Erectile dysfunction caused by cancer checks

Tests for prostate cancer can cause erectile dysfunction.

They can also cause lingering urinary problems, according to a new study in the Journal of Urology.

Biopsies are given to men who doctors believe to have a high risk of prostate cancer. In this study, German researchers followed 198 men who had been given biopsies. Erectile dysfunction was found to be a common side effect. Just over half of men experienced impotence within 1 week of the test.

However, this erectile dysfunction was temporary. After 12 weeks most men were able to have an erection again.

Doctors say that damage to the “neurovascular bundle” is what causes problems with urination, ED and incontinence.

Researchers say that the findings were “unsurprising”: it is well known that erectile dysfunction is linked to prostate cancer diagnoses, although this study is one of the first to scientifically study this. Nonetheless, researchers say men should be “made aware of the risks” before they undergo prostate testing. Especially men who have multiple biopsies, because the risk of erectile dysfunction appears to be related to the number of needle sticks used.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. However, in many cases, almost 100% of men diagnosed with prostate cancer are still alive after 5 years. Some will never experience problems from the disease. As such experts are worried that biopsies may sometimes be doing more harm than good – causing men erectile dysfunction, when their cancer is ultimately benign.

September is prostate cancer awareness month. Health campaigners say that men’s lack of willingness to discuss prostate cancer means that all too often, the condition goes undiagnosed.