What to Expect After Internal... Health Article
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These are some common side effects of internal radiation during the first week.
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Swelling or bruising in your penis or scrotum
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Pain
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Red-brown urine
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Red-brown semen when you ejaculate during an orgasm
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Inability to have an erection or climax, called impotence
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Inability to control when you will urinate, called incontinence
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Bowel problems, such as diarrhea
These should go away. Ask your doctor or nurse to tell you whether there are any side effects that mean you should call them immediately. You should be able to return to work in 3 or 4 days. Some experts recommend limiting your contact with pregnant women and small children during the first few months because the seeds to give off a small amount of radiation.
You will also need some follow-up care. The seeds can take up to 2 years to lower your PSA level. You’ll need to have your PSA level checked 1 month after the procedure, and then every 3 to 4 months for up to 2 years if the level remains stable. After 2 years, you need to have your PSA level checked every year. Some men have a temporary rise in their PSA level between the first and second year after seed treatment. As long as the level does not continue to rise, this is called a benign PSA bump.
The following effects may continue after internal radiation. Or they may not appear until months later.
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Bowel problems, such as irritation of the lining of the rectum
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Urinary problems, such as inability to completely empty the bladder due to a narrowing of the urethra
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Inability to have an erection, called erectile dysfunction
Talk with your doctor about ways to cope with these longer lasting side effects.