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Can Prostate Surgery Cause Erectile Dysfunction

How The Test Will Feel

How Surgery & Certain Cancer Treatments Can Cause Erectile Dysfunction | Memorial Sloan Kettering

During the procedure you may feel:

  • Mild discomfort while the probe is inserted
  • A brief sting when a sample is taken with the biopsy needle

After the procedure, you may have:

  • Soreness in your rectum
  • Small amounts of blood in your stools, urine, or semen, which may last for days to weeks
  • Light bleeding from your rectum

To prevent infection after the biopsy, your provider may prescribe antibiotics to take for several days after the procedure. Be sure you take the full dose as directed.

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How Can Prostate Surgery And Radiation Therapy Cause Ed

Both prostate surgery and radiation therapy can damage tissue around the prostate and cause ED. In fact, it is estimated that 25% 75% of men will have ED after the removal of the prostate, called a prostatectomy. Similarly, radiation therapy can also cause damage to the tissue around the prostate. If nerves get damaged, signals from the brain may not be able to reach the penis to initiate an erection. And even when sexual stimulation is present, if blood vessels are damaged, that might mean that blood cant flow properly to the penis to maintain an erection.

Achieving Orgasm After Radical Prostatectomy

Men worry about erectile dysfunction after radical prostatectomy, the operation that involves removing the prostate gland as a way to treat prostate cancer. Its a legitimate concern. Men, their spouses and partners, and their surgeons should talk about erectile dysfunction before and after the surgery. Almost all men will experience erectile dysfunction for several months to a year after a radical prostatectomy, although todays nerve-sparing operation has decreased the number of cases when its permanent.

But orgasm after radical prostatectomy? Its often even not on the radar screen. Dr. Ravi Kacker thinks that should change.

Sometimes orgasm gets forgotten because everyone is so focused on erectile dysfunction, says Dr. Kacker, a urologist and fellow in male sexual medicine at Harvard-affiliated BethIsraelDeaconessMedical Center. But for somemaybe mostmen and their partners, achieving orgasm can be as important as erectionsor even more so for having a healthy sex life.

And, says Dr. Kacker, theres good news. Orgasms after radical prostatectomy may feel qualitatively different for most men, but they dont need to be any less pleasurable or satisfying.

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How Effective Is Injection Therapy With Each Type Of Treatment

If oral erectile dysfunction drugs fail, injections into the penis can be an effective form of treatment for men who have undergone surgery or who have received radiation therapy for prostate cancer.

Overall, up to 80% of men will regain erections with the use of injection treatments. Side effects include occasional pain due to one of the drugs used for injection therapy, and the development of scar tissue.

Can I Prevent Ed After Prostate Surgery

How long does Erectile Dysfunction last after Prostate ...

These days, many prostatectomies use nerve-sparing techniques to reduce injury to the tissue and prevent ED, though it still can happen. There are also several interventions for men after prostate surgery to help regain erectile function and prevent ED. Research shows that after surgery, 20% 25% of men regain their erectile function, but it may take several years.

To increase the chances of penile recovery and to prevent ED, several interventions after surgery may be offered. One option is called penile rehabilitation which uses medications to help improve blood flow into the penis. This may include the use of drugs like Viagra or Muse taken at night before bedtime. However, current research on the benefits of this intervention is limited. Still, its recommended that men be encouraged to proceed with normal sexual habits after healing, as it may help prevent long-term issues, and to use medications to increase blood flow and improve erections.

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What Are The Symptoms Of Bph

The symptoms of BPH tend to be urinary in nature. If you are struggling going number one in the bathroom, you may want to get checked for BPH. Youll often see BPH referred to as LUTS, which stands for lower urinary tract symptoms.

Symptoms can include:

  • Incomplete emptying of bladder
  • Needing to go excessively at night

Its interesting to note that there may be a correlation between the severity of BPH symptoms and the risk of other sexual dysfunctions. For example, men with severe trouble going to the bathroom often also find they have reduced sex drive, inability to keep an erection, and lowered sexual satisfaction.One review found that most men who sought treatment for either BPH or ED were actually diagnosed with both conditions.

