These were the finding and recommendation of a study by researchers from the University of Florida's College of Nursing published in a recent issue of Urologic Nursing. The research studied 72 men six weeks after they underwent prostatectomy.
The college's assistant professor and lead author of the study, Dr. Bryan Weber, cited urinary and bowel incontinence as well as inability to perform sexually as the most common frustrations of men who have lost their prostrate glands.
According to UF Health Newsnet, Weber said, "Urinary incontinence, for example, requires the use of pads that add considerable bulkiness to clothing and create concern about leakage and odor. Sexual dysfunction interferes with a man's sense of self and may limit the relationship he has with his significant other."
Weber suggested that clinicians assess men and their support systems, identify changes in physical function that may occur as a result of treatment, and direct them to products and services designed to help them cope with the immediate effects of sexual dysfunction and urinary and bowel incontinence.
Prostate cancer is the number 1 cancer among men. More than 200,000 cases were diagnosed in 2007.
