Assessment of the Elator Penile Support Device for Patients with Prostate Cancer and Their Partners Affected by Severe Erectile Dysfunction

Headnote

Abstract

We present quality improvement data from men with severe erectile dysfunction (ED) and their partners on the use of a penile support device, the Elator, as a sexual aid. Six patients with prostate cancer with iatrogenic ED and five partners were introduced to the device by the sexual health nurse in a urology clinic in Sweden. At 8 to 20 weeks after the introduction of the Elator, patients and partners completed a brief survey on their experience in using the device for penetrative vaginal sex. The patients and their partners generally found the Elator helpful for penetrative sex. Some patients used it in combination with other ED treatment. Minor issues (e.g., getting correct penile measurements for proper fit, some discomfort) were reported. Overall feedback on the Elator was positive. More research is warranted on how nurses in oncology and other sexual health clinicians can help patients with ED and their partners explore novel sex aids such as the Elator and use them effectively to maintain sexual intimacy long-term.

Key Words

Prostate cancer, sexual function, sexual management strategies, Elator, erectile dysfunction.

Background and Significance of the Problem Many men with prostate cancer (PCa) experience sexual dysfunction due to their cancer treatment (Downing et al., 2019; Lehto et al., 2017; Ussher et al., 2016). This most commonly presents as erectile dysfunction (ED) from injury to the neurovascular supply to erectile tissue during a prostatectomy or radiotherapy to the prostate gland. Patients receiving androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) additionally experience loss of libido (Duthie et al., 2020; Elliott et al., 2010; Fode & Sonksen, 2014). Overall, these changes reduce the quality of life for both patients and partners (Downing et al., 2019). In the oncology setting, nurses play a critical role in educating patients and partners on how they can improve their sexual quality of life (Lombraña et al., 2012). Nurses can listen to couples, understand their specific needs, and advise them on how they can manage patients' ED.

While many men cease sexual activity after having sexual dysfunction due to PCa treatments, some patients continue to be sexually active despite having ED (Cormie et al., 2013; Dowsett et al., 2014; Duthie et al., 2020; Ng et al., 2014; Wassersug et al., 2016). Various erectile aids may...