title: Sexuality and exercise in men undergoing androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for the management of prostate cancer results in a range of side effects including sexual dysfunction. Exercise is proposed as a potentially effective therapy to counteract changes in sexual function. The current study explored the impact of ADT on men's sexuality and the effect of exercise on this experience.
  
  
  METHODS
  Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with 18 men (age = 63.1 ± 3.8) who were on ADT for prostate cancer for ≤12 months and who were part of a pre-existing exercise intervention trial.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sexual concerns for men included changes in body image, partner relationships, sex drive, sexual performance and masculinity. In coping with these concerns, men described a sense of personal acceptance of sexual changes through a shift in priorities and values away from penetrative sexual intercourse, knowledge and understanding about ADT, and partner support. Exercise in a group-based setting contributed to the acceptance of sexual changes through affirming strength-based aspects of masculinity and peer support.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Exercise appears to have utility as a strategy to assist men to manage the negative impact of ADT on sexuality and masculinity more broadly.
authors.affiliation: Griffith University, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, kyra.hamilton@griffith.edu.au.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hamilton
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Chambers
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Legg
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Oliffe
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cormie
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000726:Androgen Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003625:Data Collection; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D057228:Masculinity; D008875:Middle Aged; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000628:therapy*; D012747:Sexual Partners; D019529:Sexuality
chemical_list: D000726:Androgen Antagonists