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Why Is Rehabilitation Important

Whether you are single, or in a relationship, you should have the opportunity to discuss penile rehabilitation with your doctor or specialist nurse. Self pleasuring is important for many people and this can play a part in rehabilitation. This might help to give you confidence and to become aware of the changes that your treatment might have caused.

It might still be worth talking to your doctor even if you are not sexually active, or dont plan to be. This is because penile rehabilitation has benefits in terms of keeping the penis healthy.

Ideally, rehabilitation should start soon after your prostate cancer treatment, or in some situations before treatment. For example, you should start rehabilitation within 3 to 6 months of starting hormone therapy or radiotherapy. Or within the first 3 months of surgery to remove the prostate gland.

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Are There Any Surgical Techniques That Have Been Developed To Improve Erectile Function Outcomes

At this time, there are several different surgical approaches to carry out the surgery, including retropubic or perineal approaches as well as laparoscopic procedures with freehand or robotic instrumentation. Much debate but no consensus exists about the advantages and disadvantages of the different approaches. Further study is needed before obtaining meaningful determinations of the success with different new approaches.

How Can A Swollen Prostate Cause Erectile Dysfunction

Why Does Prostate Cancer Surgery Result In Erectile Dysfunction?

If you know anything about prostatic diseases, then you may be aware of how strongly they can affect the quality of life.

A condition like benign prostatic hyperplasia may cause lower urinary tract symptoms .

Urinary tract infections , bladder damage, blood in the urine, as well as urinary retention are often complications that result from BPH.

Additionally, benign prostatic hyperplasia is linked to pain during or after ejaculation, kidney damage and bladder stones.

In understanding how BPH may lead to ED, let’s get familiar with a little something called the alpha 1-adrenergic receptor.

In case you didn’t know, your penis staying flaccid or achieving erection is heavily dependent on the contraction and relaxation of the corpus cavernosum smooth muscles, making a1-adrenergic receptors important for erectile function.

In BPH, there is an imbalance in the autonomic control of smooth muscles, their contraction and relaxation.

This leads to increased smooth muscle tone in the prostate. Increased smooth muscle tone is caused by the a1-adrenergic receptor.

When this receptor is activated by noradrenaline , the penile tissues are contracted.

Erectile dysfunction favors the contraction of smooth muscles which encourages detumescence, and complicates the relaxation of these muscles, which is responsible for erections.

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Long Term Side Effects Of Rectal Prostate Biopsy

Hello does anyone know we what the long term effects of a prostate biopsy are. I have read that although rare they happen.

0 likes, 27 replies

  • Posted 3 years ago

    Thank you for your reply. If you read my reply to Fred you will see my husbands history re. prostate. I do think that doctors generally should tell patients about risks short and long term when undertaking a procedure. I have found that when it comes to medication they often dont mention side effects. I suppose that they hope you wont get them but these days it is so easy to google medications side effects and interactions and make a choice based on their circumstance. I was given a steroid nasal spray for rhinitis which worked a treat but I did query whether I should use it as I was worried about it affecting my glaucoma as I have been told by the eye hospital that I am a steroid responder. I was assured it would be ok but when I had my routine eye check my eye pressures had gone up quite a bit and I decided with the knowledge of my gp to discontinue the spray. When I returned 6 weeks later the pressures and gone down to base level. Obviously I cant prove it but I am sure it was the spray. Sorry if I have digressed. As I mentioned in my reply to Fred I did not mention digestive problems as I was waiting to see if anyone might have experience of this. Thanks

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    Other Diagnostic Tests And Procedures

    Other diagnostic tests , such as uroflowmetry and cystourethroscopy, have been used in patients with LUTS. However, their reliability varies considerably, making it difficult to base a diagnosis solely on the results of these techniques. However, they can be used in conjunction with digital rectal examination to estimate prostate volume, although prostate size does not have a significant bearing on the degree of obstruction or symptoms. Postvoid residual volume also has a high degree of intrinsic variability, which limits the value of this test.

