Prostate Cancer - Causes Of Erectile Dysfunction: Mens Sexual Health

Content provided by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School

Prostate cancer

Surgery for prostate cancer can sever some of the nerves or arteries that are needed for an erection. For men who undergo a radical prostatectomy (removal of the prostate gland), the estimates of how many men will regain their ability to have erections vary widely, from 25% to 80%. Even so-called nerve-sparing surgical techniques lead to erectile dysfunction in up to half of all cases. The results depend on such variables as a patient's age, the surgeon's skill, and the tumor locations (if a tumor is too close to the nerve bundle, the nerves can't be spared). Even when the nerves are not permanently impaired, it can still take 6–18 months for the tiny nerve fibers to recover from the trauma of surgery and restore sexual function.

Radiation treatment for prostate cancer can also harm erectile tissues. Both external beam radiation and radiation-emitting seeds implanted in the prostate (brachytherapy) lead to erectile dysfunction in about half of men who receive these therapies. However, these changes may not occur for up to two years after treatment.

Erectile dysfunction is sometimes a side effect of some hormone therapy medications prescribed for men with prostate cancer that has spread beyond the prostate. Among such hormone-based medications are leuprolide (Lupron), goserelin (Zoladex), flutamide (Eulexin), and bicalutamide (Casodex). Even prostate cancer itself, in its advanced stages, can spread to the nerves and arteries that are necessary for an erection.

Last updated:	September 05, 2008