The Integration of Psychological Intervention in the Multimodal Treatment of Patients with Prostate Cancer and Erectile Dysfunction

Abstract

Male sexual dysfunction refers to a lack of attraction and a lack of normal sexual performance. The most common sexual dysfunction in men is erectile dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction is the inability to achieve an erection or to sustain satisfactory sexual intercourse. Sexual dysfunction is associated with oncological treatment, having a significant impact on the quality of life. Sexuality is a frantic sense of awakening to life, it is excitement and a lot of energy, it gives the feeling of invincibility, it is the opposite of death. For many cancer patients, getting an erection is a negative problematic experience, combined with feelings of hopelessness, depression, accompanied by loss of self-esteem. Taking into account the medical aspect, the present paper highlights the interpersonal psychological aspect with reference to the cognitive-behavioural model. The present analysis describes the problem of sexual dysfunction and illustrates a panorama of therapeutic models to plan an effective intervention. This study aims to perform a review of the evidence on the role of cognitive-behavioural psychotherapy in addressing erectile dysfunction problems in prostate cancer patients. An extensive bibliographic search of online database and relevant manuscripts was followed.