Erection return

[ColorandLight]

For those who have experienced radical prostatectomy, my question is about the return of erectile function. I realize it may never come back. Or it may come back but it could take up to 2 years. I am doing penis pumping once to twice daily. I am taking daily sildenafil. Over two months out since the surgery I took a full therapeutic dose of sildenafil and my cock stayed soft. Are there signs that function is returning? What has been guys’ experience when it comes to the return of one’s ability to get hard?

[Tall_Allen]

Use trimix - it always works (unless you have vascular leak).

[ColorandLight in reply to Tall_Allen]

Thank you Allen. That’s definitely in my future.

[CPGeek]

Are you able to orgasm? I was orgasming without an erection shortly after the catheter came out. I think I was too afraid contractions would damage something and this was during the COVID lockdown when hospitals and their staffs were being overwhelmed, and visits to the hospital were being discouraged. Things were so bad that I had to remove my own catheter and then follow up with a video visit to assure my medical team that all went as hoped. About a month after surgery, I started getting semi-hard. I took Tadalifil, but noticed that it made for sore erections so I broke out my trusty cock strap and used that instead. Didn't keep track of how long after that when I started having regular erections, but now morning wood is part of my daily wake up routine. It really helps to have a vivid fantasy life and/or fond memories of past sexual encounters. I just ended my three year post-surgery semi-annual PSA check (still undetectable). From this point, I'll have it checked in my yearly blood work.

I say all this with the caveat that not everyone's experience is the same. Judging from others' stories on this forum, I might be an outlier. Success also seems to align with how one's health and sexual function was BEFORE treatment. If it was never really great before, then odds are treatment will just compound whatever problems one already has.

[jimreilly in reply to CPGeek]

You're correct that it can take a long time--two years--even more, in my case--to come back as far as it is going to come back. If/when there are signs, you will recognize them (partial erections, that perhaps don't last as long as you want, either, but they'll keep getting better, that is, as long as they do keep getting better). Two months out is a short time, so your present situation is not unusual, but you may start seeing some progress soon. Some lucky guys a lot back really quickly, but that wasn't me, but I was surprised that things kept getting better for such a long time afterwards.

[ColorandLight in reply to jimreilly]

Thank you for the encouragement Jim. I appreciate it. I figured that may be the first sign of a return of function - a bit of morning wood, something most men take for granted until you experience something like this.

[dlste353 in reply to jimreilly]

Thank you for your reply. 16 months after surgery I am finally getting 50-60% erections. Sometimes, not always. So your reply gives me hope for the future. I’m also on ADT for another 6 months so hoping once I’m off that things will improve.

[ColorandLight in reply to CPGeek]

Thanks for sharing your experience. Yes I can orgasm and have been able to do so since the week after catheter removal. It’s strange doing so completely flaccid. And it definitely is a different experience compared to before. It happens quite fast, which is definitely different (never before in my life was I ever quick to cum). And it’s what i would describe as muted. I do realize it’s a matter of patience and persistence, and I realize it is early still, and hopefully one day in the future I will discover some morning wood happening. Until then I will continue the rehab.

[Pierre71 in reply to CPGeek]

I read your comment on the orgasm and I too worried me at the beginning, the whole operated area contracts very hard and I was afraid too of damaging the healing tissues even if it was several weeks. This is what surprised me the most, orgasm without prostate gland. It is as if we ejaculate, the penis tries and tries to pump out the semen but there are not at all and the contractions are felt a lot stronger in my case

[ColorandLight in reply to Pierre71]

Thank you Pierre. Appreciate you sharing your experience. Gives me hope that things will continue to adapt to this new normal.

[JRPnSD]

I have had all the treatments (see profile) and used all the ED remedies. Approaching 4 years post surgery....I get full erections when asleep...and full erections with Tri-mix that last 3 hours (a bit achy...but ready when needed). Off ADT for over 15.months now. So everyone is different...the road is not a straight path....and there are concessions one must make (penis head is never as hard as pre-surgery...shaft is...length of penis is reduced)...but ....I have erections and internal climaxes (some urine leakage)....and have sexual outlets. Happy to be here!