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Can You Get An Erection After Prostate Surgery

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Does Prostate Treatment Cause Permanent Sexual Dysfunction

Erectile Rehabilitation Treatments for Prostate Cancer Surgery Patients
  • Date : 11 Nov 2021

Erectile dysfunction is the most common side effect after prostate cancer treatment no matter precision dose and transport of radiation therapy or if the nerves had been spared throughout surgical treatment. Sexual disorder happens due to the fact the nerves and blood vessels that manage the bodily component of an erection are quite delicate, and any trauma or pressure to them can bring about transient or everlasting damage.

Radical prostatectomy is surgical treatment to put off the prostate gland and surrounding structures. This surgical treatment is most usually executed to deal with prostate most cancers. The achievement costs are exact if the most cancers has now no longer unfold past the prostate. However, there are facet outcomes to the surgical treatment. One is erectile disorder .

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Avoidance And Difficulty Sustaining Ed Treatments

Although there are effective treatments for ED, many men avoid seeking medical help for this condition. In a study of men who were found that have ED, 69% of men did not accept that they had ED and the median time to pursue treatment for ED was 2 years . In men with prostate cancer , a study found that only 50% of men who were interested in seeking treatment for ED actually took steps to find treatment . Of men who seek help to treat their ED, compliance is poor. It is estimated that 50 to 80% of men discontinue their use of ED treatments within a year of starting them . This applies to men with and without PC. Considering the importance of penile rehabilitation following PC surgery, the difficulty starting and sustaining treatment could have a negative impact on mens ability to recovery erections following RP.

Why Is It Important To Know The Risk Level Of Your Cancer

Knowing whether your cancer is low-risk or higher-risk is important when you are making treatment choices.

The risk level of your cancer is based on the results from your tests and examinations, such as the PSA test, digital rectal examination, and prostate biopsy.

  • Low-risk means that the cancer isn’t likely to grow right away. There is a chance it may grow so slowly that it never causes symptoms.
  • Medium-risk means that the cancer is more likely to grow. Most men will likely need treatment with radiation therapy or surgery.
  • High-risk means that the cancer will most likely grow right away. Men will likely need treatment with radiation therapy or surgery.

Your doctor can help you understand your test results and the risk level of your cancer. Then you can compare your treatment options and make the choice that seems best to you.

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Changes To Orgasm And Ejaculation

After prostate cancer treatment you will still have feeling in your penis and you should still be able to have an orgasm, but this may feel different from before. Some men lose the ability to orgasm, especially if they’re on hormone therapy.

If you’ve had radical prostatectomy, you will no longer ejaculate when you orgasm. This is because the prostate and seminal vesicles, which make some of the fluid in semen, are both removed during the operation. Instead you may have a dry orgasm – where you feel the sensation of orgasm but don’t ejaculate. Occasionally, you might release a small amount of liquid from the tip of your penis during orgasm, which may be fluid from glands lining the urethra.

If you’ve had radiotherapy, brachytherapy, high intensity focused ultrasound or hormone therapy, you may produce less semen during and after treatment. With radiotherapy, brachytherapy and HIFU you may also notice a small amount of blood in the semen. This usually isn’t a problem but tell your doctor or nurse if this happens. Some men on hormone therapy say their orgasms feel less intense.

Some men leak urine when they orgasm, or feel pain. Others find they don’t last as long during sex and reach orgasm quite quickly.

Can I Have An Orgasm Without An Erection

Can You Get Erections After Prostate Cancer Treatment?

Yes. An erection is not necessary for orgasm or ejaculation. Even if a man cannot have an erection or can only get or keep a partial erection, with the right sexual stimulation you can experience an orgasm. Your orgasm has little to do with your prostate gland. As long as you have normal skin sensation, you can have an orgasm.

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Restoring Sexual Function After Surgery

Erections are controlled by nerves and blood vessels that run along both sides of the prostate. Because theyre very delicate, any trauma to these nerves or blood vessels can affect erectile function, says the Prostate Cancer Foundation. And if cancer is growing near the nerves, the surgeon might need to remove them.

Even if you dont have ED before surgery, you may experience it afterward. While ED usually lasts at least two to three months after surgery, it can last for up to two years.

To restore sexual function, your doctor may suggest:

  • Oral medicine, such as Viagra® or Cialis®
  • Penile injections that you use before having sex
  • A vacuum device that draws blood into the penis to create an erection

Talking About Orgasm Problems Is Important

Men and their partners have become much more open about talking erectile dysfunction, in general and as a consequence of prostate cancer treatment, notes Dr. Kacker.

Whatever you think about all those ads for Viagra and Cialis, they have made it easier to talk about ED and helped remove some of the stigma around the condition.

We should be having the same frank, open discussions about orgasm, says Dr. Kacker. Orgasms can bring a couple together and allow them to maintain sexual intimacy in the difficult period around diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer.

