Sexual arousal results in erections and these are triggered by the brain sending nerve signals to the penis. There are many reasons which can explain the causes of men experiencing erectile dysfunction, following prostate cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatment. It should be remembered that prostate cancer in itself is not a cause of erectile dysfunction, but the cancer treatment can affect the nerve and blood supply to the penis. Along with this, the associated emotional strain or a reduced sexual appetite can also result in impotence.

What does the severity depend on?
The severity of the erectile dysfunction depends on the stage of cancer, the skill of the surgeon and the type of surgery undertaken. So, if a nerve-sparing technique is used then recovery is expected to occur within a couple of years of the procedure. But on the other hand, if a non-nerve-sparing surgery was done then the recovery can be difficult.

What can cause impotence?

• Radiation therapy
  The onset of erectile dysfunction following this procedure is gradual and is the most common long-term complication of radiation therapy. It could happen around 6 months into treatment. But it might decrease with the more sophisticated modes of treatment being used these days.
• Hormone therapy
  Erectile dysfunction and the resultant decrease in sexual appetite will eventually happen in this case. This is due to the testosterone-reducing action of the medicines. It could take 2 to 4 weeks for the results to start kicking in.

Treatments
There are various prostrate impotence treatments available which can help men with erectile dysfunction:

• Oral medications
  Oral medications are a good starting point for treatment and will always be used first by the doctors. To be consumed orally, these medications work by letting the blood flow into the penis. It should be noted that it will take anywhere from half an hour to one hour for the effect of these medicines to show and for you to have an erection. But you need to be sexually stimulated to have an erection. Rest assured that you won’t have a permanent erection with these medicines but it could be necessary to take several doses of these and on different days before they begin to work.
• Penile Injections
  This is a medicine shot given in the penis when there is a need to have an erection. What this medicine does is that it allows more blood to flow to the penis. The effect can be almost instantaneous and can last for about half an hour to an hour. The difference is that, with this method, there is no need to be sexually stimulated. In this method, you will be taught to give yourself the shot by the doctor in charge or the healthcare team.
• MUSE
  This is a small pellet which is placed on the urethra along with a disposable plastic applicator. Smaller than a grain of rice, this prostate impotence treatment allows more blood to flow into the penis which will result in an almost instant erection that will last for half an hour to an hour. There is no necessity for any needles in this method and neither is there any need for sexual stimulation.
• Penile rings and vacuum pumps
  Both of them are classified as external medical devices which are supposed to help with erections. These two devices are for different purposes – penile rings are for men who can get erections but can’t sustain them. Made of rubber, these rings are placed around the base of the penis to make it rigid. On the other hand, a vacuum pump is for men who are unable to get or sustain erections. Made of a clear plastic cylinder, this prostate impotence treatment has a pump which could be manually or battery operated. The pump is placed over the penis and as the air gets sucked out of the cylinder; blood gets drawn into the penis which enlarges it. Then, a ring gets placed around its base to maintain the erection. It may take some time to become habituated with using a pump so it’s advisable to use them in the right way so that you feel comfortable.
• Penile Implants
  If none of the above prostrate impotence treatments work then getting a penile implant might be the solution. It is a medical device which is put into the penis during an operation. As a result, it will help you in achieving a mechanical erection.

While availing prostate impotence treatment, you should keep in mind that the medications or treatments could have adverse effects if you are already consuming other forms of medications, like antibiotics or antidepressants. Treatment may also get affected due to the age or lifestyle choices made. So it is best to consult a doctor before going for any treatment.