Sexual Aids for Gay and Bisexual Men and Transgender Women after Prostate Cancer Treatments

Abstract

C H A P T E R S U M M A R Y Prostate cancer treatments can affect the sexual experience of individuals regardless of sexual orientation. While the absence of orgasm is a common result of most treatments for prostate cancer, some patients have reported experiencing multiple, more intense, or diffuse orgasm after prostate cancer treatment. Interestingly, many transgender women also claim similar orgasmic changes after sexual reassignment. In this chapter we discuss how some products that are marketed as sex aids or “toys” may facilitate sexual recovery after prostate cancer treatments. These products include external penile prostheses, penile sleeves, and penile support devices. We stress the relevance of having a partner or partners for satisfactory sexual recovery. This includes the importance of involving partners in selecting sexual aids and using the aids in a way that develops an erotic association between the aids and the partner. Statistically, gay men are more likely than heterosexual men to be unpartnered. Being single may be a contributing, but under-investigated, factor in the higher level of distress experienced by gay prostate cancer patients in contrast to their heterosexual counterparts.