Can Cialis Treat ED In Men With Prostate Cancer?
Men who are living with prostate cancer may experience erectile dysfunction (ED). Medications that are used to treat ED have had significant success in men who do not have any other health problems, but treating ED in men with prostate cancer poses unique challenges.
What Is Cialis?
Cialis is a medication that is specifically intended to treat ED. The medication works by ensuring that blood vessels remain dilated to allow blood into the penis. Men are able to achieve an erection when blood can flow into the penis. The effects of Cialis can work up to 36 hours.
Treatments for prostate cancer including radiation can contribute to erectile dysfunction. Men who have been living with prostate cancer are likely to be eager to return to their normal lifestyle following treatment, but there are lasting effects of the intense treatment options that are available for this type of cancer.
ED may be caused or exasperated by radiation treatments. The blood vessels may become damaged when an individual is exposed to radiation during cancer treatments, and this damage may make it difficult for blood to enter the penis. It is estimated that 40 percent of men who have had radiation treatment for prostate cancer suffer from ED after the completion of their treatment.
Studies indicate that Cialis is not able to provide a significant increase in the ability of men who have undergone radiation treatments to achieve and maintain an erection. These studies also found that men who had been treated for prostate cancer were not able to improve the enjoyment of their sexual activity by using Cialis. This outcome was true whether a man took the medication on a regular basis or reserved use of the medication for times when sexual activity was expected to take place.
It is believed that Cialis is not able to work in men who have been treated for prostate cancer because of the nature of the problem causing ED. Cialis helps to improve blood circulation to ensure that blood can flow into the penis. Men who have had radiation have blood vessel damage, and improving blood flow is not able to reverse or remedy this damage.
Alternative treatments including pumps, injected medications and even surgery may help to treat ED in this specific group. Men who are suffering from ED after receiving radiation treatments should discuss their options with a medical provider.
