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How to prevent/stop the "turtling" of the penis?

User
Posted 18 Apr 2025 at 10:47

After losing my prostate and all nerves I've been left with no erections for a bit over 2 years now.

I am too young to hang my gloves and I want a permanent solution desperately. I have tried Invicorp twice (not Caverject yet) and I freak out with the needling so I stopped. Also I am unsure if the 8cm of an erection that it gave me is my max or whether erections can improve if I keep trying. I am maybe looking to get an implant eventually however I have got an interesting problem.

When I go out and about, lets say I visit the hospital, my dick shrinks a lot. It's being pulled back for some reason and we had some good warm days so its not so much cold related. When I am home it relaxes and it comes out to a much more normal flaccid state. Not the same size as before my surgery but certainly acceptable.

In the dick clinic I was examined in consideration for an implant and was told to drop my pants for a stretch test. At that moment my dick was shrunk/tighten up and I knew the stretch test won't end well. With some relatively strong stretching (not lightly pulled) I had a reading of just 3 inches which is shocking to me as supposedly this is what I will end up with if I have the implant. Pre-surgery I had 6 inches bone pressed length.

At home I pass 4 inches doing the same test without pressing through the pubic fat ( I am overweight and If I do I get an extra 2cm). Obviously we aren't talking about big numbers here so an inch up and down is significant. Also at home my entire penis engorges more and also looks thicker. Mind you I get 0 erections, nothing, and never any engorgement of the glans.

Can turtling be "cured" with a pump? Can someone confirm with certainty that pumping would prevent this from happening? I don't want to be given a shorter implant by mistake based on the measurement in the clinic where my penis decides not to show up.


Edited by member 18 Apr 2025 at 12:30  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 18 Apr 2025 at 14:16

From a woman's perspective it's really width not length that matters, once it's long enough to go in! In fact the shorter length hits the g spot more, so theoretically makes it easier for the woman to orgasm, and actually does in my case! After surgery, using the pump and a ring helped my OH achieve enough erection to have a great bonk, though his erection was very short.


I never noticed the difference in lengths back when I had a more varied sex life, though width mattered more. My OH used to joke after his surgery, "Never mind the length, feel the width" but sadly after 4 years of HRT not much of either these days! However if there is any little bit at all it's enough! This is not a direct answer to your question but I hope it reassures you! We were on the younger side too when this all started. Best of luck!

User
Posted 18 Apr 2025 at 15:17

Jimmy, great answer from Misty and my story is similar. My advice is try everything on offer and never give up. Use the pump, and masturbate, that may help. My flaccid penis is probably back to pre surgery size, surgery was 2014. I had a similar wobble with injections but got my head back around using them. Perhaps another question to non nerve sparing men is ,did you recover without doing anything. 


So never give up and have fun finding a solution.


Thanks Chris 


 

User
Posted 18 Apr 2025 at 17:06

Hi Jimmy


I often read and hear about men who suffer from ED following prostatectomies or other treatments; I was in the same situation 13 years ago. Of course, the post-surgery-penis feels, looks, and is a little shorter than before.  My wife and I were not willing to give up our sex life - we did not like any of the invasive options for overcoming ED and Viagra did not work - so we opted for  Vacuum Erection Devices (VEDs) and haven’t looked back and continue to use VEDs even now during our advancing years! It has had so many unexpected benefits, not the least one being that my age has no effect on our sex life.


After the initial recovery period I started using an NHS prescribed medical grade VED for rehabilitation purpose. The result has been nothing but amazing. Regular use of a VED has certainly increased the length and girth of my penis back to its original size. In fact I can create an erection probably an inch beyond what would have been its natural erect size. The advantage of using a VED is that you can create an erection on demand and also control its size which can be maintained for up to 30 minutes.


Can you regain what you have apparently lost? My answer is positive but with a few qualifications:  When it is flaccid state does your penis feel nice and soft without any bumps?.  Were your erections straight before the surgery? If so I think you have a good chance of bringing it back to life. It will not be easy but it is really worth the effort because the results could be very satisfying.


Penis is one of the most flexible organs in the body and it stretches when one is excited. What has happened to people like us is that during the surgery we have lost some length which in my view is insignificant. Most men’s penises can go from an inch to the average (is it 5.5inches?) and beyond when excited. So proportionately the surgery can’t reduce the sizeof the erect penis that much. More importantly the penis and the urethra are stretchable. So all you need to do is what I have managed to do. Gradually ‘remind’ your penis by using the pump regularly but gently what it used to do. Also massage your penis and scrotum and, of course, masturbate. I hope you have discovered that you can masturbate a flaccid penis and enjoy dry orgasms. Of course you have to masturbate by pulling your foreskin back and use a lubricated finger to rub the frenulum. If necessary use a vibrator; even now I do if my wife is not in the mood.


