The Experiences of Female Partners of Patients With Erectile Dysfunction Due to Prostate Cancer Treatment in China

Background Because of sociocultural factors, Chinese female partners of patients with prostate cancer (PC) may have perspectives and needs that differ from the more published reports of female partners living in Western cultures.The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of female partners of patients with PC experiencing erectile dysfunction in China.In this interpretive descriptive design, qualitative data were collected from semistructured telephone interviews with purposively sampled participants from the urology outpatient unit in a hospital in South China. The interviews were audiotaped, transcribed, and analyzed using a constant comparison approach.Three themes emerged from the analysis of the participants' narratives: (a) acceptance of ceasing sex; (b) preserving intimacy through caregiving; and (c) the need for sexual health-related information.Participants in this study reported that their own sexuality and intimacy were affected by their partner's erectile dysfunction, but they adjusted to sexuality and intimacy changes through their caregiving of their husbands owing to Chinese traditional perspectives on women's obligations. They also reported having unmet informational needs in improving sexual well-being for the sake of their partners, lending further support to the likely benefit of couple-based educational interventions addressing sexual wellness in dyads affected by PC and erectile dysfunction.The present study findings highlighted the need for more research attention to the support of Chinese female partners of patients with PC regarding sexual and intimate topics.Prostate cancer (PC) is the second most diagnosed cancer in men in the world. Epidemiological data indicate that there were 1.4 million new PC cases in 2020.1 In China, despite having the lowest rate globally, PC incidence and mortality have shown sharply rising trends during the past decade.2,3 The incidence rate for PC has increased from approximately 4.5/100 000 to nearly 10.23/100 000, whereas the mortality rate has risen from about 3.5/100 000 to 4.36/100 000 between 2000 and 2015.4,5 Treatment modalities for PC, including radical prostatectomy and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), can result in a range of sexual dysfunctions, manifesting in erectile dysfunction, decreased libido, and penis shrinkage, with erectile dysfunction the most reported symptom.6,7 Although PC is viewed exclusively as a disease in men, it is increasingly considered a "relationship disease" owing to its significant negative influences on sexual and intimate couple relationship.8 Sexual side effects usually interrupt couple communication, which can cause distress and thus affect quality of life for both the patients and their partners.9-11A small but growing body of literature has investigated whether and how female partners of men with PC are sexually impacted by their partners' sexual changes. Several cross-sectional studies have shown that over 72% of female partners experienced changes in their sex life after their partner's treatment for PC.7,10 A few longitudinal studies have also found that female partners' decreasing sexual satisfaction over time was strongly related to the sexual dysfunction of their partner with PC.9,12 Although the literature on female partners' adjustment to sexual changes has mixed findings, most partners struggle with the sexual changes, with some partners accepting a no-sex couple relationship.13There is increasing recognition that PC and its treatment can alter the intimacy perceived by partners. Some studies in Western contexts have shown that most female partners experienced emotional withdrawal and impaired affection with their partners because of the loss of the sexual relationship.14,15 Evidence has also revealed that the loss of emotion and affection can result in lower marital satisfaction and higher levels of distress, particularly depression, as most of the female partners had to take more responsibility in taking care of the patient, shifting their roles from partner to caregiver, but with less support from the patient.15,16Existing knowledge on female partners' sexuality and intimacy affected by erectile dysfunction of their partner with PC has largely been derived from Western countries; little insight has been gleaned from other cultural contexts. Culture can impact women's views on sexuality and intimacy. For example, Chinese women have a passive role in couple relationships in traditional society and tend to consider sex as having more procreation values.17,18 Chinese older women were also suppressed in sexuality because of the collectivism of the pre-reform era after the founding of the People's Republic of China.19 Premarital sex and expressing intimacy were not allowed according to social manners at that time; this generation is still affected by this view on sexuality.19 Furthermore, research has shown that sex is an embarrassing topic to initiate in clinical encounters and thus is often neglected by healthcare professionals in China.20 In comparison, most women in Western countries are less likely to suppress their sexuality, as the predominant ideology for sexuality in Western communities proposes that sexuality is natural, innate, and instinctual.21 Until now, research on Chinese female partners of patients with PC has been very scarce. The available data on Chinese female partners of these patients have shown only the negative physical and psychological impacts of PC and its treatment, including sleep disorders, depression, and social isolation,22 which are not specific to sexual and intimacy experiences. Chinese female partners may have different perspectives and needs from female partners living in Western cultures. This study aimed to explore the experiences of female partners of patients with erectile dysfunction associated with PC in China.This study adapted the Physical Pleasure-Relational Intimacy Sexual Motivation (PRISM) model specific to individuals affected by PC treatments.23 The PRISM model indicates that an individual's motivation to engage in sex is determined by physical pleasure and relational intimacy.23 This model provides a dimensional matrix of the relative value that individuals attribute to sex for physical pleasure and/or relational intimacy.23 It is hypothesized that an individual who highly values relational intimacy in a sexual relationship would exhibit successful adjustment to sexual challenges, which are associated with acceptance, flexibility, and persistence.23Background Because of sociocultural factors, Chinese female partners of patients with prostate cancer (PC) may have perspectives and needs that differ from the more published reports of female partners living in Western cultures.The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of female partners of patients with PC experiencing erectile dysfunction in China.In this interpretive descriptive design, qualitative data were collected from semistructured telephone interviews with purposively sampled participants from the urology outpatient unit in a hospital in South China. The interviews were audiotaped, transcribed, and analyzed using a constant comparison approach.Three themes emerged from the analysis of the participants' narratives: (a) acceptance of ceasing sex; (b) preserving intimacy through caregiving; and (c) the need for sexual health-related information.Participants in this study reported that their own sexuality and intimacy were affected by their partner's erectile dysfunction, but they adjusted to sexuality and intimacy changes through their caregiving of their husbands owing to Chinese traditional perspectives on women's obligations. They also reported having unmet informational needs in improving sexual well-being for the sake of their partners, lending further support to the likely benefit of couple-based educational interventions addressing sexual wellness in dyads affected by PC and erectile dysfunction.The present study findings highlighted the need for more research attention to the support of Chinese female partners of patients with PC regarding sexual and intimate topics.Prostate cancer (PC) is the second most diagnosed cancer in men in the world. Epidemiological data indicate that there were 1.4 million new PC cases in 2020.1 In China, despite having the lowest rate globally, PC incidence and mortality have shown sharply rising trends during the past decade.2,3 The incidence rate for PC has increased from approximately 4.5/100 000 to nearly 10.23/100 000, whereas the mortality rate has risen from about 3.5/100 000 to 4.36/100 000 between 2000 and 2015.4,5 Treatment modalities for PC, including radical prostatectomy and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), can result in a range of sexual dysfunctions, manifesting in erectile dysfunction, decreased libido, and penis shrinkage, with