Abstract
Background: Radiation-induced erectile dysfunction (RiED) often occurs among patients
diagnosed with prostate cancer (PCa) who undergo radiation treatment. However, sexual
health care (SHC) is not a common practice in radiation oncology departments worldwide.
Sexual health care in this context refers to a practice of integrating discussions around sexual
well-being into the routine follow-up appointments of PCa patients to achieve better patientcentred
care. Previous research identified unmet patient needs and mismatched expectations
between patients and health care providers regarding SHC, but no such studies have been
conducted in a South African setting.
Aim: The aim of this study was to explore and describe the psychosexual experiences of men
following radiotherapy for PCa treated in Johannesburg.
Setting: A qualitative phenomenology design with an interpretive research paradigm was
employed, which allowed the study objectives to be achieved. Purposive sampling was used
to recruit participants from a population of 305 patients. Data were transcribed verbatim and
analysed in a step-by-step approach.
Method: Data saturation was reached after completing semi-structured individual interviews
(n = 9).
Results: Feedback received from the participants was classified into three main themes: (1)
their sexual experiences after PCa diagnosis, (2) the impact of losing sexual function on their
relationships and (3) the lack of information from medical oncology staff regarding sexual
health. Diverse psychosexual experiences and emotional reactions associated with erectile
dysfunction before and after radiation therapy were identified.
Conclusion: The loss of sexual function had a detrimental impact on the men’s quality of life,
psychological well-being and intimate relationships. Participants shared unsatisfactory
feelings about inconsistent and unmet SHC expectations in the radiation oncology clinic.