For those who are not familiar with a prostatectomy, it is a surgical procedure that entails removing all or part of a patient’s prostate gland. Physicians often recommend a prostatectomy to male patients struggling with a medical condition that causes urinary retention. However, they are especially common among patients with prostate or other forms of cancer that affect the pelvis. It is worth noting that, depending on the needs of the patient, several options are available when it comes to these types of surgical procedures, including
- Radical retropubic
- Radical perineal
- Laparoscopic
- Laparoscopic radical
- Robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical
- Transurethral resection of the prostate
Men with prostate cancer who undergo any one of these prostatectomy procedures often go on to live a long, healthy life. To further put this into perspective, we need only take a look at a study published by Science Daily, an esteemed science news aggregation and curation website. The study noted that more than 88 percent of men were still alive 10 years after undergoing a prostatectomy.
Further, nearly 73 percent were still alive more than 20 years after their surgery. For reference, the average life expectancy after diagnosis of prostate cancer without treatment is only 5 years. While hard data relative to prostatectomy procedures to resolve urinary retention is not available, studies show that these same surgical procedures are equally effective when it comes to resolving acute urinary retention. In most cases, men will regain full control of their bladder within 3 to 6 months after undergoing surgery, according to one study published by prostatecancer.net.
Prostatectomy Procedures Linked to a Decline in Male Testosterone Levels
Despite having a high success rate and allowing countless men to regain full control of their bladder, recent studies have revealed a potential downside when it comes to prostatectomies, insofar as some men have experienced a decline in testosterone following surgery. One study, in particular, which was published by Johns Hopkins Medicine, explains in great detail the relationship between the two.
However, before diving into the details of the study, we should first take a moment to familiarize ourselves with how the prostate works. Contrary to popular belief, the production of testosterone, the primary male sex hormone, does not start in the testes but rather the brain, namely the pituitary gland.
From there, the pituitary gland produces a separate hormone known as the luteinizing hormone, which regulates heat in the testes. When the testes become warm, testosterone production increases further and stimulates the prostate gland, which plays a critical role in the male reproductive system. Because the prostate surrounds the urethra, it also plays a role in the male urinary system.
Researchers Explain the Correlation Between Prostatectomy Surgery and Lower Testosterone Levels in Men
Most men can survive after having their prostate gland removed surgically. The same applies to those who have had it partially removed as well. However, researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine revealed that when some men have their prostate partially or completely removed, it can lead to a decrease in luteinizing hormones. If this happens, testosterone levels will likely decline as well, which can cause a wide range of sexual dysfunction symptoms, according to researchers.
In these cases, most physicians will recommend human growth hormone replacement therapy (HGH) to their patients. Typically administered via injection, growth hormones, such as Omnitrope and Norditropin, for example, are peptide hormones that can help stimulate growth, cell reproduction, and cell regeneration, all of which can help reverse many of the symptoms synonymous with low testosterone levels.
What You Should Know About HGH Following a Prostatectomy
Before a patient can get started on human growth hormones following their prostatectomy, they will first have to take a blood test. Also known as growth hormone tests, these blood tests are performed to determine how much growth hormone is in the blood, which helps determine the patient’s testosterone deficiency. From there, physicians can decide on which medication and dosage would be ideal for the patient.
And this is especially critical for men who underwent a prostatectomy to resolve prostate cancer. In many cases, a physician will advise patients to take HGH medication in addition to undergoing radiation therapy to help increase their life expectancy following surgery. To that point, a 2017 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine revealed that men who underwent a prostatectomy and followed up with both treatments survived much longer than those who only started one or the other.
Bottom Line
In summation, a prostatectomy is an effective way to treat cancer and other conditions that severely affect the overall health of the prostate. However, like any other surgery, there are some risks involved. That said, those who are considering a prostatectomy should speak with their physician regarding safety, long-term effects, and whether or not such a procedure is right for them based on their unique medical needs.
References
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostate-cancer/treating/surgery.html
https://hghtherapydoc.com/is-testosterone-replacement-therapy-beneficial-after-prostatectomy/
https://utswmed.org/medblog/prostate-cancer-hormone-therapy/
https://prostatecancer.net/living/urinary-control-after-surgery/
