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After prostate cancer surgery Erectyle dysfunction

lekbo97
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i have had the surgery 6 months ago. i cab not get erections i received a pump but it doesn’t stay hard

if you can still get dry orgasms on a placid organ is this putting pressure on your body? sperm  is supposed to be ejaculate when erect. what happens with ‘dry orgasm’ ? where does the sperm  go? is it  normal for the testicles to enlarge and sag? i noticed this 

  • Hello and thanks for posting

    After the prostate and seminal vesicles are removed it's very common to experience changes in sexual function as nerves that control erections can be affected. This can lead to weaker or shorter lasting erections. Your body no longer produces semen so there is nothing to ejaculate. The testicles will make sperm , but without the prostate and the tubes that carry it, the sperm has nowhere to go. Over time, it gets reabsorbed by the body naturally. This doesn't cause any harm or build up.

    Many men also find their orgasms feel different, this is known as a dry orgasm where there still is the sensation of climax, but no semen comes out. Dry orgasms are not harmful and do not put pressure on your body.

    Using a vacuum pump can be helpful to some men but they don't suit everyone. There are also tablets, injections, and implants that can help with erectile dysfunction and you can discuss this further with your specialist team or specialist nurse.

    We have information about sex and erection problems after treatment for prostate cancer on our website. You may also find it helpful to contact the Sexual Support Service  at Prostate Cancer UK for further advice.

    You may also find it helpful to connect with others who are going through something similar. Prostate Cancer UK has an online community forum that can provide a safe confidential space to share your feelings and hear from men about what you are all going through. Sometimes, hearing how others have coped can often help.

    I hope this is of some use. Give us a ring if you would like to talk anything over. The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

    Kind Regards,

    Celene

  • Offline in reply to CRUK Nurse Celene

    If you don't mind me asking when did they start you on the pump I'm 3 half months after op I keep asking about pump and  viagra but keep getting the same answer it's to soon but they will put my name down for Ed clinic very frustrating 

  • Offline in reply to Crouchy

    another thing after surgery and you have ED will it recover? do the nerves grow back? does it take 3 months to 3 years to grow back? can viagra help or do they issue patients with a different type for prostate cancer?

  • Offline in reply to Crouchy

    i live in London could that be the reason? they were giving me viagra type pills a few weeks after surgery and said i can start having sex after 3 months. when i i told th nothing happens they ordered tge pump 

  • Offline in reply to Crouchy

    Hi lekbo97 and Crouchy, I've been having dry orgasms for 2 years now, with no related problems, If anything my orgasms are more intense. 

    They usually like to wait 6 months to give your body time to heal itself, and damaged nerves can repair themselves but they need stimulation to do so, the old adage use it or lose it does apply, and ask your surgeon which nerves were spared during surgery, as a severed nerve has little chance of healing itself, be specific about the pudendal nerve as this is the one responsible for erections, if it's severed it won't heal, but it can be repaired through surgery.

    Eddie

  • in reply to lekbo97

    Hello, and thank you for coming back to us.

    I appreciate that you have many questions, but as cancer nurses, we are limited in what we can say in this field.

    Do have a look at the links my colleague Celene has sent you, which may give you some answers. If you need further information, do talk to your specialist and ask about Erectile Dysfunction (ED) services in your local hospital trust.

    Every man is different in how much and for how long after they are affected, and how they are managed, so best to talk to your team. But I appreciate that this uncertainty is difficult.

    Other people affected by ED may be on the 'Living with Cancer' thread on this forum, which may be helpful to you, so you could also post there.

    Take care, and I hope you get the information you need.

    Sarah.

  • Offline in reply to eddiel
    1. Many thanks for that if they had said 6 months at least I would no it's the not noing all I no is they scrapped the nerves on the left hand side as that's where the cancer was although  it was  contained they said they do that as a precaution 

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