Is Viagra safe with prostate cancer and MS?

User

Posted 24 Nov 2022 at 20:34

Hello, I'd appreciate any advice on use of Viagra.

My husband is 70, diagnosed with prostate cancer three years ago and is under 'active surveillance' by the urology department. He hasn't needed any treatment up till now, and his PSA is always 6 or less. He also has a mild case of multiple sclerosis, with few minor symptoms.

We still enjoy our sex life. But for about the past year he has increasingly suffered from erectile dysfunction; he gets an erection but it isn't very hard and it doesn't last long. I don't know if this is connected with the prostate cancer, or the MS, or age, or something else; I don't think it's psychological, as we are as happy together as ever.

I know some people get ED as a result of cancer treatments, but he hasn't had any treatments yet.

Would Viagra be a good thing for him to try? I think he would find it difficult to talk to a specialist about ED, but would welcome a simple solution in a pill. But I don't want him to take any risks with his health. His blood pressure is always fine.

Thanks for any advice.

User

Posted 24 Nov 2022 at 21:52

Lots of men with Prostate Cancer use PDE5 inhibitors, of which Viagra is one brand (the drug being Sildenafil). If he's eligible for Active Surveillance, then it's unlikely the ED is being caused by prostate cancer, but you should mention this to his urologist as they might want to just check this further.

I can't answer for the MS case, although MS is a disease which can cause ED.

There are other causes of ED which should be checked for too, such as diabetes, high cholesterol, etc.

He should be able to get his GP to prescribe a PDE5 inhibitor, providing he doesn't have any other conditions for which it would be unsuitable.

User

Posted 24 Nov 2022 at 21:59

As far as prostate cancer is concerned it is not a problem. Blood pressure or other heart problems would definitely suggest caution required. MS I just don't know enough about. I doubt it would be a problem, but if he is on medication for MS there may be interaction.

I doubt prostate cancer is the cause of his ED. If the cancer were getting worse the active surveillance team would be on to it before he had noticeable symptoms.

Dave

User

Posted 25 Nov 2022 at 12:29

Thanks for your helpful advice, Dave and Andy.

User

Posted 08 Dec 2022 at 11:48

I also can't comment on the MS risks. But if you still have partial erectile function, as your husband clearly does, then Viagra can be a miracle drug. It did nothing for me in the first year after my prostatectomy but now it can transform an unreliable erection of the sort you described, into something rock hard and long lasting like when we were young.

There also seems to be a wide range of responses to the side effects Viagra brings. For me, these effects are not very serious (feels a bit like a hangover) but enough to put me off taking it very often. I know lots of other men who say the side effects are minimal for them.

User

Posted 07 Jan 2023 at 10:58

Reluctant to start sex again after 37 lots off radiation not sure if it will cause more problems is there any information on sex after radiation to the prostate gaz 👍

User

Posted 07 Jan 2023 at 11:15

I continued all the way through RT (w**king at least, would not have managed intercourse on HT). Did not want to stop and then find it didn't work any more.

Edited by member 07 Jan 2023 at 11:15 | Reason: Not specified

User

Posted 07 Jan 2023 at 22:34

MS affects individual nerves, and there are two nerves involved in stimulation of erection (right and left, passing on each side of the prostate). It is unlikely to affect both simultaneously. So if your husband's mild erectile dysfunction is related to MS it will be rather similar to someone having unilateral nerve sparing during prostate surgery - and sildenafil (Viagra) or a related PDE5 inhibitor is likely to be effective.

However the psychology of sexual excitement is complicated, and knowing he has MS and prostate cancer may have a subliminal effect despite your strong relationship.

Sildenafil is now available from pharmacies over the counter I believe (at a price) and I can't see any harm is likely from trying it.

(Disclaimer: I am no health professional, my knowledge of prostate cancer comes from being a patient myself, and of MS from my wife having it though greatly helped by modern drugs).

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