What is erectile dysfunction? Erectile dysfunction is the inability to have and maintain an erection adequate for sexual intercourse. It is also known as impotence.
What effect does prostate cancer treatment have on an erection? Any prostate cancer treatment can cause erectile dysfunction. This happens because the nerves and blood vessels involved in erections can be damaged by surgery or radiation. Additionally, hormone therapy and chemotherapy can affect erections.
Can erectile dysfunction occur if I choose to do nothing about my prostate cancer? Yes. As the cancer grows and spreads, the nerves can be damaged and cause erectile dysfunction. Also, the stress associated with cancer can also affect erections.
Can radiation cause erectile dysfunction? Yes. 25-50 percent of men who undergo radiation therapy slowly become impotent due to injury of the small blood vessels and nerves. This occurs both with external radiation and brachytherapy (seed implants).
How does surgery cause erectile dysfunction? When the prostate is removed, the tiny nerves involved in erections can be damaged and stop sending the message to the penis which causes an erection. The blood supply may also be affected during surgery.
What is the Vattikuti Urology Institute doing to help prevent erectile dysfunction as a side effect of prostate cancer treatment? Although no prostate cancer procedure is without side effects, Vattikuti Institute Prostatectomy (VIP) is a robotic procedure for removing the cancer and sparing much of the healthy tissue, including nerves involved with achieving an erection. Of our patients who had the Veil of Aphrodite nerve-sparing procedure, 97 percent were able to achieve an erection strong enough for intercourse one year following surgery.
Why does erectile dysfunction still occur after a nerve-sparing procedure? Even though the nerves are saved, it can take up to 18 months to regain an adequate erection. Nerves heal very slowly. Sometimes the nerves do not recover enough to allow for adequate erections.
Why does hormone therapy reduce sexual interest? Testosterone is the male hormone responsible for sex drive. When hormone therapy is given to reduce prostate cancer growth, testosterone levels decrease, which can affect sexual interest for some men.
Are there options available to treat impotence? Yes. You should consult with your doctor to find the best treatment for you. Some current options include:
