After effects from Robotic Radical Prostatectomy
Posted , 14 users are following.
I had a Robotic radical prostatectomy in August of 2012. Over time, there has been shrinkage especially when flacid. Orgasm without ejaculation is definitely different, but for some reason I have a mental picture of ejaculating even though I don't. There is some fluid which comes from the Cowper's gland. Sex for me is not the same but I think that is just my fault. I expect to much and therefore sex is pretty uneventful for me. Any similar experiences out there? Thanks.
1 like, 36 replies
tae111 pretensky
Posted
I am at the very beginning and just going for my first biopsy in a few weeks. I am 67 healthy otherwise and can enjoy sex in every way with no issues. I can tell you that I am terrified at what I read here. The thought of just giving that up at flip of a switch scares the death out of me. I hear some of the guys saying things like it's great to have companionship with their wife and all but sex, orgasm, and erections either with my wife or through masturbation is major for me. The fact that the medical community doesn't place more weight to this side effect is disturbing. Maybe they just hide it because many men would resist treatment if they knew what was going to happen. If you had a hand infection and the cure was to amputate 3 of your fingers that would be a devastating side effect and they would probably tell you that. If you told me that I had a choice loosing three fingers or giving up my sexuality I would put my hand out and say cut away. I have been researching all the treatments and all of them seem to add years to your life but your sex life is generally gone the way you knew it for the majority. Some guys talk about the HIFU treatment but that is hard to find and from what I read Medicare doesn't cover it. At this point they are going to have to tell me my cancer is so bad that I will be dead very soon if I don't get the treatment before agree. If that's the case then I will probably get treatment but I will never get over the loss of that part of my life.
pretensky tae111
Posted
I fully understand your concern. There is no doubt that this is a big decision and could possibly be a huge impact on your life. What you have to weigh is whether you can live with a cancer that is possibly growing and spreading in your body or get the procedure and deal with the outcome and possible side-effects. The one guaranteed side -effect from getting a prostatectomy, is the loss of the ability to ejaculate during orgasm. There is no way around this. Most of the fluid and semen is produced by the prostate and the attached seminal glands. That is what is removed during the prostatectomy. Since the vas deferens (the tubes which provide sperm from the testicles) are connected to the prostate, the connection will be cut off. In my case, I have always retained the ability to orgasm. Over time, I have noticed some loss of sensitivity and even some shrinkage when flaccid. But I can still masturbate successfully (it is not as messy), there is no noticeable change in erection size and there is some fluid which is provided by the cowpers gland. I also get yearly PSA blood tests to make sure there is not cancer recurrence. Over time I have learned to adapt and enjoy the new sensations. The alternative is to live with a growing cancer and get periodic prostate biopsies, which in my case was very intrusive and affected my rectal muscles. I definitely did not want to continue that process. So in summary, yes it is a big decision but there is a decent life after prostatectomy and it will be up to you to determine the quality of that life. Take care and good luck. And please do not hesitate to reach out and ask for advice or help. You are not alone...:)
pierre71 tae111
Posted
Wait a bit to have the official diagnosis of your cancer but it's true, you're right, the specialists try to make sexual pleasure see as a secondary thing and see this organ as strictly reproductive. I was exactly like you, my erections, my orgasms, my semen and my powerful ejaculations I loved it even if it was only masturbation. I had the surgery and they removed everything from me, when they do the surgery they have no choice but to remove the seminal vesicles with the entire prostate, the ampullas and cut the vas deferens. All men who have prostate cancer surgery have their genital system removed completely. I might be one of the rare cases but I have my erections exactly as before and I still have good orgasms. Without the ejaculation I admit that a big piece is missing, the pleasure is there with the muscle contractions but nothing comes out of the penis, visually it is very different. If you want to discuss it with me no problem
barney34567 pretensky
Posted
Join the club!
I had RP aged 50, 4 years ago.
All the symptoms you wrote about are common and I had all.
I adjusted, if that's the term to the new reality.
In my experience some folk adjust better when speaking to another person such as a psychologist.
I did not speak to anyone, as I did not need to, but when I hear of men needing advice (or counselling),
I suggest they see a general practitioner (or as Yankees call them "primary care physician') who specialises in men' s heath. Such a person in my humble opinion is far superior to a psychologist for whom such cases are few and far between.