Erectile Dysfunction
Treatment to the prostate gland can lead to problems in having an
erection.
This is called erectile dysfunction or impotence. Impotence may also
occur as a result of increased anxiety or other medical problems (such
as high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease) and means that
a man can’t get an erection strong enough to have sex.
Any type of
treatment may make you too tired to be interested in sex. This is
known as loss of libido and it is common to many illnesses, not
just cancer.
You may find
it difficult to talk about such personal subjects as erectile dysfunction,
particularly with your doctor or other medical staff. Try not to
be embarrassed as the doctor and other medical staff looking after
you will be happy to discuss any concerns you may have. Impotence
may not be permanent and can sometimes be brought on by anxiety
rather than the treatment. Depending on the treatment you receive,
it can take up to year before you find out if the erectile dysfunction
is permanent or not.
You may find
it difficult to talk to your partner, for fear of rejection - but these fears are often unfounded. Sexual relationships are built
on many things, like love, trust and common experiences. It can
help to talk to your partner about your fears and worries.
If you find
the loss of your sex life upsetting, you could discuss this with
your doctor or nurse. There are practical ways to overcome erectile
dysfunction and your doctor can give you further information about
these.
Medication
Tablets such as tadalafil (Cialis), sidenafil (Viagra) and vardenafil
(Levitra) are available to help produce an erection. They work by
increasing and retaining the blood supply to the penis. They are
normally taken about 1 hour before intercourse, and then, following
direct stimulation an erection will occur. However, men who take
nitrate-based medicines for heart problems cannot use Viagra.
A small pellet
known as MUSE that contains alprostadil can be put into the tip
of the urine tube (urethra) using a special applicator. The pellet
melts into the area and after a few minutes produces an erection.
Drugs such as alprostadil (Caverjet) can be injected into the penis,
using a small needle, to cause an erection. The drug restricts blood
flow and traps blood in the penis, causing an instant erection.
These work for many men, although injection can be sore and alprostadil
can sometimes cause a prolonged painful erection.
Vacuum
pumps
Vacuum pumps can also be used to produce an erection. The pump is
a simple device with a hollow tube, which you put your penis into.
The pump has a handle and sucks blood into the penis by creating
a vacuum. The blood then gets caught in the penis by a rubber ring
placed around the base. This ring then allows you to have sex without
losing the erection.
The majority of men who become impotent after prostatectomy or radiotherapy
will probably gain some benefits from the treatments described above.
However, everyone is different and specialist advice and counselling
can be useful for many men. If you need more help, talk to your
doctor. He or she will refer you for special counselling if you
think this might be helpful.
A factsheet on erectile dysfunction is available in the Publications section of this website.
Alternatively, please contact the Prostate Cancer Information Service at 1800 380 380 or e-mail: prostate@irishcancer.ie for further advice.
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