Men Can’t Penetrate after Prostate Cancer Surgery

Ninety-nine percent of the 440 men reported about in this month’s Journal of Urology (Nehra et al., June, 2005) were dissatisfied with their erections after prostate cancer surgery, despite the fact that all the men had so called “nerve-sparing” radical prostatectomies.

Almost 90% of the men were unable to achieve an erection sufficient to penetrate for sexual intercourse. The study notes that patients with erectile dysfunction suffer loss of self-esteem, depression, and anxiety.

The 440 men were from 58 different medical centers through the United States and Canada, and were participants in a randomized, placebo controlled, double-blind study.

The study showed that undergoing prostate cancer surgery resulted in severe sexual dysfunction for the 440 men.

The study tested if vardenifil (Levitra) could help such men achieve satisfactory erections. Only 24 – 28% of the men, a minority, reported being satisfied with their post-surgery erections after taking the erection enhancing medication, and the men suffered headaches, vasodilation, rhinitis, sinusitis, dyspepsia, and nausea from taking the medication.

The study authors noted that quality of life is “profoundly compromised” in men who suffer erectile dysfunction after prostate cancer surgery.

“Prostate cancer surgery never cures men of prostate cancer because the radical prostatectomy always comes with a price,” says Dr. Bradley Hennenfent, author of the new book, “Surviving Prostate Cancer Without Surgery.”

Dr. Hennenfent points out that, “A true cure returns men to normal health without damaging them. However the radical prostatectomy always makes men sterile, and often causes smaller penises, sexual dysfunction, impotence, and incontinence.”

“Even worse,” says Dr. Hennenfent, “The radical prostatectomy failed to increase overall survival in one randomized controlled study after 23 years of follow-up, and only extended life for five percent of men in another randomized controlled trial after 10 years of follow-up.”

“The results of prostate cancer surgery are dismal,” says Dr. Hennenfent. His book, “Surviving Prostate Cancer Without Surgery” shows why nerve-sparing surgery doesn’t really spare the nerves.

Dr. Hennenfent has seen five uncles suffer from prostate cancer and has seen them treated by various methods. He co-founded the Prostatitis Foundation (www.Prostatitis.org), founded the Epididymitis Foundation (www.EpididymitisFoundation.org), and founded the Acoustic Neuroma Foundation (www.AcousticNeuromaFoundation.org). He previously published "The Prostatitis Syndromes."

"Surviving Prostate Cancer Without Surgery" can be found in fine bookstores everywhere. Biblio Distribution (800-462-6420) and Roseville Books/Rayve Productions (888-492-2665) distribute the book. It’s $19.95, a trade paperback, 334 pages, 34 chapters, ISBN Number: 0-9717454-1-2, and was published January 15, 2005. Twenty-seven illustrations and cartoons are included within the book, which also includes an extensive index.

Website: www.SurvivingProstateCancerWithoutSurgery.org.
Contact: Arnold@RosevilleBooks.com