Most Men Experience Erectile Dysfunction After Prostate Cancer Treatment
“Erectile dysfunction is a major issue that affects prostate cancer patients, but it also results in relationship issues. Most of these patients aren’t offered health interventions to support their sexual function, and we are hoping to address this,” said Dr. Galvão.
Study Participants Worked Out 3 Times a Week for 6 Months
The study included 112 men diagnosed with prostate cancer who were 66 years old on average. Participants were randomized to receive one of three interventions:
- Six months of supervised and self-directed exercise and resistance training
- Six months of supervised and self-directed exercise and resistance training, and a brief, one-time educational session that included stress management techniques, coping strategies for challenges related to cancer treatment, and goal-setting for sexual rehabilitation
- Usual medical care
The exercise program included both resistance training and aerobic exercise, with participants working out three times a week over six months. The aerobic component involved 20 to 30 minutes of cardio at moderate to vigorous intensity, using equipment like treadmills, cycling machines, or rowing machines.
For resistance training, the men performed six to eight weightlifting exercises that targeted both upper and lower body muscle groups.
Participants were also encouraged to exercise on their own to meet the recommended 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week.
Key study findings include:
- Exercise improved erectile function by an average of 5.1 points as measured by the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), which is used to assess male sexual health, specifically erectile function. Function is scored from 1 to 30, with higher scores indicating better function. Improvement of at least 4 points is considered necessary for a noticeable or clinical difference.
- The effects of exercise for erectile function were more significant for the subgroups who had received radiotherapy and androgen deprivation therapy to treat their prostate cancer, compared with those who had undergone a prostatectomy (a surgical procedure to remove all or part of the prostate).
- Men who reported lower levels of sexual desire, intercourse satisfaction, and overall satisfaction prior at the start of the study benefited more from the exercise intervention.
- Regular exercise also had a significant effect on preventing body fat weight gain and improving muscle strength.
- The psychosexual education session didn’t make a difference in improving ED.
Based on these findings, exercise should be considered an integral part of treatment to improve sexual function in men with prostate cancer, the authors concluded.
Improved Fitness Helps Blood Flow and Erectile Dysfunction
“These findings support earlier studies linking exercise to improved sexual function, as well as the overall link between cardiovascular health and sexual function,” says Michael Eisenberg, MD, a urologist with a clinical focus that includes ED at Stanford Health in Palo Alto, California. Dr. Eisenberg was not involved in the study.
Earlier research has shown that yoga improves ED in men with prostate cancer, and in middle-aged and older men without prostate cancer, exercise has been shown to have benefits for sexual function, according to the authors.
“Many men are motivated to recover function after prostatectomy. The study provides important information about an exercise strategy to help maximize postoperative sexual function,” says Eisenberg.
Experts believe that the benefits come from improved cardiovascular fitness and systemic circulation, he says.
“Improved blood flow should also translate into better erectile function,” says Eisenberg.
Is It Safe for Men With Prostate Cancer to Exercise?
“After treatment recovery, most men with prostate cancer are able to exercise. However, they should check with their doctor to understand if limitations exist and if so, how long they should limit themselves,” says Eisenberg.