Why pelvic surgery can cause both bladder problems and erectile dysfunction
Official title: Pelvic ganglia inflammation as a factor leading to organ crosstalk and coordinated development of bladder and erectile dysfunction following pelvic surgery.
Funded at Albert Einstein College of Medicine · NIH-11309130 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are looking at whether inflammation of pelvic nerve ganglia after prostate or other pelvic surgery causes both bladder problems and erectile dysfunction in men.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Albert Einstein College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bronx, United States) |
| Project start | April 15, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $675,088 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK139328-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11309130 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Men who are planning to have or who recently had radical prostatectomy or other pelvic surgery and are concerned about post-surgical bladder or erectile dysfunction are the population most likely to benefit from these findings.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose bladder or erectile problems are due to non-surgical causes such as long-standing diabetes, spinal cord injury, or congenital conditions may not benefit directly from this work.
What this research studies
This work uses rat models that mimic nerve-sparing pelvic surgery and direct nerve injury to examine inflammation in the major pelvic ganglia that supply both the bladder and the penis. Scientists will measure changes in bladder and erectile function after surgery and analyze molecular and inflammatory signals in pelvic nerves and ganglia. By comparing minimally invasive surgery models with direct nerve-injury models, the team aims to identify common pathways that lead to coordinated bladder and erectile dysfunction. Findings are intended to point to anti-inflammatory approaches that could be tested in people in future clinical studies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to treatments that prevent or reduce both bladder and erectile problems after pelvic surgery by targeting inflammation.
How similar studies have gone: Previous animal studies and preliminary data suggest inflammation can contribute to erectile problems after surgery, but translating those findings into proven human treatments remains unproven.
Where this research is happening
-
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Bronx, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Davies, Kelvin P — Albert Einstein College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Davies, Kelvin P
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.