Frequently Asked Questions

When it comes to prostate cancer recovery, intimacy, or rebuilding life after treatment, it’s completely normal to have more questions than answers.

This page gathers the most common concerns patients—and their partners—bring to Dr. Beasley. Each answer is clear, practical, and grounded in real experience.

If you don’t see your question in the list, don’t hold it in. Every recovery journey is different, and sometimes the most important questions are the ones unique to your situation.

You can send your question directly through the contact form, or if you’d prefer a real conversation, we’ll gladly set up a quick call with Dr. Beasley to talk things through.

1- When can I safely resume sexual activity after prostate cancer treatment?

Answer: It depends on your treatment type (surgery, radiation, hormone therapy) and your personal healing. Some men may feel ready after a few weeks; for others it might take months. Talk with your medical team and Dr Beasley can help you map readiness with emotional and relational readiness in mind.

2- Why am I experiencing erectile dysfunction (ED) after prostate cancer treatment — is this normal?

Answer: Yes — many men face ED after treatments like prostatectomy or radiation, because nerves, blood vessels or hormone levels get impacted. But “normal” doesn’t mean unchangeable; there are steps to address it.

3- If penetrative sex is no longer possible (or comfortable), is an intimate life still possible?

Answer: Absolutely yes. Intimacy isn’t only intercourse. Touch, emotional connection, non-penetrative sex, new sexual rituals — all of this counts. Many clients find a deeper intimacy emerges when they redefine what intimacy means.

4- How do I talk about this with my partner when I feel ashamed or “less of a man”?

Answer: It’s very common. Feelings of loss, shame, identity shifts — they show up. Opening the conversation is key: you and your partner can explore what you both value, what you fear, and what new intimacy might look like. Dr Beasley supports couples to do this.

5- What role do lifestyle changes play in recovering intimacy (or sexual function) post-treatment?

Answer: Significant. Healthy weight, good sleep, exercise, pelvic-floor work, diet, quitting smoking — these influence blood flow, nerve health, mood, sexual drive. Add relational and psychological support and it all adds up.

6- What if I’m on hormone therapy and my libido is gone — is there hope for desire and connection?

Answer: Yes. Hormone therapy often reduces libido (desire), but you can work on connection, different expressions of intimacy, and alternative sexual scripts (with your partner or solo). It may not look like “before”, but it can be meaningful.

7- My partner and I have changed roles since treatment — how do we renegotiate intimacy and relationship roles?

Answer: Prostate cancer can shift roles (caregiver/partner, sexual/spousal), creating tension. Renegotiation means talking about needs, fears, expectations, and creating new rituals together. Dr Beasley’s couples work emphasises this.

8- What about fertility, ejaculation changes or semen loss — how does that affect intimacy?

Answer: These changes matter, even if they’re not often discussed. Loss of ejaculation, dry orgasm, fertility changes — they affect body image, identity and sexual rituals. Important to talk about them so they don’t become hidden issues.

9- How do I address intimacy if I’m single, dating again, or want to start a new relationship post-treatment?

Answer: It can feel daunting but it’s doable. Transparency, patience (with yourself and partner), redefining what you bring to a relationship (not just sexual function), and being upfront about changes can make this transition healthier.

10 - Is this all only about men and straight relationships? What if I’m LGBTQ+, or my partner is male, female or non-binary?

Answer: The issues apply broadly — sexual function, body changes, intimacy, role shifts — these impact all orientations. Some nuance changes (for example, anal sex if prostate removed) but the core is communication and adaptation.

11- How soon should I get help — therapy, sex-therapy or specialist — for intimacy/sexual issues after treatment?

Answer: Sooner is better. Many resources suggest early intervention helps recovery, adaptation and reduces distress. Dr Beasley’s model includes aligned coaching with your medical team to integrate support early.

12- What specific treatments or medical aids can help with erectile function post-prostate cancer?

Answer: Options include medications, vacuum devices, injections, penile implants, and rehabilitation (pelvic floor, early intervention). Effectiveness depends on individual factors like nerve-sparing, age, health.

13- How do I address emotional and psychological aspects (fear, grief, identity change, shame) in intimacy recovery?

Answer: Vital. These aspects often become the bigger barrier than physical side-effects. Coaching, couple-therapy, support groups help. Dr Beasley integrates mindset/male-identity work with intimacy.

14- What if things don’t “get back to normal” — how do we find satisfaction anyway?

Answer: Accepting “new normal” is part of the journey. “Normal” may change, but you can still have satisfying sexual and intimate life. Redefining satisfaction, exploring new forms of pleasure, and aligning expectations are central.

15- How should we integrate the medical team, urologist, therapist and Dr Beasley’s coaching into one cohesive plan for recovery and intimacy?

Answer: Holistic approach works best. Medical evaluation (for physical changes), therapeutic/emotional support (for mindset, identity, relationship), coaching (for intimacy, communication, new scripts). Dr Beasley’s practice aims to pull these threads together so you don’t only treat symptoms but rebuild connection and identity.