{"entity":{"id":"erectile-dysfunction-after-prostate-cancer","kind":"term","name":"Erectile dysfunction after prostate cancer treatment","aka":["impotence after prostate cancer","ED after prostatectomy"],"tldr":"Not being able to get or keep an erection after treatment, because the nerves, the blood supply or the testosterone have been affected.","summary":"Surgery can remove or damage the erectile nerves that run alongside the prostate; radiotherapy damages the blood supply more slowly; hormone therapy removes the desire and the erections with it. NICE NG131 sets out a ladder: PDE5 inhibitor tablets first, then vacuum devices, intraurethral inserts, penile injections or a penile prosthesis, with access to specialist erectile dysfunction services and psychosexual support alongside. All of it is free on the NHS and there is no age limit.","asOf":"2026-09-25","links":[{"label":"NICE NG131: prostate cancer, diagnosis and management","url":"https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng131/chapter/Recommendations"},{"label":"Prostate Cancer UK: sex and relationships","url":"https://prostatecanceruk.org/prostate-information-and-support/living-with-prostate-cancer/sex-and-relationships"},{"label":"Prostate Cancer UK: treatments for erection problems","url":"https://prostatecanceruk.org/prostate-information-and-support/living-with-prostate-cancer/sex-and-relationships/treatments-for-erection-problems"},{"label":"NHS: erection problems (erectile dysfunction)","url":"https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/erection-problems-erectile-dysfunction/"}],"tags":[],"related":[],"cancers":["prostate"],"sections":[],"technologies":[],"targets":[],"drugs":[],"companies":[],"institutions":[],"pathways":[],"terms":[],"trials":[],"people":[],"bottlenecks":[],"keyPapers":[],"journals":[],"dependsOn":[],"notes":[],"category":"Side effects"},"route":"/terms/erectile-dysfunction-after-prostate-cancer/","neighbours":{"cancer":[{"id":"prostate","kind":"cancer","name":"Prostate cancer","route":"/cancers/prostate/"}]}}