ED Recovery -- Are there signs of imp... - Prostate Cancer N...

Prostate Cancer Network

4,941 members3,076 posts

ED Recovery -- Are there signs of improvement?

baw1955 profile image
16 Replies

Really, it's a two part question:

(1) For those of you who had a radical prostatectomy, how many have recovered to where an erection capable of penetration without pills, needles, implants, etc has occurred?

(2) If you have recovered erectile capability, was it an "overnight" event, or are there signals along the recovery process that indicate functionality is returning?

Question 1, is to get better data than that presented in Mulholland's book (Saving Your Sex Life, p.68) which cites 22 studies from 2000 to 2007 where results vary widely. Patient numbers per study ranged from 42 to 25,561 (mean/average 1,646 patients); percent "capable of having sexual intercourse" ranged from 12% to 96% (mean/average 48%; standard deviation 25%).

Question 2, is for yours truly to be on the lookout for something positive happening "down there". Waiting 12-24 months (post surgery) for results, to me, is bullshit guidance.

Written by
baw1955 profile image
baw1955
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
16 Replies
Tall_Allen profile image
Tall_Allen

Why do you think that hearing anecdotes from guys who visit this site is "better data" than Mulhall provides?

baw1955 profile image
baw1955 in reply to Tall_Allen

Mulhall challenges the study results with numerous questions....will send a private email with details.

Tall_Allen profile image
Tall_Allen in reply to baw1955

See Table 4 and Table 5:

pcnrv.blogspot.com/2016/09/...

baw1955 profile image
baw1955

Oops on misspelling author's name. CORRECTION: It is Mulhall (not Mulholland).

Vitruviusman profile image
Vitruviusman

I've been to many many men's prostate cancer groups. Not one man said that he could achieve an erection without the injections or the implant.

Jeff85705 profile image
Jeff85705

I have no "partner" and therefore no need for erection sufficient for penetration. It is nice to get hard enough to masturbate more enjoyably though. A "pill" makes it better. The silver lining to living single: no worry about "satisfying" a partner or feeling "potent."

jimreilly profile image
jimreilly

Waiting, being on the lookout, without doing anything else would indeed be bullshit guidance. Sexual rehab is useful--including pills, pumps, kegels, professional guidance--can all help, and can help yo spot any "signs"--you also need to gradually accustom yourself to the changes that have happened (no come, needing more stiumlation to achieve any degreeof hardness, loss of size, whatever--so that the thought itself of those changes doesn't get in the way--working is better than plain old waiting

skillmk profile image
skillmk

I guess I've been fortunate. Shortly after surgery, I started taking Cialis pills. After 3 months, my erections were partial and not quite enough for intercourse. After 6 months, my erections were firm enough for intercourse, but not every time. I stopped Cialis and then started taking Viagra whenever I needed it (just to save money). About 9 months after surgery, I no longer needed any medication, and my erections were full, like they were before surgery. I had surgery at age 52. That was exactly one year ago.

Handdrummer777 profile image
Handdrummer777

That is really great news! Mist guys undergoing RP don't seem to do so well. Good luck with continuing your sex life!

tajohnston profile image
tajohnston

I had Robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy in Kingston Ontario Canada on January 14th. I had a small erection the night of the surgery (it woke me up) and several since. I had a normal erection followed by sex last week. All functioned normal except for the climax which is quite different. Everything is almost normal both erections and no incontinence.

CCD223355 profile image
CCD223355 in reply to tajohnston

Very encouraging to hear. Seems most people are reporting otherwise... Hoping similar results for myself after upcoming laparoscopic surgery

baw1955 profile image
baw1955 in reply to tajohnston

Gosh. Time for a controlled study which led to such remarkable results. If no one else wants to understand the factors involved in the elimination of both major side-effects of RRP, I for one do.

jackcop profile image
jackcop

I agree with Tall Allen that controlled studies are superior to the info you get from anecdotes.

With my gleason 6, and 1%, 2% and 8% involvement, many people wonder why I don't have the robot remove my prostate. It seems that after surgery, my whole ------- life will change. For the worse. So, that's why.

j

baw1955 profile image
baw1955 in reply to jackcop

Jack, I don't have any issue with reading and analyzing results from controlled studies (I am an engineer, and will continue to research and understand studies). That said, I have no access to the individual experiences, backgrounds, data intake methodology, etc. of the participants whose data is reported. If anything, I believe the marriage of statistics with self-reported information is most meaningful.

jackcop profile image
jackcop

OK. As far as statistics, it is reported that Mark Twain said that there are 3 types of lies: "There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics." Used in the right hands, statistics will interpret the results of studies. Which is why I continue to affirm controlled group studies over anecdotal "self-reported" information.

This is unbelievable. Here we are fighting for our lives and arguing about stats. I guess I take to my grave that Paul McCartney is alive. lol

j

Royston123 profile image
Royston123

18 months post prostatectomy and nothing happening down there !!

You may also like...

Recovery of Testosterone

We all have heard about how long it takes to recover testosterone after you stop ADT. You probably...

ADT and Testosterone Recovery

I found this recent study very interesting. https://www.urotoday.com/video-lectures/asco-gu-2023/v

Lupron half life/ ED

but I have severe ed and typical shrinkage my question is how long is the lupron going to affect me...

Alternatives to ED meds?

(No there yet....) My question.... Can I expect to ever have a decent erection (if \\"10\\" was...

New to this forum: SBRT or Brachy to minimize chance of ED?