Every year, there are around 200,000 diagnoses of prostate cancer. Aproximately 50,000 of these patients are undergoing prostatectomy, the surgical procedure that removes the entire prostate gland containing a tumor.
Out of these surgical cases, almost half of them have already experienced erectile disfunction as cancer side effects. Of the remaining patients, 50% of them are likely to experience the loss of natural erections for the first time. In conclusion, only 12,500 men out of the annual 50,000 of prostatectomy patients can continue to perform satisfactory sexual activities.
For the rest of them, doctors are customizing further plans in order to regain full sexual capabilities. These care plans are usually resorting to PDE5 inhibitors, namely Viagra, Cialis or Levitra. However, the question remains: Does Viagra work after prostate surgery? Let’s dive into this topic and take a closer look to data.
What is penile rehabilitation?
First off, let’s take a look at what happens with men’s erectile function after the surgical removal of the prostate gland. During prostatectomy, even when assisted by robotic arms, the surgical procedures may interfere with the function of the erectile nerves since they are connected to the prostate gland. These nerves are in charge of maintaining the male organ into an erect state when aroused.
Depending on the location of the prostate tumor, surgeons may have no other choice but to cut erectile nerves in order to remove all cancer cells. However, other cases have the tumor closer to lymph nodes or seminal vesicles than these erectile nerves, which prevents any major impact on the sexual performance of men.
The better the state of these erectile nerves remains after prostatectomy, the better the odds are for a full erectile function recovery. Even if they are spared, these nerves might not work properly in the months following the surgical procedures. They need time for healing in order to return to normal. Until men regain their erectile function, they are guided by their doctorts through a plan for penile rehabilitation.
Does Viagra work after radical prostatectomy?
Penile rehabilitation resorts to any drug or device after prostatectomy in order for patients to regain their preoperatory erectile functions. Indirectly, these endeavors are restoring men their health-related quality of life.
After prostatectomy, men experience soreness around their groin area, and scar tissue starts building up. Studies have shown that prostate cancer survivors need a maximum of two years to recover their erectile function starting from the day of their surgery. This is the amount of time they need to heal and regain their natural erections.
However, if men stop having spontaneous erections once these two years have ended, then their chances of recovery are falling to zero.
Therefore, Viagra after prostatectomy can help men in restoring their erectile functions. Doctors do not see this drug as a standalone cure. Nonetheless, this PDE5 inhibitor helps the healing process pick up the pace by pumping the blood flow across the entire organ.
As long as the male organ receives the amount of oxigen it needs, it will be able to regain its functions once the scar tissue and bruises are healed. However, if the penis remains deprived of adequate oxygen supply by the time it heals itself from the repercusions of the surgical procedure, then it can no longer function properly. This is why Viagra after prostate removal can accelerate the healing process of the scarred tissue.
How soon after prostatectomy can I take Viagra?
Men should consult with their doctors and get a prescription for Viagra after surgery. However, most men are safe to resort to Viagra as soon as four weeks after their prostatectomy. This is when their catheters are being removed.
So how can Viagra improve sex after prostate surgery? To get the most of Viagra after prostatectomy, studies have shown that it is most effective when Viagra is taken on a regular and scheduled basis (daily or twice a week ) instead of based on need. It’s recommended to be taken on an empty stomach and not to be mixed with alcoholic drinks or heart pills.
Mind you, ED medication might not have the same effect as prior to the prostatectomy procedure. That is due to the fact that the nerves in the penis are still regenerating. At first, there might be no perceptible change whatsoever in a man’s sexual performance. Nonetheless, the medication is not to be interrupted due to this reason. On the contrary, Viagra is still working to get the blood flow pumping in the penile area which, in time, is going to help the male organ heal itself.
Doctors are usually recommending their patients to start their penile rehabilitation with Viagra. Even though these tablets are expensive and are liable of dangerous side effects, it still remains the mildest method to restore erectal function.
If medication fails, then doctors can take other methods into consideration. However, this time they are going to be more invasive in nature. Men can opt for injections, vacuum devices, implants, and further surgical procedures.
In addition to Viagra, doctors recommend their prostate cancer surviving patients to take up physical exercises. Kegel exercises for men can improve control over the bladder and even provide further aid in restoring erectile function.
How long does it take Viagra to work after prostatectomy?
As it was previously mentioned, the first tablet of Viagra taken after prostatectomy might render zero visible effects. Nonetheless, doctors urge patients to keep up with their medication and resort to resilience and patience during their period of penile rehabilitation.
It may take three or four times for men to regain the ability to perform penetrative sex with the help of Viagra. However, it is unlikely for this event to happen even after two months since the surgical procedure. Constant medication, exercise, and sexual intercourse with or without the act of penetration can help the male organ heal within a span of two years.
For men whose nerves have been spared during prostate surgery, Viagra improves the ability to have an erection by nearly 60%. However, in the case of patients with no nerves spared, their recovery chances from impotence drops to 20%. Nonetheless, doctors recommend other treatment options such as injections and vacuum devices.
Habits and lifestyle changes
There are changes you can make to your lifestyle to promote blood flow and improve your erectile health after prostate surgery:
- Change eating habits to maintain healthy weight and nutrition;
- Exercise regularly to improve cardiovascular health;
- Quit smoking and using nicotine products;
- Limit alcohol consumption.