Does radiation-induced ED get steadily worse over a 5-yr post-RT period?

[Handdrummer777]

That's what another member is experiencing. There may be other factors, of course, but does whatever ED damage done by RT level off after 1-2 yrs, or can it continue to worsen in the years after that?

[Tall_Allen]

Read this:

pcnrv.blogspot.com/2016/08/...

[Handdrummer777 in reply to Tall_Allen]

Thx again for article.

[daveh121 in reply to Tall_Allen]

I am a year from SBRT and haven’t noticed any malfunctions yet.

[dadzone43]

kind of a "crystal ball" question. There is a wide range of patient experiences following RT or any of the other therapies.

[Handdrummer777 in reply to dadzone43]

Yeah. At least it’s a hopeful note that radiation is getting steadily better in accuracy, so that the chance of post-RT ED showing up is now 20-40% instead of 50+%.

I chose RT because it has a better erectile functioning outcome for every age group.

SOLD to the guy with Gleason 4+3, with 18 months ADT attached.

[dadzone43 in reply to Handdrummer777]

Yeah and I convinced myself that having erections was not the most important thing (still true) and that I was more than a penis (not so clear at 15 months post-op). This pathway teaches us about ourselves, doesn't it?

[Handdrummer777 in reply to dadzone43]

Yes it certainly tries to teach us; whether we learn and make necessary adjustments or not is clearly up to us.

[Handdrummer777 in reply to dadzone43]

Having returned recently to the fold and embraced my gay identity, I want to have full and satisfying sex with my new partner.

I’m a hormone-therapy-feminized-body 69; he’s a rugged 71. We’re both dedicated to keeping ourselves healthy in as many ways that make sense as we can.

As I ‘ve exhaustingly and redundantly made obvious to the group, I’m a fan of devices — my own and others — which aid in achieving EF. If that declines further though, going forward, I am receptive to any and all devices, up to and finally including an implant. (I am considering the Elator, maybe for both of us. Works without erections).

I’ve missed out on 40 yrs of “perhaps I should have been gay.”

Having said that, I agree that erections don’t define me as a person, but they are the signature physical expression of being a male animal. Not, however, of manhood and all that carries with it, with all its nuance and complexity.

One lesson I learned from the 18 month stretch of ADT was that I had to fight (aggressive penile rehab mode) to preserve not only EF, but libido (keep it awake) if I wanted to keep that going too, post-ADT.

Yet libido ultimately is bigger than just sexual drive; it’s about drive itself, and retaining an appreciative zest for living, as I’m learning.

Best of luck to you, and thanks for your thoughts!