erectile dysfunction the most reported symptom.6,7 Although PC is viewed exclusively as a disease in men, it is increasingly considered a "relationship disease" owing to its significant negative influences on sexual and intimate couple relationship.8 Sexual side effects usually interrupt couple communication, which can cause distress and thus affect quality of life for both the patients and their partners.9-11A small but growing body of literature has investigated whether and how female partners of men with PC are sexually impacted by their partners' sexual changes. Several cross-sectional studies have shown that over 72% of female partners experienced changes in their sex life after their partner's treatment for PC.7,10 A few longitudinal studies have also found that female partners' decreasing sexual satisfaction over time was strongly related to the sexual dysfunction of their partner with PC.9,12 Although the literature on female partners' adjustment to sexual changes has mixed findings, most partners struggle with the sexual changes, with some partners accepting a no-sex couple relationship.13There is increasing recognition that PC and its treatment can alter the intimacy perceived by partners. Some studies in Western contexts have shown that most female partners experienced emotional withdrawal and impaired affection with their partners because of the loss of the sexual relationship.14,15 Evidence has also revealed that the loss of emotion and affection can result in lower marital satisfaction and higher levels of distress, particularly depression, as most of the female partners had to take more responsibility in taking care of the patient, shifting their roles from partner to caregiver, but with less support from the patient. 15,16Existing knowledge on female partners' sexuality and intimacy affected by erectile dysfunction of their partner with PC has largely been derived from Western countries; little insight has been gleaned from other cultural contexts. Culture can impact women's views on sexuality and intimacy. For example, Chinese women have a passive role in couple relationships in traditional society and tend to consider sex as having more procreation values.17,18 Chinese older women were also suppressed in sexuality because of the collectivism of the pre-reform era after the founding of the People's Republic of China.19 Premarital sex and expressing intimacy were not allowed according to social manners at that time; this generation is still affected by this view on sexuality.19 Furthermore, research has shown that sex is an embarrassing topic to initiate in clinical encounters and thus is often neglected by healthcare professionals in China.20 In comparison, most women in Western countries are less likely to suppress their sexuality, as the predominant ideology for sexuality in Western communities proposes that sexuality is natural, innate, and instinctual.21 Until now, research on Chinese female partners of patients with PC has been very scarce. The available data on Chinese female partners of these patients have shown only the negative physical and psychological impacts of PC and its treatment, including sleep disorders, depression, and social isolation,22 which are not specific to sexual and intimacy experiences. Chinese female partners may have different perspectives and needs from female partners living in Western cultures. This study aimed to explore the experiences of female partners of patients with erectile dysfunction associated with PC in China.This study adapted the Physical Pleasure-Relational Intimacy Sexual Motivation (PRISM) model specific to individuals affected by PC treatments.23 The PRISM model indicates that an individual's motivation to engage in sex is determined by physical pleasure and relational intimacy.23 This model provides a dimensional matrix of the relative value that individuals attribute to sex for physical pleasure and/or relational intimacy.23 It is hypothesized that an individual who highly values relational intimacy in a sexual relationship would exhibit successful adjustment to sexual challenges, which are associated with acceptance, flexibility, and persistence.23Background Because of sociocultural factors, Chinese female partners of patients with prostate cancer (PC) may have perspectives and needs that differ from the more published reports of female partners living in Western cultures.The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of female partners of patients with PC experiencing erectile dysfunction in China.In this interpretive descriptive design, qualitative data were collected from semistructured telephone interviews with purposively sampled participants from the urology outpatient unit in a hospital in South China. The interviews were audiotaped, transcribed, and analyzed using a constant comparison approach.Three themes emerged from the analysis of the participants' narratives: (a) acceptance of ceasing sex; (b) preserving intimacy through caregiving; and (c) the need for sexual health-related information.Participants in this study reported that their own sexuality and intimacy were affected by their partner's erectile dysfunction, but they adjusted to sexuality and intimacy changes through their caregiving of their husbands owing to Chinese traditional perspectives on women's obligations. They also reported having unmet informational needs in improving sexual well-being for the sake of their partners, lending further support to the likely benefit of couple-based educational interventions addressing sexual wellness in dyads affected by PC and erectile dysfunction.The present study findings highlighted the need for more research attention to the support of Chinese female partners of patients with PC regarding sexual and intimate topics.Prostate cancer (PC) is the second most diagnosed cancer in men in the world. Epidemiological data indicate that there were 1.4 million new PC cases in 2020.1 In China, despite having the lowest rate globally, PC incidence and mortality have shown sharply rising trends during the past decade.2,3 The incidence rate for PC has increased from approximately 4.5/100 000 to nearly 10.23/100 000, whereas the mortality rate has risen from about 3.5/100 000 to 4.36/100 000 between 2000 and 2015.4,5 Treatment modalities for PC, including radical prostatectomy and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), can result in a range of sexual dysfunctions, manifesting in erectile dysfunction, decreased libido, and penis shrinkage, with erectile dysfunction the most reported symptom.6,7 Although PC is viewed exclusively as a disease in men, it is increasingly considered a "relationship disease" owing to its significant negative influences on sexual and intimate couple relationship.8 Sexual side effects usually interrupt couple communication, which can cause distress and thus affect quality of life for both the patients and their partners.9-11A small but growing body of literature has investigated whether and how female partners of men with PC are sexually impacted by their partners' sexual changes. Several cross-sectional studies have shown that over 72% of female partners experienced changes in their sex life after their partner's treatment for PC.7,10 A few longitudinal studies have also found that female partners' decreasing sexual satisfaction over time was strongly related to the sexual dysfunction of their partner with PC.9,12 Although the literature on female partners' adjustment to sexual changes has mixed findings, most partners struggle with the sexual changes, with some partners accepting a no-sex couple relationship.13There is increasing recognition that PC and its treatment can alter the intimacy perceived by partners. Some studies in Western contexts have shown that most female partners experienced emotional withdrawal and impaired affection with their partners because of the loss of the sexual relationship.14,15 Evidence has also revealed that the loss of emotion and affection can result in lower marital satisfaction and higher levels of distress, particularly depression, as most of the female partners had to take more responsibility in taking care of the patient, shifting their roles from partner to caregiver, but with less support from the patient.15,16Existing knowledge on female partners' sexuality and intimacy affected by erectile dysfunction of their partner with PC has largely been derived from Western countries; little insight has been gleaned from other cultural contexts. Culture can impact women's views on sexuality and intimacy. For example, Chinese women have a passive role in couple relationships in traditional society and tend to consider sex as having more procreation values.17,18 Chinese older women were also suppressed in sexuality because of the collectivism of the pre-reform era after the founding of the People's Republic of China. 