RP or LDR Brachytherapy for a cyclist

Research suggests that cycling too soon after nerve-sparing RP can reduce the chance of regaining erections. John is a keen rider and his urologist banned him from the bike for almost 7 months post op, which he found frustrating at the time. But really, in the grand scheme of things 7 years post op with a fully functioning penis, it was worth the embargo.

Some uros suggest staying off the bike for only 3 months but our view was why go to the bother of trying to save the nerves and then risk it being pointless.

Hello Virtualreality

I can understand your concern about the terror of bike withdrawal symptoms but maybe even then the time to get back on the bike is secondary to the best choice of treatment for you. Whatever you choose, my experience says you'll be back on the bike.

I can't help with the choice of op, but I had a robot procedure.  Apart from the fact that disease was not eliminated (I was T3a at the time of op),  the main adverse outcome was a stricture which has required several dilations to get a reasonable stream.  I'm not saying that to influence your choice - as my experience was not typical for RP, robotic or trad - just as background re cycling.

My main criterion on my undercarriage's fitness to resume cycling, which was about 3 months after the op, was whether it was comfortable to get back on the saddle. (But remember I had about three procedures to reduce the stricture in that period). The way I felt the discomfort was in the business end of the penis when I road-tested my readiness, and I seem to recall my surgeon mentioning that any pain/trauma to the urethra is referred there, though I'm not really sure about that.  I started off with a hybrid bike with a broad fat saddle, with the thought that it was more likely to get my weight on to my sit bones.

Currently, I'm in the middle of RT.  In an attempt to reduce the potential for problems, I've adjusted the saddle rail to fullest forward position to try to force my weight over the sit-bones.  Not too ergonomic but it works after a fashion on a shiny Italian saddle. If I get any significant symptoms, I'll give up the bike until after RT.

I don't know if that helps, but best wishes with your choice.

I am a lot further down the food chain than "keen road cyclist" but cycling the local lanes is the exercise I pursue for fitness and general sanity. When I had the operation I don't recall the surgeon saying anything about risks of cycling, but when I tried getting on my bike first it took less than a second to recognise I wasn't ready for it! The middle of the sit area was extremely tender, possibly as a direct result of the operation but also perhaps because having had a catheter means the whole urethra downstream of where the prostate used to be was pretty sore.

However, six weeks after my operation we went on a pre-booked family beach activity holiday, where road cycling is one of the things I would normally have done. My wife noticed that some of their road bikes had a groove down the middle and suggested I tried one out. To my relief a gentle ride turned out OK. When I got home I googled advice about prostate-friendly saddles, of which there are many at a huge range of prices. In the end I just got the cheapest Halfords saddle with a cut-out where the root of the penis would otherwise contact, and that has been fine.

That holiday was a big psychological turning point for me. Although I was leaking rather a lot at that stage so having to negotiate frequent pad changes, finding that I could do most of the things I would have done anyway was hugely reassuring. Cycling as a routine activity was resumed on return once I had the new saddle. In terms of its effect on getting over side effects, I can't see that cycling was a factor in my slower than average return to urinary control (still need a medium pad a day at nearly 18 months post-op), and erectile function has continued improving with the help of Cialis and the pump such that sex has been reliably working for quite a long time now despite having lost the nerve on one side.

Obviously that is a single experience which might or might not turn out the same for you. But the psychological benefit could tip the balance for you too, as long as you don't suffer obvious pain I think it is worth trying out your bike and gently working up towards your old levels of activity. Good luck!