Why is there increasing concern at this time regarding erectile dysfunction issues following radical prostatectomy?
by Admin
Posted on 21-03-2023 09:51 PM
Prostate cancer (pca) is the second most common cancer among men, its prevalence is increasing, at the moment it accounts for 15% of all and 10% of male cancers ( 1 ). Radical prostatectomy (rp) and radiotherapy (rt) are important treatment options for localized pca, but these techniques lead to erectile dysfunction in many of those receiving them.
Erectile function (ef) is, next to urinary symptoms, the main concerns for patients after treatment for pca ( 2 ). Approximately 45% of patients diagnosed with pca undergo rp ( 3 ); using the nerve-sparing technique leads to lower rates of erectile dysfunction (ed) ( 4 ).
Changes with your orgasm is a regular occurrence after prostate cancer treatments, often being an overlooked aspect of sexual function . This is a major source of concern and dissatisfaction for men who are returning to sex. Adding further to this frustration, this type of sexual dysfunction is not as well addressed such as issues of erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence. Difficulties with both ejaculation and orgasm usually go in hand (pardon the pun) with a radical prostatectomy and radiation therapy treatment, which results in a change or disruption to your normal sexual apparatus. Radiotherapy is known to cause unintended damage to blood vessels and surrounding tissues of the prostate, making them more ‘fibrotic’ or stiff and hardened.
Why does it take so long to recover erections after the very best surgery?
The most common way surgery affects erections is by removing or causing injury to the nerves that help cause an erection. All of the operations listed above can damage these nerves. The nerves surround the back and sides of the prostate gland between the prostate and the rectum, and fan out like a cobweb around the prostate, which makes it easy to damage them during an operation. When possible, “nerve-sparing” methods are used in radical prostatectomy, radical cystectomy, ap resection, or tme. In nerve-sparing surgery, doctors carefully try to avoid these nerves. When the size and location of a tumor allow for nerve-sparing surgery, more men recover erections than with other techniques.
Erectile dysfunction (ed) is the inability for the penis to get or stay erect for sex. It's often a side effect of the treatments for prostate cancer, such as surgery or radiation therapy. Some people have trouble getting or keeping an erection after prostate cancer treatment. Or they may notice that erections are not as firm as they used to be. Others are no longer able to have an erection.
Surgery. Some degree of erectile dysfunction usually occurs right after surgery to remove the prostate, regardless of whether the technique is performed that tries to spare the nerve that controls erections. The severity of the erectile dysfunction depends on the type of surgery, stage of cancer , and skill of the surgeon. If the nerve-sparing technique is used, recovery from erectile dysfunction may occur within the first two years following the procedure. Recovery of erectile function after a non-nerve-sparing surgery is unlikely, but possible. The use of vacuum devi ces or erectile dysfunction drugs after the body has healed from surgery may improve the quality of erections and speed the return of normal sexual function (see below).
Surgery. Some degree of erectile dysfunction occurs right after surgery to remove the prostate, regardless of whether the technique that tries to spare the nerve that controls erections is performed. May occur within the first year following the procedure. Recovery of erectile one study shows erectile dysfunction rates of 66% for nerve-sparing prostatectomy versus 75% for non-nerve sparing surgery at one year after the surgery. The use of vacuum devices or drugs such as viagra after surgery once the body has healed may improve the quality of erections and speed the return of if an erection can be achieved after surgery one does not lose the ability to have an orgasm but they are "dry" orgasms in which little (if any).
No, prostate cancer doesn’t cause erectile dysfunction. Not usually anyway. It’s not the cancer itself that causes ed, but the various treatments for prostate cancer that can have an effect. Erectile dysfunction can happen after the prostate is surgically removed (a prostatectomy), particularly if nerves and blood vessels connected to the penis are damaged. The chance of experiencing problems with erections and the severity depends on the type of surgery (i. E. If it spares nerves or not). If the nerve-sparing technique is used most men recover their previous function after one or two years. If it isn’t used recovery may take longer or may not happen at all.
There’s no definitive answer about how long erectile dysfunction recovery takes following prostate surgery, as it will depend on your specific case. For some men, they could experience erections after several weeks. But there are cases where it takes a lot longer before they could enjoy having sex again. Unfortunately, it’s also possible for men to never get an organic erection again. But in these cases, they can take medications or use vacuum erection devices (or similar gadgets). If you were already showing signs of ed before your prostate surgery, you’ll continue to experience it post-operation.