erectile dysfunction after prostate cancer surgery

Study: Erectile dysfunction after prostate cancer surgery
After a radical prostatectomy complain up to 50 percent of men over the long-term erectile dysfunction, even if the nerves spared during surgery. Medications such as sildenafil or prostaglandin E1 can help those affected. A community study wants to clarify which drug is more effective. Also, the University Hospital of Bonn, is involved.

Also, an erection is ultimately question of training. After a prostate operation, one has but mostly in the first weeks of other problems. "The long break can cause the penis is no longer sufficiently stiffened," said Professor Dr. Stefan C. Müller, urologist at the University of Bonn. "If you break your arm, it is not immediately fully operational as soon as the plaster coming off."

Schlafft broken arm when the musculature, it is after a prostate operation in every second man just the other way around: the smooth muscle in the corpora cavernosa relaxes no longer sufficient. This allows the penile arteries are no longer pump enough blood into the corpora cavernosa: The penis is flaccid.

During sexual arousal usually certain neurotransmitters ensure that the erectile muscle slack: The penis fills with blood and becomes erect. When erectile dysfunction this signaling pathway is disrupted. Medications such as sildenafil or prostaglandin E1 act as a sort of signal amplifier. They also seem to prevent the erection mechanism permanently "attaches rust".

Undergo in their comparative study, the urologists from Bonn both drugs in the truest sense of the word "endurance test". The volunteers receive several times a week either sildenafil or prostaglandin E1. The treatment begins within a few days after prostate surgery, and extends over 36 weeks. During the study, and the medical record at the end of the erectile function of their patients by questionnaire. Professor Müller: "We hope that such important insights for better rehabilitation of prostate patients."

Professor Dr. Dr. h.c. Stefan C. Mueller
Department of Urology, University Hospital Bonn
E-mail: @ stefan.mueller ukb.uni-bonn.de