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    What Causes Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

    Its a little hard to say for sure what causes BPH.

    What we do know for a fact is that men go through two main stages of prostate growth in their lives first at puberty, where the prostate doubles in size, and then growth begins around the age of 25 and continues during most of a mans life.

    BPH is known to surface in this second stage, and mostly affects men above the age of forty. Autopsy data has found evidence of the condition in about 90 percent of men above the age of eighty.

    The growth of the prostate in this second stage may be linked to androgens in the body. Men produce testosterone throughout their lives. They also produce estrogen the female hormone but only in small amounts.

    When testosterone levels drop as they inevitably do with age a higher proportion of estrogen may remain.

    This increase in the ratio of Estrogen or its receptors to testosterone may directly and indirectly affect the growth of prostate cells.

    Another possible cause is DHT or dihydrotestosterone. This male hormone is a bit of a villain. It is a major cause of alopecia in men, but is however useful for the development and maintenance of the prostate.

    Unfortunately, this role can be dangerous for the adult prostate, as DHT can cause excessive growth.

    BPH may also result when there is an imbalance between the production and death of prostate cells. When the imbalance is in favor of cell proliferation, it can lead to BPH.

    Overcoming Intimacy Issues While Dealing With Prostate Problems

    Prostate Cancer and Erectile Dysfunction

    Old-fashioned beliefs suggested erectile dysfunction to be psychological in origin. While anxiety and stress are factors that can cause ED, scientific advances now provide proof that in a majority of cases, it is traced back to physical conditions which interrupt nerve functioning and restrict blood flow.1 Diabetes, arthrosclerosis, cardiovascular conditions, as well as some types of prostate disease and their treatments are responsible for most cases of ED.3 This article will focus on how prostate diseases have impacted erections and sexual activity.

    Erection is a matter of synchronous body function, which fills the penile tissue with blood, allowing it to swell and stand erect. This process requires an orchestrated mechanism, lead by blood vessels, endocrine system, and the nervous system, and obviously, any interference can affect the quality of an erection.2 Nitric oxide promotes vasodilatation while neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine and acetylcholine increase the production of chemicals such as guanosine monophosphate, prostaglandins, and polypeptides which initiate the erection process by shifting chemical gradients in the muscles and capillaries of the corpora cavernosa, which runs along the shaft, causing inflation and swelling of the penis.1

    Prostate Cancer

    Sudden and frequent erectile problems can be a symptom associated with prostate cancer, so a prostate-specific antigen, PSA test, accompanied by a rectal exam is performed to assess the situation.

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    Men’s Psychological And Culturally Diverse Adaptation To The Sexual Side Effects Of Prostate Cancer Treatment

    Psychological effects.

    The quality of life research in prostate cancer emphasizes the importance of sexual functioning as a part of overall well being., After prostate cancer treatment, beyond the loss of erections, men’s responsiveness to visual, desire-inducing stimuli can diminish,, and their libido can decrease. All men continue to have orgasms , but some report absent, less intense or even painful orgasms. Some men report feeling sad and tearful about the loss of erectile functioning. Their self-regard is diminished and they experience the changes in sexuality as a loss of quality of life.,

    Several qualitative studies described patient reports of loss of manhood and loss of familiar self that can come with the sexual side effects of prostate cancer treatment., Men also experienced loss of the capacity to respond to sexual cues, sexual fantasies, and spoke with nostalgia about past sexuality and loss of self-worth. Some men avoided sexual encounters for fear of failure or embarrassment. For others, the loss of erections was synonymous with the loss of the meaning of life. Men in these studies did not confide their emotional pain, even when family support was available, although some confided in other men with prostate cancer. Instead, men coped by maintaining their competent roles, for example, being an engineer.

    Cultural diversity and adaptation

    The impact of prostate cancer on couples’ relationships

    Effects on partners and relationships

    Couples’ sexuality

    How Long Is Recovery After An Mri Fusion Prostate Biopsy

    The prostate biopsy, whether performed with imaging fusion or as a traditional systematic biopsy, is typically an outpatient procedure with a short recovery period. In fact, patients are usually able to drive themselves to and from the procedure without restriction. Dr. Kasraeian may recommend restricting strenuous physical activity for a few days after prostate biopsy, though most patients can return to light desk work almost immediately. During your initial consultation for an MRI prostate biopsy in Jacksonville, FL, Dr. Kasraeian will discuss what to expect during your procedure, including how long recovery may take in greater detail.

