Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer in men and the second leading cause of cancer death in American men. In fact, about one out of every eight men will receive a prostate cancer diagnosis in their lifetime, with more than 52,000 men diagnosed with the condition each year. The good news is that most men with prostate cancer survive it – there are more than 3.3 million men still alive today who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer thanks to advancements in screening and treatment.
One of the most common treatments for advanced prostate cancer is the drug Abiraterone, the generic form of Zytiga®. Abiraterone is a daily hormone therapy that works by intercepting the body’s testosterone production, which, in turn, slows the spread of prostate cancer to other parts of the body. Controlling the spread of cancer is key to effectively treating it, and to this end, Abiraterone has helped countless men battling prostate cancer.
While this is certainly fantastic news, as with most any prescribed hormone therapy, some important considerations must be addressed when taking Abiraterone, and among them are the impacts the drug has on the user’s and his partner’s sex life.
In this post, we’ll look at some important things you should know about how Abiraterone impacts sexual activity and even reproductive health.
Abiraterone and Sex – 5 Important Considerations
Are you and your partner considering having children in the future?
Abiraterone has been shown to decrease fertility in some men, which is an important side effect should you be looking at having children somewhere down the road. Battling prostate cancer and preventing its spread, however, must be your top priority, so there may be little you can do to avoid this potential side effect. It’s important to note that fertility is not diminished for every male taking abiraterone. Talk to your doctor to learn more.
You must always use effective contraception when having sex during treatment.
It is critically important that you and your partner DO NOT become pregnant while you are undergoing Abiraterone treatment. This hormone therapy can lead to congenital disabilities in your unborn child should you and your partner conceive while you are taking the treatment. You must continue to use effective birth control for at least three weeks after your final dose of Abiraterone. Talk with your doctor about what methods of birth control might be most effective for you.
Women should never touch Abiraterone.
This treatment is only prescribed for males with advanced prostate cancer. Women should not even touch Abiraterone pills without protective gloves, especially those who might wish to become pregnant sometime at a later date, as it could lead to problems conceiving and may harm the fetus once pregnant. Touching Abiraterone may also contribute to a miscarriage.
If a pregnant woman touches Abiraterone, seek medical attention right away.
Pregnant women or women who have had a child and are still breastfeeding should never take or touch Abiraterone. If either accidently occurs, please seek medical attention right away.
You may experience erectile dysfunction
It is not uncommon for males taking Abiraterone to experience erectile dysfunction or a decreased desire for sexual activity during treatment. If this happens, talk to your urologist about possible treatments. It’s important to note that common ED treatments, such as sildenafil (generic Viagra®) and tadalafil (generic Cialis®), do not usually work for males undergoing hormone treatment as they do not address the loss of libido familiar with this type of therapy.
Conclusion
Advanced prostate cancer is a very serious matter, and the hormone therapy abiraterone is helping more and more men win the battle against this dreaded disease. As with any medication, it is important to understand the potential consequences and side effects of abiraterone before embarking on your treatment journey. The reality is your top priority must be to beat cancer, and the rest will, hopefully, fall into place. Nevertheless, understanding the sexual implications of abiraterone is important to working through the situation with your partner and achieving the best possible outcome together. For questions and concerns about treating advanced prostate cancer with hormone therapy, speak with your doctor, who should be able to provide you with well-informed answers.
Abiraterone FAQs
How does Abiraterone work?
Abiraterone is a hormone therapy used to treat advanced prostate cancer in men. It works by intercepting the body’s testosterone production, which helps prevent the cancer from spreading to other body parts.
Is prostate cancer curable?
If caught early, prostate cancer is often curable. In fact, according to the American Cancer Society, the 5-year, 10-year, and 15-year survival rates for prostate cancer are nearly 100%, 98%, and 95%, respectively, so many men are living cancer-free lives after treatment. The key is to catch the cancer before it spreads beyond the prostate gland.
Can I have sex while taking abiraterone?
You can have sex; however, it is of vital importance that you DO NOT conceive while amid this hormone therapy. Abiraterone can lead to birth defects in an unborn fetus, as well as miscarriage. It is critical to always use effective birth control while taking this medication and for at least three weeks after the final dose. Before engaging in sexual activity, speak with your doctor about which contraception methods might work best for you.
At MediSuite, we proudly provide abiraterone to treat advanced prostate cancer at significant savings with direct-to-door ease and convenience. Whether you are a patient or a doctor treating prostate cancer, we invite you to explore our portal to learn more about the MediSuite process and how it might lower costs and improve care.
MediSuite is committed to men’s healthcare by providing doctor-prescribed medications at affordable prices delivered directly and discreetly to your door.