Vacuum pump advice needed

I am 83 and have similar experience. After 4 months on Lupron with a recovery after a year to only 150 testosterone. No erections and no libido. I have tries hand and powered pumps and see no advantage with the powered unit. The electric pimp did not last long as they are fragile.

I strongly recommend finding a urologist who specializes in penile therapy. I know someone who went through focal, radiation surgery, more radiation and hormone therapy...and after all of that and working with a sexual function doctor, is now back in business and very happy. He went through some very dark times, but is doing great now.

From what I've learned from various penile therapy guides from centers across the country, there are two uses for the pump. One is for therapy to help deal with penile shrinkage. For that process, it's not absolutely necessary pump up to a full erection, just to the point where you don't feel pain. You pump to the point that doesn't induce discomfort, let it sit for a bit and then release pressure. Repeat five times. Do daily.

My concern was that I didn't want so much shrinkage that I would have to pee sitting down, which sounds like it happens to some folks. I actually find that sitting down to pee is more probemamtic because I have less length and end up aiming straight ahead rather than down into toilet. So, glad to be able to pee standing up.

The second use of the pump is to get a firm enough erection for penetration using a restriction ring.. I'm not up to this phase (just three weeks post surgery, so way to early to go there). But, I will say that I did test out a pump before surgery so I knew what it would be like before I lost function and after. I purchased a Vacuerect, which is a FDA approved manual pump.

Post surgery, i have started pumping. I do believe it has helped reduce some of the initial penile shortening, but it will take time. I know for a fact that I also lost some girth. Perhaps that will change over time. I don't know.

Don't give up yet...you just might need some expert medical guidance. Hang in there...not an easy path.

@fritzo thanks for your comments but believe me I’ve tried it all had a pump 3 months after surgery, have had many discussions with Drs. I’m reaching the 2 yr point when many Drs. Say if you’re going to be able to enjoy sex again it should happen by the 2 yr mark . Even though I had a top Dr at MGH in Boston and he said he only had to a little nerve damage I don’t feel anything the few times I had a half ass erection, I even gave to ask am I in ? Pretty sad situation, good luck to you.

I don't think a battery-powered pump will have anything more to offer (other than relieving you of operating the pump). My physical therapist pointed out a broader benefit of using the pump - it brings blood to the whole pelvic region. The improved flow improves the health of the pelvic region which includes the parts that support the orgasmic process. Not using the pump could lead to atrophy of the penile muscles.

@graybeard46 I was thinking about my comments and thought I really didn't know your story very well and probably was out of line. You know way more about this than I do by a long shot because you've lived with it and done all the right steps. I don't know what my future holds but I totally feel for you and hope that someone offers better answers.

Not an expert, but I know the implant crowd on this forum have had some really positive experiences. Maybe, one of them can chime in??

I am 20 months post "nerve sparring" surgery. I have tried manual (Vacurect) and an electric pump along with pills, Bimix and Trimix and only able to achieve a partial erection. I noticed that night erections went away at 4 months post surgery and Trimix was becoming less effective at giving me a partial erection. At 18 months, I went to a sexual medicine specialist for Shockwave therapy. He did an ultrasound and noted normal blood flow on the left side but really restricted weak flow on the right. Also a lot of (severe) scarring on the side with restricted blood flow and said too much scaring on the right side of penis for Shockwave therapy to be effective. He said scarring was likely from surgical damage to nerves that then restricts blood flow. I told him I was seeing penile shrinking based on what I could see in the Vacurect over the past 8 months, He said it would never get better at this point and may lead to Peyronie's down the road. He suggested a penile implant and told me to find a high volume implant Urologist.
I reluctantly started a search calling several big names in Florida, Texas, and finally settled on one here in San Diego. at UCSD. It was a 45 minute outpatient procedure and I am 6 weeks post operative and happy with the results. To restore length prior to surgery, the implant specialist had me using a penile stretching device twice a day for 30 minutes AND the Vacurect with no rings for 4 months prior to the surgery. It made a huge difference and I gained back all my lost length based on "stretched penile length" (SPL) measurement prior to surgery. The only positive side effect of my prostate cancer train ride has been this implant. It was all covered by Medicare and will last 10 to 15 years at which point they will install a new one at no cost. Nothing has helped my libido better than the feeling of a full erection again with no pills, shots or uncertainty about the result.

Happy for you , sounds like maybe your significant other still enjoys sex . Can you get an orgasm, that’s what keeps me from having the implant I don’t feel anything and no guarantee I ever would .

I'm sorry to hear that and the surgeon asked me that very same question during the initial interview. I'm only 6 weeks post implant procedure and not quite approved for anything penetrative, but yes orgasm is still there. I would not have gone through this if no orgasm.

Agree , I continue taking a 100 mg of Viagra every 2-3 days and use the pump occasionally but hopefully some day I’ll wake up with a woody and then maybe feel something

@beachflyer how old are you ?