Prostate cancer trial uses energy waves to tackle erectile dysfunction

A landmark UK trial is investigating if energy waves can boost men’s sex lives after prostate cancer surgery, the Express can reveal. New data from MacMillan Cancer Support reveals over 68,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer in the UK every year, equivalent to one diagnosis every eight minutes.

But research also reveals 81.5% of patients have claimed they struggle keep an erection after treatments like radical prostatectomy – where you remove the prostate gland. Now doctors are assessing if radiofrequency energy (RE), via non-invasive device ‘Vertica Plus‘, can improve erectile dysfunction in men recovering from the surgery.

The device delivers safe electromagnetic waves that warm the internal layers of the penis, stimulating your body to grow new collagen – a natural body protein that gives structure and firmness.

The study at University College London Hospital (ULCH) will investigate whether combining the treatment with standard erectile dysfunction (ED) medication can improve the rehabilitation of men following surgery.

Men in the UK trial will undergo a structured 12-month rehabilitation programme involving use of the Vertica device alongside standard ED drugs such as sildenafil or tadalafil and see if there are any changes in erectile function and quality of life.

Lead researcher is Associate Professor Wai Gin (Don) Lee, a consultant urological surgeon and andrologist – the branch of medicine concerned with male reproductive and sexual health.

Professor Lee – also an NHS urologist at the ULCH -said: “There remains a clear need for restorative therapies in post-prostatectomy rehabilitation.

“Erectile dysfunction following prostate surgery can have a profound and lasting impact on a patient’s quality of life, relationships and psychological wellbeing, yet recovery can be unpredictable and may take considerable time.

“This study will help us evaluate whether integrating radiofrequency therapy into early rehabilitation protocols can support the recovery of erectile function and potentially improve longer-term patient outcomes.

“It is important that we continue to investigate new approaches that complement established treatments and, most importantly, generate robust clinical evidence for patients and clinicians.”

The research comes amid growing recognition of cancer survivorship and the sexual consequences of successful prostate cancer treatment.

Charity Macmillan Cancer Support said the number of UK men living with the disease had surged by 100,000 since 2020 with around 600,000 men now living with prostate cancer in the UK, compared to 500,000 in 2020.

A number of UK celebrities have suffered from the condition and campaigned for more awareness – such as Jeremy Clarkson, Stephen Fry, the late BBC newsreader Bill Turnbull and comedian Bob Monkhouse.

Ex-Scottish rugby star Kenny Logan, 54 – husband to sports presenter Gabby Logan – has spoken candidly about how post-prostate cancer ED affected their intimacy and sex life.

Logan was diagnosed with cancer in 2022 and underwent a full prostatectomy, and since said his sex life was “inconsistent for a good three months” following surgery.

“That’s a huge deal for any man,” Logan admitted last year. “But don’t let fear or stigma get in the way. As I said to Gabby: ‘Let’s just deal with me getting cancer-free. Then we can deal with the sex part.’”

Logan said the thing that helped most was a penis vacuum pump, which can increase blood flow to help achieve or maintain an erection.

Radical prostatectomy involves removing the prostate gland, but the nerves involved in producing an erection run close to the prostate and can be damaged during surgery.

Almost all men experience problems getting an erection immediately after radical prostatectomy, although some recover function over time.

The problem can persist for years, with current remedies – including drugs such as tadalafil or sildenafil or injections – aiming is not simply to help sex but maintain blood flow and tissue health as nerves recover.

The new London trial is therefore examining whether intervening earlier with radiofrequency therapy could add another option to the rehabilitation armamentarium.

Vertica is not a replacement for prostate cancer treatment, and the study is intended to establish whether the device provides a meaningful clinical benefit following surgery.

Daniel Lischinsky, chief executive officer of OhhMed Medical, said: “We are pleased to be working with leading clinicians in the UK on research focused on recovery following prostate surgery.