Tadalafil can improve sexual functioning following prostate surgery

The authors aimed to determine the effect of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors on penile functioning following prostate surgery. 

Prostate surgery is a form of treatment that involves surgically removing the prostate gland  which can cause erectile dysfunction in some patients. Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5 inhibitors) are drugs that treat erectile dysfunction that are taken prior to sexual activity. Tadalafil (Adcirca, Cialis) is an example of a PDE5 inhibitor used to treat erectile dysfunction.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of PDE5 on erectile functioning in patients following surgery.

423 patients were used in this study. 32.9% were given tadalafil once daily, 33.8% were given tadalafil on demand (per patient request) and 33.3% were given a placebo (a replacement drug with no therapeutic effect given during clinical trials in the place of the active drug for comparison).

20.9% of patients in the tadalafil once daily group, 16.9% in the taladafil on demand group and 19.1% of the placebo group achieved significant increases in sexual functioning following treatment. The odds of experiencing increased sexual functioning were 10% higher in patients who received tadalafil once daily compared to patients on placebo. The odds of experiencing increased sexual functioning were 10% lower in patients who received taladafil on demand compared to patients on placebo.

In all groups sexual functioning decreased during a 6-week period of non-treatment. Loss of penile length was significantly reduced in the taladafil daily group compared to the placebo group.

The authors concluded that taking tadalafil once daily was the most effective treatment option following prostate surgery.

Patients used in this study were relatively young and active with no other diseases so results may be biased. 

If you are considering prostate surgery and have concerns about erectile dysfunction, please consult your doctor.