ED Rehab after Radical Prostatectomy Surgery

Did you get an electric one or one that you have to pump by hand? Using the pump doesn’t work great for having intercourse, I don’t think most people can get it stiff enough with that rubber gasket that stops the blood flow from leaving.. The thing is, it does get the tissue and your penis exercised so that it doesn’t deteriorate.

It sounds like you’re going to need to use something like Bimix or Trimix Injections to get a real hard erection. You could try using Cialis a little longer, but if it and Viagra don’t work that’s really your only option besides an implant.

I attended a webinar in September 2023 out of Stanford University titled: “ Penile Rehab: Optimizing Recovery of Erectile Function after Prostate Cancer Treatment” —> https://youtu.be/aRp1NXjPGLE?si=VyF2ALSgU1J5r4OI

It’s very informative, and perhaps will provide information that you can discuss with your doctors to get beyond your current situation.

Like @jeffmarc points out, even if it doesn't get you to where you can have intercourse, using that pump is pretty important to the survival of your penis! Your penis can atrophy like any muscle and when the urethra is not being stretched it can shrink.

You might be thinking "it doesn't work so who cares" but you still have the option of implants and injections to bring your soldier back to full attention and if you didn't give it some TLC until you went down those paths then you might find that it's painful to have an erection or you've lost a lot of length and girth as a result of ignoring your buddy.

If your pump isn't useful for intercourse then don't look at it that way, look at it as "this is the device that keeps my member stretched to it's potential, even soft, so I have hopes of using it later". No different than lifting a 5lb weight every day to keep you from losing all your strength - you won't be in any body building competitions but you can at least show up to one.

Thanks for the note. I'll talk to my urologist/surgeon about those injections at some point.

Jeff

Thanks Brian, I'll be sure to look at this.
Jeff

Thank you, very helpful!
Jeff

Jeff I do believe the pump is a good thing. It was never not a little uncomfortable for me but with more use it did get better. It also was helpful for intercorse , not great but made it possible.

Yeah - at some point. It’s very, very early to start thinking about permanent or partial ED. It could take many months before your erections return satisfactorily.
The Cialis/Viagra will keep the blood flowing; the pump is an adjunct to enhance that. Don’t look at it as anything but rehab - and rehab takes time. Best,
Phil

I had my PALP performed on 10/25/22. My erections or partial erections were slow to return. I started using a pump, (hand generated), which worked really well to get blood into my penis. It did get me erect enough to have intercourse but I found the rubber band and or cock ring too uncomfortable. Neither CIALIS or VIAGRA did anything for me regarding increased or better quality erections. However, I still take daily dosages of CIALIS 5mg to help stimulate blood flow. Now, let’s cut to the chase. Although I can experience nocturnal erections as stiff and erect as I’ve ever had, (even prior to my surgery). I just can’t count on getting an erection strong enough for intercourse whenever I want. Most of the time, I get an erection that’s about 85% there but not quite hard enough near snd at the tip to enjoy consistent and long enough intercourse “on call” so to speak. Perhaps about 10-20% of the time I can get erect enough for enjoyable intercourse. However, to be sure to have a strong enough erection whenever I want it…….TRIMIX is the answer. The needle is not horribly uncomfortable. Some injections go better than others! However, my erections on TRIMIX are 100% reliable and both my wife and I enjoy a very stiff and hard erection. Depending on your individual dosage and the strength of TRIMIX you get prescribed. It can cost between $30 to $50 per injection. Obviously, not cheap. However, I would say that a nice firm erection whenever you want it is well worth the price! I do notice that my penis is not quite as sensitive with the injection. However, I am usually able to experience a very enjoyable dry orgasm. Speaking personally from my own experience. My wife and I enjoyed a very wonderful, enjoyable and exciting experience with sexual intercourse before my surgery. We have been together for 13 years and I am more excited and turned on to my wife than ever. As a result, it was very important to me to get my erections to match my sexual excitation and strong erections to really enjoy the sex we had always shared together. Although my natural erections are still slowly improving, I am very grateful to have TRIMIX as a successful alternative to utilize. Having regular intercourse also helps to keep your penis strong and filled with blood to increase its overall health and wellbeing. My wife and I are both 70 years old. I stringy recommend using a pump device in the early months and perhaps the first year after surgery, (depending upon your percentage of penile erection recovery), just to keep blood flowing to your penis. You will eventually find whatever prescription or combination of things to assist you in getting and maintaining a strong, reliable erection.
Best wishes and good luck to all of our fellow PC’s.
Phil

Thanks Phil. Very nice of you to reply with your recommendations. I appreciate the advice!
Jeff