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Are These Erections Lost For Good

Theres pretty good evidence to show that men can continue to recover erectile function up to two years after prostatectomy surgery , which we believe is partly because it takes time for the bruising and scar tissue after surgery to settle down. But if spontaneous erections do not recover by this point then it is unlikely that they will do so thereafter. Conversely, there is good evidence that drugs such as Viagra can be used to enhance erections after surgery and that, even if such drugs do not work for example if the nerves have been removed to maximise cancer clearance mechanical devices such as vacuum pumps, cavaject injections into the side of the penis or MUSE therapy are effective.

Your Thoughts And Feelings

Cardio exercise can help you get harder erections after prostate cancer

Changes to your body and your sex life can have a big impact on you. You may feel worried, unsatisfied, angry and some men say they feel like they’ve lost a part of themselves. There are ways to tackle these issues and find solutions that work for you.

Getting support

If you are stressed or down about changes to your sex life, finding some support may improve how you feel. There are lots of different ways to get support.

You are not alone. A lot of men, with and without prostate cancer have sexual problems. Talking to other men who have had similar experiences can help.

Trained counsellors

Counsellors are trained to listen and can help you find your own ways to deal with things. Many hospitals have counsellors or psychologists who specialise in helping people with cancer – ask your doctor or nurse if this is available.

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Sex When Youre Single

Being sexually active and feeling attractive can be just as important if you are a single man. All the treatments described here are available to you if youre single whether you want to be able to masturbate, have sex, or want to start a new relationship.

If you are starting a new relationship, sexual problems and other side effects like urinary or bowel problems could be a worry. Some men worry that having problems with erections will affect their chances of having a new relationship. Fear of rejection is natural, and everyone has their own worries, whether or not theyve had cancer. If youre single, you may want time to come to terms with any changes prostate cancer has caused before you start having sex or dating.

Try talking over your worries with someone you feel comfortable with, such as a friend. Counselling or sex therapy may also help if you would prefer to talk to someone you dont know.

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A Comparison Of Medications For Inducing Erections After Prostate Surgery

HomeNews & MediaNewsA comparison of medications for inducing erections after prostate surgery

04 February 2020

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Surgery to remove a prostate tumour can have devastating effects on a mans ability to have sex. Many men try devices and medications such as Viagra to help them have sex after surgery. This weeks research blog discusses the help available to achieve erections and the latest research comparing erection medications.

Surgery for prostate cancer reduces erections

Treatment for localised prostate cancer can have terrible consequences for a mans sex life. Soon after surgery, most men find that achieving and maintaining an erection is difficult. For some men, this gradually improves over 12 months or more. Unfortunately, many have long term problems having sex. Radiotherapy for prostate cancer can also affect a mans sex life, but these effects are usually delayed.

Its believed that these issues are caused by damage occurring during surgery. Damage to the nerves and blood supply to the penis and surrounding tissue reduces erections. The nerves connecting to the penis are very close to the prostate gland. So surgery in this area can easily affect them. Even if nerve-sparing surgery is performed, the nerves need to be separated from the prostate in order to remove the gland. This causes damage through bruising and inflammation. Over time, this damage can heal, leading to improvements for some men.

Improving erections

Vacuum erection devices

Penile rings

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How Radical Prostatectomy Affects Orgasm

The first two parts of orgasm are affected by radical prostatectomy, explains Dr. Kacker. Removal of the seminal vesicles and prostate gland during the operation means no fluid can come in from the testicles or the prostate. With the gland or the vesicles gone, theres no fluid buildup in the urethra and the sense of fullness and inevitability, which may have been a familiar part of your orgasm prior to surgery, is now missing.

And theres no ejaculate after radical prostatectomy. Some men also report that the operation affects their pelvic floor and its contractions.

But the third part of orgasm occurs in the brain and can be just as intense as before surgery.

What Options Are Available For Men With Good Erections Who Wish To Preserve Erections

Do you know really need a prostate

Men with enlarged prostate symptoms and good erections who are worried about the effect of TURP on erections can consider procedures such as Uroliftor Rezumwhich do not cause any sexual side effects the trade-off is that they are less effective than TURP in improving urinary function. Laser enucleation of the prostate does not seem to have associated erectile dysfunction and maybe a good option for men with large prostates.

Aquablationis another procedure that is more effective than TURP but is associated with significantly fewer sexual side effects than TURP. Because it does not generate significant heat, it is unlikely to have a deleterious effect on erections.

Did you know?Dr. Shteynshlyuger has performed over 1,000 surgeries and procedures for enlarged prostate, including Rezum, Urolift, prostate enucleation, laser ablation of the prostate, and TURP. He performs over 100 prostate procedures a year.

