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A SEX LIFE AFTER PROSTATE CANCER
NERVE-SPARING RECOVERY
There is a link between prostate cancer and impotence. The nerves that control an erection lie very close to the prostate, and may be injured during prostate cancer treatment. Prostate cancer treatments can affect your ability to get an erection on a temporary or permanent basis. If normal sexual function does not return, treatment options are available.
WHAT SYMPTOMS SHOW UP FIRST
Prostate cancer and impotence: whether you return to normal sexual function after prostate cancer treatment depends on your sex life before the procedure, a supportive partner, the stage of your cancer, and the surgery itself. Many men begin to see a return to normal erections within 3 to 6 months of prostate cancer treatment2. Others no longer get erections. Should erectile dysfunction persist, there are different treatment options for every man. Don't wait if you still don't have erections 6 months after cancer treatment. Talk to your urologist about what options may be right for you.
WHY WAIT? TAKE CONTROL
No impotence despite prostate cancer: your erectile dysfunction treatment can begin before surgery with oral medications. After surgery, a penis pump can help increase blood flow to the penis during recovery. If ED persists, a penile implant may be an option. The implant is concealed inside the body. It offers support for an erection whenever and wherever desired.
Many patients find support from patient associations helpful during recovery after prostate cancer treatment. They may even have a chapter in your area.
Prostate Cancer UK: http://www.prostatecanceruk.org
Movember Foundation: http://www.movember.com
DID YOU KNOW?
Sexual dysfunction after radical prostatectomy affects 25-75% of men1.
THESE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
For men facing prostate cancer, the first worry is about dying. Secondarily, they are concerned about whether a sex life will still be possible after treatment.
- Even with nerve-sparing robotic surgery, erectile dysfunction may persist a year or more after surgery3
- Penile implants have helped men return to an active, satisfying sex life after prostate cancer
RECOVERY TAKES TIME
What does recovery after prostate cancer mean to you? For some men, it means being able to have sex again with confidence. It is common for men to start taking oral medications before or after surgery. However, ViagraTM is ONLY effective in 30-60% of men after radical prostatectomy. Other treatment options for impotence include penile implants, vacuum systems, topical creams, injections, and urethral pellets. Some treatments may be more effective than others for you. For men with long-term erectile dysfunction, penile rehabilitation may help3.
EXPERIENCE A SATISFYING SEXUAL LIFE
Finding a satisfying solution to erectile dysfunction can be a life-changing event for many men and their partners. In one study of 200 patients and 120 partners, men and their partners found the penile implant to be satisfying. 92% of patients and 96% of their partners reported sexual activity to be excellent or satisfactory5. Talk to your doctor about your treatment options.
References
- Matthew AG, Goldman A, Trachtenberg J, et al. Sexual dysfunction after radical rostatectomy: prevalence, treatments, restricted use of treatments and distress. J Urol. 2005 Dec;174(6):2105-10.
- Catalona, Dr. William J. Sexual Potency After a Radical Prostatectomy. http://www.drcatalona.com/qa/faq_rp-potency.asp. Urological Research Foundation Website. Accessed December 22, 2014.
- Haglind E, Carlsson S, Stranne J, et al. Urinary Incontinence and Erectile Dysfunction after Robotic Versus Open Radical Prostatectomy: A Prospective Controlled Nonrandomized Trial. Eur Urol. 2015 Mar 11.Pii: S0302-2838(15)00194-3.
- Wittmann D, Carolan M, Given B, et al. What couples say about their recovery of sexual intimacy after prostatectomy: Toward the development of a conceptual model of couples’ sexual recovery after surgery for prostate cancer. J Sex Med. 2015 Feb;12(2):494-504.
- Montorsi F, Rigatti P, Carmingnani G, et al. AMS three-piece inflatable implants for erectile dysfunction: a long-term multi-institution study in 200 consecutive patients. Eur Urol. 2000 Jan;37(1):50-5.
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