19 Premarital sex and expressing intimacy were not allowed according to social manners at that time; this generation is still affected by this view on sexuality.19 Furthermore, research has shown that sex is an embarrassing topic to initiate in clinical encounters and thus is often neglected by healthcare professionals in China.20 In comparison, most women in Western countries are less likely to suppress their sexuality, as the predominant ideology for sexuality in Western communities proposes that sexuality is natural, innate, and instinctual.21 Until now, research on Chinese female partners of patients with PC has been very scarce. The available data on Chinese female partners of these patients have shown only the negative physical and psychological impacts of PC and its treatment, including sleep disorders, depression, and social isolation,22 which are not specific to sexual and intimacy experiences. Chinese female partners may have different perspectives and needs from female partners living in Western cultures. This study aimed to explore the experiences of female partners of patients with erectile dysfunction associated with PC in China.This study adapted the Physical Pleasure-Relational Intimacy Sexual Motivation (PRISM) model specific to individuals affected by PC treatments.23 The PRISM model indicates that an individual's motivation to engage in sex is determined by physical pleasure and relational intimacy.23 This model provides a dimensional matrix of the relative value that individuals attribute to sex for physical pleasure and/or relational intimacy.23 It is hypothesized that an individual who highly values relational intimacy in a sexual relationship would exhibit successful adjustment to sexual challenges, which are associated with acceptance, flexibility, and persistence.23Background Because of sociocultural factors, Chinese female partners of patients with prostate cancer (PC) may have perspectives and needs that differ from the more published reports of female partners living in Western cultures.The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of female partners of patients with PC experiencing erectile dysfunction in China.In this interpretive descriptive design, qualitative data were collected from semistructured telephone interviews with purposively sampled participants from the urology outpatient unit in a hospital in South China. The interviews were audiotaped, transcribed, and analyzed using a constant comparison approach.Three themes emerged from the analysis of the participants' narratives: (a) acceptance of ceasing sex; (b) preserving intimacy through caregiving; and (c) the need for sexual health-related information.Participants in this study reported that their own sexuality and intimacy were affected by their partner's erectile dysfunction, but they adjusted to sexuality and intimacy changes through their caregiving of their husbands owing to Chinese traditional perspectives on women's obligations. They also reported having unmet informational needs in improving sexual well-being for the sake of their partners, lending further support to the likely benefit of couple-based educational interventions addressing sexual wellness in dyads affected by PC and erectile dysfunction.The present study findings highlighted the need for more research attention to the support of Chinese female partners of patients with PC regarding sexual and intimate topics.Prostate cancer (PC) is the second most diagnosed cancer in men in the world. Epidemiological data indicate that there were 1.4 million new PC cases in 2020. 1 In China, despite having the lowest rate globally, PC incidence and mortality have shown sharply rising trends during the past decade.2,3 The incidence rate for PC has increased from approximately 4.5/100 000 to nearly 10.23/100 000, whereas the mortality rate has risen from about 3.5/100 000 to 4.36/100 000 between 2000 and 2015.4,5 Treatment modalities for PC, including radical prostatectomy and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), can result in a range of sexual dysfunctions, manifesting in erectile dysfunction, decreased libido, and penis shrinkage, with erectile dysfunction the most reported symptom.6,7 Although PC is viewed exclusively as a disease in men, it is increasingly considered a "relationship disease" owing to its significant negative influences on sexual and intimate couple relationship.8 Sexual side effects usually interrupt couple communication, which can cause distress and thus affect quality of life for both the patients and their partners.9-11A small but growing body of literature has investigated whether and how female partners of men with PC are sexually impacted by their partners' sexual changes. Several cross-sectional studies have shown that over 72% of female partners experienced changes in their sex life after their partner's treatment for PC.7,10 A few longitudinal studies have also found that female partners' decreasing sexual satisfaction over time was strongly related to the sexual dysfunction of their partner with PC.9,12 Although the literature on female partners' adjustment to sexual changes has mixed findings, most partners struggle with the sexual changes, with some partners accepting a no-sex couple relationship.13There is increasing recognition that PC and its treatment can alter the intimacy perceived by partners. Some studies in Western contexts have shown that most female partners experienced emotional withdrawal and impaired affection with their partners because of the loss of the sexual relationship.14,15 Evidence has also revealed that the loss of emotion and affection can result in lower marital satisfaction and higher levels of distress, particularly depression, as most of the female partners had to take more responsibility in taking care of the patient, shifting their roles from partner to caregiver, but with less support from the patient.15,16Existing knowledge on female partners' sexuality and intimacy affected by erectile dysfunction of their partner with PC has largely been derived from Western countries; little insight has been gleaned from other cultural contexts. Culture can impact women's views on sexuality and intimacy. For example, Chinese women have a passive role in couple relationships in traditional society and tend to consider sex as having more procreation values.17,18 Chinese older women were also suppressed in sexuality because of the collectivism of the pre-reform era after the founding of the People's Republic of China.19 Premarital sex and expressing intimacy were not allowed according to social manners at that time; this generation is still affected by this view on sexuality.19 Furthermore, research has shown that sex is an embarrassing topic to initiate in clinical encounters and thus is often neglected by healthcare professionals in China.20 In comparison, most women in Western countries are less likely to suppress their sexuality, as the predominant ideology for sexuality in Western communities proposes that sexuality is natural, innate, and instinctual.21 Until now, research on Chinese female partners of patients with PC has been very scarce. The available data on Chinese female partners of these patients have shown only the negative physical and psychological impacts of PC and its treatment, including sleep disorders, depression, and social isolation,22 which are not specific to sexual and intimacy experiences. Chinese female partners may have different perspectives and needs from female partners living in Western cultures. This study aimed to explore the experiences of female partners of patients with erectile dysfunction associated with PC in China.This study adapted the Physical Pleasure-Relational Intimacy Sexual Motivation (PRISM) model specific to individuals affected by PC treatments.23 The PRISM model indicates that an individual's motivation to engage in sex is determined by physical pleasure and relational intimacy.23 This model provides a dimensional matrix of the relative value that individuals attribute to sex for physical pleasure and/or relational intimacy.23 It is hypothesized that an individual who highly values relational intimacy in a sexual relationship would exhibit successful adjustment to sexual challenges, which are associated with acceptance, flexibility, and persistence.23Background Because of sociocultural factors, Chinese female partners of patients with prostate cancer (PC) may have perspectives and needs that differ from the more published reports of female partners living in Western cultures.The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of female partners of patients with PC experiencing erectile dysfunction in China.In this interpretive descriptive design, qualitative data were collected from semistructured telephone interviews with purposively sampled participants from the urology outpatient unit in a hospital in South China. The interviews were audiotaped, transcribed, and analyzed using a constant comparison approach.Three themes emerged from the analysis of the participants' narratives: (a) acceptance of ceasing sex; (b) preserving intimacy through caregiving; and (c) the need for sexual health-related information.Participants in this study reported that their own sexuality and intimacy were affected by their partner's erectile dysfunction, but they adjusted to sexuality and intimacy changes through their caregiving of their husbands owing to Chinese traditional perspectives on women's obligations. They also reported having unmet informational needs in improving sexual well-being for the sake of their partners, lending further support to the likely benefit of couple-based educational interventions addressing sexual wellness in dyads affected by PC and erectile dysfunction.The present study findings highlighted the need for more research attention to the support of Chinese female partners of patients with PC regarding sexual and intimate topics.Prostate cancer (PC) is the second most diagnosed cancer in men in the world. Epidemiological data indicate that there were 1.4 million new PC cases in 2020.1 In China, despite having the lowest rate globally, PC incidence and mortality have shown sharply rising trends during the past decade.2,3 The incidence rate for PC has increased from approximately 4.5/100 000 to nearly 10.23/100 000, whereas the mortality rate has risen from about 3.5/100 000 to 4.36/100 000 between 2000 and 2015.4,5 Treatment modalities for PC, including radical prostatectomy and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), can result in a range of sexual dysfunctions, manifesting in erectile dysfunction, decreased libido, and penis shrinkage, with erectile dysfunction the most reported symptom. 6,7 Although PC is viewed exclusively as a disease in men, it is increasingly considered a "relationship disease" owing to its significant negative influences on sexual and intimate couple relationship.8 Sexual side effects usually interrupt couple communication, which can cause distress and thus affect quality of life for both the patients and their partners.9-11A small but growing body of literature has investigated whether and how female partners of men with PC are sexually impacted by their partners' sexual changes. Several cross-sectional studies have shown that over 72% of female partners experienced changes in their sex life after their partner's treatment for PC.7,10 A few longitudinal studies have also found that female partners' decreasing sexual satisfaction over time was strongly related to the sexual dysfunction of their partner with PC.9,12 Although the literature on female partners' adjustment to sexual changes has mixed findings, most partners struggle with the sexual changes, with some partners accepting a no-sex couple relationship.13There is increasing recognition that PC and its treatment can alter the intimacy perceived by partners. Some studies in Western contexts have shown that most female partners experienced emotional withdrawal and impaired affection with their partners because of the loss of the sexual relationship.14,15 Evidence has also revealed that the loss of emotion and affection can result in lower marital satisfaction and higher levels of distress, particularly depression, as most of the female partners had to take more responsibility in taking care of the patient, shifting their roles from partner to caregiver, but with less support from the patient.15,16Existing knowledge on female partners' sexuality and intimacy affected by erectile dysfunction of their partner with PC has largely been derived from Western countries; little insight has been gleaned from other cultural contexts. Culture can impact women's views on sexuality and intimacy. For example, Chinese women have a passive role in couple relationships in traditional society and tend to consider sex as having more procreation values.17,18 Chinese older women were also suppressed in sexuality because of the collectivism of the pre-reform era after the founding of the People's Republic of China.19 Premarital sex and expressing intimacy were not allowed according to social manners at that time; this generation is still affected by this view on sexuality.19 Furthermore, research has shown that sex is an embarrassing topic to initiate in clinical encounters and thus is often neglected by healthcare professionals in China.20 In comparison, most women in Western countries are less likely to suppress their sexuality, as the predominant ideology for sexuality in Western communities proposes that sexuality is natural, innate, and instinctual.21 Until now, research on Chinese female partners of patients with PC has been very scarce. The available data on Chinese female partners of these patients have shown only the negative physical and psychological impacts of PC and its treatment, including sleep disorders, depression, and social isolation,22 which are not specific to sexual and intimacy experiences. Chinese female partners may have different perspectives and needs from female partners living in Western cultures. This study aimed to explore the experiences of female partners of patients with erectile dysfunction associated with PC in China. This study adapted the Physical Pleasure-Relational Intimacy Sexual Motivation (PRISM) model specific to individuals affected by PC treatments.23 The PRISM model indicates that an individual's motivation to engage in sex is determined by physical pleasure and relational intimacy.23 This model provides a dimensional matrix of the relative value that individuals attribute to sex for physical pleasure and/or relational intimacy.23 It is hypothesized that an individual who highly values relational intimacy in a sexual relationship would exhibit successful adjustment to sexual challenges, which are associated with acceptance, flexibility, and persistence.23Background Because of sociocultural factors, Chinese female partners of patients with prostate cancer (PC) may have perspectives and needs that differ from the more published reports of female partners living in Western cultures.The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of female partners of patients with PC experiencing erectile dysfunction in China.In this interpretive descriptive design, qualitative data were collected from semistructured telephone interviews with purposively sampled participants from the urology outpatient unit in a hospital in South China. The interviews were audiotaped, transcribed, and analyzed using a constant comparison approach.Three themes emerged from the analysis of the participants' narratives: (a) acceptance of ceasing sex; (b) preserving intimacy through caregiving; and (c) the need for sexual health-related information.Participants in this study reported that their own sexuality and intimacy were affected by their partner's erectile dysfunction, but they adjusted to sexuality and intimacy changes through their caregiving of their husbands owing to Chinese traditional perspectives on women's obligations. They also reported having unmet informational needs in improving sexual well-being for the sake of their partners, lending further support to the likely benefit of couple-based educational interventions addressing sexual wellness in dyads affected by PC and erectile dysfunction.The present study findings highlighted the need for more research attention to the support of Chinese female partners of patients with PC regarding sexual and intimate topics.Prostate cancer (PC) is the second most diagnosed cancer in men in the world. Epidemiological data indicate that there were 1.4 million new PC cases in 2020.1 In China, despite having the lowest rate globally, PC incidence and mortality have shown sharply rising trends during the past decade.2,3 The incidence rate for PC has increased from approximately 4.5/100 000 to nearly 10.23/100 000, whereas the mortality rate has risen from about 3.5/100 000 to 4.36/100 000 between 2000 and 2015.4,5 Treatment modalities for PC, including radical prostatectomy and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), can result in a range of sexual dysfunctions, manifesting in erectile dysfunction, decreased libido, and penis shrinkage, with erectile dysfunction the most reported symptom.6,7 Although PC is viewed exclusively as a disease in men, it is increasingly considered a "relationship disease" owing to its significant negative influences on sexual and intimate couple relationship.8 Sexual side effects usually interrupt couple communication, which can cause distress and thus affect quality of life for both the patients and their partners.9-11A small but growing body of literature has investigated whether and how female partners of men with PC are sexually impacted by their partners' sexual changes. Several cross-sectional studies have shown that over 72% of female partners experienced changes in their sex life after their partner's treatment for PC.7,10 A few longitudinal studies have also found that female partners' decreasing sexual satisfaction over time was strongly related