Erectile Dysfunction and Prostate Cancer
A prostate gland biopsy is a procedure that is used to remove a small number of samples of prostate tissue which are then further examined. Prostate biopsy usually requires a very thin needle to be inserted into the rectum (this is also known as a transrectal biopsy). It goes through the urethra or it may be done between the anus and the scrotum.
Why undergo prostate biopsy?
Being one of the most common procedure used, it is helpful is collecting prostate cell sample which is then used to check for any signs of prostate cancer. It is usually conducted if a blood shows high levels of PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) or if some lump of abnormal nature is found after the digital rectal examination.
How do you know you need to go to a clinic?
You need to consider your options at biopsy if you have had any abnormal bleeding problems recently or if you find that you are allergic to anesthetics or latex or other medicines or if you regularly use medicines for blood thinning.
Is prostate biopsy really an option?
For men who are considering a prostate biopsy might want to give it a second thought as research shows some serious ED problems afterward and therefore the effects have so far been highly underestimated. Erectile dysfunction (ED) or commonly known as the condition in men where they cannot sustain an erection for long. It is a disorder in men that have recently come to be associated with prostate biopsy. The emergence of this side effect being related to the above-said procedure has caused many to rethink on the whole biopsy issue. A lot is being said on the issue as is further written.
Researchers point out that while prostate biopsy has been considered a very low-risk procedure, it turns out that it might have adverse effects that may ill-affect the quality of life. Previously, since prostate biopsy was not considered that complicated a procedure, the side effects of ED were also not properly recognized. However, with the recent discovery of this researchers have started to study the side effects better first and then let their patients consider their options.
A significant increase in erectile dysfunction has been seen in patients who have undergone a prostate biopsy. Furthermore, it has been noticed that the occurrence of erectile dysfunction is independent of their age, diagnosis of cancer or even previous reports of biopsy. It might be good to note here that the first time it was stated that Erectile Dysfunction might be a side effect of biopsy was in fact as early as in 2001. However, due to lack of any evidence not much was done. That being said, there are other side effects of prostate biopsy such as hematuria, voiding dysfunction, pain, and vomiting. A separate study was also conducted for the same. A total of 200 men who were already candidates for prostate biopsy were taken and their erectile function was examined following the procedure. Their erectile function was measured as a unit of IIEF (International Index for Erectile Function). As expected the IIEF score was found to be significantly lower after the first week of biopsy. Not only that, such a dip in score was again noticed during the 4th and the 12th week. However, researchers did not conclude that it is the needle in fact that caused the damage. They stopped at saying that the actual cause for it is yet to be determined.
An August issue of BJU International has a short article pertaining to it. It has been stated that that psychological stress could be one of the reasons that contribute to erectile dysfunction. In the majority of the men who were tested for this, showed recover their erectile function to baseline after 1 week. However, in a few cases, the recovery took as long as 3 weeks.
This whole research has once again opened the gates for a study of biopsies. Originally thought of as bliss, biopsies causing harm to the body is compelling many institutions to take up the study again and start from the scratch. More information and details regarding the same can be found on our website.:
