Are stem cells safe and effective in treating erectile dysfunction caused by prostate removal surgery?

This study looked at the safety and effectiveness of using stem cells in patients who have erectile dysfunction. In this study, the erectile dysfunction is caused by the removal of their prostate. It concluded that stem cells injected into the penis were safe and effective at 1 year after surgery. 

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is when you cannot get or keep an erection firm enough to have intercourse. ED can occur from a physical cause such as disease, injury or side effects of drugs. Emotional issues, psychological issues or mental health issues can also worsen ED symptoms. ED is often treated by lifestyle changes, medications, using a vacuum device (to improve blood flow to the penis) or even surgery. 

One such surgery which may cause ED is the removal of the prostate gland. Some men may experience sexual dysfunction after their prostate surgery. An emerging therapy for ED caused by prostate removal is stem cell injection. Stem cell therapy involves injecting cells which can grow and replace the erectile tissue that has been damaged during the prostate surgery. 

This study included 21 patients with ED who had had their prostates removed. These men had shown no signs of ED improvement with non-surgical therapies. 6 men were incontinent (unable to control bladder) while 15 men were still continent. All men received a single injection with their own stem cells into the penis. The men were evaluated at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after the stem cell injection. Questionnaires were used to assess the patients' erectile function, erectile hardness and whether they experienced complications. 

No serious complications occurred as a result of the stem cell injection. Some less serious complications did occur. These included: temporary redness and swelling or reactions at the injection site, bruises on the abdomen, scrotum or penis, abdominal discomfort, and sensitive abdominal skin. One patient suffered from back pain during the course of the study. Erectile function was unchanged in the patients at 1 month after injection. But at 6 and 12 months erectile function had improved in the patients. 38% of men in the study could keep an erection for intercourse during the 12 month study period. Some of the men used medication or devices (like vacuums) to achieve an erection, however. Incontinence did not affect erectile function in this study. 

This study concluded that stem cell therapy was safe and effective at 12 months after injection. It also found that stem cell injection could improve erectile function in men who have ED. 

The authors note that the patients knew they were getting the injection. They also note that there was no control group to compare the study's results to. These factors may have affected the study's results. 

If you are interested in learning more about stem cell injections being used to treat ED, contact your doctor.