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Studies show that more than 85 percent of men will experience erectile dysfunction following a prostatectomy, or the surgical removal of their prostate. Sexual dysfunction following this type of procedure is completely normal, but even though it’s normal, that doesn’t mean it’s any easier to deal with. In fact, it can take up to two years of natural recovery time for prostatectomy patients to see measured improvement in their erectile function.
That is why we offer compassionate treatment through the TUCC Penile Rehabilitation Program. A subset of the Center for Men’s Health at TUCC, our Penile Rehabilitation Program facilitates quicker recovery, helping you attain and maintain an erection so that you can get back to the quality of life you want.
Penile rehabilitation encompasses an array of treatments meant to return your sexual function to its normal baseline. Medical treatments for radical prostatectomy patients include oral medication, injection therapy, and a non-invasive vacuum pump. The main goal is to return blood flow to the penis for long-term sexual health.
To accelerate an improved sexual function, we generally encourage prostatectomy patients to begin a penile rehabilitation program in the weeks immediately following surgery.
TUCC’s Program uses both medical and therapeutic treatments to restore penile health and function. Along with assisting post-prostatectomy patients, penile rehab is also offered to those dealing with the effects of other surgeries or trauma, illness, or lack of use. No matter the cause of your erectile dysfunction, the TUCC Penile Rehabilitation Program aims to restore sexual health.
Whether it’s erectile dysfunction or loss of penile size, changes to your sex life are cause for concern. We believe in taking immediate action with a treatment plan to address not only the physical problem but also the emotional and mental toll some men experience.
The caring physicians at TUCC employ compassion and expertise in dealing with this condition. More importantly, they administer cutting-edge treatment options for men suffering from post-prostatectomy erectile dysfunction. Treatment involves an initial physical evaluation followed by a handful of treatment options:
Oral Agent
All prostatectomy patients are encouraged to begin taking oral medication after their surgery to help increase blood flow to the penis. Patients who participate will generally take a low dose of oral medication daily.
Intraurethral Pellet
This is a medicated pellet about half the size of a grain of rice that is placed in the urinary opening using a disposable plastic applicator. It allows the urethra to absorb the medication into the surrounding erectile tissues to create an erection. The duration of the effect is approximately 30-60 minutes, with an erection beginning 5-10 minutes after the administration of the medication. Patients participating are instructed to administer the pellet twice per week.
Injection Therapy
This treatment involves the injection of medicine into the erectile bodies of the penis. The drug is injected through a fine-gauge “insulin-style” needle. This increases the amount of blood in the penis and causes an erection that can generally occur for 30 minutes to two hours. Patients are instructed to administer the injection twice a week for six months.
Vacuum Erection Pump
The vacuum erection pump is a non-invasive treatment for erectile dysfunction. A plastic cylinder placed over the penis allows blood to flow more effectively. This particular therapy may be administered for 5-10 minutes a day, at a minimum of twice per week. Patients who choose this therapy will receive complete instructions on how to use the pump.
At TUCC, our goal is quite simple: To help restore your sexual health and treat erectile dysfunction following radical prostatectomy. We evaluate your situation and recommend the best treatment option.
The sooner, the better. At TUCC, we recommend prostatectomy patients begin penile rehab within the first few weeks following surgery. Acting quickly often leads to better outcomes.
Penile rehab starts with a conversion with your physician at TUCC. From there, you and your doctor will select the best treatment option for your specific situation.
Following a radical prostatectomy, men may experience changes to their nerve and blood vessels, making it more difficult to achieve and maintain an erection. This constitutes erectile dysfunction and is precisely what we treat with our Penile Rehabilitation Program.
Treatment options include oral medication, a medicated pellet, injection therapy, or an erection pump. Your TUCC physician will recommend the best course of action.
Depending on the treatment option, you could experience mild side effects.
Oral treatment potential side effects:
Injection potential side effects:
Penis pump potential side effects:
Generally speaking, the Penile Rehabilitation Program can greatly improve your sexual health. Specific benefits include:
We’re here to help.
For appointments at any TUCC location, request an appointment online.
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