Photo: Anna Shvets

What happens to a man after prostate cancer?

Most men experience some decline in erectile function after their prostate is removed, but this can be managed. “It can take six months or even up to a year for the affected nerves to recover from surgery. But with proper therapy and treatment, most patients can have good erectile function again,” says Dr. Fam.

hackensackmeridianhealth.org - What to Expect After Prostate Removal - Hackensack Meridian Health

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Prostate removal is an effective treatment option for prostate cancer. A radical prostatectomy, which removes the entire prostate gland as well as some surrounding tissue, takes a few hours to complete.

Here are three things you can expect after your prostate is removed.

Gradual Recovery

Prostate removal is major surgery, so expect some soreness and pain. You’ll receive IV pain medications at first, and your doctor may prescribe you pain medication to use at home. You will also have a urinary catheter in place for about the first week, which you might find uncomfortable. Most patients are up and moving the day of surgery and go home the following day. Although you will need to rest and gradually resume physical activity, urologist Mina Fam, M.D., emphasizes the importance of movement. “I want patients up and walking the same day of surgery because any kind of cancer surgery has a risk for blood clotting,” Dr. Fam says. “I encourage patients to keep walking during their recovery.” Expect it to take about four weeks to start feeling back to your “normal” self if your surgery was done robotically and up to six weeks with a traditional open approach.

Changes in Your Sex Life

Treatment options include:

Medication

Pelvic floor muscle exercises

Penile implants

Counseling

Work with your doctor to find a treatment that is right for you. Another change to expect in your sex life is that, because the seminal vesicles are removed during surgery, you won’t ejaculate semen during orgasm.

Bladder Problems

Urinary incontinence is another common side effect of prostate removal. You might dribble or leak urine when sneezing or laughing, or feel an urgent need to go to the bathroom. If you had normal urinary control before your surgery, you will likely regain this control over time. For most men, urinary incontinence will go away within a year, often within months. Whether your surgery is robotic or the traditional open approach can impact how severe your symptoms are and how long they last. “With the robot, we’re able to really preserve the length of the urethra and preserve all the muscles that control continence,” says Dr. Fam. Though minor incontinence still occurs with robotic surgery, most men will have full control of their bladder after about six to eight weeks. If you are suffering from incontinence, there are treatment options that can help, including:

Medication

Pelvic floor exercises

Artificial urinary sphincters (an implanted device to treat moderate to severe stress urinary incontinence)

Talk to your doctor to find the right treatment option.

The material provided through HealthU is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual care.

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Why would tamsulosin be stopped?

The doctor may advise you to stop taking tamsulosin 2 weeks before surgery. This is because tamsulosin may cause complications during the cataract or glaucoma operation. For any other surgery, ask the nurse or doctor at your pre-assessment appointment if you need to stop taking tamsulosin.

nhs.uk - Tamsulosin: a medicine used to treat men with symptoms of an ... - NHS

Tamsulosin comes as slow-release tablets and capsules (also called modified release, prolonged release, MR or XL).

This means the medicine is released into your body gradually.

How much will I take?

The usual dose of tamsulosin for enlarged prostate and kidney stone is 400 micrograms, once a day. The word microgram is sometimes written with the Greek symbol μ followed by the letter g (μg). A microgram is 1,000 times smaller than a milligram (mg).

How to take it

Swallow your tamsulosin capsules or tablets whole with a glass of water.

Do not break, chew or crush them.

If you can, take tamsulosin in the morning, after breakfast or the first meal or snack of the day. This is so the highest levels of medicine are in your body during the day and gives you the most benefit when you are most likely trying to pee.

It's best to take it at about the same time each day.

What if I forget to take it?

If you miss a dose of tamsulosin, and you remember within 6 hours, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it's more than 6 hours, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time the next day. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose. If you forget doses often, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicine.

What if I take too much?

Taking too much tamsulosin can lead to a decrease in your blood pressure and an increase in your heart rate. You may feel drowsy, faint and lightheaded.

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