Products To Help Erectile Dysfunction Post Prostatectomy

What causes erectile dysfunction post operatively?

Damage to vital penile nerves during a radical prostatectomy can lead to neuropraxia (interruption of nerve impulse transmission). This results in temporary erectile dysfunction for about 70 percent of patients. Thus, the lack of natural erections results in cavernosal hypoxia (lack of oxygen to the penile smooth muscle). One of the most important factors in the pathophysiology of erectile dysfunction is cavernosal hypoxia. Men who have cavernosal hypoxia can develop cavernosal fibrosis. This ultimately leads to a loss of blood from the penis and long-term erectile dysfunction.

 

How long does it take for things to get back to normal?

Research shows that return of erectile function can take between six to 24 months. During which, men can be unable to experience spontaneous night time erections due to neuropraxia.

 

What causes an erection?

To generate a successful erection, you need specific nerve reflexes to be intact and functioning properly. There are many nerve receptors that line the surface of your penis but particularly at the frenulum (skin that attaches foreskin to penis) and base of glans. There are stimulation trigger centres in the spinal cord and brain which start a process that leads to penile erection, firmness and ejaculation.

Which products To Help Erectile Dysfunction Post Prostatectomy

Penile Vibratory Stimulation safely stimulates these sensors and helps initiate the flow of blood into the penis. This also stimulates the muscles that maintains blood flow, making the penis erect.

It is postulated that PVS works by activating the parasympathetic erectile spinal centre between the levels of S2-S4 in the spine. This then activates cavernosal nerves which speeds up the recovery from neuropraxia and restoration of spontaneous erections. It is also suggested that PVS can improve continence through stimulating the somatic S2-S4 centre, the pudendal nerve is activated which then stimulates pelvic floor muscles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our pelvic floor physiotherapists can advise you on the best way to move forward to improve erectile function and we sell a range of devices (including penile vibrators – as pictured below) that can assist in improving your function.

Please don’t hesitate to give our friendly reception team a call on (07) 5474 9093 to make an appointment with one of our pelvic floor physiotherapists Libby Whyatt, Robin Kerr or Alice Mackenzie today.

 

To find out more about Prostate Awareness Month.