Can prostate biopsy cause erection problems?

The prostate biopsy is the only test that can be used to diagnose a prostate cancer.

It is an invasive procedure, which rightly frightens many men, but fortunately today it carries a low risk of side effects.

It is not painful, as it is performed under anaesthesia, infections can be reduced by administering antibiotics, and the bleeding that some men experience usually resolves within a few days.

Until recently, it was unclear whether prostate biopsy could interfere with a man's ability to have an erection.. In fact, studies in this area have always been conflicting,

An extensive review of the studies conducted to date on this subject has recently been published, showing that a significant proportion of men experience erection problems after a prostate biopsy, which usually return within a few weeks of being performed (source).

However, the reasons why erectile dysfunction occurs after a biopsy are still unclear.

The biopsy needle could damage the nerves connected to the prostate that control erection function, or stress psychological of a cancer diagnosis could contribute to the problem.

Erectile dysfunction can have a significant impact on quality of life, so it is important that doctors carefully advise their patients on what to expect from the various procedures of the diagnostic pathway, from the PSA, exploration, biopsy...

Talking to your GP and urologist is the best way to try to prevent the onset of a disease or at least act early.

It is necessary for men to be informed about the advantages, but above all about the limitations of the current procedures and examinations that are part of the prostate cancer diagnostic pathway in order not to arrive completely unprepared for unexpected news.

Currently, the PSA test is the mainstay of preliminary examinations to monitor the risk of prostate cancer. However, its low reliability as a single parameter makes it of little use as a screening test.

If you want to know how our innovative urine test for prostate cancer works click HERE.

Read more about indications for prostate cancer prevention in the AIOM guidelines: https://www.aiom.it/linee-guida-aiom-carcinoma-della-prostata-2019/