Several misunderstandings about sexual function recovery after prostate cancer surgery

1. There is no need for the elderly to have sex and preserve their sexual nerves

In contrast to whether to preserve the sexual nerves during prostate cancer surgery, elderly patients in China are not interested in this, while elderly patients in the United States not only require the preservation of sexual nerves, but also propose to undergo penile prosthesis implantation to enhance sexual function. Such different attitudes are due to the disparity in the sexual life of the elderly in the two countries. The importance that American elderly people attach to sexual nerves and sexual function is closely related to their active sexual life. In fact, some men in their seventies and eighties in China still have erectile function, so preserving sexual nerves is still useful, but most elderly people in China are isolated from sexual life when they reach this age. From a physiological point of view, as long as men can have an erection, they can have sex. No matter how old they are, a wonderful sex life can not only bring physical pleasure, but also an emotional bond to maintain family harmony.

2. The use of PDE5 inhibitors and appropriate sexual activity after prostate cancer surgery increases the probability of tumor recurrence

PDE5 inhibitors (Cialis, Viagra, etc.) are commonly used drugs for male erectile dysfunction. The study published in the international urology journal "European Journal of Surgical Oncology" evaluated the effects of PDE5 inhibitors and sexual activity on biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy in patients with prostate cancer. The study was divided into three categories according to the method of taking PDE5 inhibitors in these patients (on-demand within 2 years after surgery, daily for at least 3 months, and no use). Through analysis, it was found that the use of PDE5 inhibitors and sexual activity in these patients had no correlation with the recurrence of prostate cancer patients, and helped to improve the sexual function satisfaction of patients. The world's authoritative guidelines for urology, "European Guidelines for Urology", also recommend PDE5 inhibitors as adjuvant medications after prostate cancer surgery, which helps prevent penile atrophy and restore sexual function. Therefore, taking PDE5 inhibitors and sexual activity after prostate cancer surgery will not increase the probability of tumor recurrence.

3. After radical prostatectomy, the penis cannot erect, so the patient will not have an orgasm

After prostatectomy, even if the sexual nerves are damaged and the penis loses its spontaneous erection function, the patient can still experience orgasm due to the presence of penile sensory nerves. A study enrolled patients with prostate cancer after surgery to investigate the recovery of orgasm and related influencing factors. Through follow-up, it was found that about 40% of patients could maintain their orgasm experience at the original level. Among them, younger age, preserved sexual nerves, recovery of erectile function and sexual desire were positively correlated with the recovery of orgasmic sensation, while lower urinary tract complications and urinary incontinence were negatively correlated with the recovery of orgasmic sensation. Another study followed up patients after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy and found that 27% of patients could recover orgasmic sensation after surgery, and erectile assist devices helped patients recover orgasmic sensation. Because the prostate and seminal vesicles that produce semen are removed, when orgasm comes, the patient only has a small amount of secretions from the urethral glands, sometimes even urine, but these discharged fluids are harmless to you and your partner.

4. Penile prosthesis implantation is a major operation and is very harmful to the body

Penile prosthesis implantation is a good surgical treatment for patients with severe erectile dysfunction caused by prostate cancer surgery. The advantage of penile prosthesis is that it can achieve greater hardness, and can complete good intercourse at any time, and the quality of intercourse is completely unaffected. Penile prosthesis implantation is to install a switch in the scrotum to control the flow of liquid stored on one side of the abdomen into and out of the penis. This physical method makes the penis erect and flaccid. The operation only requires a small incision in the penis scrotum, which causes minimal damage to the body.