1. < Prostate Cancer

Dry orgasm after prostate cancer treatments

Posted by jc76 @jc76, Apr 7 6:08am

For me this is a very emparassing 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 litte 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.

gently | @gently | Apr 9 9:59am

https://www.goodrx.com/tadalafil-cialis?form=tablet&dosage=20mg&quantity=30&label_override=tadalafil-cialis
seasuite, if you are in the states you might try goodrx. You don't have to join anything or have a low income; it doesn't involve your insurance.
You have to watch the side effects with this drug, though. Still might not be worth it.
I'm sorry about your experience. No biopsy?

REPLY
seasuite | @seasuite | Apr 9 11:44am
In reply to @spino "At Walmart, the Good Rx price, which they automatically give me when insurance isn't better, is..." + (show)
@spino

At Walmart, the Good Rx price, which they automatically give me when insurance isn't better, is about $20-30 for 30 tablets, small enough that I don't remember the exact price, especially since the pills give me very unpleasant GERD. And since I've tried both sildenafil and tadalafil, I know the price is roughly in the same ballpark. I don't have that particular dosage, though.

Jump to this post

I've never used GoodRx before. However, when I put in the drug, I get:

$21.06
Retail price:$853.85
Show this coupon at the pharmacy.
BIN 015995
PCN GDC
Group DR33
Member ID EYN832197

For PCa, I had a transperineal biopsy and all the other stuff (decipher grid, PSMA PET, many doctors and institutions, etc.). After the aforementioned unnecessary surgery, I practice a great deal more due diligence on anything that I hear from the Medical 'Practitioners'. The Dr. claimed that you could not safely biopsy a testicle and, sadly, I accepted that and understand it is rarely done. However, there are many other tests that provide conclusive evidence that were not done.

REPLY
trusam1 | @trusam1 | Apr 10 7:33am
In reply to @seasuite "The only warning I got was from my cousin who had a RP. He made it..." + (show)
@seasuite

The only warning I got was from my cousin who had a RP. He made it sound like he was happy to have even that given that ED drugs didn't work for him. My main RO ran thru the side effects list at the same speed as the drug vendors on TV, a total blur of useless details. Regrettably, she did not 'net it out' and tell me those side effects that are most likely and how I should be prepared.

After my radiation and Orgovyx, I am also 'shooting blanks'. I should add that I had an unnecessary orchiectomy, right side, since my Dr. decided that I likely had testicular cancer that turned out benign, and ejaculation was weak to begin with.

I now get about 80% of a normal erection 3 months post completion of all therapies. I was offered a Cialis prescription, but, my pharmacy just sent: Price*
Tadalafil 20mg Tablets
30 $1501.09
Total: $1501.09

I don't know it that is the final price, but, I'll have to decide if it's work it or not.

Jump to this post

I don't know the details of my drug coverage - I have Medicare Advantage with Kaiser as well as Part D. But I get all the generic Viagra I want for free...

REPLY
paulcalif | @paulcalif | Apr 10 8:40am
In reply to @seasuite "The only warning I got was from my cousin who had a RP. He made it..." + (show)
@seasuite

The only warning I got was from my cousin who had a RP. He made it sound like he was happy to have even that given that ED drugs didn't work for him. My main RO ran thru the side effects list at the same speed as the drug vendors on TV, a total blur of useless details. Regrettably, she did not 'net it out' and tell me those side effects that are most likely and how I should be prepared.

After my radiation and Orgovyx, I am also 'shooting blanks'. I should add that I had an unnecessary orchiectomy, right side, since my Dr. decided that I likely had testicular cancer that turned out benign, and ejaculation was weak to begin with.

I now get about 80% of a normal erection 3 months post completion of all therapies. I was offered a Cialis prescription, but, my pharmacy just sent: Price*
Tadalafil 20mg Tablets
30 $1501.09
Total: $1501.09

I don't know it that is the final price, but, I'll have to decide if it's work it or not.

Jump to this post

Check GoodRX for pricing. There is a HUGE difference.

REPLY
seasuite | @seasuite | Apr 11 9:05am

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
Rx# 2289229-3344 | Qty: 30
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.

REPLY
koji480 | @koji480 | Apr 11 3:04pm

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.

REPLY
5galloncan | @5galloncan | Apr 11 3:23pm

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?

REPLY
1 reply
jc76 | @jc76 | Apr 12 5:43am
In reply to @5galloncan "My radiation oncologist's explanation for dry orgasms after proton therapy is that your prostate produces most..." + (show)
@5galloncan

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?

Jump to this post

@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.

REPLY
ringmastr1 | @ringmastr1 | Apr 12 8:35am

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/

REPLY
cstrutt52 | @cstrutt52 | Apr 12 9:57am

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.

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.