to the sexual dysfunction of their partner with PC.9,12 Although the literature on female partners' adjustment to sexual changes has mixed findings, most partners struggle with the sexual changes, with some partners accepting a no-sex couple relationship.13There is increasing recognition that PC and its treatment can alter the intimacy perceived by partners. Some studies in Western contexts have shown that most female partners experienced emotional withdrawal and impaired affection with their partners because of the loss of the sexual relationship.14,15 Evidence has also revealed that the loss of emotion and affection can result in lower marital satisfaction and higher levels of distress, particularly depression, as most of the female partners had to take more responsibility in taking care of the patient, shifting their roles from partner to caregiver, but with less support from the patient.15,16Existing knowledge on female partners' sexuality and intimacy affected by erectile dysfunction of their partner with PC has largely been derived from Western countries; little insight has been gleaned from other cultural contexts. Culture can impact women's views on sexuality and intimacy. For example, Chinese women have a passive role in couple relationships in traditional society and tend to consider sex as having more procreation values.17,18 Chinese older women were also suppressed in sexuality because of the collectivism of the pre-reform era after the founding of the People's Republic of China.19 Premarital sex and expressing intimacy were not allowed according to social manners at that time; this generation is still affected by this view on sexuality.19 Furthermore, research has shown that sex is an embarrassing topic to initiate in clinical encounters and thus is often neglected by healthcare professionals in China.20 In comparison, most women in Western countries are less likely to suppress their sexuality, as the predominant ideology for sexuality in Western communities proposes that sexuality is natural, innate, and instinctual.21 Until now, research on Chinese female partners of patients with PC has been very scarce. The available data on Chinese female partners of these patients have shown only the negative physical and psychological impacts of PC and its treatment, including sleep disorders, depression, and social isolation,22 which are not specific to sexual and intimacy experiences. Chinese female partners may have different perspectives and needs from female partners living in Western cultures. This study aimed to explore the experiences of female partners of patients with erectile dysfunction associated with PC in China.This study adapted the Physical Pleasure-Relational Intimacy Sexual Motivation (PRISM) model specific to individuals affected by PC treatments.23 The PRISM model indicates that an individual's motivation to engage in sex is determined by physical pleasure and relational intimacy.23 This model provides a dimensional matrix of the relative value that individuals attribute to sex for physical pleasure and/or relational intimacy. 23 It is hypothesized that an individual who highly values relational intimacy in a sexual relationship would exhibit successful adjustment to sexual challenges, which are associated with acceptance, flexibility, and persistence.23Background Because of sociocultural factors, Chinese female partners of patients with prostate cancer (PC) may have perspectives and needs that differ from the more published reports of female partners living in Western cultures.The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of female partners of patients with PC experiencing erectile dysfunction in China.In this interpretive descriptive design, qualitative data were collected from semistructured telephone interviews with purposively sampled participants from the urology outpatient unit in a hospital in South China. The interviews were audiotaped, transcribed, and analyzed using a constant comparison approach.Three themes emerged from the analysis of the participants' narratives: (a) acceptance of ceasing sex; (b) preserving intimacy through caregiving; and (c) the need for sexual health-related information.Participants in this study reported that their own sexuality and intimacy were affected by their partner's erectile dysfunction, but they adjusted to sexuality and intimacy changes through their caregiving of their husbands owing to Chinese traditional perspectives on women's obligations. They also reported having unmet informational needs in improving sexual well-being for the sake of their partners, lending further support to the likely benefit of couple-based educational interventions addressing sexual wellness in dyads affected by PC and erectile dysfunction.The present study findings highlighted the need for more research attention to the support of Chinese female partners of patients with PC regarding sexual and intimate topics.Prostate cancer (PC) is the second most diagnosed cancer in men in the world. Epidemiological data indicate that there were 1.4 million new PC cases in 2020.1 In China, despite having the lowest rate globally, PC incidence and mortality have shown sharply rising trends during the past decade.2,3 The incidence rate for PC has increased from approximately 4.5/100 000 to nearly 10.23/100 000, whereas the mortality rate has risen from about 3.5/100 000 to 4.36/100 000 between 2000 and 2015.4,5 Treatment modalities for PC, including radical prostatectomy and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), can result in a range of sexual dysfunctions, manifesting in erectile dysfunction, decreased libido, and penis shrinkage, with erectile dysfunction the most reported symptom.6,7 Although PC is viewed exclusively as a disease in men, it is increasingly considered a "relationship disease" owing to its significant negative influences on sexual and intimate couple relationship.8 Sexual side effects usually interrupt couple communication, which can cause distress and thus affect quality of life for both the patients and their partners.9-11A small but growing body of literature has investigated whether and how female partners of men with PC are sexually impacted by their partners' sexual changes. Several cross-sectional studies have shown that over 72% of female partners experienced changes in their sex life after their partner's treatment for PC.7,10 A few longitudinal studies have also found that female partners' decreasing sexual satisfaction over time was strongly related to the sexual dysfunction of their partner with PC. 9,12 Although the literature on female partners' adjustment to sexual changes has mixed findings, most partners struggle with the sexual changes, with some partners accepting a no-sex couple relationship.13There is increasing recognition that PC and its treatment can alter the intimacy perceived by partners. Some studies in Western contexts have shown that most female partners experienced emotional withdrawal and impaired affection with their partners because of the loss of the sexual relationship.14,15 Evidence has also revealed that the loss of emotion and affection can result in lower marital satisfaction and higher levels of distress, particularly depression, as most of the female partners had to take more responsibility in taking care of the patient, shifting their roles from partner to caregiver, but with less support from the patient.15,16Existing knowledge on female partners' sexuality and intimacy affected by erectile dysfunction of their partner with PC has largely been derived from Western countries; little insight has been gleaned from other cultural contexts. Culture can impact women's views on sexuality and intimacy. For example, Chinese women have a passive role in couple relationships in traditional society and tend to consider sex as having more procreation values.17,18 Chinese older women were also suppressed in sexuality because of the collectivism of the pre-reform era after the founding of the People's Republic of China.19 Premarital sex and expressing intimacy were not allowed according to social manners at that time; this generation is still affected by this view on sexuality.19 Furthermore, research has shown that sex is an embarrassing topic to initiate in clinical encounters and thus is often neglected by healthcare professionals in China.20 In comparison, most women in Western countries are less likely to suppress their sexuality, as the predominant ideology for sexuality in Western communities proposes that sexuality is natural, innate, and instinctual.21 Until now, research on Chinese female partners of patients with PC has been very scarce. The available data on Chinese female partners of these patients have shown only the negative physical and psychological impacts of PC and its treatment, including sleep disorders, depression, and social isolation,22 which are not specific to sexual and intimacy experiences. Chinese female partners may have different perspectives and needs from female partners living in Western cultures. This study aimed to explore the experiences of female partners of patients with erectile dysfunction associated with PC in China.This study adapted the Physical Pleasure-Relational Intimacy Sexual Motivation (PRISM) model specific to individuals affected by PC treatments.23 The PRISM model indicates that an individual's motivation to engage in sex is determined by physical pleasure and relational intimacy.23 This model provides a dimensional matrix of the relative value that individuals attribute to sex for physical pleasure and/or relational intimacy.23 It is hypothesized that an individual who highly values relational intimacy in a sexual relationship would exhibit successful adjustment to sexual challenges, which are associated with acceptance, flexibility, and persistence.23Background Because of sociocultural factors, Chinese female partners of patients with prostate cancer (PC) may have perspectives and needs that differ from the more published reports of female partners living in Western cultures. