Psychological Impact of Treatment-Induced Erectile Dysfunction on Masculinity: A Study of a Group of Black Elderly Men Undergoing Prostate Cancer Treatment at a Tertiary Hospital in Limpopo Province, South Africa

TL;DR

This study explores how erectile dysfunction from prostate cancer treatment affects the sense of masculinity in Black elderly men in South Africa.

Contribution

The study provides insights into the psychological impact of ED on masculinity in a specific demographic of prostate cancer patients.

Findings

ED from prostate cancer treatment negatively impacts participants' sense of masculinity.

Loss of masculinity due to ED affects both physical and psychological well-being.

Collaboration between medical and psychological professionals is needed to improve quality of life.

Abstract

With emerging improvement in screening and treatment, most patients with prostate cancer (PCa) live for a long period beyond their diagnosis. Erectile dysfunction (ED) and bowel and urinary incontinence have been shown to be the most bothersome side-effects of most PCa treatment options for patients. With increasing long-term survival, most PCa patients face the prospect of experiencing symptoms, side-effects of available treatment options, and diminished quality of life. The objective of the study was to explore the impact of treatment-induced ED on masculinity among Black South African PCa patients. Twenty (20) prostate cancer patients, selected through purposive sampling and receiving some form of treatment at Pietersburg tertiary Hospital, with ages ranging from 67 to 85 years (mean age = 76 years; SD = 5.3), participated in the study. In-depth, individual semi-structured interviews were used to collect data and analyzed through Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). The findings indicate that ED threatens or adversely impacts the participants’ perceptions of their sense of masculinity leading to diminished quality of life. The results demonstrate that loss of masculinity brought about by PCa treatment-induced ED is experienced both physically as well as psychologically. The results highlight a need for collaboration between medical and psychological professionals in the management of PCa patients. This is crucial for improving the overall health related quality of life for patients.