Is Your Husband Struggling Emotionally With His Prostate Cancer Symptoms? 3 Tips To Help Him Stay Positive
Any cancer diagnosis is bound to generate some anxiety, yet your husband's prostate cancer also creates symptoms that affect his lifestyle and overall mental wellbeing. While you know that you will love him no matter what, he may have difficulty accepting his life when he deals with uncomfortable symptoms such as pain or a loss of bladder control. As your husband proceeds with his treatment plan, you can use these tips to help him keep a positive mindset in the face of his prostate cancer symptoms.
Encourage Him to Talk to His Doctor About Pain Management
Prostate cancer does not typically cause pain until it reaches advanced stages. However, your husband may have pain, such as a burning sensation that occurs during ejaculation or urination, that needs to be reported to his doctor. If your husband's cancer has spread, then he may also have pain in his lower back, upper thighs and pelvic region. Since living with chronic pain wreaks havoc on his emotional state, treating these symptoms is critical for his mental health. From therapeutic massages to medication, your husband's physician has ideas that can help reduce the discomfort.
Explore Ways to Enhance Your Physical Relationship
Sexual dysfunction is a common symptom of prostate cancer that can take several different forms. For some men, the anxiety of having a cancer diagnosis combined with receiving treatment leads to fatigue and worry that lowers their libido. Your husband many also struggle with difficulty obtaining or maintaining an erection. Encourage your husband to find healthy ways to address his stress, such as talking to a professional counselor or exercising. Then, remind him that regaining his sexual functioning can take time after cancer treatment. There are also options such as medication to help him achieve an erection again.
Implement Strategies To Manage Incontinence
Incontinence sparks embarrassment for many people, especially men who have always taken pride in being in control of their bodies. Urinary incontinence can range from mild dribbles during activities such as coughing or laughing to a complete loss of bladder control. Either way, you can help your husband learn ways to manage incontinence until his body fully heals. For example, taking extra time in the bathroom to fully empty the bladder and using special pads or underwear can prevent embarrassing urine stains so that your husband feels confident going out in public.
The good news is that most men find that their symptoms get better with time and proper medical management of their condition. In the meantime, continue to support your husband by reminding him that you will both make it through this challenging time together.
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