Usually removing just one testicle will have little or no effect on a person’s sex life. Some men will experience feelings of low self esteem related to the changes in body image which might affect their sexuality and in a small number of cases there may be changes in the male hormone testosterone that can also have an impact on a person’s sex life.

When one testicle is removed the remaining testicle is normally able to keep up a normal level of testosterone. Sometimes, however, men who develop testicular cancer may have testicles which are not working properly and only producing fairly small amounts of male hormone. In this situation the removal of one testicle may mean that the testicle left behind cannot produce enough testosterone and the levels may fall sufficiently to cause some problems. Also, very occasionally, there may be cancer in both testicles and both will have to be removed which will lead to a fall in testosterone to an abnormally low level.

The effect of testosterone on sexual feelings is variable. Many men with very low levels of testosterone can still have normal erections, normal sexual excitement and a virtually normal sex life whereas others find that they do lose interest in sex (loss of libido) or have problems with getting erections or becoming sexually excited.

Also, some men with very low levels of testosterone do find that their mood is low and may become depressed and miserable which can sometimes interfere with their sex life, leading to a loss of interest and becoming unable to be aroused or get erections.

These problems with reduced sexual feelings and sexual activity usually only happen if the level of testosterone in the blood is very very low or if the hormone is completely absent.

So, for most men with testicular cancer having one testicle removed will have no effect on their sex life but occasionally there can be problems and if these do develop then it is useful to discuss this with your specialist as it is possible to provide emotional support and consider a male form of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which can often help to restore a normal sex life.