Men who take phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors for erectile dysfunction (ED) are not at higher risk for biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer, new research suggests. 

Many men develop ED after prostate cancer treatment, and PDE5 inhibitors are considered a first-line therapy. However, previous research by German scientists revealed a possible connection between these drugs and biochemical recurrence in men who had had a radical prostatectomy. 

The current study, published by European Urology in December, was based on five years of medical records in a Swedish database. All of the men in the sample had been treated for prostate cancer, either by radical prostatectomy or radiation therapy.

Two hundred ninety-three men experienced biochemical recurrence. A comparison group of 5,767 men did not.

PDE5 inhibitors were used by 51% of the men in the biochemical recurrence group. For men in the comparison group, 58% had used ED drugs. 

The researchers concluded that there is no association that clinicians do not need to change their approach for treating ED in men who have had prostate cancer. 

More details are available here. 

The ISSM is pleased to offer ten scholarships to the ESSM School of Sexual Medicine to be held in Budapest, Hungary October 16 - 25, 2016.

The program is intended for clinicians who wish to practice in sexual medicine and clinical sexology.

Each scholarship is in the amount of EUR 1950, which covers the full registration fee, tuition, meals, and accommodations. Recipients must be ISSM members in good standing and first-time attendees of the program. They must also submit a report on their program experience six months after completion.

The deadline for applications is June 1, 2016.  Please click here for more information, including full eligibility criteria.