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of female partners of patients with PC experiencing erectile dysfunction in China.In this interpretive descriptive design, qualitative data were collected from semistructured telephone interviews with purposively sampled participants from the urology outpatient unit in a hospital in South China. The interviews were audiotaped, transcribed, and analyzed using a constant comparison approach.Three themes emerged from the analysis of the participants' narratives: (a) acceptance of ceasing sex; (b) preserving intimacy through caregiving; and (c) the need for sexual health-related information.Participants in this study reported that their own sexuality and intimacy were affected by their partner's erectile dysfunction, but they adjusted to sexuality and intimacy changes through their caregiving of their husbands owing to Chinese traditional perspectives on women's obligations. They also reported having unmet informational needs in improving sexual well-being for the sake of their partners, lending further support to the likely benefit of couple-based educational interventions addressing sexual wellness in dyads affected by PC and erectile dysfunction.The present study findings highlighted the need for more research attention to the support of Chinese female partners of patients with PC regarding sexual and intimate topics.Prostate cancer (PC) is the second most diagnosed cancer in men in the world. Epidemiological data indicate that there were 1.4 million new PC cases in 2020.1 In China, despite having the lowest rate globally, PC incidence and mortality have shown sharply rising trends during the past decade.2,3 The incidence rate for PC has increased from approximately 4.5/100 000 to nearly 10.23/100 000, whereas the mortality rate has risen from about 3.5/100 000 to 4.36/100 000 between 2000 and 2015.4,5 Treatment modalities for PC, including radical prostatectomy and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), can result in a range of sexual dysfunctions, manifesting in erectile dysfunction, decreased libido, and penis shrinkage, with erectile dysfunction the most reported symptom.6,7 Although PC is viewed exclusively as a disease in men, it is increasingly considered a "relationship disease" owing to its significant negative influences on sexual and intimate couple relationship.8 Sexual side effects usually interrupt couple communication, which can cause distress and thus affect quality of life for both the patients and their partners.9-11A small but growing body of literature has investigated whether and how female partners of men with PC are sexually impacted by their partners' sexual changes. Several cross-sectional studies have shown that over 72% of female partners experienced changes in their sex life after their partner's treatment for PC.7,10 A few longitudinal studies have also found that female partners' decreasing sexual satisfaction over time was strongly related to the sexual dysfunction of their partner with PC.9,12 Although the literature on female partners' adjustment to sexual changes has mixed findings, most partners struggle with the sexual changes, with some partners accepting a no-sex couple relationship.13There is increasing recognition that PC and its treatment can alter the intimacy perceived by partners. Some studies in Western contexts have shown that most female partners experienced emotional withdrawal and impaired affection with their partners because of the loss of the sexual relationship. 14,15 Evidence has also revealed that the loss of emotion and affection can result in lower marital satisfaction and higher levels of distress, particularly depression, as most of the female partners had to take more responsibility in taking care of the patient, shifting their roles from partner to caregiver, but with less support from the patient.15,16Existing knowledge on female partners' sexuality and intimacy affected by erectile dysfunction of their partner with PC has largely been derived from Western countries; little insight has been gleaned from other cultural contexts. Culture can impact women's views on sexuality and intimacy. For example, Chinese women have a passive role in couple relationships in traditional society and tend to consider sex as having more procreation values.17,18 Chinese older women were also suppressed in sexuality because of the collectivism of the pre-reform era after the founding of the People's Republic of China.19 Premarital sex and expressing intimacy were not allowed according to social manners at that time; this generation is still affected by this view on sexuality.19 Furthermore, research has shown that sex is an embarrassing topic to initiate in clinical encounters and thus is often neglected by healthcare professionals in China.20 In comparison, most women in Western countries are less likely to suppress their sexuality, as the predominant ideology for sexuality in Western communities proposes that sexuality is natural, innate, and instinctual.21 Until now, research on Chinese female partners of patients with PC has been very scarce. The available data on Chinese female partners of these patients have shown only the negative physical and psychological impacts of PC and its treatment, including sleep disorders, depression, and social isolation,22 which are not specific to sexual and intimacy experiences. Chinese female partners may have different perspectives and needs from female partners living in Western cultures. This study aimed to explore the experiences of female partners of patients with erectile dysfunction associated with PC in China.This study adapted the Physical Pleasure-Relational Intimacy Sexual Motivation (PRISM) model specific to individuals affected by PC treatments.23 The PRISM model indicates that an individual's motivation to engage in sex is determined by physical pleasure and relational intimacy.23 This model provides a dimensional matrix of the relative value that individuals attribute to sex for physical pleasure and/or relational intimacy.23 It is hypothesized that an individual who highly values relational intimacy in a sexual relationship would exhibit successful adjustment to sexual challenges, which are associated with acceptance, flexibility, and persistence.23Background Because of sociocultural factors, Chinese female partners of patients with prostate cancer (PC) may have perspectives and needs that differ from the more published reports of female partners living in Western cultures.The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of female partners of patients with PC experiencing erectile dysfunction in China.In this interpretive descriptive design, qualitative data were collected from semistructured telephone interviews with purposively sampled participants from the urology outpatient unit in a hospital in South China. The interviews were audiotaped, transcribed, and analyzed using a constant comparison approach. Three themes emerged from the analysis of the participants' narratives: (a) acceptance of ceasing sex; (b) preserving intimacy through caregiving; and (c) the need for sexual health-related information.Participants in this study reported that their own sexuality and intimacy were affected by their partner's erectile dysfunction, but they adjusted to sexuality and intimacy changes through their caregiving of their husbands owing to Chinese traditional perspectives on women's obligations. They also reported having unmet informational needs in improving sexual well-being for the sake of their partners, lending further support to the likely benefit of couple-based educational interventions addressing sexual wellness in dyads affected by PC and erectile dysfunction.The present study findings highlighted the need for more research attention to the support of Chinese female partners of patients with PC regarding sexual and intimate