Are you experiencing dry orgasm after prostate cancer treatments?
For me this is a very embarassing question and subject. I think MCC is a great place to ask.
I have seen some past post but don't remember much about the discussion. I had 30 rounds of proton radiation and no ADT. It will be 1 year since my last treatment in July 2024.
I am not sexually active (intercourse wise due to back and medical problems with both spouse and I). My spouse and I enjoy each other with manual arousal love making.
I noticed orgasms are dry with little or no liquid. I plan to discuss with my R/O in July but would like to see if this is something that has happen with others who did not have RP. I am not sure if I should be concerned about it or that is a common issue after radiation.
Bear with me was not easy to ask. I have found MCC a place where I can ask embarassing (at least for me) questions where I would never do so in person or in a in-person group.
Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Prostate Cancer Support Group.
Ah, the trustworthy voice of experience.
Dry organisms are normal, the feeling is no different.
The prostate and the seminal vesicles produce fluid that nourishes and helps propel semen. Radiation is whole organ treatment and can include the seminal vesicles ( incidentally or purposefully if there had been cancer extension into the vesicle), while semen is distantly safer in the testes. Dry orgasms aren't abnormal after radiation treatment.
jc76 Yes this is common. I had 28 rounds of imrt & 18 months of Elagard. I too have dry orgasms. It’s nothing to worry about. I don’t mind it. You just have to get used to it. At least we can get an erection.
If you destroy your prostate, either by radiation or by surgery, you will end ejaculate (having only dry orgasms). You still have a pair of small glands (bulbourethral glands, also known as Cowper’s glands) located outside the prostate. They produce the small amount of liquid to help lubricate the urethra and condition it for the semen. That is often called "pre-cum". That will eventually go away too, though it may stick around for a year or more. So, yes, dry orgasms (the loss of any liquid) is normal and expected when you take action to get rid of or destroy the prostate. With radiation this can take some time. It is also true that doctors are not real upfront about this, especially with patients that they sense are uncomfortable talking about such things.
Check out my post regarding a Facebook support group I belong to. We openly discuss all of the questions that people may consider embarrassing. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/facebook-support-group-for-guys-with-pc/
@5galloncan
Thanks for information. I was not aware of it being a side affect so was shock when it happended twice after treatments ended.
I completely agree with you that the trade off is dam well worth it!
Again thank Mayo for MCC and learning these things you were not aware of.
My radiation oncologist's explanation for dry orgasms after proton therapy is that your prostate produces most of the fluid that makes up the semen. So, once your prostate has been essentially destroyed by the proton therapy, your orgasms will be nearly or completely dry forever after. Once you get your head around it, not a bad trade off, yes?
Had my prostate removed in January 2020, followed by radiation of the prostate bed. Was also on ADT for two years, starting around the time my prostate was removed. I cannot have an erection and gave up on that type of sex as the injections were not effective for penetration of my partner.
However, about three weeks ago I discovered that I can still have orgasms. And they are very deep ones at that.
I then did my research and found that this is not uncommon in men who were no longer on ADT.
It's been a great morale booster. Wish that I had tried earlier.
Clearly, the sale of ED drugs is a 'black art'. After my Walgreen's offered the $1501 price (reported above), I called them and was told my Medicare Part D Supplement insurance didn't cover. I mentioned GoodRX showing a $30 price to get the drug from them. They replied that I could bring in the coupon or they could use Medicare Part B and the price is:
Tadalafil 20mg Tablets
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Price: $18.46
I told them that's a far cry from $1501 and I'm on the way...woo hoo. I've never tried an ED drug and am hopeful of good results and no headaches.