Problems getting and keeping erections after prostate surgery are common. This is often called erectile dysfunction (ED) or impotence. Erections may improve over months to a few years.
In a meta analysis of ED rates following RP, Tal and colleagues (2010) reported rates that range from 14 to 90%, a range that is too broad to help inform prostate cancer treatment decision-making or quality postoperative counseling [1].
Medications such as sildenafil (Viagra) and tadalafil (Cialis) can help in the immediate post-treatment period but they typically prove to not be effective enough for adequate erections. As time passes after prostate cancer treatment, most patients do see improvement in their erections.
Prostatitis and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) are common prostatic diseases. Furthermore, the incidence of prostate cancer has recently shown a rapid increase, even in Korea. Pain caused by prostatitis may induce sexual dysfunction, including erectile dysfunction and ejaculatory disturbance.
You may wonder if you can survive or live without a prostate. The answer is yes. Prostatectomy, like any surgery, comes with some risks and side effects. Your healthcare team works to lower these risks.
You are likely to have problems controlling your bladder after a radical prostatectomy. Being unable to control when you pee and leaking urine is called incontinence.
Possibility of Prostate Regrowth
Over time, the remaining prostate tissue can continue to grow, leading to a recurrence of symptoms. Studies indicate that regrowth rates vary, with some patients experiencing significant regrowth within five to ten years post-surgery.
Erectile Dysfunction Following Radical Prostatectomy
Minimally invasive treatment options range from oral medications to medications administered directly to the penis to a mechanical vacuum device applied to the penis. Invasive treatments include implants or vascular surgery.
Sensual Exercises for Erection Problems
Tamsulosin does not directly cause ED, though retrograde ejaculation can contribute in some men. Tamsulosin always leads to severe low blood pressure. A serious drop in blood pressure is rare when tamsulosin is taken according to the doctor's instructions. Tamsulosin should not be taken long-term.
After a radical prostatectomy, men may have nerve and blood vessel alterations to their erections that make it more difficult to achieve and maintain erections. Additionally, because the prostate gland and seminal vesicles make the majority of semen fluid, men after prostatectomy will no longer ejaculate.
Munding et al studied 31 men and measured penile length in the stretched flaccid state (accepted as equivalent to erect length) and showed that 71% had a decrease in penile length compared to preoperatively with 48% of men demonstrating a >1-cm loss with a range of loss between 0.5 and 4 cm [2].
Start this therapy 2 to 5 weeks after surgery. It should be done with the VED every day. A good time to use the VED for therapy is before you take a bath or shower. Having a regular time each day will help you to remember to do your therapy.
Nerve-Sparing Surgery: If you had a nerve-sparing prostatectomy, such as my SMART surgery, your chances of recovering erectile function sooner are higher. In these cases, your doctor may recommend starting Cialis or Viagra a few weeks after surgery as part of your recovery plan.
A Man Can't Resist Your Touch In THESE 7 Places
Psychological Reasons
Stress and anxiety disrupt how the brain sends messages to the penis to allow increased blood flow, affecting your ability to stay erect and sexual performance. If you are looking for an answer to 'why can I only get a semi hard on', this might be a fact.
The following tips can help you support your partner if they have erectile dysfunction: Encourage open communication. Tell your partner you care about their feelings and well-being. Find appropriate times to talk to your partner that won't make them feel vulnerable.
Side effects of prostatectomy. The major possible side effects of radical prostatectomy are: Urinary incontinence (being unable to control urine) Erectile dysfunction (problems getting or keeping erections)
In contrast to TURP, Thulium laser prostatectomy has an excellent safety record, because the laser energy seals off the blood vessels in the prostate as it cuts. With minimal bleeding, laser prostate surgery is a much safer option, particularly in the very elderly.
Nerve regeneration after radical prostatectomy (and the subsequent return of erectile function) usually does take some time, assuming that both nerve bundles around the prostate were able to be preserved by the surgeon.
Many men feel depressed and anxious after prostate surgery. These feelings can come from the surgery, hormone changes, or the shock of a cancer diagnosis.
Based on the natural history of localized prostate cancer, the life expectancy (LE) of men treated with either radical prostatectomy (RP) or definitive external-beam radiotherapy (EBRT) should exceed 10 years.
Modern, robot-assisted, minimally invasive surgery uses small incisions and computer-controlled instruments. Open prostatectomy requires a longer recovery time than the minimally invasive one. Abstaining from alcohol for several weeks after prostatectomy is recommended to avoid irritating the bladder.
Until pain and swelling disappear, masturbation (regardless of whether you discharge) can be painful or dangerous until surgery area completely healed.