Prostap and sex.

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I have Prostate cancer (3/4) and so had a 3-monthly jab of Prostap last year. For various reasons beyond my control, it was some weeks after the 3 months was up before I was able to have my next one. In the interim, I was able to both get 'excited' and to orgasm. (I considered it might be the last one I ever had as the chances of doing so again after a prostatetectomy are minimal, I gather!) So what I want to know is; were I to want to have sex with my partner in the gap between the current prostap ending and the impending (but not any time soon, so I gather, things being what they are), prostatetectomy, would that be a risk for her?

My questions specifically are:

Were I able to ejaculate again, would there be any cancer in the fluids?
If so, would that be potentially dangerous to her?
Again, would there be any Prostap in the fluids?
And if so, is that potentially dangerous to her too?

It may seem to some that such things are not important, but they are, literally, the 'very stuff of life' and the act, as a loving one, would be all the more poignant were it to be our last ever . . .

Your advice, please.

Amy C- Macmillan 21 days ago

Hi Pareidolia,

Welcome to our online community and thanks for posting your question. My name is Amy and I am one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialists on the Macmillan Support Line.

We appreciate for some people sex and intimacy is not a priority during and after cancer treatment - but for many it is. Both in how they feel about themselves and how they can feel close and be intimate with a partner. It’s because of this we have launched our we need to talk about sex and cancer campaign. So, we really do understand you saying it literally is the “very stuff of life”.

Cancer is not contagious and cannot be passed on to anyone through touch or bodily fluids so in answer to your first 2 questions – No – cancer would not be in your semen, and this is not dangerous to your partner.

Question 3 and 4 are a little trickier to answer. Prostate cancer UK state it is safe to have sex if you are having hormone injections but I’ve not been able to find anything in any of the medicines directories that suggest if Prostap would be present or not. The general advice is around contraception and possible risk of making someone pregnant rather than it being harmful to a partner.

It would be helpful to speak to your cancer team and ask them. They may also be able to advise on waiting times for surgery and if your hormone therapy should continue if this is likely to be delayed significantly.

We have lots of information about sex life and prostate cancer, as does Prostate Cancer UK. You may also find male pelvic side effects useful to read through.

This blog and our active prostate cancer forum can provide a great source of peer support too.

We encourage speaking to your cancer team prior to surgery. This will give you an opportunity to explore how important sex and intimacy is for your relationship and consider treatment options early. Some cancer teams also have psychosexual therapists that can help.

We often find we can help more by exploring these questions over the phone. If this is something you think would help, then please don’t hesitate to get in touch via our support line on 0808 808 0000. We are available 7 days a week, 8am-8pm.

I hope this helps.

Best wishes,

Amy C, Cancer Information Nurse Specialist

You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email.

Ref: AC/DW

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Prostap and sex.