In praise of Penis Pills before PC treatment!

I guess if you're lucky enough to have a willing wife/partner at an advanced age that would be a plus. Having a reason to use it is just as important or more important than the "pill" itself.

I hear you and it's difficult out there. My story in that regard is not a simple one and my wife has had a serious disease for 20+ years that has rendered such matters very difficult for a long time. Hang in there...I'm just on a short-term, drug-induced bender that will come to an end. Hugs

Father Time gets us all- live for TODAY.

One size does NOT fit all. I'm 6 months post RARP. Erections are fine, but no orgasm. Urologist seemed a bit stumped and prescribed Cialis. No effect. Upped it to add Viagra. No effect, only made my face red. Oh well, still at it... under the practice makes perfect theory. Pretty frustrating though. I try to look on the bright side... at least I'm lasting longer... lol. Best of luck.

p.s. Mostly continent. Minor leaks (squirts) with specific physical exertion.

@bajjerfan exactly. I see all these messages and my wife was sick. Now passed. Its still very important to me but I think mostly due to the thought that it wrecks havoc on your manhood. Dating a younger woman now(70) but menopause has caused havoc with her system. I am now taking the shots but there are lots of things to work through. I guess if I was 60 not 74 I might have a little different thought. But it is still enjoyable experimenting.

@folmajt Hang in there...it sounds like it takes a very long time post surgery, but not to give up hope. (my surgery date is weeks away, so easy for me to say now)

@tuckerp Life often doesn't fit the storybook that I wished I was in. Instead, setbacks, challenges and really difficult times. Glad you're finding some enjoyment out of the experiment. I try and celebrate the small victories, which in this case is a couple of weeks of enhancement before it is all taken away. Small victory before the storm.

@folmajt Wow-erections at six months. I'm no expert, but what I've read is that orgasm is NOT tied to erections...it's a separate set of nerves entirely. Apparently people can orgasm without erection. Might need a sexual function doc to get you where you want to be. Good luck on your recovery journey.

There’s a 2023 presentation out of Stanford University that’s titled “Penile Rehab: Optimizing Recovery of Erectile Function after Prostate Cancer Treatment.” They talk about things to do before and after surgery: https://youtu.be/aRp1NXjPGLE

To help avoid late ED following radiation, I’ve read that avoiding the penile bulb is beneficial: https://www.icr.ac.uk/about-us/icr-news/detail/avoiding-penile-bulb-with-radiotherapy-could-save-men-with-prostate-cancer-from-harmful-side-effects

As for ADT, though it certainly affects the libido, its effect on ED is less so. What happens is that with the loss of libido, most guys just stop doing it. What I was told by my medical oncologist was that the key to not losing it, is to continue “doing it,” despite the “want to” not being there. I was told that it’s a “use it or lose it” scenario.

Also, data show that the use of rectal spacers has been clinically proven to not only reduce radiation-induced rectal injury, but in many cases also provide improved GU, GI, and sexual benefits.

(I’m about 5 years post-proton radiation + ADT, and never experienced ED - thanks to my medical oncologist’s recommendation to ramp up my resistance-training exercises and cardio programs to minimize the side-effects of hormone therapy; that might(?) also have had the side-benefit of keeping the blood flowing “down there” as well, since ED is often much about blood flow and hydraulics).

ADT was a minor annoyance.

@brianjarvis I can tell you are a warrior. I don't say that lightly. You fought and you battled. This is a fight on topics that most of us can't even talk about with our unaffected friends. Yes, they can be supportive....but some topics aren't where you go in those conversations.

Thank you for all the great advice. I really hope I don't have to pursue the radiation/ADT route down the road, but those things are good to know. Full disclosure: If I had chosen radiation as a first treatment, they were going to add six months of ADT for me.

Funny thing-I had found that Stanford video. It is short and concise-really well done. That whole ADT and use it or lose it must be tough. I did get a pump pre-surgery just to figure out what was what before. I learned that it's really not sexual...more like an exercise or chore. But, at least I know what is to come.

I am definitely going to have to up my exercise game. I do a daily short-duration high-intensity workout and do treadmill walking with a weight vest a few times a week...but I'm still 20 pounds overweight and not in the shape I used to be. Thanks for the inspiration to get my butt in gear.