After Prostate Cancer

Treatments For Erectile Dysfunction After Prostate Cancer

As you may be aware, erectile dysfunction after prostate cancer therapy is fairly common. In many cases, spontaneous function is eventually restored. That said, the interim between ending therapy and regaining the ability to have an erection can be a problem. Over the years, a number of recommendations and therapies have emerged to help treat erectile dysfunction after prostate cancer.

Although men years ago often suffered permanent erectile dysfunction after prostate cancer, the rates have dropped significantly in modern times. Improvements in surgical procedures have decreased the chances of damage to nerves and blood supplies that go to the penis. In addition, if the nerves are damaged, grafts from other parts of the body have been successfully used to help treat erectile dysfunction after prostate cancer.

Recently, doctors have also learned that resuming sexual activity as soon as possible helps men to recover the ability to have a spontaneous erection. Not so long ago, the most common method for accomplishing this involved directly injecting blood vessel dilators into the penis. Side effects from this method include increased chances of scar tissue on the penis, as well as creating an erection that would not subside after 4 hours. While some men may think this sounds like the perfect erection, it can do permanent damage to the penis, and will require a trip to the emergency room.

Other treatments for erectile dysfunction after prostate cancer run the gamut from injecting pellets into the urethra, to using constriction rings and inflatable cylinder prosthesis devices. Needless to say, some of the treatments available for erectile dysfunction after prostate cancer are about as unappealing as using turkey basters to improve conception rates. That said, these methods may still be used if oral medications fail.

In 1996 Pfizer literally changed the face of how erectile dysfunction after prostate cancer is treated. Not only does their signature medication, Viagara enable a man to maintain an erection, it does not interfere with foreplay. Although Viagara is still very expensive, there are a number of similar generic medications now available to help treat erectile dysfunction after prostate cancer.

Tadalafil is another oral medication that can be used to treat erectile dysfunction after prostate cancer. Unlike Viagara, which is only effective for 2 - 6 hours, Tadalafil can help a man achieve an erection 24 to 36 hours after taking it. If opportunity or other factors make spontanaiety an issue, this medication may be of more use than the others.

As men began to seek treatment for prostate cancer, both surgery and radiation became synonymous with loss of sexual function. Because younger men are now being diagnosed with prostate cancer, the ability to regain sexual function is an even more serious consideration. Over the years, improvement in surgical and radiation procedures has led to a large majority of men regaining their ability to achieve an erection. In addition, the creation of oral medications has also gone a long way to helping treat erectile dysfunction after prostate cancer.