Yes, Yes, Yes, are you kidding. Sexual performance, primal male dominance, self confidence are all affected by pelvic radiation.

[Shaunjon]

I had pelvic radiation daily for a month. By day 3 the lymph nodes were 60% reduced in size. Side note when the beam hits the outer layer of skin it actually spreads out in a V shape so precision is kinda lost. Within a few years maybe one year I felt less manly, couldn't perform in bed with my gorgeous gf. Once I got my testosterone checked it was equal to a 900 year olds levels. Testosterone helps but sex has never been the same. I've had a testicle removed due to a hydrocell bursting. Viagra is very helpful but I'm not trying to lose my eye sight right away. Radiation is much worse than any doctor will actually tell you.

[Bangersandmash]

sex is great, but having a sense of humour and being able to laugh with your partner is a very valuable thing.

[Shaunjon]

The only thing I would add to this as a male, my testosterone dropped off severely after pelvic radiation. The odd thing was my oncologist kept telling me I was just going through a lot it's not low testosterone. I asked several times because I was going to get labs 2 times a week I figured testosterone would be easy to check. So finally he came in with my test results and said I was correct, I had the testosterone of a newborn baby or equal to 900 year old man. 27.6 I believe. I got referred to an endocrinologist. Testosterone is what makes me or at least me function. All the bodies processes suffer with low testosterone. Even though that seams simple or obvious it absolutely is life giving as it is reduced over time our bodies show more signs of aging, hair turns grey all of it. What suprised me was the concept of depleted testosterone after pelvic radiation seamed new to both my oncologist as well as my endocrinologist. Now maybe my dosage was super super high when receiving radiation idk but I easily linked my lack of sexual drive and feeling of being a man, especially with my gorgeous girlfriend by my side to low testosterone, I just wasn't feeling it. So my point would be don't hesitate to request testosterone levels checked after pelvic radiation. Don't take no for an answer, insist that it be checked.

[Jimbo65]

Hi Shaunjon, I agree radiation damage is shit! That said I believe there is a mental side to all this. It took me years to feel comfortable with sex. It was like the first time every time. It was painful and although my partner was the most patient and understanding person about it its never been the same. That said now I have hormonal cream, and always use gel. Using the dilators suppled was hideous and know one explained how important it was so I avoided using them. Since I have learnt relaxation techniques to still the mind and use the creams regularly it has improved my sex life. We underestimate how our treatment has effected our mental health too. I hope the hormone replacement therapy works for you but may be some mindfulness might also help. Good luck 👍

[Shaunjon in reply to Jimbo65]

Hey thank you very much. It will work. My endocrinologist was concerned with my kidneys processing the testosterone gel. my kidneys have improved so should all work out. I'm greatful that sexual disfunction, confidence issues have not came up. There are always girlfriends that wanna hang out, netflix and chill. May not be Nicole the girl that went through everything with me but still girlfriends.