Already a member?
Sign in
| Version | User | Scope of changes |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 22 2006, 12:29 PM EST (current) | wetpaint | 2 words added, 2 words deleted |
| Feb 20 2006, 7:23 PM EST | wetpaint | 16 words added, 14 words deleted |
Changes
Key: Additions Deletions
We have fought the good fight--and won. We're alive! But,Chances chances are, however, we bear battle scars. For one thing, there's the ever-present fear of recurrence, which we will likely battle for as long as we live, no matter how far statistics are slanted in our favor.
And then there are the repercussions of our treatments, which carry with them the possibility of leaving us with problems in both the bedroom and the bathroom.
If and when these problems get you down, just remember: Incontinence and impotence cannot kill us.
Dealing with impotence
The reality is that most of us will emerge from treatment having some degree of difficulty getting an erection.
The good news it that each of us has options, several of them. None of us has to simply accept any degree of impotence as the price we've had to pay for our lives. If you, too, are having this sort of problem, here are some of the things you can try:
Dealing with incontinence
Many of us will also find ourselves with an inability or difficulty in controlling urination. Again, however, there are things we can do to regain some degree of that lost control. These include:
Kegel exercises
Kegel exercises, which are performed by squeezing and relaxing the muscles that support the bladder and surround the urethra. To locate these muscles, try slowing or stopping the flow of urine in midstream.
Medications and medical procedures
And then there are the repercussions of our treatments, which carry with them the possibility of leaving us with problems in both the bedroom and the bathroom.
If and when these problems get you down, just remember: Incontinence and impotence cannot kill us.
Dealing with impotence
The reality is that most of us will emerge from treatment having some degree of difficulty getting an erection.
The good news it that each of us has options, several of them. None of us has to simply accept any degree of impotence as the price we've had to pay for our lives. If you, too, are having this sort of problem, here are some of the things you can try:
- Erectile dysfunction medications such as Viagra, Levitra and Cialis
- Intracavernous injection therapy, in which drugs are injected into the penis before intercourse
- Vacuum constriction devices, which draw blood into the penis to cause an erection
- Penile suppositories, in which medication is delivered to the penis by being placed in the urethra
- Penile implants, which are surgically implanted and can often be inflated and deflated
Dealing with incontinence
Many of us will also find ourselves with an inability or difficulty in controlling urination. Again, however, there are things we can do to regain some degree of that lost control. These include:
- Cutting out or cut down on drinks containing caffeine.
- Not having any liquids within several hours of bedtime.
- Following a healthy diet and get plenty of exercise, since any extra pounds you carry will place extra pressure on your bladder.
Kegel exercises
Kegel exercises, which are performed by squeezing and relaxing the muscles that support the bladder and surround the urethra. To locate these muscles, try slowing or stopping the flow of urine in midstream.
Medications and medical procedures
Other ideas
- Medications like Detrol, which may be used to control mild to moderate incontinence.
- Collagen injections into the urinary muscles, which have been shown to provide some relief from incontinence.
- Artificial sphincter implantation, which is a treatment in which a doughnut-shaped rubber cuff is implanted around the urethra, creating pressure that helps to hold urine inside the bladder.
- Penile clamps, which control incontinence by putting pressure on the urethra from the outside of the penis.
- Condom catheters, which collect urine into a condom-like pouch around the penis.
See also
- Absorbent pads or undergarments.
