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Is There Help for Prostate Atrophy?

Prostate atrophy, a condition that causes an individual to lose the ability to achieve or maintain an erection, is a serious problem among older Americans. Studies have demonstrated that prostate atrophy may in many cases be a result of some other underlying condition, such as prostate cancer. Sometimes, prostate atrophy is seen in men who have undergone Botox treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia, or prostate enlargement. Although prostate atrophy can be debilitating, pinpointing the underlying condition can often allow doctors to step in and alleviate the symptoms.

  1. Carcinoma

    • Prostate cancer, known also as prostatic carcinoma, is a growing health problem that affects millions of men in the United States. According to studies, prostate atrophy with chronic inflammation can be linked to prostate cancer. Other studies have refuted this claim. While certain therapies for cancer may indeed shrink the prostate and eventually cause atrophy, it is unclear whether inflammation and atrophy are related to cancer. Sometimes, the cessation of cancer treatments will result in a healthier prostate that formerly demonstrated signs of atrophy.

    Botox Injections

    • Scientific studies have shown that Botox injections into the prostate due to the effects of prostatic hyperplasia may actually result in eventual prostate atrophy. When lab rats were injected with Botox (similarly to the way humans suffering BPH are), many of them suffered prostate atrophy to a greater degree than in the control group. One possible route for those who are undergoing prostate atrophy is to determine whether medicines or treatments being used to treat other prostate problems may have resulted in atrophy. As such studies have demonstrated, prostate atrophy may be the result of treatments aimed at improving prostate health.

    Other Conditions

    • Doctors who want to help those with prostate atrophy will look for the underlying cause of the condition, as prostate atrophy does not "just happen" on its own. There are many treatments doctors may pursue in addition to cancer treatment and alternative BPH therapy. For example, the formation of cysts on the prostate can cause prostate atrophy. Oftentimes, doctors will aspirate the cysts to try to solve the problem. Other patients experience post-atrophic hyperplasia, which causes a swelling in the size of the prostate following treatment for atrophy. This may be treated with androgen deprivation therapy and radiotherapy. While the causes for prostate atrophy may vary, the course of action for most doctors will be to find the underlying condition and, in solving it, attempt to return the prostate back to normal.

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