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| Side Effects of Chemotherapy on Reproduction & Sexuality in Men |
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Reproductive and sexual problems can occur after you receive chemotherapy. Which, if any, reproductive problems develop depends on your age when you are treated, the dose and duration of the chemotherapy, and the chemotherapy drug(s) that are given. Issues of reproduction and sexuality are important because they have implications for your future.
Sexual changes men may experience:
- Most men on chemotherapy still have normal erections. A few, however, develop problems.
- Erections and sexual desire often decrease just after a course of chemotherapy but recover in a week or 2. A few chemotherapy drugs, for example, cisplatinum or vincristine, can permanently damage parts of the nervous system. As yet unproven, these drugs may interfere with the nerves that control erection.
- Chemotherapy can sometimes affect sexual desire and erections by slowing down the amount of testosterone produced. Some of the medications used to prevent nausea during chemotherapy can also upset a man's hormonal balance, but hormone levels should return to normal after treatments have ended.
- Freezing sperm prior to chemotherapy is one option for men who wish to father children later in life. Women over 30 years of age are less likely to regain ovarian function. Although it is possible to conceive during chemotherapy, the toxicity of some drugs may cause birth defects. Therefore, it is suggested that all men and women take precautions and use some type of birth control if they are sexually active.
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