It will take some time to recover from the physical and emotional changes caused by treatment for prostate cancer. Treatment side effects can vary – some people experience many side effects, while others have few. Side effects may last from a few weeks to a few months or, in some cases, years or permanently. Fortunately, there are many ways to reduce or manage side effects.
Learn more about:
- Common side effects
- Erection problems
- Ways to improve erections
- Urinary problems
- Other changes to your sexual function
- Restoring your sex life
- Fertility problems
- Other side effects
If you have ongoing side effects after cancer treatment, talk to your GP about developing a GP Management Plan and Team Care Arrangement to help you manage them. This means you may be eligible for a Medicare rebate for up to 5 visits each calendar year to allied health professionals.
Physical side effects you may experience
| Prostatectomy | EBRT | Brachytherapy | ADT | Targeted therapy | |
| erection problems | ● | ● | ● | ● | |
| urinary problems | ● | ● | ● | ||
| loss of libido | ● | ● | ● | ● | |
| dry orgasm | ● | ● | ● | ||
| urine leakage during sex | ● | ||||
| infertility | ● | ● | ● | ● | |
| fatigue | ● | ● | ● | ● | |
| bowel problems | ● | ● | ● | ||
| hot flushes, osteoporosis, heart problems, breast growth, mood swings | ● |
→ READ MORE: Erection problems
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Prof Declan Murphy, Consultant Urologist, Director – Genitourinary Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and The University of Melbourne, VIC; Alan Barlee, Consumer; Dr Patrick Bowden, Radiation Oncologist, Epworth Hospital, Richmond, VIC; Bob Carnaby, Consumer; Dr Megan Crumbaker, Medical Oncologist, St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney, NSW; Henry McGregor, Health Physiotherapist, Adelaide Men’s Health Physio, SA; Jessica Medd, Senior Clinical Psychologist, Department of Urology, Concord Repatriation General Hospital and Headway Health, NSW; Dr Gary Morrison, Shine a Light (LGBTQIA+ Cancer Support Group); Caitriona Nienaber, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council WA; Graham Rees, Consumer; Kerry Santoro, Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurse Consultant, Southern Adelaide Local Health Network, SA; Prof Phillip Stricker, Chairman, Department of Urology, St Vincent’s Private Hospital, NSW; Dr Sylvia van Dyk, Brachytherapy Lead, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC.
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