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Restore Ejaculation After Green Light Surgery

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Guest over a year ago

Unfortunately NOT, if the surgeon burned away the relevant parts of your anatomy. Turns out the odds of getting this “complication” depends on how your surgeon does the procedure. The Greenlight promo brochure states 30% of patients will experience retro ejaculation for up to three months post-op but that usually goes away. Various other web sites about the procedure have that same info. I’m five weeks post op, am experiencing the retro thing accompanied by significant pain in the final parts of the retro ejaculation, and today the surgeon told me that the way he does the procedure the retro thing is 100% guaranteed and worse yet it will be permanent. Direct quote: permanent retro ejaculation is the price you paid to have a better stream.Don’t know why he does it this way but he didn’t make it clear before the procedure. Had he done so I would have found a different surgeon. I’m only 57 and my sex life is now over thanks to this procedure. Extremely distressed by the outcome of the procedure – easily the worst decision I’ve ever made in my life. I would have been better off if the surgeon had just used a 12-gauge to gut-shoot me.

Sex After Prostatectomy: How To Have A Healthy Sex Life After Surgery

Medically reviewed by Kristin Hall, FNP

Prostate health issues such as benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer affect hundreds of thousands of men in the United States every year.

If youve been diagnosed with a serious prostate issue, your healthcare provider may suggest a prostatectomy a surgical procedure in which your part or all of your prostate gland is surgically removed from your body.

Prostate removal surgery is usually highly effective at treating cancer and prostate enlargement , but it can potentially lead to complications.

These include some sexual performance issues, such as erectile dysfunction and difficulty ejaculating normally.

Although these effects can change your sexual experience, many men are still able to enjoy a fulfilling, satisfying sex life after prostate surgery by making certain lifestyle changes and using medication.

Below, weve talked about what to expect if youre scheduled to undergo a prostatectomy and want to maintain an active sex life after surgery.

Weve also explained how you can have a healthy sex life after a partial or complete prostate removal, whether through exercises to improve sexual functioning, medications, devices or a combination of different approaches.

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Getting Treatment And Support

Speak to your GP or doctor or nurse at the hospital.

Your GP, hospital doctor or nurse can prescribe treatment for erection problems for free on the NHS, whether it’s for sex or masturbation. There may be a limit on how much treatment they can prescribe, but there is no age limit.

Talking about sex

It can be difficult talking about sex, but talking to your doctor, nurse or other health professional will mean you can get treatment and support. It can also help you feel more positive and more in control.

You can ask about sexual problems at any stage – before, during or after your prostate cancer treatment. Talking about it before your treatment will mean you know what to expect and can help you to prepare to start treatments for sexual problems soon afterwards.

Your team should ask you about your erections and sex life during your treatment for prostate cancer. But if they don’t then you may need to bring it up yourself.

Not everyone is used to talking about sex. You might need to bring it up more than once, or with a different person in your team. You can also ask to be referred to an expert in sexual problems or an ED clinic – they will be used to talking about sexual problems.

Our sexual support service

S Men Can Take To Improve Or Recover Orgasms

How to Help Recover Sexual Function After Your Prostate Surgery? | Ask a Prostate Expert | PCRI

This doesnt mean that some men dont have difficulty experiencing orgasm after radical prostatectomy. The missing sensation of fullness and the lack of ejaculate are big changes. But there are some things you can do to correct the problem, according to Dr. Kacker.

Men can achieve an orgasm on their own with manual stimulation or with a partner through manual or oral stimulation. Just remember that an erection is not needed. Using a vibrator on the head of penis is often helpful. Vibration can stimulate the nerves in the penis and increase the signals being sent to the brain.

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What You Never Lose: The Good News About Sexual Function

While regaining erectile functiom is not possible for all men, it is important to remember that erection is just one part of a satisfying sex life. The other parts remain intact despite prostate cancer surgery. Sexual feelings, sexual fulfillment, climax and the sensation of orgasm are still available without erection.

Hormone Adjustments Can Help With Orgasm

Sometimes hormone levels contribute to orgasmic problem. Many men with low testosterone have problems with orgasm, but treating prostate cancer patients with testosterone is still very controversial. Other hormones can also play a role. For example, a low thyroid hormone level or a high prolactin level can make it more difficult to reach orgasm. Even if you have a normal hormone levels, there are a few hormonal medications that may be able to help.

Another hormone that plays a role in orgasm is oxytocin. The level of oxytocin increases in both men and women during sexual arousal. Taking an under-the-tongue formulation of oxytocin five to 10 minutes before sexual activity can help some men achieve orgasm. Its safe and no side effects have been reported, says Dr. Kacker. You need a prescription for oxytocin, and its available only through special compounding pharmacies, not through retail pharmacies.

Cabergoline is another medication that can help with orgasm problems. It blocks the release of prolactin, a hormone that appears to play an important role in the refractory period after orgasm when men cant have another orgasm for a while.

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