Part 8 -My personal experiences with Prostate Cancer

Speaking of long term side effects from prostate surgery (and radiation), the two most common are erectile dysfunction and incontinence.

As far as erectile dysfunction, you need an honest discussion with your surgeon (and partner) prior to surgery. There are “nerve sparing” techniques they can use to prevent this issue (ya’d think that would be common practice, no?). Very often erectile dysfunction improves after some long term healing. If it persists, there are medications and other techniques that can return some functionality.

More info:

http://www.harvardprostateknowledge.org/new-options-for-treating-erectile-dysfunction

Incontinence is also a major concern. Most men need to wear “pads” after surgery and/or radiation. Kegel exercises will help make this a temporary problem pretty quickly in most cases.

More on Kegel exercises:

https://www.nafc.org/kegel?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=how%20to%20do%20the%20kegel%20exercise&utm_content=92065425991&utm_campaign=&gclid=Cj0KEQiAh4fEBRCZhriIjLfArrQBEiQArzzDAbowOW-lqmAECF3-wCt_1PJEThEC6oGik3sDbj6vMokaAvML8P8HAQ

I was lucky that I never had any long term “leaky” incontinence; I have continued to do Kegels to this very day. However I have suffered long term “urge incontinence” (you have to pee often), due to the scarring that resulted from radiation. I have become adept at timing rest room stops. If I need some extra help on plane trips or long car rides, I have relied on the prescription Oxybutynin, which is a bladder relaxant.

These side effects should not prevent you from enjoying life!