It may be a good idea for male cancer survivors to take nutritional supplements like zinc and vitamin C, as a new study suggests that some of the side effects from testosterone deficiency caused by chemotherapy treatments could lead to erectile dysfunction.

Research published in the journal Cancer reveals that testosterone deficiency can be a late side effect of radiation therapy and chemotherapy that affects approximately 15 percent of young male cancer survivors.

The scientists examined the sexual function, quality of life and testosterone levels between 176 young male cancer survivors and 213 healthy young men.

It was found that the male cancer survivors noticed an impairment to their quality of life, reduced energy levels and the quality of sexual function compared to the healthy group. However, self-esteem and sexual relationships still remained normal despite these impairments.

“This is an important study demonstrating that low testosterone levels are common in male cancer survivors and associated with an impaired quality of life,” study leader, Richard Ross, M.D., said. “However, the relationship between testosterone levels and quality of life is complex and appears to depend on a threshold level rather than on a direct correlation.”