Will I get it back?

Hi, 

Six months isn't that long.

I thought I detected improvements and tried to let it come back itself but in reality it was very slow and reached a certain not too great point and hasn't improved.

A doctor said your penis extends and flushes through several times at night and it's better to try to stimulate it, or words to that effect.

I bought a £30 pump after nearly 3yrs and it made an immediate difference to the size and shape but it didn't really improve my ED.  I don't have full ED but it's a limp affair and needs a lot of coaxing.  Gravity also helps a lot, if I stand I can get a full erection with some coaxing.  It's a bit of a false erection I think as I find if I strain on the loo it gets harder so it's down to weight of blood.  There are various other effects depending on how I lie.

Orgasms will occur with no erection at all.

One advantage is the dry orgasm.   Although for some there is some urine leakage as a final punishment.

At 6 months try everything as much as possible.

Just to emphasise, cock rings (such as the Durex Pleasure Ring) are completely different from the pump constriction rings. Cock rings apply pressure just on the veins draining the corpus cavernosum, and once the corpus cavernosum gets near full girth, it will in any case take over doing that and close off the veins draining it. The pump constriction rings are much tighter and will close off the blood supply too.

Mish

Pre surgery I could hang a towel on my erection, I have often wondered if guys who fully recover get erections that stand to attention. Quite often guys who get a pre op size swelling complain that the base of the penis has no strength.

Early days for you but never give up.

Thanks Chris

It sounds like you are pretty much sorted. You have strategies in place for when things are not quite perfect so that is a good thing and you recognise that there may be times when it just isn't going to happen. That might have happened at our age, prostate cancer or not, we will never know.

I seem to be happier these days. The foreskin is so much more supple and advice from you and one or two other folk on here have encouraged me to find other ways to get it back into full working order. Yes, it is a solitary pass time these days and that is a real regret but I view it as an essential pass time to maintain full penile health, general health and mental health. I am lucky enough to be able to have daily fun if I want, plenty hard enough and without the mess to clean up afterwards. Images on the internet of all genders are very helpful!

Cheers,

Jeeper.

Hi Mish,

I just wanted to jump onto this thread to offer my gratitude, firstly for being so candid about your hope and eventual progress, which had you asking a question,that people like me, when they first come calling here, find themselves wanting desperately answered and to hear from those that have stepped in our shoes sometime ago.

A brilliant thread mate, with equally brilliant comments.

The first reply on the thread, as is almost always the case,is one of the best detailed responses you are likely to see and is what makes this site more valuable than any of us could possibly calculate. It definitely helped me. Thanks Andy!!

Mich, I wish you well and the very best in your continued recovery.

All the best mucker.

Jamie

Reading this thread has been very valuable and helpful for me. I am 60. Very fit and in excellent shape, 7 months post op with nerve sparing. Two PSA readings since: 0.02 then 0.048.

Initially, I thought my erections were ok and improving but that was only whilst masturbating. And, really, total firmness was only achieved at orgasm. Previously, I had had very strong erections and a healthy sex drive. My libido has gradually decreased since the op. 

In the past month, I have started a relationship with a beautiful and very sexual woman. In that regard, I am in heaven. But in the bed: the first attempt was the road-to-hell. I was utterly distraught. Sildenafil did nothing but I thought that  it had previously worked with masturbation. She was very kind and understanding and incredibly emotionally wise, for which I am very grateful. But I felt stripped of my manhood.  We talked at the time and we made progress in some aspect. She had a good time but I felt extremely challenged and vulnerable. I still thought it could be the end of the relationship.

Two days later, after more talking and sharing of feelings, I have some perspective. I actually have so much to be grateful for. 

Reading Prostate Pete's post brought me to tears. Post op, I have become much more able to access my feelings and I am grateful for that. I am not ashamed to be scared, to cry, to tell people how I feel.

Thank you to all you good men for sharing.

Ok. Update. Nearly a month on.  I took a pill and purchased a penis pump (great alliteration) but neither the alliteration, nor the pump, nor the pill, did anything for me. I also spent coin on a cock ring, but that was of little help (!). 

Incredibly, and thankfully, my erections have started to function to some extent without all the paraphernalia.  Hooray! They are not consistent and do not stay the full length (!) but there is a clear improvement. Why? I am not sure.

Sex remains a challenge, psychologically and physically. However, I feel very encouraged that there IS change, improvement and further opportunity to explore sexual avenues that are, as yet, unexplored. My beautiful and understanding partner is key. We talk. We accept. We slow down. We are grateful.

Edited by member 16 Dec 2022 at 20:22  | Reason: update

Thank you Mish for your response. I will take some time to look at your most valuable blog. The brief outline of your story gives me hope and strength. And I will certainly check out your partners blog too.

Much appreciated.

Tim

Wishing you well Si14! Indeed it is a long process. My urologist kind of told me whatever I hadn't recovered by the 2 year mark was lost forever, but in real life I have continued to recover further during Year 3.