Traditional treatments include radical prostatectomy, in which the entire gland is removed. The drawback is loss of sexual function-the overall rate of impotency is 50 percent. Another treatment is external beam radiation therapy, an outpatient procedure.
Alternative procedures include the use of radiation seeds, which are implanted in the prostate, and cryosurgery, in which ice is injected into the prostate to freeze it. But all these treatments carry the risk of losing some form of sexual function. ESSENCE: Is that why men avoid getting the necessary screening? Powell: Oh, yes. When I counsel patients about treatment options, I typically talk to the men and their wives, and I’ve had men tell me that if they can’t function sexually, they’d rather be dead. The wives, of course, think their husbands have lost their mind. But I remind these men that there are some great new treatments for impotence, such as Viagra. ESSENCE: How has your personal experience with prostate cancer affected your work? Powell: I’m a five-year prostate-cancer survivor.
Experiencing the disease firsthand has made me even more committed. Once I tell my patients that I’m a survivor, they’re more hopeful. ” Aliyah Baruchin writes about health and lives in New Rochelle, New York. EXPERIENCING TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES 9 surprising reasons he may not be able to rise to the occasion Almost every man at some point in his life will experience temporary, situational impotency But an estimated 30 million American men suffer from full or partial erectile dysfunction (ED), the inability to have or maintain an erection satisfactory for intercourse, according to the National Institutes of Health. But while erectile dysfunction may be a source of embarrassment and frustration for him, it can also indicate health problems. ” Most men consider ED to be more of a psychological problem than a medical one, ” says Gerald P Hoke, M.D., chief of urology at Harlem Hospital in New York City. ” But it may signal a systemic disease that should be treated. ” By Aliyah Baruchin According to Hoke, erectile dysfunction is most often caused by diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol, all of which are more prevalent in African-Americans and are potentially lifethreatening if left untreated. ” If a man has difficulty obtaining an erection, he can’t just chalk it up to getting old, and he shouldn’t be ashamed to talk about it, ” says Hoke. ” The most important thing is to see a doctor. ” Below is a list of other possible causes of erectile dysfunction.
Photograph Heart disease or vascular problems can inhibit the amount of blood that enters the penis, hindering the ability to achieve an erection. A primary-care physician can test for these problems and make referrals to a cardiologist or vascular surgeon for treatment. In some cases, treating the underlying cause successfully, such as getting blood pressure under control, can help improve sexual function. Commonly prescribed medications such as cimetidine (used to treat ulcers), antihistamines, antidepressants and tranquilizers can cause erectile dysfunction by interfering with nerve impulses or blood flow to the penis, Taking certain blood-pressure medication, particularly beta-blockers, can sometimes result in erectile dysfunction.
But if this happens to your man, he should ask his doctor about switching medication rather than stop taking it altogether. Lifestyle factors such as smoking, drug use (especially cocaine or opiates like heroin) and excessive alcohol consumption can affect sexual functional.