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    Can A Swollen Prostate Cause Erectile Dysfunction

    Erectile dysfunction can affect your ability to get and maintain an erection.

    It is a very common condition around 322 million men globally by 2025 are projected to experience persistent difficulty achieving and sustaining erections.

    This condition may be caused by psychological factors like performance anxiety or stress.

    Likewise, your medication for managing high blood pressure or ulcers or other conditions could also affect erectile functioning.

    However, physical conditions like an enlarged prostate and prostatitis may account for many cases of erectile dysfunction.

    Well be examining how a swollen prostate can lead to ED.

    Well do this by looking through the links between benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostatitis and erectile dysfunction, their causes, as well as treatment options which may affect erectile abilities.

    When Can I Return To Sexual Activity

    Erectile Dysfunction from Prostate Cancer Treatment | Prostate Cancer Staging Guide

    Let the surgery heal for three to four weeks before attempting anything. After one month after the robotic prostatectomy, it is recommended that you resume sexual activity. Stimulation of the nerves is thought to be a first step on the journey back to potency. Remember that you can still experience the pleasures of orgasm and other sensual stimulations without full erections. The average time to recovery for erections adequate for intercourse is 6-12 months, but in some men it is even longer. You should also be performing kegel exercises regularly to help your return to potency.

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    Positron Emission Tomography Scan

    A PET scan is similar to a bone scan, in that a slightly radioactive substance is injected into the blood, which can then be detected with a special camera. But PET scans use different tracers that collect mainly in cancer cells. The most common tracer for standard PET scans is FDG, which is a type of sugar. Unfortunately, this type of PET scan isnt very useful in finding prostate cancer cells in the body.

    However, newer tracers, such as fluciclovine F18, sodium fluoride F18, and choline C11, have been found to be better at detecting prostate cancer cells.

    Other newer tracers, such as Ga 68 PSMA-11 and 18F-DCFPyl , attach to prostate-specific membrane antigen , a protein that is often found in large amounts on prostate cancer cells. Tests using these types of tracers are sometimes referred to as PSMA PET scans.

    These newer types of PET scans are most often used if its not clear if prostate cancer has spread. For example, one of these tests might be done if the results of a bone scan arent clear, or if a man has a rising PSA level after initial treatment but its not clear where the cancer is in the body.

    The pictures from a PET scan arent as detailed as MRI or CT scan images, but they can often show areas of cancer anywhere in the body. Some machines can do a PET scan and either an MRI or a CT scan at the same time, which can give more detail about areas that show up on the PET scan.

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    Luts And Sexual Function

    LUTS associated with BPH are often accompanied by sexual dysfunction, including erectile dysfunction and ejaculatory problems. Interest in sexual intercourse declines with severity of LUTS. Men with more severe LUTS have significantly lower libido, greater difficulty maintaining an erection, and lower levels of sexual satisfaction than men with less severe LUTS. OLeary showed that, in men with LUTS, the severity of urinary symptoms appears to exert the greatest influence on the degree of sexual dysfunction. Burger and colleagues found evidence of a correlation between sexual desire, erectile reliability, and sexual satisfaction and the degree of baseline symptoms. According to the U.S. National Health and Social Life Survey, both premature ejaculation difficulties and ED are associated with LUTS. Frankel and colleagues reported that men with storage-related complications from LUTS, particularly incontinence, had approximately twice the probability of experiencing sexual dysfunction, especially impotence, as men without such complications. It is unclear whether the sexual dysfunction that occurs with LUTS is due to sleep disturbance, anxiety, or a physiologic effect. The impact of ED the emotional distress that often accompanies it must be differentiated from LUTS, highlighting the need for several different diagnostic tools when evaluating a patient.

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