Improving Post-Treatment Sexual Health
Yes, this is always a topic of interest since most, if not all, invasive treatments for prostate cancer result in some degree of diminished sexual health and function. What do you do?
When treating a life-threatening condition like prostate cancer, the primary consideration must be to choose a treatment option that provides the highest survival rate based on the profile of your disease. Given comparable survival rates across a number of treatment options, you will then have an opportunity to choose based on quality-of-life issues.
At the time of diagnosis, you are so focused on survival that the quality-of-life implications of various treatment options may not be fully explored, discussed, and factored in. This sense of urgency to take action can lead to treatment decisions in which quality-of-life risks such as incontinence or impotence are only fully understood after the fact. So, ask your doctor the right questions to ensure that you understand upfront the benefits and risks associated with your various treatment options. With a little bit of research and patience, better treatment decisions can be made.
Today our focus is on post-treatment degradation in sexual function, and what options are available to you if you have or will be undergoing an invasive treatment for prostate cancer.
First of all, what triggers the treatment-related erectile dysfunction? There are two bundles of nerves, one on each side of the prostate, that activate the physiological process needed to achieve and maintain an erection. When one or both of these nerve bundles is damaged or removed, the result is diminished sexual function. The degree of damage to these bundles determines the degree of degradation in sexual function.
In other words, a man left with one undamaged nerve bundle has more to work with than a man that has had both of his nerve bundles removed or damaged. The more you have to work with, the more successful you can be in regaining and maintaining a satisfactory level of sexual function.
Let’s start with lower degrees of damage and work our way up to the more severe cases.
First of all, we need to have realistic expectations knowing that our pelvic region has just experienced a traumatic event. We also need to get familiar with the concept of a “dry orgasm” in which your sensation of orgasm will be comparable, but the absence of a functioning prostate will mean a lack of ejaculate.
Secondly, a smart dietary and exercise regimen will result in improved general health and fitness levels, which makes a difference in sexual health. Smart lifestyle choices matter.
Thirdly, we recommend that you try natural, side-effect-free options before considering pharmaceuticals, injections, or devices. In Dr. Geo’s clinical practice, he finds that many post-treatment men will achieve their goals with a combination of diet, exercise, and XYVGGR.
Dr. Geo’s goal with it is to address the underlying causes of erectile dysfunction rather than to “pave over” them for a few hours. Its formula is designed to support critical aspects of sexual health and function, such as boosting nitric oxide levels, improving circulation within the blood vessels involved in an erection, and reversing age-related or prostate cancer treatment-related physiological damage. For many post-treatment men, diet, exercise, and XYVGGR may be all that is needed.
If you are dealing with more damage, atop the earlier recommendation, we suggest adding a PDE-5 drug such as Cialis or Viagra. To do so, work closely with your doctor to ensure that drug interaction issues are examined and managed, and get a prescription. This combination of diet, exercise, XYVGGR, and a PDE-5 drug works well, but every man is starting from a different point.
If you follow all the above recommendations and are still unable to regain a satisfactory level of sexual function, we recommend personalized guidance from a credentialed sexual health doctor. There are a number of viable options to work with, but only work with a qualified specialist to prescribe and monitor this process, which will require some trial and error.
To summarize, anyone undergoing invasive prostate cancer treatments should expect some degree of degradation sexual health and function. There are a number of progressively aggressive treatment options available to you. These options are superior what was available just a few years ago, so if you have lost some or all of your ability to enjoy a satisfying sex life, do not give up. Instead, start with the natural, side-effect-free approach, and then, if needed, see your doctor about adding a PDE-5 drug to your regimen. If more is needed, seek out a sexual health specialist who will work directly with you to build a customized approach.
And please tend to the psychological aspects recognizing that your body has gone through a traumatic event, is now different, and needs time to adjust and recuperate. Be patient, but be persistent as there are plenty of good resources available to you. We are here to help.
All the Best,
David, Co-founder & CEO