topics.Prostate cancer (PC) is the second most diagnosed cancer in men in the world. Epidemiological data indicate that there were 1.4 million new PC cases in 2020.1 In China, despite having the lowest rate globally, PC incidence and mortality have shown sharply rising trends during the past decade.2,3 The incidence rate for PC has increased from approximately 4.5/100 000 to nearly 10.23/100 000, whereas the mortality rate has risen from about 3.5/100 000 to 4.36/100 000 between 2000 and 2015.4,5 Treatment modalities for PC, including radical prostatectomy and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), can result in a range of sexual dysfunctions, manifesting in erectile dysfunction, decreased libido, and penis shrinkage, with erectile dysfunction the most reported symptom.6,7 Although PC is viewed exclusively as a disease in men, it is increasingly considered a "relationship disease" owing to its significant negative influences on sexual and intimate couple relationship.8 Sexual side effects usually interrupt couple communication, which can cause distress and thus affect quality of life for both the patients and their partners.9-11A small but growing body of literature has investigated whether and how female partners of men with PC are sexually impacted by their partners' sexual changes. Several cross-sectional studies have shown that over 72% of female partners experienced changes in their sex life after their partner's treatment for PC.7,10 A few longitudinal studies have also found that female partners' decreasing sexual satisfaction over time was strongly related to the sexual dysfunction of their partner with PC.9,12 Although the literature on female partners' adjustment to sexual changes has mixed findings, most partners struggle with the sexual changes, with some partners accepting a no-sex couple relationship.13There is increasing recognition that PC and its treatment can alter the intimacy perceived by partners. Some studies in Western contexts have shown that most female partners experienced emotional withdrawal and impaired affection with their partners because of the loss of the sexual relationship.14,15 Evidence has also revealed that the loss of emotion and affection can result in lower marital satisfaction and higher levels of distress, particularly depression, as most of the female partners had to take more responsibility in taking care of the patient, shifting their roles from partner to caregiver, but with less support from the patient. 15,16Existing knowledge on female partners' sexuality and intimacy affected by erectile dysfunction of their partner with PC has largely been derived from Western countries; little insight has been gleaned from other cultural contexts. Culture can impact women's views on sexuality and intimacy. For example, Chinese women have a passive role in couple relationships in traditional society and tend to consider sex as having more procreation values.17,18 Chinese older women were also suppressed in sexuality because of the collectivism of the pre-reform era after the founding of the People's Republic of China.19 Premarital sex and expressing intimacy were not allowed according to social manners at that time; this generation is still affected by this view on sexuality.19 Furthermore, research has shown that sex is an embarrassing topic to initiate in clinical encounters and thus is often neglected by healthcare professionals in China.20 In comparison, most women in Western countries are less likely to suppress their sexuality, as the predominant ideology for sexuality in Western communities proposes that sexuality is natural, innate, and instinctual.21 Until now, research on Chinese female partners of patients with PC has been very scarce. The available data on Chinese female partners of these patients have shown only the negative physical and psychological impacts of PC and its treatment, including sleep disorders, depression, and social isolation,22 which are not specific to sexual and intimacy experiences. Chinese female partners may have different perspectives and needs from female partners living in Western cultures. This study aimed to explore the experiences of female partners of patients with erectile dysfunction associated with PC in China.This study adapted the Physical Pleasure-Relational Intimacy Sexual Motivation (PRISM) model specific to individuals affected by PC treatments.23 The PRISM model indicates that an individual's motivation to engage in sex is determined by physical pleasure and relational intimacy.23 This model provides a dimensional matrix of the relative value that individuals attribute to sex for physical pleasure and/or relational intimacy.23 It is hypothesized that an individual who highly values relational intimacy in a sexual relationship would exhibit successful adjustment to sexual challenges, which are associated with acceptance, flexibility, and persistence.23Background Because of sociocultural factors, Chinese female partners of patients with prostate cancer (PC) may have perspectives and needs that differ from the more published reports of female partners living in Western cultures.The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of female partners of patients with PC experiencing erectile dysfunction in China.In this interpretive descriptive design, qualitative data were collected from semistructured telephone interviews with purposively sampled participants from the urology outpatient unit in a hospital in South China. The interviews were audiotaped, transcribed, and analyzed using a constant comparison approach.Three themes emerged from the analysis of the participants' narratives: (a) acceptance of ceasing sex; (b) preserving intimacy through caregiving; and (c) the need for sexual health-related information.Participants in this study reported that their own sexuality and intimacy were affected by their partner's erectile dysfunction, but they adjusted to sexuality and intimacy changes through their caregiving of their husbands owing to Chinese traditional perspectives on women's obligations. They also reported having unmet informational needs in improving sexual well-being for the sake of their partners, lending further support to the likely benefit of couple-based educational interventions addressing sexual wellness in dyads affected by PC and erectile dysfunction.The present study findings highlighted the need for more research attention to the support of Chinese female partners of patients with PC regarding sexual and intimate topics.Prostate cancer (PC) is the second most diagnosed cancer in men in the world. Epidemiological data indicate that there were 1.4 million new PC cases in 2020.1 In China, despite having the lowest rate globally, PC incidence and mortality have shown sharply rising trends during the past decade.2,3 The incidence rate for PC has increased from approximately 4.5/100 000 to nearly 10.23/100 000, whereas the mortality rate has risen from about 3.5/100 000 to 4.36/100 000 between 2000 and 2015.4,5 Treatment modalities for PC, including radical prostatectomy and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), can result in a range of sexual dysfunctions, manifesting in erectile dysfunction, decreased libido, and penis shrinkage, with erectile dysfunction the most reported symptom.6,7 Although PC is viewed exclusively as a disease in men, it is increasingly considered a "relationship disease" owing to its significant negative influences on sexual and intimate couple relationship.8 Sexual side effects usually interrupt couple communication, which can cause distress and thus affect quality of life for both the patients and their partners.9-11A small but growing body of literature has investigated whether and how female partners of men with PC are sexually impacted by their partners' sexual changes. Several cross-sectional studies have shown that over 72% of female partners experienced changes in their sex life after their partner's treatment for PC.7,10 A few longitudinal studies have also found that female partners' decreasing sexual satisfaction over time was strongly related to the sexual dysfunction of their partner with PC.9,12 Although the literature on female partners' adjustment to sexual changes has mixed findings, most partners struggle with the sexual changes, with some partners accepting a no-sex couple relationship.13There is increasing recognition that PC and its treatment can alter the intimacy perceived by partners. Some studies in Western contexts have shown that most female partners experienced emotional withdrawal and impaired affection with their partners because of the loss of the sexual relationship.14,15 Evidence has also revealed that the loss of emotion and affection can result in lower marital satisfaction and higher levels of distress, particularly depression, as most of the female partners had to take more responsibility in taking care of the patient, shifting their roles from partner to caregiver, but with less support from the patient.15,16Existing knowledge on female partners' sexuality and intimacy affected by erectile dysfunction of their partner with PC has largely been derived from Western countries; little insight has been gleaned from other cultural contexts. Culture can impact women's views on sexuality and intimacy. For example, Chinese women have a passive role in couple relationships in traditional society and tend to consider sex as having more procreation values.17,18 Chinese older women were also suppressed in sexuality because of the collectivism of the pre-reform era after the founding of the People's Republic of China. 