ED Therapy for Prostate Cancer Survivors

Prostate cancer is among the cancers that affect men the most frequently. According to the American Cancer Society, one in eight men will eventually get prostate cancer. Prostate cancer treatment typically involves surgery, radiation therapy, and/or chemotherapy. While these treatments can be effective in treating prostate cancer, they can also have side effects such as erectile dysfunction (ED). In this article, we will discuss post-surgery ED therapy for prostate cancer survivors.

What is ED?

Erectile dysfunction refers to the inability to achieve or maintain an erection powerful enough for sexual engagement (ED). It is a common side effect of prostate cancer treatment, especially surgery. This is because the surgery can damage the nerves and blood vessels that are responsible for the erection process.

Post-Surgery ED Therapy Options

There are various ED therapy options available for men who have undergone surgeries as prostate cancer treatment. These options include oral medications, injections, vacuum devices, penile implants, shockwave therapy, EMTT therapy and Tesla Chair.

Oral Medications

Oral medications are one of the most common ED therapy options. By boosting blood flow to the penis, these drugs help men achieve and maintain an erection. The three oral ED drugs that are most frequently prescribed are vardenafil, tadalafil, and sildenafil.

While these medications are effective for many men, they do have some potential side effects such as headaches, flushing, and indigestion. Additionally, they may not be effective for men who have had nerve damage from surgery. If a patient is taking medications known as nitrates, he should not take PDE5 inhibitor tablets. His blood pressure could fall dangerously low as a result of receiving both of these medicines at once, which could be fatal. Heart issues are typically treated with nitrates. Poppers, a type of recreational drug, also contains them. Other approaches to treating erection issues should be used if the patient has a cardiac condition or takes nitrates.

Injections

Injections are another ED therapy option after prostate cancer surgery. In this treatment option medications are injected directly into the penis to increase blood flow and achieve an erection. The most commonly used injection is alprostadil (Caverject, Edex). Starting this treatment soon after the prostate cancer treatment is beneficial. While injections should be effective even in the absence of sexual desire, they function best in the presence of some sexual arousal and interest.

When oral medication does not work for men, injections may be an effective alternative. However, they do have some potential side effects such as pain at the injection site, prolonged erections, and scarring. Moreover, using injections and PDE5 inhibitor tablets together is not advised due to the increased risk of priapism.

Vacuum Devices

Vacuum pumps for Erectile Dysfunction work by creating a vacuum around the penis, which draws blood into the penis and helps to achieve an erection. To keep the erection, a constriction ring is positioned at the base of the penis. To achieve an erection strong enough for penetration, the vacuum pump can be useful. Men’s satisfaction with the pump varies, but those who are happy with the results frequently continue using it. Many men use the pump in addition to other therapies like pills. If used frequently and shortly after surgery, the vacuum pump may also aid in maintaining the length and thickness of the penis. The nerves that are typically required for erections are not involved in how the vacuum pump operates. So, the vacuum pump can be a viable choice for a man whose nerves were damaged or eliminated after prostate cancer surgery.

Vacuum pumps can be used in conjunction with other treatments and are extremely safe to use. Male vacuum pump users might find that their penis seems a little bit colder than usual, and if they are wearing a constriction ring, they might not be able to ejaculate. A constriction ring should only be used when a man needs an erection for intercourse. This is because the ring prevents the penis from receiving the blood and oxygen it needs to stay healthy. Some males can experience some bruising or numbness, as well as pain or discomfort. If a person takes medication to thin his blood or has a bleeding issue, the vacuum pump might not be appropriate for him.

Penile Implants

Men who have not reacted to other therapies can consider getting penile implants. Inflatable and malleable penile implants are the two common penile implant varieties.

The two cylinders that make up inflatable implants are placed inside the penis. These cylinders are filled with saline solution, which allows the penis to become erect when a pump in the scrotum is activated.

Two rods make up malleable implants, which are inserted into the penis. These rods allow the penis to be bent into different positions, but they do not allow for a completely rigid erection.

