Sexual Well-being | Terapia focal da próstata

Preserving Sexual Well-being with HIFU

When it comes to treating prostate cancer, maintaining sexual health and overall quality of life is a priority.
HIFU (High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound) offers a unique approach that preserves sexual function better than other prostate cancer treatments. The following comparisons highlights HIFU's advantages.

Erectile Function

During radical prostatectomy, surgeons aim to spare the nerve bundles responsible for erections, but these nerves can be damaged or removed, leading to long-term erectile dysfunction in up to 87% of cases. Radiotherapy and brachytherapy can also harm the nerves near the prostate, causing erectile dysfunction in 60-70% of patients. Salvage radical prostatectomy has an almost 100% risk of erectile dysfunction.

In contrast, HIFU’s targeted approach minimizes nerve damage, with less than 20% of patients experiencing erectile dysfunction. Yet, we consider this rate still too high. Our goal is to not only maintain your erectile function but, with lifestyle adjustments and medical support, even improve your sexual health post-treatment.

Penile Size and Shape

Some men notice penile shortening, curvature, or narrowing after radical prostatectomy. HIFU treatment, being non-invasive, does not affect the size or shape of your penis, allowing you to maintain your confidence and sexual satisfaction.

Orgasm and Ejaculation

Radical Prostatectomy: Removes the prostate and seminal vesicles, resulting in "dry orgasms," where men feel the sensation of orgasm but cannot ejaculate. Some report a decrease in orgasmic intensity and pleasure. Additionally, the loss of a visible ejaculation can be significant for some men and their partners.
Radiotherapy and Brachytherapy: May preserve ejaculation but often result in significantly reduced semen volume or no ejaculation at all, and occasionally blood may appear in the semen.

In contrast, most men treated with HIFU maintain ejaculation and semen production, with up to 98% of patients preserving these functions years after treatment.

Regardless of sexual orientation, HIFU also offers unique advantages for men who engage in anal sex, with benefits that are truly incomparable to any other prostate cancer treatment.

LEARN MORE

Fathering Children

Traditional prostate cancer treatments make it very difficult to start or grow a family afterward. If the entire prostate gland and the seminal vesicles are removed, such as in a radical prostatectomy surgery, semen production stops, making natural conception impossible. Radiation-based treatments, like radiotherapy or brachytherapy, can temporarily stop sperm production and may permanently reduce the amount of fluid produced during ejaculation, which can make conception more challenging. Men who wish to have children after these treatments can consider freezing their sperm beforehand, though this will require assisted conception for their partner.

HIFU’s focal approach targets only the cancerous areas, preserving healthy prostate tissue and the seminal vesicles. After focal therapy, you will continue to produce both sperm and semen and will be able to ejaculate normally. This gives men the potential to father children naturally after the HIFU treatment, with several successful cases reported.

Continue Enjoying Sex as Before!

HIFU’s minimally invasive approach not only treats prostate cancer effectively but also safeguards your sexual health, helping you maintain intimacy, pleasure, and confidence in your relationships.