19 Premarital sex and expressing intimacy were not allowed according to social manners at that time; this generation is still affected by this view on sexuality.19 Furthermore, research has shown that sex is an embarrassing topic to initiate in clinical encounters and thus is often neglected by healthcare professionals in China.20 In comparison, most women in Western countries are less likely to suppress their sexuality, as the predominant ideology for sexuality in Western communities proposes that sexuality is natural, innate, and instinctual.21 Until now, research on Chinese female partners of patients with PC has been very scarce. The available data on Chinese female partners of these patients have shown only the negative physical and psychological impacts of PC and its treatment, including sleep disorders, depression, and social isolation,22 which are not specific to sexual and intimacy experiences. Chinese female partners may have different perspectives and needs from female partners living in Western cultures. This study aimed to explore the experiences of female partners of patients with erectile dysfunction associated with PC in China.This study adapted the Physical Pleasure-Relational Intimacy Sexual Motivation (PRISM) model specific to individuals affected by PC treatments.23 The PRISM model indicates that an individual's motivation to engage in sex is determined by physical pleasure and relational intimacy.23 This model provides a dimensional matrix of the relative value that individuals attribute to sex for physical pleasure and/or relational intimacy.23 It is hypothesized that an individual who highly values relational intimacy in a sexual relationship would exhibit successful adjustment to sexual challenges, which are associated with acceptance, flexibility, and persistence.23Background Because of sociocultural factors, Chinese female partners of patients with prostate cancer (PC) may have perspectives and needs that differ from the more published reports of female partners living in Western cultures.The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of female partners of patients with PC experiencing erectile dysfunction in China.In this interpretive descriptive design, qualitative data were collected from semistructured telephone interviews with purposively sampled participants from the urology outpatient unit in a hospital in South China. The interviews were audiotaped, transcribed, and analyzed using a constant comparison approach.Three themes emerged from the analysis of the participants' narratives: (a) acceptance of ceasing sex; (b) preserving intimacy through caregiving; and (c) the need for sexual health-related information.Participants in this study reported that their own sexuality and intimacy were affected by their partner's erectile dysfunction, but they adjusted to sexuality and intimacy changes through their caregiving of their husbands owing to Chinese traditional perspectives on women's obligations. They also reported having unmet informational needs in improving sexual well-being for the sake of their partners, lending further support to the likely benefit of couple-based educational interventions addressing sexual wellness in dyads affected by PC and erectile dysfunction.The present study findings highlighted the need for more research attention to the support of Chinese female partners of patients with PC regarding sexual and intimate topics.Prostate cancer (PC) is the second most diagnosed cancer in men in the world. Epidemiological data indicate that there were 1.4 million new PC cases in 2020. 1 In China, despite having the lowest rate globally, PC incidence and mortality have shown sharply rising trends during the past decade.2,3 The incidence rate for PC has increased from approximately 4.5/100 000 to nearly 10.23/100 000, whereas the mortality rate has risen from about 3.5/100 000 to 4.36/100 000 between 2000 and 2015.4,5 Treatment modalities for PC, including radical prostatectomy and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), can result in a range of sexual dysfunctions, manifesting in erectile dysfunction, decreased libido, and penis shrinkage, with erectile dysfunction the most reported symptom.6,7 Although PC is viewed exclusively as a disease in men, it is increasingly considered a "relationship disease" owing to its significant negative influences on sexual and intimate couple relationship.8 Sexual side effects usually interrupt couple communication, which can cause distress and thus affect quality of life for both the patients and their partners.9-11A small but growing body of literature has investigated whether and how female partners of men with PC are sexually impacted by their partners' sexual changes. Several cross-sectional studies have shown that over 72% of female partners experienced changes in their sex life after their partner's treatment for PC.7,10 A few longitudinal studies have also found that female partners' decreasing sexual satisfaction over time was strongly related to the sexual dysfunction of their partner with PC.9,12 Although the literature on female partners' adjustment to sexual changes has mixed findings, most partners struggle with the sexual changes, with some partners accepting a no-sex couple relationship.13There is increasing recognition that PC and its treatment can alter the intimacy perceived by partners. Some studies in Western contexts have shown that most female partners experienced emotional withdrawal and impaired affection with their partners because of the loss of the sexual relationship.14,15 Evidence has also revealed that the loss of emotion and affection can result in lower marital satisfaction and higher levels of distress, particularly depression, as most of the female partners had to take more responsibility in taking care of the patient, shifting their roles from partner to caregiver, but with less support from the patient.15,16Existing knowledge on female partners' sexuality and intimacy affected by erectile dysfunction of their partner with PC has largely been derived from Western countries; little insight has been gleaned from other cultural contexts. Culture can impact women's views on sexuality and intimacy. For example, Chinese women have a passive role in couple relationships in traditional society and tend to consider sex as having more procreation values.17,18 Chinese older women were also suppressed in sexuality because of the collectivism of the pre-reform era after the founding of the People's Republic of China.19 Premarital sex and expressing intimacy were not allowed according to social manners at that time; this generation is still affected by this view on sexuality.19 Furthermore, research has shown that sex is an embarrassing topic to initiate in clinical encounters and thus is often neglected by healthcare professionals in China.20 In comparison, most women in Western countries are less likely to suppress their sexuality, as the predominant ideology for sexuality in Western communities proposes that sexuality is natural, innate, and instinctual.21 Until now, research on Chinese female partners of patients with PC has been very scarce. The available data on Chinese female partners of these patients have shown only the negative physical and psychological impacts of PC and its treatment, including sleep disorders, depression, and social isolation,22 which are not specific to sexual and intimacy experiences. Chinese female partners may have different perspectives and needs from female partners living in Western cultures. This study aimed to explore the experiences of female partners of patients with erectile dysfunction associated with PC in China.This study adapted the Physical Pleasure-Relational Intimacy Sexual Motivation (PRISM) model specific to individuals affected by PC treatments.23 The PRISM model indicates that an individual's motivation to engage in sex is determined by physical pleasure and relational intimacy.23 This model provides a dimensional matrix of the relative value that individuals attribute to sex for physical pleasure and/or relational intimacy.23 It is hypothesized that an individual who highly values relational intimacy in a sexual relationship would exhibit successful adjustment to sexual challenges, which are associated with acceptance, flexibility, and persistence.23