Is it possible to identify men who are at risk for erectile dysfunction? Some researchers say yes. Specifically, a method that can reasonably predict which men receiving prostate cancer treatment are most likely to experience erectile dysfunction due to such treatment. This can be a very useful tool to help men decide whether to go for prostate cancer treatment right away or adapt a wait and see approach. In general, prolonging life and increasing survival are top priorities for cancer treatment in general. For prostate cancer, the chances of survival are relatively higher than others as most men with early-stage prostate cancer survive the condition. That being said, another important concern when it comes to treatment are the side effects that men may suffer as a result.
Diagnostic tests such as PSA or prostate-specific antigen blood tests can reveal tumors in a man’s prostate. Most of these tumors, however, grow at such a turtle-like pace that they pose little threat to a man’s health. The problem is that such an exam only identifies the presence of tumors and is not able to distinguish aggressive ones. Like, most men go for the initial treatment just to be sure. These treatments are not easy - they have side effects. These can include bowel dysfunction, incontinence and erectile dysfunction, which is the most common side effect. It also happens to be one that affects men emotionally. As such, any testing procedure that can predict the likelihood of men suffering from post-treatment erectile dysfunction can greatly help in deciding whether or not to go for treatment immediately.
At Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Drs. Martin Sanda and his colleagues have developed a test that has an accuracy rate of up to 90% in predicting a man’s risk for developing post-treatment erectile dysfunction. Dr. According to Sanda, the test can be administered in a clinical setting and scored within only 7 minutes and that the key is determining the patient’s baseline before receiving treatment. Based on his research, he has suggested that the likelihood of a man suffering from erectile dysfunction varies depending on the kind of prostate cancer treatment he receives. They found that men who did not suffer from erectile dysfunction before receiving prostate cancer treatment were 60% more likely to suffer from erectile dysfunction within 2 years after surgical removal of the prostate. They also found that more than 40% of men who have never experienced erectile dysfunction and who had experienced external radiation treatment for prostate cancer after treatment. This figure is less than 40% for those who received brachytherapy or had radioactive “seeds” implanted in the prostate.
It was also noted that high PSA levels also increased the risk for post-treatment erectile dysfunction. Race, Age, Sexual History & Body Mass Index (BMI) were also identified as key pre-treatment variables to assess one’s risk for posttreatment erectile dysfunction, along with the type of treatment administered.
Restless Leg Syndrome and Erectile Dysfunction
Another factor to consider in assessing someone’s risk for erectile dysfunction is restless legs syndrome. Men who have it are at higher risk for a limping wiener than those who don’t, a study shows. Restless leg syndrome is a strong need in a person to move the legs, particularly due to discomfort when sitting or lying down. Others describe the feeling of restless legs syndrome as a burning, tingling, creeping, or creeping sensation and that this sensation subsides when the legs are moved. Such relief, however, is short-lived.
Although there are no established causes for this, there are cases that are caused by pregnancy or anemia and can be exacerbated by consuming alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine. The study, conducted by researchers at Harvard University, is one that builds on earlier research linking the frequency of erectile dysfunction in men with restless legs syndrome. The study also mentioned that as the frequency of restless leg syndrome symptoms increases, so does the risk for erectile dysfunction. The study included more than 11,000 men aged 64 years by the time the trial study began in 2002. In addition, these men had no history of erectile dysfunction, arthritis, or diabetes. The study began with men given a standard set of health questions. The basis for classifying men as having restless legs syndrome or RLS is meeting the 4 RLS diagnostic criteria and symptoms experienced more than 5 times monthly. During the study, 1,979 cases of erectile dysfunction were identified. The study also found that men with RLS were 50% more likely to experience erectile dysfunction versus men who did not have RLS, taking into account the subjects’ weight, age, and history for antidepressants, smoking, or chronic diseases. It was also noted that men who experienced symptoms of RLS were 68% more likely to struggle with erectile dysfunction more than 14 times monthly.
The January 1, 2010 edition of Sleep Journal also reported that impotence seems to be more prevalent among older men who do not suffer from RLS and the higher the frequency of symptoms, the higher their risk was compared to those suffering from restless leg syndrome. Dr. Jiang Gao — who is an instructor at Harvard Medical School — offered a simple explanation for the link between RLS and impotence. The connection between the two may be due to a decrease in dopamine, a brain chemical, he said.
