022). Prostate Cancer UK. https://prostatecanceruk.org/get-support/support-groups
- Spencer, M. (2021, October 27). COSRT Factsheets: PDF Downloads: Information for the public on therapy. Cosrt. https://www.cosrt.org.uk/factsheets/
