Hypogonadism After Prostatectomy

RP was 10 weeks ago. Still leaking, but i see some improvement. Next appointment is in 2 weeks. At the last appointment 2 weeks after the surgery, surgeon tells me we can discuss going back on Androgel in a year. Prior to the surgery, I had told him I expected to go back on Androgel. I plan to tell him at this next appointment that he write a prescription for Androgel or I will quit treatment altogether for cancer. I think the symptoms from low T are worse than any possible return of cancer. My T level is 38 as of a week ago. A level of 50 or below is castration level. My symptoms are osteoporosis (had this prior to starting Androgel 20 years ago), depression, irritability, no sex drive at all, loss of body hair, loss of muscle mass, increased body fat, high cholesterol (new symptom never had before), swollen breasts (new symptom). Studies have shown that men with hypogonadism with pc do better with TRT.

Wondering if there are any other men with hypogonadism and what experiences you may have had. I'm not waiting over a year to feel normal again. And the surgeon said "we'll talk about it in a year". I'll go doctor shopping if i have to, or just get the androgel some other way. I still berate myself for even agreeing to have my prostate removed. What a terrible decision.

[Ram17]

Look into pelvic floor rehab with biofeedback. It is really strange but I think it really helped me dry up very quickly. I was able to give up all pads in 45 days with extremely minimal issues afterwards. It helps to train the muscles to apply just enough pressure to stop the flow of urine without wearing out your muscles completely. It also makes sure you are doing your kegels correctly.

I understand your viewpoint on the low T situation. I also suffer from it. Not sure if Androgel is a good idea. Many doctors feel this program will feed the cancer causing a spread. I had to stop my testosterone injections and I really miss them but life is still good, not great but good.

Take things one step at a time. Treat the incontinence first. Celebrate any kind of win there. Work on sexual function next. Try pills or injections. Get that back. I think life will start looking a little better.

Removal is rough but when all is said and done, the only function that I have truly lost is the ability to ejaculate. At my age I kind of enjoy being mess free.

I had my surgery 6 years ago at the age of 59. Still working and traveling weekly.

Don't give up. You can beat this.

[BerkshireBear]

It was 17 years ago that I went through this, except that my PC was attacked with IGRT which essentially baked the prostate with radiation. The discovery of the PC was a product of the testing that found and defined my hypogonadism. I was referred to a closer (new) doctor's group for treatment (0.5 hour drive away vs. 2.25 drive). The new oncologist determined that I should start Androgel immediately which meant during my 40 days of radiation treatments. I have been on it ever since. Every person is different and your cancer is unique to you, but you may certainly find that doctor shopping is useful. Dr. Abraham Morgentaler at Harvard (now retired) demonstrated that much of the early work on T was flawed but unfortunately persists in the education of present day physicians. His research certainly showed that the belief that "T feeds all prostate cancers" is far too simplistic. I consider myself fortunate to have been referred to a practice which had been part of the multi-institutional large scale studies that were part of his research. I have been on Androgel for 17+ years. You might want to Google "Morgentaler + hypogonadism" and see if the research applies to you.