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Sildenafil in postprostatectomy erectile dysfunction (perspective)

International Journal of Impotence Research volume 31, pages 61–64 (2019)Cite this article

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Abstract

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common side effect to radical prostatectomies, even with nerve-sparing procedures. To ameliorate the problem so-called “penile rehabilitation” programs have been developed. The most widely used method of this is subscribing sildenafil or other PDE5-inhibitors to patients following surgery. This is based on a theory that these drugs may increase penile oxygenation and provide antiapoptotic factors (primarily NO and cGMP), thus protecting the penile tissue in a period with reduced nerve function following the surgery. Preclinical studies have confirmed the potential of sildenafil in this context and early human trials have suggested that a steady ingestion of sildenafil might protect the structural integrity of the penis. However, subsequent well-designed trials have not been able to confirm the initial findings. This fits well with sildenafil’s mechanism of action because it does not actually induce erections or the production of either nitric oxide or cGMP. Rather, the drug enhances effects of an erectile response induced by neurotransmitters from the cavernous nerves. Therefore, sildenafil should no longer be offered as a sole means of penile rehabilitation. Rather, more research is needed, and clinicians need to apply a broader concept of sexual rehabilitation in postprostatectomy ED.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urology, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, Herlev, Denmark

    Mikkel Fode, Christian Fuglesang S. Jensen & Peter Busch Østergren

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  1. Mikkel Fode
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  2. Christian Fuglesang S. Jensen
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  3. Peter Busch Østergren
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Correspondence to Mikkel Fode.

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Conflict of interest

MF is a speaker for Astellas Pharma and Ferring Pharmaceuticals and an advisory board member for Astellas Pharma. PBØ is a speaker for Astellas Pharma, Ferring Pharmaceuticals, and Ipsen, and an advisory board member for Astellas Pharma and Ipsen. CFSJ declare that he has no conflict of interest.

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Fode, M., Jensen, C.F.S. & Østergren, P.B. Sildenafil in postprostatectomy erectile dysfunction (perspective). Int J Impot Res 31, 61–64 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41443-018-0102-y

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