Sildenafil Citrate May Help Men Who Have Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer

Sildenafil Citrate May Help Men Who Have Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer

Men who have undergone radiotherapy for prostate cancer may benefit from taking a drug called sildenafil citrate, American researchers say.

The drug could improve their ability to have erections after treatment.

Radiotherapy, also called radiation therapy, uses high-energy X-rays to destroy cancer cells. Patients may receive radiation from a machine outside the body. Or, they might have radiation sources, such as small pellets, implanted in the tumor or in an area close to it.

Unfortunately, radiotherapy, like other treatments for prostate cancer, often leads to erectile dysfunction (ED) – the inability to get an erection firm enough for sex. Radiation can damage blood vessels that allow blood to flow into the penis. If this blood flow is insufficient, a man will not be able to get a good erection.

The researchers wondered whether sildenafil citrate could help. Sildenafil citrate is classified as a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor and is prescribed to treat erectile dysfunction.

Two hundred seventy-nine men were enrolled in the study. All of the men had localized prostate cancer, which means the cancer cells were only found in the prostate gland. About two-thirds of the men were age 65 or older.

The men were randomly assigned to take either 50 mg of sildenafil citrate each day or a placebo. This regimen began three days before they started radiotherapy and continued for the next six months.

At various points over the next two years, the men completed questionnaires designed to assess their sexual function, urinary symptoms, and quality of life. One questionnaire, the International Index of Erectile Function-6 (IIEF-6) evaluated their ability to have erections and orgasms as well as their degrees of sexual desire, intercourse satisfaction, and overall sexual satisfaction.

At the twelve-month mark, the men in the sildenafil citrate group had better overall scores on the IIEF-6 than the men in the placebo group. They also had better scores on the erectile function and overall satisfaction domains. Seventy-three percent of the men in the sildenafil citrate group had mild or no ED compared to just half of the men in the placebo group.

After twenty-four months, the men who took sildenafil citrate were still doing well, but not significantly better than the men in the placebo group. The gap in scores between the groups had narrowed.

Still, 82% of the men in the sildenafil nitrate group could get functional erections with or without the help of ED drugs. For the men in the placebo group, this rate was 56%.

The study was published online in March by The Journal of Urology as an accepted manuscript.


Print this article or view it as a PDF file here: Sildenafil Citrate May Help Men Who Have Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer


Resources

The Journal of Urology

Zelefsky, Michael J., MD, et al.

“Prophylactic Sildenafil Citrate Improves Selected Aspects of Sexual Function in Men Treated by Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer”

(Article in Press. Full-text accessed via ScienceDirect. Published online: March 3, 2014)

http://www.jurology.com/article/S0022-5347(14)00355-3/abstract

Renal and Urology News

Charnow, Jody A.

“ED Drug Preserves Erectile Function After Prostate Radiotherapy”

(March 5, 2014)

http://www.renalandurologynews.com/ed-drug-preserves-erectile-function-after-prostate-radiotherapy/article/336772/

You may also be interested in...

Other Popular Articles

What Is Jelqing, and Does It Actually Work?

The term “jelqing” refers to a set of penis stretching exercises that some believe can make the penis bigger. Although the practice has gained attention and popularity in blogs and internet forums in recent years, there is no scientific evidence that it is an effective way to permanently increase the size of one’s penis. In fact, in some cases, jelqing may actually cause damage to the penis, so it is a good idea to get all the facts before setting off to try it.

What Is Sensate Focus and How Does It Work?

Sensate focus is a technique used to improve intimacy and communication between partners around sex, reduce sexual performance anxiety, and shift away from ingrained, goal-oriented sexual patterns that may not be serving a couple.

What Is the Average Penis Size?

If you have ever wondered how your penis compares to others in terms of size, you are not alone. Many men are curious to know how their penises stack up compared to the average. Unfortunately, general curiosity can sometimes give way to full-on obsession and anxiety about penis size. This can be an unhealthy and often unnecessary fixation, especially because most men who think their penises are too small have perfectly normal-sized penises.

What Is Edging and Why Do People Do It?

Edging is the practice of stopping sexual stimulation before reaching orgasm to prolong a sexual experience. The term stems from the concept of approaching the metaphorical “edge” of orgasm but stopping before going over the edge.

The Sex-Positivity Movement: What it Means to Be Sex-Positive

You may have heard references to “being sex-positive” or “the sex-positivity movement” in popular culture. Various celebrities have brought attention to this movement by speaking out about their beliefs and personal experiences regarding sexuality, sexual health, body positivity, “slut-shaming,” and sexual assault.

Can Sex Reduce Menstrual Cramps?

The SMSNA periodically receives and publishes ‘guest editorials.’ The current article was submitted by Mia Barnes, a freelance writer and researcher who specializes in women's health, wellness, and healthy living. She is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Body+Mind Magazine.

Having sex while you experience menstrual cramps is healthy and can provide significant benefits. While it might not be the first activity that comes to mind when your PMS or period cramping begins, many people enjoy sex to reduce menstrual cramps, experience increased pleasure and benefit from other advantages. Learn more about having sex while menstrual cramps are happening and how it can help your body.

Find a Provider

Find a provider who specializes in sexual medicine in your area.

FIND NOW
Image