What are the side effects of radiation therapy for prostate cancer?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Radiation therapy for prostate cancer commonly causes side effects including fatigue, urinary problems (such as frequency, urgency, or discomfort), and bowel issues (like diarrhea or rectal irritation). Some men also experience erectile dysfunction. These side effects vary from person to person and may be short-term during treatment or develop as long-lasting concerns months or years later.

Because symptoms can overlap with other conditions and vary widely in severity, it's important to understand what you're experiencing before deciding on next steps. A free, instant, online symptom check can help you identify possible causes, gauge urgency, and prepare for a more informed conversation with your doctor — all in just a few minutes, from the comfort of home.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/14/2026

Important Next Steps

Learn if radiation side effects need care Discover likely causes of prostate symptoms See whether prostate treatment symptoms are serious Find OTC relief for radiation side effects Find a doctor for prostate cancer care Understand medically valid remedies for side effects Find out if prostate symptoms need care

Not seeing your question? No worries.

Submit your own Question

Explanation

Radiation therapy is a common treatment for prostate cancer, but it can lead to several side effects.

Common Side Effects

Fatigue: Many patients feel very tired during and after treatment.
Bladder Problems: This includes needing to urinate more often or experiencing pain while urinating.
Bowel Issues: Diarrhea or discomfort in the stomach area can occur.

Long-term Effects

Some side effects might last longer or show up after treatment ends. These can include continued bowel and bladder issues or changes in sexual function.

While these side effects can be challenging, doctors often have ways to help manage them. If you're experiencing any unusual symptoms or want to better understand what you're feeling, you can use this free symptom checker to get personalized insights. It's important for patients to talk with their healthcare team about any side effects they experience so they can get the support they need.

(References)

Gay HA, & Michalski JM. (2018). Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer. Missouri medicine, 30228707.
Numakura K, Kobayashi M, Muto Y, Sato H, Sekine Y, Sobu R, et al. (2023). The Current Trend of Radiation Therapy for Patients with .... Current oncology (Toronto, Ont.), 37754502.
Fischer-Valuck BW, Rao YJ, & Michalski JM. (2018). Intensity-modulated radiotherapy for prostate cancer. Translational andrology and urology, 30050791.

Thinking about asking ChatGPT?Ask me instead

Tell your friends about us.

We would love to help them too.

For First Time Users

What is Ubie’s Doctor’s Note?

We provide a database of explanations from real doctors on a range of medical topics. Get started by exploring our library of questions and topics you want to learn more about.

Was this page helpful?

Purpose and positioning of servicesUbie Doctor's Note is a service for informational purposes. The provision of information by physicians, medical professionals, etc. is not a medical treatment. If medical treatment is required, please consult your doctor or medical institution. We strive to provide reliable and accurate information, but we do not guarantee the completeness of the content. If you find any errors in the information, please contact us.