Use of erectile dysfunction treatments after prostate cancer treatment and their perceived impact on men’s sex life: an analysis of patient reported outcome survey data
Abstract Background Although sexual dysfunction is a common treatment side-effect affecting men’s quality of life, many prostate cancer patients do not receive or seek out treatments for erectile dysfunction (ED). The aims of this study are to investigate the extent and patterns of use of ED treatme...
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2025-01-01
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| Series: | BMC Urology |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12894-025-01702-0 |
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| author | Megan Charlick Tenaw Tiruye Kerry Ettridge Michael O’Callaghan Alex Jay Kerri Beckmann |
| author_facet | Megan Charlick Tenaw Tiruye Kerry Ettridge Michael O’Callaghan Alex Jay Kerri Beckmann |
| author_sort | Megan Charlick |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Although sexual dysfunction is a common treatment side-effect affecting men’s quality of life, many prostate cancer patients do not receive or seek out treatments for erectile dysfunction (ED). The aims of this study are to investigate the extent and patterns of use of ED treatments and their perceived impact at different times following prostate cancer treatment. Methods This retrospective cohort study included all men on the South Australian prostate cancer registry who completed one or more Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) survey from 2016 to 2023 (n = 5561). Outcomes included self-reported use of ED treatment (oral medications, intra-cavernosal injections (ICI) and vacuum pumps) and their impact men’s sex life at various time points after treatment. The type and timing of ED treatments used was analysed descriptively. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics associated with utilisation and self-reported satisfaction were examined using multivariable mixed-effects binomial logistic regression. Results Post-treatment use of ED treatments did not exceed 43% at any timepoint, with utilisation rates decreasing over time. Oral medications were most frequently used, while vacuum pump and ICI use was limited. Oral medications were more likely to be used at three-months (odds ratio [OR] = 2.48; 95% confidence interval [95%CI] = 1.88–3.27) and six-months (OR = 2.10; 95%CI = 1.63–2.27) than at 12-months post-treatment, and among men from higher socioeconomic areas (OR = 2.41; 95%CI = 1.47–3.93, highest vs. lowest quintile), and following prostatectomy (OR = 4.37; 95%CI = 2.92–6.42), and less likely among older men (OR = 0.08; 95%CI = 0.05–0.13, < 60yrs vs. 70-79yrs). Men were more likely to report an improved sex life with oral medication use at two-years (OR = 3.79; 95%CI = 1.69–8.47) and five-years (OR = 3.07; 95%CI = 1.51–6.25) post-treatment compared with 12-months or if they were socioeconomically advantaged (OR = 3.22; 95%CI = 1.30–7.96, highest vs. lowest quintile). Conclusions A substantial proportion of Australian men do not access or continue to use ED treatments after prostate cancer treatment, with many users reporting only modest effects on their sex life. There is a need to improve access to and maintenance of ED treatments following prostate cancer treatment. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0fc11d48082a4b74b5e503d48603ade7 |
| institution | Kabale University |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
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| series | BMC Urology |
| spelling | doaj-art-0fc11d48082a4b74b5e503d48603ade72025-02-02T12:44:20ZengBMCBMC Urology1471-24902025-01-0125111110.1186/s12894-025-01702-0Use of erectile dysfunction treatments after prostate cancer treatment and their perceived impact on men’s sex life: an analysis of patient reported outcome survey dataMegan Charlick0Tenaw Tiruye1Kerry Ettridge2Michael O’Callaghan3Alex Jay4Kerri Beckmann5Cancer Epidemiology and Population Health, University of South AustraliaCancer Epidemiology and Population Health, University of South AustraliaHealth Policy Centre, South Australian Health and Medical Research InstituteSouth Australian Prostate Cancer Clinical Outcomes Collaborative, Flinders Medical Centre, Flinders University, University of AdelaideUrology Department, Flinders Medical CentreCancer Epidemiology and Population Health, University of South AustraliaAbstract Background Although sexual dysfunction is a common treatment side-effect affecting men’s quality of life, many prostate cancer patients do not receive or seek out treatments for erectile dysfunction (ED). The aims of this study are to investigate the extent and patterns of use of ED treatments and their perceived impact at different times following prostate cancer treatment. Methods This retrospective cohort study included all men on the South Australian prostate cancer registry who completed one or more Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) survey from 2016 to 2023 (n = 5561). Outcomes included self-reported use of ED treatment (oral medications, intra-cavernosal injections (ICI) and vacuum pumps) and their impact men’s sex life at various time points after treatment. The type and timing of ED treatments used was analysed descriptively. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics associated with utilisation and self-reported satisfaction were examined using multivariable mixed-effects binomial logistic regression. Results Post-treatment use of ED treatments did not exceed 43% at any timepoint, with utilisation rates decreasing over time. Oral medications were most frequently used, while vacuum pump and ICI use was limited. Oral medications were more likely to be used at three-months (odds ratio [OR] = 2.48; 95% confidence interval [95%CI] = 1.88–3.27) and six-months (OR = 2.10; 95%CI = 1.63–2.27) than at 12-months post-treatment, and among men from higher socioeconomic areas (OR = 2.41; 95%CI = 1.47–3.93, highest vs. lowest quintile), and following prostatectomy (OR = 4.37; 95%CI = 2.92–6.42), and less likely among older men (OR = 0.08; 95%CI = 0.05–0.13, < 60yrs vs. 70-79yrs). Men were more likely to report an improved sex life with oral medication use at two-years (OR = 3.79; 95%CI = 1.69–8.47) and five-years (OR = 3.07; 95%CI = 1.51–6.25) post-treatment compared with 12-months or if they were socioeconomically advantaged (OR = 3.22; 95%CI = 1.30–7.96, highest vs. lowest quintile). Conclusions A substantial proportion of Australian men do not access or continue to use ED treatments after prostate cancer treatment, with many users reporting only modest effects on their sex life. There is a need to improve access to and maintenance of ED treatments following prostate cancer treatment.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12894-025-01702-0Erectile dysfunctionMaleProstate cancerProstatic neoplasmSexual function |
| spellingShingle | Megan Charlick Tenaw Tiruye Kerry Ettridge Michael O’Callaghan Alex Jay Kerri Beckmann Use of erectile dysfunction treatments after prostate cancer treatment and their perceived impact on men’s sex life: an analysis of patient reported outcome survey data BMC Urology Erectile dysfunction Male Prostate cancer Prostatic neoplasm Sexual function |
| title | Use of erectile dysfunction treatments after prostate cancer treatment and their perceived impact on men’s sex life: an analysis of patient reported outcome survey data |
| title_full | Use of erectile dysfunction treatments after prostate cancer treatment and their perceived impact on men’s sex life: an analysis of patient reported outcome survey data |
| title_fullStr | Use of erectile dysfunction treatments after prostate cancer treatment and their perceived impact on men’s sex life: an analysis of patient reported outcome survey data |
| title_full_unstemmed | Use of erectile dysfunction treatments after prostate cancer treatment and their perceived impact on men’s sex life: an analysis of patient reported outcome survey data |
| title_short | Use of erectile dysfunction treatments after prostate cancer treatment and their perceived impact on men’s sex life: an analysis of patient reported outcome survey data |
| title_sort | use of erectile dysfunction treatments after prostate cancer treatment and their perceived impact on men s sex life an analysis of patient reported outcome survey data |
| topic | Erectile dysfunction Male Prostate cancer Prostatic neoplasm Sexual function |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12894-025-01702-0 |
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