Erectile dysfunction and prostate cancer

Read about the consequences brought about by treatment for prostate cancer as regards stiffening of the penis.

Increasingly more cases of prostate cancer

Prostate cancer, which is an increasingly more spread disease among men, is treated by ADT or androgen deprivation therapy. Despite its success rate in treatment for prostate cancer, ADT can have a very negative and unpleasant contraindication, that is, erectile dysfunction.

What is ADT?


ADT or androgen deprivation therapy is used for advanced prostate cancer. Deprivation of the hormones androgens prevents the development of the male hormone testosterone that causes the growth of the tumour.

Dr. Ithaar H. Derweesh, from University of Tennessee Health Science Center, said they had not specifically dealt with the problem of erectile dysfunction and studies it. For this reason, there is no special mention of it in professional literature. Decreased libido is the only side-effect of ADT known to date.

How many men suffer from erectile dysfunction due to ADT?

Owing to insufficient research in this field and related incomplete information, experts from University of Tennessee Health Science Center conducted an exhaustive study which included 395 men treated by ADT for advanced prostate cancer. In the period of 15 years, as the study lasted,  14.4% of men experienced erectile dysfunction after the therapy treatment. In 70% of men there was recurrence of erectile dysfunction.

How can patients solve problems with erection?

Viagra proved as an effective means against the undesired contraindication. In the study conducted, 47% of men had a positive reaction to treatment for erectile dysfunction with Viagra.