Prostate cancer surgery comes with the possible side effect of erectile dysfunction. New breakthrough surgery has reduced this risk.
A medical triumph has emerged in the treatment for prostate cancer, which reduces the possibility of erectile dysfunction as a side effect by around 50%. This takes place using a new surgical procedure, in which sensitive cells must be removed. Assessed by doctors in five United Kingdom hospitals, it preserves critical nerves that run through the outer layer of the prostate and are responsible for producing erections.
The Problem With Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction is a problem that impacts many men in the US and beyond. At some point in the male life span, around 52% of men will encounter some form of erectile dysfunction. For some, that may be a one-off, but for others it can be a lasting problem. In the United States, the brand name Viagra is synonymous with treatments for erectile dysfunction. The first pill on the market is no longer the only option. Websites such as Motivated are providing erectile dysfunction medicines without the brand name, resulting in lower prices.
All it takes is a short online assessment, meaning sufferers do not have to feel the embarrassment they may get when going to a clinic. The company will then dispatch one of several treatments, such as Generic Viagra, essentially the famous blue pill without the brand name. Containing the same ingredient, Sildenafil, it is FDA-approved and can help you achieve your goals at a fraction of the price.
There are numerous causes for erectile dysfunction. However, it is extremely common in those who have undergone prostate cancer surgery. Around 313,780 new cases of this cancer are discovered in the United States each year. Worldwide, 1.5 million people are diagnosed, and around 375,000 die due to the disease.
The problem occurs in patients when doctors have to remove cells during standard surgery. Their task is to remove the diseased prostate, but leave behind the nerves and outer layers. However, they must not leave any cancerous cells, and to ensure they are all gone, surgeons will often remove as many as possible to ensure cancer does not return. It is this nerve damage that can result in erectile dysfunction.
What Makes Neurosafe Different?
The new procedure is known as Neurosafe. The study into it was led by the University College of London. Its findings were presented at the European Association of Urology Congress in Madrid.
The Neurosafe procedure involves slicing the area near the nerves into 5cm strips. These are then frozen, dyed, and examined through a microscope. This tells doctors if cancer cells are still present. All this is done while the patient is still in surgery. If they are, another strip is removed; if not, they can spare the nerves and cells.
The trial ran at five hospitals and involved 344 men who had prostate cancer. Half had Neurosafe surgery while the other half had standard surgery. They were then questioned 12 months after the operation, and the results were that 39% of males who had undergone the Neurosafe treatment had no to mild erectile dysfunction. Around 38% of these had severe erectile dysfunction. In the standard surgery group, the percentage for those who had no to mild symptoms was reduced to 23%. Those who had severe erectile dysfunction numbered 56% in the standard surgery.
Solutions for Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction is a complex problem, and can be caused by a range of factors. Generally, they can be broken down into one of four areas. The issue may be caused by one or more of these.
- Psychogenic – Issues stemming from a sufferer’s psychology. This may include feelings and emotions such as depression or anxiety.
- Hormonal – This occurs as a result of a hormone deficiency. Most often, this is testosterone-related or could be a thyroid issue.
- Neurogenic – These are issues stemming from nerve problems. These are the neural pathways that create signals between the brain and nerves, causing an erection. This is the case for those who suffer from ED as a result of prostate surgery.
- Vascular – This is related to the blood. As an erection is caused by the flow of blood to the penis, issues with blood vessels can cause major problems. This is the most common form of ED.
The solution will depend on the type you have, and you should approach a medical professional to diagnose it. Websites such as Motivated have plenty of advice, and you can speak to one of their experts should you wish. They will point you towards the right medication or send you in the direction of someone who may be able to offer more specialist advice.
Improving the general quality of your health is always a good place to start. Eat heart-healthy foods to increase blood flow, and incorporate regular exercise into your regimen. Make sure you destress, getting the work and life balance sorted. In doing so, you may be able to combat erectile dysfunction once and for all.
