Europe's Leading Men's Health Shockwave Clinic
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Prostate cancer is a tough diagnosis for any man to face. And one of the biggest issues men with prostate cancer face is the impact it can have on their sex lives and relationships. But there is hope! With Focused ShockWave Therapy (FSWT) and other ground-breaking clinical technologies, Mansmatters is able to help men with prostate cancer regain their erectile function.
Please contact us for details right away or to book a FREE 20-minute consultation – or carry on reading to find out more.
Post Surgery ED Therapy for Prostate Cancer Patients
According to Cancer Research UK, survival rates for prostate cancer continue to improve, and the ten-year survival rate for the disease is now over 85%. This represents a significant improvement from just a few decades ago when the ten-year survival rate was around 35%.
Prostate cancer remains the most common cancer in men, with more than 57,000 new cases diagnosed in the UK each year. Radiotherapy or surgery are common treatment options, but they can have life-changing side effects, including impotence and incontinence.
While survival rates following prostate surgery are now quite high the emphasis in the NHS is on this rather than post-surgery support. Many men experience side effects after prostate surgery, and the most common ones are erectile dysfunction and incontinence. According to some studies, up to 80% of men experience erectile dysfunction after prostate surgery, and around 10-20% experience long-term incontinence.
Advances in screening and early detection, as well as improvements in treatment options, have contributed to the improved survival rates for prostate cancer. In addition, the use of nerve-sparing surgery and other techniques to minimize the side effects of treatment, such as erectile dysfunction, has helped improve the quality of life for prostate cancer survivors.
One of the most significant issues men with prostate cancer face post-surgery is the impact it often has on their sex lives and relationships. The prostate gland plays a crucial role in male sexual function, and its removal can lead to a range of sexual problems, including erectile dysfunction, decreased sexual desire, and difficulty achieving orgasm.
These sexual issues can be particularly challenging for men who have had a long-term partner or who are in a committed relationship. The changes to their sexual function can affect their intimacy and connection with their partner, leading to feelings of frustration, shame, and anxiety.
Moreover, many men may feel embarrassed or reluctant to discuss these issues with their partners or healthcare providers, which can make it challenging to access appropriate support and treatment.
In addition to the physical and emotional impacts on sexual function, prostate cancer surgery can also have other side effects, such as urinary incontinence and bowel dysfunction, which can further impact a man’s quality of life and relationships.
While the prostate gland’s full functions are still not fully understood, researchers do know that it plays an important role in both sexual and urinary function. When the prostate gland is removed, it can have a significant impact on a man’s ability to have and sustain an erection. This is because the nerves and blood vessels that control sexual function run along the sides of the prostate gland. During surgery, these nerves and blood vessels can be damaged or removed, leading to a decreased ability to achieve and maintain an erection.
We have treated hundreds of men with moderate to severe Erectile Dysfunction and numerous numbers who have had prostate surgery and faced ED, ejaculation, and incontinence problems, plus issues with their quality of life and relationships. This has allowed us to refine and improve the treatment we provide although this has taken a huge investment in the equipment we use and the specialists who deal with our patients.
To find out more about ED Therapy for Prostate Cancer Patients call us now or read on.
Nerve-Sparing Prostatectomy & Its Impact on Sexual Function & Quality of Life
Sexual desire and function are influenced by both physical and psychological factors, including the performance of sex organs, blood supply, nerves, brain function, and hormones. In addition, one’s thoughts and emotions towards oneself and others can also affect sexual response. If a man with prostate cancer is in a relationship, the effects on sexual function can also impact his partner.
If you have prostate cancer and it hasn’t spread outside your prostate gland, surgery is a common option to try to cure it. The most common type of surgery is called a radical prostatectomy, which removes the prostate gland. However, in the past, a traditional type of prostatectomy called an open prostatectomy was more common, but it’s done less often nowadays.
During a radical prostatectomy, the nerves responsible for potency are intertwined with blood vessels and must be controlled to prevent blood loss. To minimize damage to these nerves during surgery and reduce the risk of erectile dysfunction after the operation, surgeons will usually use a Nerve-Sparing (NS) approach. This means carefully dissecting the prostate gland and surrounding tissue, taking care not to damage the neurovascular bundles.
If the cancer has not spread beyond the prostate gland and the nerves can be preserved, the patient has a greater chance of retaining erectile function after the operation. This approach can also improve a patient’s quality of life and reduce the psychological impact of prostate cancer treatment.
Overall, the outcomes of a nerve-sparing prostatectomy will depend on several factors, including the patient’s age, overall health, and the extent of the cancer. While a nerve-sparing approach can help reduce the risk of erectile dysfunction after the operation, some patients may still experience some degree of erectile dysfunction.
FAQ's About ED Treatment for Prostate Cancer Patients
The traditional treatments for ED after prostate cancer surgery include medications (such as “little blue pills”), penile injections, vacuum erection devices, and penile implants.
Medications like “little blue pills” work by improving blood flow to the penis, helping to facilitate an erection. They are typically taken orally before sexual activity.
The potential side effects of medication treatments for ED may include headache, flushing, indigestion, nasal congestion, visual disturbances, and in rare cases, priapism (prolonged erection).
Yes, penile injections are a common treatment option for ED in men who have had prostate cancer treatment. This involves injecting medication directly into the penis to improve blood flow and stimulate an erection.
Vacuum erection devices are external devices that create a vacuum around the penis, which helps draw blood into the penis and stimulate an erection. They can be effective in treating ED after prostate cancer surgery for some men, although comfort and ease of use may vary, and intercourse needs to be planned in advance which can be difficult in some situations especially when sex has previously been a spontaneous activity.
Penile implants are devices surgically implanted into the penis to help achieve an erection. While they enable a man to have an erection on demand, the disadvantages include the need for invasive surgery, potential risks associated with surgery, and the irreversible nature of the procedure. They are considered for treating ED in prostate cancer patients only as a final resort when all other options have been unsuccessful or are not suitable.
Yes, shockwave therapy has shown promising results as an alternative treatment for ED in prostate cancer patients. It uses shockwaves to stimulate blood vessel growth and improve blood flow to the penis thus enhancing erectile function.
Clinical studies have demonstrated the efficacy of shockwave therapy for ED in men who have had prostate cancer treatment. Some studies have shown significant improvements in erectile function and penile blood flow after shockwave therapy. Our own research and treatment of men with this problem backs these clinical studies up.