‘You in Urology’ is intended for people living with urological conditions (including bladder cancer, prostate cancer and overactive bladder) and their caregivers. The information provided by Astellas is for informational purposes only and is not meant to replace the advice of a healthcare professional.
This website was initiated and funded by Astellas Pharma Europe. All patient and healthcare organisations involved in the development of the platform received a fee for their time.
Some people with urological conditions may find sex more difficult or may not want to be intimate.1-6 Some people also experience difficult emotions that can affect their relationships. There are different reasons you might have these difficulties, depending on the condition you have.
Whatever the cause, we understand this may affect your relationship with your partner and how you feel about your body. It could also make meeting a new partner more daunting.
But having a urological condition doesn’t have to mean losing intimacy. Open communication, preparation and learning about what’s happening in your body can help you. There is support available for you when you need it.
It’s important to recognise if changes in your relationships or sex life are affecting your quality of life. Speaking about sex, intimacy and relationships can be difficult for anyone. But speaking with your healthcare team, your partner or even your friends could help you work through any challenges you may be facing.
Your care should centre around you.
Sometimes knowing what to ask can help you find the support you need. This could be as simple as guidance on how to talk more honestly with your partner. For some people, there may also be options to address the underlying physical issues. The right type of support for you will depend on many factors. This includes your diagnosis, symptoms, stage of disease and personal preferences.
The main thing to remember is that you’re not alone, and you can still find ways to be intimate and maintain healthy relationships.
The ways different conditions might affect your ability and desire to have sex can be varied. But the overall impact on intimacy and relationships may be similar.
Overactive bladder (OAB), with or without incontinence, may affect your sex life. This is because for some men and women with OAB, it can reduce their sexual activity and enjoyment of sex.1,2 Up to 30% of women with OAB experience some sort of impact on sexual function.7 Erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation are also common among men with OAB.8
Intimacy and cancer can be difficult to talk about. Bladder cancer can also affect your sex life and relationships in different ways. Some changes could be due to your symptoms or how you are feeling emotionally, and others happen because of treatment or surgery.4,9 For example, if your bladder cancer is more advanced or you’ve had your bladder removed (radical cystectomy), it can be more difficult to have sex.10
Men and women can have quite different experiences of living with bladder cancer and having sex. For women, it can reduce their desire to have sex.3 Some types of treatment can also shorten or narrow the vagina or damage the clitoris.3,11 This could make having sex feel different or more difficult.3 Up to 3 in 4 women with bladder cancer may have some kind of impact on their sex life.3
In men, some treatments can damage the nerves that control erections. Certain treatments may also make it difficult to ejaculate.4 Up to 8 in 10 men who have had their bladder removed report not being able to get or maintain an erection, and half of men with bladder cancer report ejaculation problems.4,10
Some people living with prostate cancer find their symptoms and emotional state can affect their sex life or relationships.6,9,12
Having your prostate removed (prostatectomy) can make it difficult to get or maintain an erection, due to nerve and blood vessel damage.6 When possible, surgeons may try to spare the nerves surrounding the prostate that control erections, but this depends on several factors.13 After a prostatectomy, it is not possible to ejaculate but it is possible to have an orgasm.5 Other treatments can also cause erectile dysfunction, changes in libido and ejaculation problems.5,6
This can make having sex after prostate cancer challenging. In a survey, three-quarters of men reported that their sex life was better before prostate cancer.14
It’s not just about sex and intimacy. How a person feels can also have an impact on relationships.15,16 For some people, their urological condition or treatments can:
This is normal when your body experiences changes or you have worries due to your condition or treatment, but it’s important to know what to expect. Talking openly can help you feel informed and work through these feelings and challenges.
Patient organisations and the European Association of Urology (EAU) Patient Office provide many resources across a range of topics to support people with urological conditions.
Please note: The following links will take you to websites that are not owned or controlled by Astellas. Astellas is not responsible for the information or services on these sites. Astellas is not affiliated with and does not endorse any specific patient or healthcare organisation.
MAT-GB-NON-2025-00406 May 2026