Penile implants can be effective for men who have not responded to other treatments. However, they are a more invasive option and require surgery. Inflatable implants last as usual for about 12 years. But it’s not guaranteed that every inflatable implant will last for 12 years. As studies have shown that, some men need it to be replaced just after 5 or 6 years. Malleable implants however, are not required to be changed.

Shockwave Therapy

High-energy sound waves are used in shockwave therapy, sometimes referred to as extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT), to encourage tissue regeneration and healing. In order to enhance erectile function, Shockwave Therapy for ED tries to increase blood flow to the penis and encourage the development of new blood vessels. A number of studies have looked into the effectiveness of shockwave therapy for ED in prostate cancer survivors, with encouraging findings. Although the precise processes underpinning shockwave therapy’s therapeutic benefits on ED are still unclear, it is believed to function by encouraging angiogenesis (the creation of new blood vessels) and increasing the production of growth hormones and cytokines, which can aid in promoting tissue regeneration.

But shockwave therapy is not appropriate for all ED patients. Shockwave therapy may not be appropriate for patients with severe ED or underlying medical disorders that may impact blood flow, such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, although shockwave therapy has been demonstrated to be useful in certain individuals, it might not be effective in all cases.

EMTT therapy

Those who have undergone surgery for prostate cancer can use EMTT therapy in order to treat ED. Also known as electromagnetic transduction therapy, EMTT is capable of beating Erectile Dysfunction. This therapy works at the tiny cell level. Though, EMTT is typically used in treating musculoskeletal pain and other disorders, in recent times it has been shown that this treatment option is very effective in curing ED.

Tesla chair

The revolutionary new medical device known as the Tesla Chair uses functional magnetic stimulation. Functional Magnetic Stimulation on the Tesla Chair stimulates deep muscular structures with electro-magnetic energy. This causes the body’s motor nervous system to be activated, which in turn causes the muscles to contract, resulting them becoming bigger, stronger, and tighter. What’s more interesting is that, this specialized device does all of this without any direct contact with the skin. I this procedure the patient sits in the Tesla Chair while fully clothed, despite the fact that it emits strong electromagnetic waves that target the pelvic area. Magnetic field with a strength of up to 1.7 Tesla can be produced by the comfortable and painless Tesla Chair.

Other ED Therapy Options

In addition to the therapy options discussed above, there are several other options available. These options include:

• Lifestyle changes: Lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, losing weight, and increasing exercise can help to improve erectile function.
• Counseling: Counseling can be helpful for men who are experiencing ED due to psychological factors such as anxiety or depression.
• Hormone therapy: Hormone therapy can be used to increase testosterone levels, which can improve erectile function.
• Natural remedies: Some natural remedies such as ginseng, horny goat weed, and L-arginine have been shown to improve erectile function. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of these treatments, more study is necessary.

Factors to Consider

When considering ED therapy, it is important to consider several factors. These factors include:

• Severity of ED: The severity of ED can vary from mild to severe. The treatment options may vary depending on the severity of ED.
• Underlying medical conditions: Some medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure can affect the effectiveness and safety of ED treatments. It is crucial to talk to a healthcare provider about any underlying medical concerns.
• Medications: Some medications can affect erectile function. It is critical to consult with your doctor before taking any drugs.
• Personal preferences: Personal preferences such as convenience, invasiveness, and cost may also be factors to consider when choosing a ED therapy option after prostate cancer surgery.

Conclusion

So, there are various ED therapy options available for men who experience ED as a result of prostate cancer surgery. These options include oral medications, injections, vacuum devices, penile implants, shockwave therapy, EMTT and Tesla Chair. Other options such as lifestyle changes, counseling, hormone therapy, and natural remedies may also be effective. It is important to consider several factors when choosing a particular ED therapy option, including the severity of ED, underlying medical conditions, medications, and personal preferences. A healthcare provider can help to determine the most appropriate ED therapy option for an individual who has underdone prostate cancer surgery.

Modern non-invasive technologies such as shockwave therapy, EMTT and Tesla Chair are turning out be very viable Erectile Dysfunction treatment options. Not a lot of clinic offers these treatments. Among those who offer these treatments, Shockwave Clinics Ltd is one of the best. Shockwave Clinics is known as the best shockwave therapy clinic across Europe.