Prostate Cancer: sex drive after surgery or other treatments

Posted by john57 @john57, Feb 23, 2020

hello everyone i was wondering if i could ask a group question, i had my prostate removed back in october since then i have had a lupron shot, started pt and began radiation. my question is has anyone had a decrease in sex drive? i find myself thinking about less and less. thanks in advance

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@stoney

I went on Sildenafil (20¢ per pill from Honeybeehealth.com) immediately after the catheter was removed. I also splurged for a restorex® lengthening device (developed by Mayo physician). That cost me almost $500 but shortening during the healing process was not an option I was willing to accept. Let me know if you need more specifics.

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Did your Doc set you up on this or did you take the initiative on your own?

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I found the online pharmacy myself and it's great. The regimen for the viagra was set up by the Doc as follows: one pill daily and up to four more when you plan on sexual activity, no more than five a day. I have the philosophy that if you don't use it, you're going to lose it. At 61, I didn't want to call it quits and so far, the therapy has been effective. I no longer have to take additional pills to have sexual activity (I'm six months post-op). I continue to take one pill daily and because I have high blood pressure, miraculously, the pill seems to have lowered my B.P. to normal and I stopped taking my B.P. medication.

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@stoney

I found the online pharmacy myself and it's great. The regimen for the viagra was set up by the Doc as follows: one pill daily and up to four more when you plan on sexual activity, no more than five a day. I have the philosophy that if you don't use it, you're going to lose it. At 61, I didn't want to call it quits and so far, the therapy has been effective. I no longer have to take additional pills to have sexual activity (I'm six months post-op). I continue to take one pill daily and because I have high blood pressure, miraculously, the pill seems to have lowered my B.P. to normal and I stopped taking my B.P. medication.

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Very helpful appreciate the candid insight.

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@stoney

I found the online pharmacy myself and it's great. The regimen for the viagra was set up by the Doc as follows: one pill daily and up to four more when you plan on sexual activity, no more than five a day. I have the philosophy that if you don't use it, you're going to lose it. At 61, I didn't want to call it quits and so far, the therapy has been effective. I no longer have to take additional pills to have sexual activity (I'm six months post-op). I continue to take one pill daily and because I have high blood pressure, miraculously, the pill seems to have lowered my B.P. to normal and I stopped taking my B.P. medication.

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I doesn’t work.

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Greetings,
I’m a very fit, healthy 63 y/o that has always lived healthy, exercised and eaten relatively healthy and never smoked. I’ve pretty much been the same weight since high school. Recently I’ve been diagnosed with prostate cancer. PSA 7, and a Gleason score of mostly 6 with two areas of 7. I’m blessed with a very active love life with a beautiful, wonderful girlfriend and we love and enjoy our intimacy frequently. That stated, I’m leaning towards surgery and one of my concerns is, after everything is healed and say a year down the road, how does the surgery effect my libido? I’ve come to terms with most of the other side effects of surgery, but I’m not finding any information what the surgery does to one’s sex drive. Can any post prostate cancers surgery men share your experience with regard to this?
Thanks to all and be well!!

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@pda

Greetings,
I’m a very fit, healthy 63 y/o that has always lived healthy, exercised and eaten relatively healthy and never smoked. I’ve pretty much been the same weight since high school. Recently I’ve been diagnosed with prostate cancer. PSA 7, and a Gleason score of mostly 6 with two areas of 7. I’m blessed with a very active love life with a beautiful, wonderful girlfriend and we love and enjoy our intimacy frequently. That stated, I’m leaning towards surgery and one of my concerns is, after everything is healed and say a year down the road, how does the surgery effect my libido? I’ve come to terms with most of the other side effects of surgery, but I’m not finding any information what the surgery does to one’s sex drive. Can any post prostate cancers surgery men share your experience with regard to this?
Thanks to all and be well!!

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Hi @pda, Great questions re how prostatectomy might effect one's sex drive. You'll notice that I moved your message to a discussion on the same topic.
- Prostate Cancer: sex drive after surgery or other treatments https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/sex-drive-after-surgery/

I did this so you can meet @john57 @dmadi61 @ken82 @klaken @voodoo5500 and @stoney who are talking about their experiences. Click VIEW & REPLY to see the past posts.

PDA, what treatment options are available for your consideration?

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@pda

Greetings,
I’m a very fit, healthy 63 y/o that has always lived healthy, exercised and eaten relatively healthy and never smoked. I’ve pretty much been the same weight since high school. Recently I’ve been diagnosed with prostate cancer. PSA 7, and a Gleason score of mostly 6 with two areas of 7. I’m blessed with a very active love life with a beautiful, wonderful girlfriend and we love and enjoy our intimacy frequently. That stated, I’m leaning towards surgery and one of my concerns is, after everything is healed and say a year down the road, how does the surgery effect my libido? I’ve come to terms with most of the other side effects of surgery, but I’m not finding any information what the surgery does to one’s sex drive. Can any post prostate cancers surgery men share your experience with regard to this?
Thanks to all and be well!!

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A lot of the sex drive (libido) has to do with the hormone shots you have in connection with and before treatment ...even surgery.. the Lupron shot initially is to shrink the prostate.. so it can be targeted more easily... I had only one shot.. but the effects hang around for a year... some men get a series of shots .. 1 every 4-6 months... for a couple years... so you and your doctor ... even an oncologist must have a talk...

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@ken82

A lot of the sex drive (libido) has to do with the hormone shots you have in connection with and before treatment ...even surgery.. the Lupron shot initially is to shrink the prostate.. so it can be targeted more easily... I had only one shot.. but the effects hang around for a year... some men get a series of shots .. 1 every 4-6 months... for a couple years... so you and your doctor ... even an oncologist must have a talk...

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Thank you Ken82. My surgeon made no mention of the hormone shots. I don't believe my prostate in enlarged. I have none of the classic symptoms. the cancer was discovered as part of a routine checkup and physical. The consult for radiation the Dr. did say I would be getting the hormone shot(s). I will be sure to ask the surgeon about it during my next consult

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@colleenyoung

Hi @pda, Great questions re how prostatectomy might effect one's sex drive. You'll notice that I moved your message to a discussion on the same topic.
- Prostate Cancer: sex drive after surgery or other treatments https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/sex-drive-after-surgery/

I did this so you can meet @john57 @dmadi61 @ken82 @klaken @voodoo5500 and @stoney who are talking about their experiences. Click VIEW & REPLY to see the past posts.

PDA, what treatment options are available for your consideration?

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Hi Collen. Radiation or surgery. I'm leaning towards surgery especially if I don't have to have to have the hormone shots. Active surveillance was floated as a possible option but since have two areas with a Gleason 7 score, it wasn't reocmmended

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