Not even started treatment yet and libido near zero Help!

User

Posted 30 Dec 2023 at 08:24

I don't really expect any lightbulb answers but I thought I would ask anyway.

I have been diagnosed with PC and will start radiotherapy (Cyberknife) on January 2nd. I have been told to expect some decrease in my ability to get an erection but that this will improve over the following months.

My issue is that I have already lost the ability to get an erection! I don't know whether this is physical (can the biopsy damage the nerves for example?) or psychological i.e. the stress but all I know is that from being able to get a solid erection pretty much at will I am now struggling to get a 3/4 erection, but also the desire to do so has gone AWOL.

Has anyone experienced something similar? It's certainly having a negative effect mentally. I found myself thumping my pillow this morning with frustration :)

I am guessing my testosterone has taken a dive and I will be pushing for testosterone supplements as soon as my treatment is finished.

Sorry if this seems a minor issue to complain about (it is in the greater scheme of things) but I feel better having written this anyway.

User

Posted 30 Dec 2023 at 08:53

Hello mate and welcome.

I was diagnosed with T2c prostate cancer three years ago. Some months prior to this I was suffering with erectile dysfunction only achieving partial erections and was prescribed sildenafil. Which sorted out the problem. I suspect the ED was linked to the cancer, but it could also have been an age thing, or perhaps I'd worn it out.😁

Since my non nerving sparing RARP I've only been able to get a stiffy with Invicorp injections.

As for libido, I've always been as horny as three balled Tom cat.

Edited by member 30 Dec 2023 at 08:59 | Reason: Not specified

User

Posted 30 Dec 2023 at 10:44

The standard way to tell if ED is physiological or psychological is whether you are still getting nocturnal erections and morning wood (assuming you noticed these beforehand). If you are, that suggests it's psychological, whereas if those have stopped, that suggests it might be physiological. Obviously, the stress of going through the diagnosis process can have a big psychological impact on you.

Biopsies do have an impact on erectile function, but it's usually tiny and not noticed in the case of one or two biopsies. It becomes more noticeable for those on Active Surveillance for a while who are having periodic biopsies.

You could ask to try Tadalafil or Sildenafil. You could also try using some erotic material or porn which might increase arousal level.

I don't think there's any reason any of this should impact your Testosterone level. It is useful to have it measured before starting on hormone therapy injections so you know what your normal is (although that's almost never done).

User

Posted 30 Dec 2023 at 12:17

Hi,

You don’t say whether you are on Hormone Therapy as well? If so your testosterone will certainly have taken a dive and will probably not return until well after you finish the HT.

Good luck with the Radiotherapy!

Derek

User

Posted 30 Dec 2023 at 13:36

Nothing minor about it mate. I started suffering problems about a couple of years ago. I was diagnosed at the end of August, and it has got worse steadily. Same as you, the desire to achieve anything has steadily disappeared too.

one has to assume it is PCa related.

Ian.

User

Posted 30 Dec 2023 at 13:50

Unless you are on hormone tablets / hormone injections, this is a psychological problem. There is nothing physical / mechanical about having prostate cancer that reduces your testosterone or causes a loss of libido.

Macmillan do a really useful info leaflet about the psychological impact of being told you have cancer.

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User

Posted 30 Dec 2023 at 14:16

Lyne

Thanks, I think you are right about that. No, I am not having to have hormonal treatment, thankfully.

Edited by member 30 Dec 2023 at 14:20 | Reason: Not specified

User

Posted 30 Dec 2023 at 14:18

Ian

It's really annoying and making me fel angry! :) Oh well, as soon as I have finished treatment I am going to investigate all options. I didn't realise how important it was to me until it disappeared.

Edited by member 30 Dec 2023 at 14:19 | Reason: Not specified

User

Posted 30 Dec 2023 at 14:23

Derek

No, I am not on hormone treatment. I knew that if I was that would have an affect, so I was really glad when I waas told I didn't need it. Now it seems that I have the side effects of hormone treatment anyway!

User

Posted 30 Dec 2023 at 14:25

Andy62

Yes, I am still geting erections in the night and on waking. Erotic dreams too :) But if I try to make something happen, forget it, nada.

User

Posted 30 Dec 2023 at 14:29

Adrianus

OK, thanks, that's interesting. Seems like a similar situation.

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