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Constructions of masculinity following prostatectomy-induced impotence

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  • Oliffe, John

Abstract

Large numbers of Australian men are diagnosed and treated for prostate cancer each year. The incidence is exceeding mortality, and men are living longer with prostate cancer and the common treatment[s] side effect of impotence. Despite these epidemiological trends there is little research about men's experiences of impotence following treatment. An ethnographic study of Anglo-Australian men with localized prostate cancer explored participants' experiences of impotence following prostatectomy. In-depth semi-structured interviews with 15 men were analyzed using a social constructionist gendered framework. In particular, the effect of impotence on participants' masculinity, sexuality and intimate relationships was explored. The findings show that participants rationalized forgoing potency prior to surgery as a way of living longer. However, diverse complex reactions accompanied impotence. Whilst most participants redefined masculine ideals of phallocentric sex, the way in which this occurred varied greatly. The findings disrupt essentialist constructions of male sexuality and impotence, and provide valuable insight for clinical practice.

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  • Oliffe, John, 2005. "Constructions of masculinity following prostatectomy-induced impotence," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 60(10), pages 2249-2259, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:60:y:2005:i:10:p:2249-2259
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Courtenay, Will H., 2000. "Constructions of masculinity and their influence on men's well-being: a theory of gender and health," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 50(10), pages 1385-1401, May.
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    1. Richard Green, 2021. "The Forms and Uses of Acquired Prostate Cancer Expertise Among Prostate Cancer Survivors," Sociological Research Online, , vol. 26(1), pages 60-74, March.
    2. Mróz, Lawrence William & Chapman, Gwen E. & Oliffe, John L. & Bottorff, Joan L., 2011. "Gender relations, prostate cancer and diet: Re-inscribing hetero-normative food practices," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 72(9), pages 1499-1506, May.
    3. Cleary, Anne, 2012. "Suicidal action, emotional expression, and the performance of masculinities," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 74(4), pages 498-505.
    4. Oliffe, John L. & Ogrodniczuk, John S. & Bottorff, Joan L. & Johnson, Joy L. & Hoyak, Kristy, 2012. "“You feel like you can’t live anymore”: Suicide from the perspectives of Canadian men who experience depression," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 74(4), pages 506-514.
    5. Aucoin, Michael William & Wassersug, Richard Joel, 2006. "The sexuality and social performance of androgen-deprived (castrated) men throughout history: Implications for modern day cancer patients," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 63(12), pages 3162-3173, December.
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    7. Emslie, Carol & Ridge, Damien & Ziebland, Sue & Hunt, Kate, 2006. "Men's accounts of depression: Reconstructing or resisting hegemonic masculinity?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 62(9), pages 2246-2257, May.
    8. Speer, Susan A. & Tucker, Samantha R. & McPhillips, Rebecca & Peters, Sarah, 2017. "The clinical communication and information challenges associated with the psychosexual aspects of prostate cancer treatment," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 185(C), pages 17-26.
    9. Williams, Robert Alan, 2007. "Masculinities fathering and health: The experiences of African-Caribbean and white working class fathers," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 64(2), pages 338-349, January.
    10. Emslie, Carol & Browne, Susan & MacLeod, Una & Rozmovits, Linda & Mitchell, Elizabeth & Ziebland, Sue, 2009. "'Getting through' not 'going under': A qualitative study of gender and spousal support after diagnosis with colorectal cancer," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 68(6), pages 1169-1175, March.
    11. Tucker, Samantha R. & Speer, Susan A. & Peters, Sarah, 2016. "Development of an explanatory model of sexual intimacy following treatment for localised prostate cancer: A systematic review and meta-synthesis of qualitative evidence," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 163(C), pages 80-88.
    12. Korfage, Ida Joanna & Hak, Tony & de Koning, Harry J. & Essink-Bot, Marie-Louise, 2006. "Patients' perceptions of the side-effects of prostate cancer treatment--A qualitative interview study," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 63(4), pages 911-919, August.
    13. Cecilia Rindhagen & Jesper Andreasson & Thomas Johansson, 2023. "In the Absence of Testosterone: Hormonal Treatment, Masculinity, and Health among Prostate Cancer Patients Engaging in an Exercise Programme," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-13, July.

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