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Masturbation post prostatectomy and radiation. Will it affect PSA?

Posted by knoctor @knoctor, Jun 25 1:05pm

Prostatectomy 12 years ago, and maintained non detectable PSA. recent PSA in 2024 rise rise to .16 and had 37 bouts of salvage radiation. PSA is staying pretty level but rose to ,18. Pet Scans, MRI, negative, no bone metastasis. I have a high testosterone around 500. Under active surveillance now to monitor every 3 months. I know you should avoid sexual activity, bicycling, etc. prior to testing. Would masturbation or intermittent?>? sex between 3 month testing have effects on PSA?>

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jimgaudette | @jimgaudette | Jun 30 3:19pm
In reply to @pcrich "Thanks, appreciate your response. Yes, my testicles did shrink - I'd say by at least 50%...." + (show)
Profile picture for pcrich @pcrich

Thanks, appreciate your response. Yes, my testicles did shrink - I'd say by at least 50%. And yes, I lost a good 2 inches in penis length. This has had tremendous impact on my overall negative self-body imagine. I'm remined every time I shower, urinate, or get un/dressed. Part of the fricken ADT journey. It is a lot of work for me now to masturbate daily compared to just a year ago when I did it 1-2 a day. Add to that the loss of libido and ED worsening. I was already prescribed 20+ mg tablets for ED. Thus, I think 20 mg daily would be too much, so I do try to take 20-40 mg of Sildenafil at least a couple of time a week for exactly what you suggest (blood flow). A small problem lately is that when I get up at least 2 times a night to pee, I have a slight erection, and the urine flow is slower. Good thing - I might be able to stop ADT after a year on since my PSA has been 0.02 awhile. Already see a slight increase in libido.
Could this be a sign of somewhat getting back to the way things were before.

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Things will never be as they were before. That doesn’t mean you will not be able to enjoy life and enjoy sex. It will just be different. Stay flexible and keep a positive attitude. ADT does have the side effect of depression, so make sure that you exercise daily.

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survivor5280 | @survivor5280 | Jul 1 3:27pm

I've not undergone ADT, but my understanding about this when trying to prepare for that eventuality - or any eventuality where ED came into play - is that a penis pump can help to restore length and possibly girth as well because ED can cause the urethra to shrink and it can be restored to some degree. I don't know if anything will help the testicles, but you might consult with your urologist about the pump.

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knoctor | @knoctor | Jul 2 11:28am

testicles shrank as well, but 18 months later back to normal

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jrs619 | @jrs619 | Sep 17 4:19pm
In reply to @jimgaudette "Things will never be as they were before. That doesn’t mean you will not be able..." + (show)
Profile picture for jimgaudette @jimgaudette

Things will never be as they were before. That doesn’t mean you will not be able to enjoy life and enjoy sex. It will just be different. Stay flexible and keep a positive attitude. ADT does have the side effect of depression, so make sure that you exercise daily.

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Hi encouraging post we’re all in a battle together even if we’re on different fronts I’m fighting this disease but haven’t gotten to the ADT part, but it’s not far. I wonder if I could ask how old you are when you started ADT . Also how long did you have your cancer before you started ADT. My last episode was a malignant lung nodule zapped SBRT PSA stable for now. I feel the ADT will be next. Your reply will be helpful and thanks for taking the time.

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jimgaudette | @jimgaudette | Sep 17 5:01pm
In reply to @jrs619 "Hi encouraging post we’re all in a battle together even if we’re on different fronts I’m..." + (show)
Profile picture for jrs619 @jrs619

Hi encouraging post we’re all in a battle together even if we’re on different fronts I’m fighting this disease but haven’t gotten to the ADT part, but it’s not far. I wonder if I could ask how old you are when you started ADT . Also how long did you have your cancer before you started ADT. My last episode was a malignant lung nodule zapped SBRT PSA stable for now. I feel the ADT will be next. Your reply will be helpful and thanks for taking the time.

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I started ADT at 70. I had cancer for 5 years before it metastasized. It was on my sacrum. They radiated it and put me on ADT for three years and I have been off for one year. No detectable cancer for four years.

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jeff Marchi | @jeffmarc | Sep 17 5:06pm
In reply to @jrs619 "Hi encouraging post we’re all in a battle together even if we’re on different fronts I’m..." + (show)
Profile picture for jrs619 @jrs619

Hi encouraging post we’re all in a battle together even if we’re on different fronts I’m fighting this disease but haven’t gotten to the ADT part, but it’s not far. I wonder if I could ask how old you are when you started ADT . Also how long did you have your cancer before you started ADT. My last episode was a malignant lung nodule zapped SBRT PSA stable for now. I feel the ADT will be next. Your reply will be helpful and thanks for taking the time.

Jump to this post

Not sure who you are asking, Hit the reply button unless you are asking the person who put in the original post?, That way we know who you are talking to

3 1/2 years after my surgery, my PSA started rising. They gave me a six month ADT shot before radiation two months later.

2 1/2 years after radiation I went on ADT and I’ve been on it for almost 9 years.

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jimgaudette | @jimgaudette | Sep 17 5:20pm
In reply to @jimgaudette "I started ADT at 70. I had cancer for 5 years before it metastasized. It was..." + (show)
Profile picture for jimgaudette @jimgaudette

I started ADT at 70. I had cancer for 5 years before it metastasized. It was on my sacrum. They radiated it and put me on ADT for three years and I have been off for one year. No detectable cancer for four years.

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Had radical prostatectomy 2016.

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VancouverIslandHiker | @vancouverislandhiker | Sep 18 9:40am

Knoctor- Dr told me not to ride bike or have any sex prior to PSA test , to standardize test he said . I have had the operation 6 years ago and EBRT to pelvic bed about 2.5 years ago . PSA is in a range now of 0.061- 0.033 or so . Very low background figures . Drs says that is normal cells spitting out low levels of PSA . He says he is not worried about this at all . Im a bit concerned though .

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kenk1962 | @kenk1962 | Sep 18 10:36am
In reply to @vancouverislandhiker "Knoctor- Dr told me not to ride bike or have any sex prior to PSA test..." + (show)
Profile picture for VancouverIslandHiker @vancouverislandhiker

Knoctor- Dr told me not to ride bike or have any sex prior to PSA test , to standardize test he said . I have had the operation 6 years ago and EBRT to pelvic bed about 2.5 years ago . PSA is in a range now of 0.061- 0.033 or so . Very low background figures . Drs says that is normal cells spitting out low levels of PSA . He says he is not worried about this at all . Im a bit concerned though .

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I agree with your doctors. Your current PSA values are exceptionally good for a former radiation patient.

You should be the envy of this forum.

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VancouverIslandHiker | @vancouverislandhiker | Sep 18 11:58am
In reply to @kenk1962 "I agree with your doctors. Your current PSA values are exceptionally good for a former radiation..." + (show)
Profile picture for kenk1962 @kenk1962

I agree with your doctors. Your current PSA values are exceptionally good for a former radiation patient.

You should be the envy of this forum.

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Thanks Kenk - I am happy where I am , just need to stay here I gather ! I really think my hikes with my Doggies do me and dogs well ! While in Canada on Vancouver Island half the year I make it a daily event. Good for the mind/stress as well ! I try and get in at least 10 KM , thats my initial goal . My PSA sort of scares me though . Shouldn't it be at 0.008 - unreadable? My dr's say I am most probably one of those people who have healthy prostate cells in pelvic region that push out extremely low PSA numbers . I wonder if he is right ? Take care Sir . James

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