Impotency in Prostate Cancer Patients
Prostate cancer, a malignant growth in the outer zone of the prostate gland, is the most common form of cancer among men. This disease is most common in older men, with 80% of cases of prostate cancer occurring in men over age 65. African American men, men with a family history of prostate cancer or a history of venereal disease, men with recurring prostate infections, men who have taken progesterone, and men with a high-fat diet run the highest risk of developing prostate cancer.
Symptoms of prostate cancer may include:
- Pain and/or burning with urination
- Frequent urination
- A decrease in the amount and power of urine flow
- Blood in the urine
- An inability to urinate which occurs when the urethra becomes completely blocked or when the cancer spreads to the bladder and ureters
- Lower back, pelvic, or suprapubic pain caused by affected nerves or by the spread of the cancer to the bones
The risks and complications of prostate cancer treatment vary depending on the severity of the cancer and the therapy used. The most common problems are urinary incontinence (lack of control over urinary output) and sexual impotence.
The emotional impact impotence can have on a man can be devastating. Commonly men feel anger, frustration, sadness, or a lack of confidence. However, over the last few years many advances have been made to treat impotence.
Prostate cancer treatments may place you at risk for temporary or permanent impotence. As of now there is no way to determine who could be affected or for how long prior to treatment. Even in the best conditions, 10% of patients may be impotent afterwards. If you were potent prior to prostate cancer treatment than your chances of remaining potent afterwards outweigh those who were impotent.
Under normal circumstances when you start to get an erection blood will flow into the chambers of the penis. While aroused, the body does not allow blood to flow out of the penis. However after you receive prostate cancer treatment this process may no longer function appropriately. When damage has been done to the veins or nerve pathways to the penis, you are not able to experience an erection. Impotence is the inability to obtain and maintain an erection satisfactory for intercourse. This occurs more frequently in patients who have undergone prostate surgery, radiation, therapy, and cryotherapy. Hormone therapy that does not cause impotence may change sexual desire by eliminating testosterone, a hormone that controls male sexuality.
Much can be done to aid men who have some degree of impotence. Your sexuality does not have to be limited to an erection. For example the libido, ejaculation, and orgasm are parts of the process that are invaluable and may be overlooked. Not being able to have an erection does not mean you can’t enjoy sex and experience orgasm. Nor do you need sexual intercourse in order to have love. For some patients, building an intimate connection with their partners is far more gratifying. Nonetheless if you wish to experience an erection there are treatment options available, including drugs for impotence, penile injections, vacuum erection devices, penile implants, urethral suppositories, and sex therapy.
A new study shows that Viagra (sildenafil), the popular medication for erectile dysfunction, can restore impotency lost in surgery. Whether men respond, however, depends on how much nerve damage occurred during surgery.
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