After Prostate Cancer: What Women Should Know About Sex, Intimacy and Their Partner’s Recovery

When RoseMary’s* husband was diagnosed with prostate cancer 22 years ago, the couple faced a lot of uncertainty, and they knew the diagnosis could change their lives. What they couldn’t fully anticipate was how much treatment might change their sex life, or how they would eventually learn to redefine intimacy together.Her husband, first went to the doctor because he was urinating more frequently. Testing eventually led to a biopsy and a prostate cancer diagnosis.After considering his treatment options, he chose surgery — a full removal of his prostate. RoseMary said they went into the procedure knowing there was a possibility of side effects, including urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction.Her husband experienced both.More than two decades later, he still has urinary incontinence, and his erectile function never returned. But he remains cancer-free and has no regrets about his decision.“The dignity and grace of this man despite what he went through,” she said. “This is a Marine who never complained once.” For RoseMary, however, being the partner of someone going through prostate cancer meant learning that surviving cancer is only one part of the story. Couples may also have...