Vascular surgery and erectile dysfunction
October 17, 2022 2:11 AM
What are the risks of erectile dysfunction from my upcoming vascular surgery? I know you are not my doctor, but my doctor seems embarrassed to answer my questions.
I’m having vascular surgery in a few days, and when going over the surgical risks with me, the surgeon told me that erectile dysfunction is one of the potential complications. As I understand it, the site of the surgery will be my aorta and iliac arteries which is on the other side of a bunch of nerves. He will have to move these nerves out of the way, and disturbing them can cause ED. Apparently, one of the potential issues is something called retrograde ejaculation, and I think another possibility is difficulties with erections. I asked if Viagra could help with any problems I develop, and he said “Maybe” and started talking about something else.
At least a couple of times during the conversation, he said, “I know not many people like to talk about these things.” I actually wanted to learn more, and it was later that I figured out that he personally was uncomfortable talking about such things. I expect that his surgical skills are stronger than his communication skills, so I’m posting here to see if I can get some answers. (Googling led me to incomprehensible medical articles.)
I need this surgery, so whatever the answers, I’m almost certain to go through with it, and I’ll discover what happens eventually. Still, I’d like to have some idea of what’s waiting for me on the other side. Some things I’d like to know are:
Any insight is appreciated.
I’m having vascular surgery in a few days, and when going over the surgical risks with me, the surgeon told me that erectile dysfunction is one of the potential complications. As I understand it, the site of the surgery will be my aorta and iliac arteries which is on the other side of a bunch of nerves. He will have to move these nerves out of the way, and disturbing them can cause ED. Apparently, one of the potential issues is something called retrograde ejaculation, and I think another possibility is difficulties with erections. I asked if Viagra could help with any problems I develop, and he said “Maybe” and started talking about something else.
At least a couple of times during the conversation, he said, “I know not many people like to talk about these things.” I actually wanted to learn more, and it was later that I figured out that he personally was uncomfortable talking about such things. I expect that his surgical skills are stronger than his communication skills, so I’m posting here to see if I can get some answers. (Googling led me to incomprehensible medical articles.)
I need this surgery, so whatever the answers, I’m almost certain to go through with it, and I’ll discover what happens eventually. Still, I’d like to have some idea of what’s waiting for me on the other side. Some things I’d like to know are:
- What is the likelihood of my developing ED?
- If I do develop it, what forms might it take? What would be the most likely form(s)?
- How severe might it be?
- What sort of treatments might work on any issues I develop?
- I’ll feel like crap after my surgery and will be in the hospital for maybe a week, likely on painkillers. Certainly, I won’t be feeling horny. When might I learn if I developed any issues?
Any insight is appreciated.
The likely risks, type, and severity depend on your current condition and the exact surgery. Postoperative erectile dysfunction happens after both open and endovascular surgery, and is partially related to final blood flow or embolizing debris in the arterial tree. It is much more common in patients with existing ED. However, ED is more common after open surgery and probably related to damage to nerves around the aorta. Techniques that spare those nerves are not universally used or understood. If this is a major quality of life concern for you, your surgeon should be able to answer these questions.
posted by a robot made out of meat at 5:52 PM on October 17, 2022
posted by a robot made out of meat at 5:52 PM on October 17, 2022
I'm flabbergasted that a vascular surgeon would be uncomfortable discussing erectile dysfunction; erection is a vascular function, for crying out loud! I'd ask again, more forcefully, and if he says something like "people are uncomfortable talking about this" respond "well I'm not!"
I know nothing about the particular surgery you're having. But I know for some kinds of surgery (ie: prostatectomy) there are options where the surgery can be changed to be less likely to cause erectile problems. If it were me I'd be asking a lot of specific questions.
posted by Nelson at 8:32 AM on October 18, 2022
I know nothing about the particular surgery you're having. But I know for some kinds of surgery (ie: prostatectomy) there are options where the surgery can be changed to be less likely to cause erectile problems. If it were me I'd be asking a lot of specific questions.
posted by Nelson at 8:32 AM on October 18, 2022
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Note that Viagra, Cialis, and related medications are the mass market treatments for ED, but not the most effective. If you do end up having issues, I'd encourage you to talk to a specialist rather than just going to your GP and getting a script for something you've heard of in mass media.
Good luck with the surgery!
posted by Winnie the Proust at 11:03 AM on October 17, 2022