PURPOSE: The limited information regarding preservation of erectile function following castration is based on self-reports by castrated patients. Therefore, we evaluated the erectile status in 38 patients with advanced prostatic cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Castrations were achieved by bilateral orchiectomy, estrogen therapy of both. Patients answered the questionnaires regarding the medical status and erectile function before and after castration, and the blood levels of testosterone were assessed. Especially in seven patients, penile circumference and erection quality were monitored during the visual sexual stimulation. RESULTS: 11 patients(58%) out of 19 potent men achieved functional erection after castration. Mean serum testosterone level was 0.31 +/-0.19ng/ml in men who were potent after castration and 0.06+/- 0.04ng/m1 in those not potent(p<0.05). No statistically significant differences were noted in age, interval after castration, method of castration, degree of gynecomastia, stage of prostatic cancer and doing radiation therapy between the men who did and did not achieve erection(p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Following castration, sexual potency and libido decreased markedly in most cases, but 58% retained some degree of normal sexual potency. And, statistically significant difference was noted only in serum testosterone level between the men who did and did not achieve erection.
Castration* ; Estrogens ; Gynecomastia ; Humans ; Libido ; Male ; Orchiectomy ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Testosterone