Pornography has become widely available in recent years with the advent of free online porn streaming sites. Its increased availability has sparked debate as to whether or not viewing pornography has an impact on a person’s sex life/sexual health. While some suggest that frequent pornography use may have a detrimental effect on a person’s relationships, sexual satisfaction, and even mental health (possibly contributing to depression), the research thus far has been limited in scope and often contradictory.

A condom is a thin tube that is worn around the penis (external condom) or a pouch that is inserted into the vagina or anus (internal condom) before engaging in penetrative sexual activity to help prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and as a means of birth control. Some people also use condoms for oral sex.

For many men who experience erectile difficulties after undergoing treatment for prostate cancer, erectile aids (EAs) such as oral medications (PDE5i), vacuum erection devices (VED), and intra-cavernosal injections (ICI) offer a means of achieving an erection post treatment. However, even though the majority of prostate cancer patients experience erectile difficulties for months, years, or indefinitely after treatment, some choose never to use EAs, and some who use EAs ultimately end up abandoning them.

Introduction

Women who survive rectal cancer may experience sexual difficulties or dysfunction during and after treatment. Chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and rectal surgery can impact urinary, bowel, and sexual function. According to previous studies, 60% of women report an increase in vaginal dryness and dyspareunia (painful intercourse) after rectal cancer treatment. There is also a high incidence of reduced sexual desire and decline in frequency of sexual activity for rectal cancer survivors.

A personal lubricant (or “lube”) is a liquid or gel that individuals can apply to the vulva, vagina, penis, and/or anus before or during sexual activity to make the area more slippery and facilitate easier penetration.

Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder/Genito-Pelvic Dysesthesia (PGAD/GPD) is a condition characterized by persistent, unwanted, and intrusive feelings of genital arousal that are not related to sexual desire. Symptoms may include lubrication, tingling, throbbing, and swelling of the genitals, and/or the feeling of being on the verge of orgasm. These sensations might be constant, or they may come and go, lasting for hours to days at a time.

Adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a mental health condition that is characterized by hyperactivity, restlessness, impulsive actions, and trouble paying attention. It is a disorder that can interfere with a person’s day-to-day life, affecting relationships, work, self-esteem, and other important life components.

Breast cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in the world. While it can affect both men and women, it occurs more frequently in women. It is the third leading cause of death in Iran, causing an average age of death in one’s 40s or 50s, but early detection and treatment can increase the survival rate of breast cancer patients.

Priapism is a prolonged, often painful, erection that lasts for four hours or more and is not related to sexual stimulation. It occurs when the blood that flows to the penis to create an erection cannot flow back out of the penis, causing it to remain fully or semi-erect for an extended period of time.

Transgender individuals are people whose gender identity or expression does not align with the sex they were assigned at birth.

Perhaps you have heard the term “health literacy” and wondered what it means. In August 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated the definition of health literacy to include both “personal” and “organizational” health literacy, which are defined as follows:

A cancer diagnosis of any kind can be very distressing for an individual, and the repercussions of such a diagnosis can have a significant impact on all aspects of a person’s life. What’s more, although cancer treatments can prevent the cancer from spreading and possibly eliminate it altogether, they often have negative short- and long-term consequences for patients. Patients who are aware of the possible side effects before undergoing treatment may be better equipped to manage them with the support of primary care physicians, oncologists, mental health specialists, and other health care professionals.