Threat of sexual disqualification : The consequences of erectile dysfunction and other sexual changes for gay and bisexual men with prostate cancer
Journal article
Ussher, Jane M., Perz, Janette, Rose, Duncan, Dowsett, Gary W., Chambers, Suzanne, Williams, Scott, Davis, Ian and Latini, David. (2017). Threat of sexual disqualification : The consequences of erectile dysfunction and other sexual changes for gay and bisexual men with prostate cancer. Archives of Sexual Behavior: an interdisciplinary research journal. 46(7), pp. 2043-2057. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-016-0728-0
Authors | Ussher, Jane M., Perz, Janette, Rose, Duncan, Dowsett, Gary W., Chambers, Suzanne, Williams, Scott, Davis, Ian and Latini, David |
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Abstract | Gay and bisexual (GB) men with prostate cancer (PCa) have been described as an “invisible diversity” in PCa research due to their lack of visibility, and absence of identification of their needs. This study examined the meaning and consequences of erectile dysfunction (ED) and other sexual changes in 124 GB men with PCa and 21 male partners, through an on-line survey. A sub-sample of 46 men with PCa and seven partners also took part in a one-to-one interview. ED was reported by 72 % of survey respondents, associated with reports of emotional distress, negative impact on gay identities, and feelings of sexual disqualification. Other sexual concerns included loss of libido, climacturia, loss of sensitivity or pain during anal sex, non-ejaculatory orgasms, and reduced penis size. Many of these changes have particular significance in the context of gay sex and gay identities, and can result in feelings of exclusion from a sexual community central to GB men’s lives. However, a number of men were reconciled to sexual changes, did not experience a challenge to identity, and engaged in sexual re-negotiation. The nature of GB relationships, wherein many men are single, engage in casual sex, or have concurrent partners, influenced experiences of distress, identity, and renegotiation. It is concluded that researchers and clinicians need to be aware of the meaning and consequences of sexual changes for GB men when designing studies to examine the impact of PCa on men’s sexuality, advising GB men of the sexual consequences of PCa, and providing information and support to ameliorate sexual changes. |
Keywords | prostate cancer; gay and bisexual men erectile dysfunction; sexual changes; gay identity masculinity |
Year | 2017 |
Journal | Archives of Sexual Behavior: an interdisciplinary research journal |
Journal citation | 46 (7), pp. 2043-2057 |
Publisher | Springer New York LLC |
ISSN | 0004-0002 |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-016-0728-0 |
Scopus EID | 2-s2.0-84964403748 |
Open access | Published as ‘gold’ (paid) open access |
Research or scholarly | Research |
Page range | 2043-2057 |
Publisher's version | License File Access Level Open |
Output status | Published |
Publication dates | |
Online | 25 Feb 2016 |
Publication process dates | |
Accepted | 21 Dec 2015 |
Deposited | 07 Sep 2021 |
https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/item/8wvq3/threat-of-sexual-disqualification-the-consequences-of-erectile-dysfunction-and-other-sexual-changes-for-gay-and-bisexual-men-with-prostate-cancer
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Publisher's version
OA_Ussher_2017_Threat_of_Sexual_Disqualification_The_Consequences.pdf | |
License: CC BY 4.0 | |
File access level: Open |
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