LONDON, June 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

Men worried that prostate surgery will automatically mean an end to their sex lives are mistaken and shouldn't be put off seeking medical help, according to experts at The Prostate Centre in London.

The Centre, run by Professor Roger Kirby - one of the world's leading prostate specialists- says that the majority of men it sees are able to continue their sex lives beyond surgery.  It believes that, in addition to a whole host of other medications and devices*, psycho-sexual counselling can play a vital role in helping men get their sex lives back on track.

According to Lorraine Grover, the Centre's expert in psycho-sexual counselling, many men are worried that surgery will mean:

• That they have a reduced sex drive or, worse, no sex drive at all
• That they won't be able to 'perform' in the bedroom
• That their wife or partner may be more likely to have an affair
• That, if single, they will not be able to attract a partner or have a relationship again

But, having spent over 17 years treating men with prostate problems, Mrs Grover says that: "On average, 8 out of 10 men I see who have had prostate surgery continue having sex lives afterwards.  Psycho-sexual counselling, in addition to a wide range of medications and devices*, plays a key role in helping men address these sorts of fears. That's why men shouldn't ignore prostate problems, but get themselves checked out."

Psycho-sexual counselling can help men:

•  Reintroduce intimacy into their relationship after surgery
•  Recognise and overcome fears over sexual performance
•  Make sense of their sex lives and the role it plays in their relationship; and

 Gain confidence to address and manage the consequences of their operation 

Professor Roger Kirby, internationally renowned prostate surgeon and founder of The Prostate Centre, adds:

"I see around 1000 men with prostate cancer every year and would urge anyone with a prostate concern to seek help immediately and not be put off treatment for fear of never having sex again."

Prostate cancer kills 10,000 men every year in the UK and every 15 minutes a man is diagnosed. Saturday 18 June is Prostate Cancer Awareness day.

Notes to editors

*Multiple medical and mechanical treatment options include:

•  Tablets (PED 5 inhibitors) - Viagra, Cialis, Levitra - all need sexual stimulation to work
•  MUSE - small waxy grain of rice sized pellet inside a plastic applicator which is inserted into the penis to leave the pellet in the penis
• Injection therapy - Caverject (Prostaglandin E1) - a fine needle inserted into the shaft of penis and injects a measured amount of the drug
•  Vacuum device - a cylinder placed over the penis, attached to it are a pump and specially designed constriction ring. The pump stiffens the penis and ring helps to hold the erection.
• Penile implant - "bendy rods" or inflatable systems

1. Lorraine Grover is a Therapist in Sexual Wellbeing and qualified in 1984 as a registered nurse, going onto specialise in male sexual health alongside qualifying as a sex therapist. She is a member of the British Association of Sexual Therapists, trustee of the Sexual Dysfunction Association and Specialist Advisor to Macmillan Cancer Support. She contributes to international conferences on sexual health and has published numerous articles and books, including the recent 'Intimacy and Sexuality for cancer patients and their partners' She is available for interview on request.
2. Professor Roger Kirby is one of the world's leading prostate surgeons and founder of the Prostate Centre. He has specialised in the prostate throughout his career and has personally undertaken over 2000 radical prostatectomy operations. His views are regularly sought by the media, industry and national bodies and he is the founder/editor of the journal Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases as well as associate editor of the British Journal of Urology International. As well as his work at the Prostate Centre he is actively involved with prostate cancer charities and was the chairman of Prostate UK for 13 years, stepping down to become trustee of the newly merged charity, Prostate Action, in 2010. He is available for interview on request
3. A case study of one of the youngest men ever in the UK to develop prostate cancer who was treated by Lorraine Grover is available on request
4. The Prostate Centre is the UK's leading independent centre for the care and treatment of prostate-related health issues.
   
   The Prostate Centre is a unique private outpatient clinic offering expert assessment, diagnosis and management of all prostate-related problems. If a man has a prostate problem or even if he'd just like to have a check up, The Prostate Centre is the place to go.
   
   It has some of the world's leading prostate experts all under one roof in the centre of London's Harley Street community. Prostate cancer, enlarged prostate, poor urinary flow, raised PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen), painful prostate, impaired sexual function - these are some of the many conditions to which they devote their skills.
   
   Over 75% of patients who go to the Centre do not need an operation: it offers a wide range of treatment strategies and involves the patient in the thought process. Advice is given on diet and lifestyle which often results in a positive impact on their prostate problem. The Centre was an initiative launched by Professor Roger Kirby.
   
   Over the past six years The Prostate Centre has welcomed nearly 8000 patients and received overwhelmingly positive feedback.

 http://www.theprostatecentre.com

SOURCE CRWE Newswire