Other topics of education include handling equipment, early identification of kidney infections, community- and hospital based resources, and body image issues. Patients with a continent ileal reservoir do not have an external appliance and the catheterization of the pouch duplicates normal bladder function. These patients will need to learn self-catheterization techniques. Enterostomal therapists can provide valuable technical information and advice on urinary diversion management to permit patients to live as normally as possible. In the process of performing the cystectomy, the nerves responsible for a male erection may be damaged, rendering most patients physiologically unable to have or maintain an erection.
Some patients are still able to achieve an orgasm.
Because the prostate and seminal vesicles are removed, men experience dry orgasms without emission of semen. Penile implants may be useful to some patients. Women who undergo cystectomy may experience some physiological problems during intercourse as a result of a shortened vagina. However, in settings outside the United States, radiotherapy is frequently used as the primary therapy for invasive bladder cancer. Complications of radiotherapy include radiation enteritis or colitus and skin reactions.