I’m glad I saw your post! I too was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2023 as well as an enlarged prostate. I began taking finestride to shrink my prostate hoping to shrink my prostate enough to be able to have proton therapy treatments in order to avoid a radical prostatectomy! I too heard about the side effects of incontinence erectile disfunction.
Unfortunately, the information I will provide you with will cause you to be even more concerned! I have lived through the surgery now and suffered the side effects and it is tough!
With my experience I became convinced to provide details to guys facing this surgery so that you can prepare yourself for what you will face!
First, regardless of the side effects I am glad to be rid of prostate cancer and extent my years even though it has been tough! Remember that! Even with the problems it brings, sometime a radical prostatectomy ( using nerve saving robotic surgery) is necessary!
I took meds to shrink my prostate for 1.5 years. It did shrink my prostate by lowering my testosterone which in turn eliminated my ability to have an erection, and my penis shrank 50%! Lack of testosterone and lack of use makes it shrink! It was scary at first! It seemed so strange that my normally 6 inch penis when not erect became a three inch penis! Do to all the extra skin on my smaller penis, my circumcised penis looked uncircumcised after it shrank. It was concerning of course but I had no option. After 1.5 years of observation hoping to avoid surgery the cancer grew and I was told I must have a prostatectomy! My worse fear! But again life cancer free was more important.
Awaiting the surgery I began reading everything I could on what to expect and I found a lot of help on this web site! Good, frank discussions from guys who had gone throng this. I was told that the removal of the prostate involves ( very simply put) cutting the urethra tube, removing the prostate, then sewing the Uriah’s tube back together. Unfortunately, when that occurs the urethra tube is shorter by whatever length you prostate was before it was removed. As I said earlier I had a very large prostate before the surgery. She the shorter urethan tube is sown back together it pulls you penis back into your body which makes you penis shorter! I read that this fact is called “ the last humiliation” because after all the other things you have gone thorough ( there is no such thing as going through this with out feeling some embarrassing moments) now you wake up after surgery and you penis is about 1 inch shorter that it was before surgery! You will have a catheter after surgery but by the time it is removed, about a week later, that is the point you can really see your new, shorter penis! They say the day after the catheter is removed is the day your penis has become the smallest, due to the trauma your penal nerves have been through. I had read that and was prepared. That day I measured and I had a 2 inch penis!
Do not despair! You will regain some length as healing occurs! There are things you can do for “ penal rehab”and it does help!
After all the finasteride got out of my system and I did penal rehab, my penis did get longer but I am one in shorter that I was pre surgery and that will not change.
Taking Cialis increased blood flow and helps. Using a penis pump to cause it to be hard due to vacuum pressure, helps as well. I am 4 months lost surgery now. Pre surgery my penis was 7.5 long erect. Post surgery I am 6.5 inches erect ( with the help of a penis pump). I cannot get an erection naturally.
The incontinence continues and requires depends. I’m going to a physical therapy it strengthen my pelvic floor muscles in the hope of ending my incontinence.
Guys, it a struggle to experience this but your life is worth it! Keep your sense of humor, be optimistic, and face it as a short inconvenience in your life! I’m expecting to recover completely to controlling my bladder, and returning to an active sex life! You will too! It just takes a lot of patience and some time!
I hope this help you! If you need more detail or have questions just ask!