What is Prostate Cancer?

Symptoms only show when it has spread to other areas or otherwise becomes more severe. Prostate cancer that’s more advanced causes symptoms similar to BPH such as:

• Trouble urinating
• Decreased force in the stream of urine
• Blood in the urine
• Erectile dysfunction

Other indicators specific to cancer include:

• Blood in the semen
• Bone pain
• Sudden unexplainable weight loss

There are many different treatments that men who have prostate cancer may undergo. Some of which can lead to ED.

Observing

Active surveillance follows the patient by utilizing frequent lab tests and biopsies to monitor their cancer.

Surgical

Radical prostatectomy is a procedure that removes the entire prostate. Candidates for this treatment must be healthy enough to undergo major surgery. Having a radical prostatectomy can damage the nerves responsible for your erectile function.

Radiation

Sometimes done in combination with hormone therapy, radiation works by attacking the cells in the prostate in the hopes of eliminating cancer. Radiation can sometimes cause sexual side effects such as ED and ejaculation issues.

Hormone therapy

The hormone therapy used to treat prostate cancer centers around stopping or reducing testosterone production. Testosterone is thought to make the tumor grow and reducing levels helps to starve out the prostate cancer. Testosterone is responsible for sex drive and is needed to obtain and maintain an erection. Some providers allow the use of testosterone products while being treated for prostate cancer but it must be strictly supervised.