Except under exceptional circumstances any men can have  erections after prostate cancer treatment. I hasten to add that I am not a medical man but I have a great deal of experience of using a number of VEDs and penis rings for over 13 years.


If you want encouragement as to what you can achieve please send me a private message with your email address. I will send you a short video showing what can be done with a pump.


Also have a look at the following link which contains some useful information including a survey of some popular pumps in the market.


https://community.prostatecanceruk.org/posts/t28948-Re-establishing-Sex-Life


Good luck.


Pratap


 

Edited by member 18 Apr 2025 at 17:08  | Reason: Not specified

 'Physics is like sex: sure, it may give some practical results, but that’s not why we do it.'                    Richard Feynman (1918-1988) Nobel Prize laureate


 


 

User
Posted 18 Apr 2025 at 17:18

Thanks for your replies everyone,



I occasionally read from people that "I used the pump and almost got my size back" but they never seem to provide any details that would make their anecdotal claims seem credible. I myself wonder if pumping can actually give lost length back because if it does this could actually help me. Could you answer with clarity the following questions:

What was your size before surgery and post surgery? What method did you use to do your measurements so that they are relatively accurate? After how long you noticed a size increase? Did you have any erections and engorgement of the glans post surgery?  If you had, then its possible that the size you think you got from pumping you would have gotten it back regardless whether you pumped or not as your nerves slowly recovered and thus claiming its the pump that did it would be kinda misleading.


Pratap Mehta,

My penis was not straight, for many men it isn't, I had a curvature upwards and towards my body which I see again if I pump to the max. I have no peyronies disease. When in flaccid my little fellow is nice and soft, no bumps. My erections were fine before the surgery.


If you had some erections post surgery your account would likely not be relevant or applicable to me. Of course my original question still stands as to why does my penis shrinks so much but then expands during other times.


Edited by member 18 Apr 2025 at 17:19  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 18 Apr 2025 at 18:20

Hi Misty


You are so right: the good old adage 'size does not matter' is true! 


Generally men have very little understanding of  female anatomy with reference to their ability to have orgasms. The sensitivity of the clitoris extends well beyond its tip via the inner and outer labia to the entrance of the vagina and just beyond that (often thought of as the G-spot) - if these ares, rather than simply the clitoris, are rubbed and stimulated the woman can achieve amazing orgasms. Hence the size of the penis does not matter. Men would do much better to learn how to use their penises (apart from masturbating) than worry about their size!

Edited by member 18 Apr 2025 at 18:56  | Reason: Not specified

 'Physics is like sex: sure, it may give some practical results, but that’s not why we do it.'                    Richard Feynman (1918-1988) Nobel Prize laureate


 


 

User
Posted 18 Apr 2025 at 19:06

Hi Jimmy


My penis was very small (subjective judgement) and no erection what ever. From my experience I can say that it is definitely possible to rehabilitate your penis to something like the original size, may take time.


Why don't you have a serious go with the pump regularly and see if it helps. You have nothing loose and you have a good chance to regain your sex life.


As for your original question, I suggest you use the pump when you think it has expanded rather than when it is small.

Edited by member 18 Apr 2025 at 19:08  | Reason: Not specified

 'Physics is like sex: sure, it may give some practical results, but that’s not why we do it.'                    Richard Feynman (1918-1988) Nobel Prize laureate


 


 

User
Posted 20 Apr 2025 at 00:08

Hi, I have not responded lately, but this conversation is very interesting to myself, I did not receive radical prostatectomy, my grade 3, with pelvic and seminal vessels contaminated. I was offered and received 20 radio therapy 3 years prostat3 injections and 15 months into 3 years of abiraterone or Androgen Deprivation treatment, 


I now have shrinkage for the last 6 months, I don’t mean losing an inch or so, I’m talking about half the original size. Viagra or anything like it do little good if any. I was under the impression it was the lac of testosterone because of the androgen deprivation treatment. Now I learn some of you guys have similar problems. Is there any one out there that has not received ADT who is suffering shrinkage.


I hope you guys have a wife as understanding as I and I hope you all have luck with the pump. This shrinkage is no fun. I am concerned I will never have sex again. I am 71 but hay, only 6 months ago…………well

User
Posted 20 Apr 2025 at 08:57

Hi John Tom.


Penile atrophy or shrinkage is caused by penile inactivity. On top of this we blokes that have had prostatectomies are also likely to lose penis size due to the actual surgical procedure. Shrinkage can also be caused by other medical conditions, medications and old age. 


Since my op, which was non nerve sparing I've definitely lost size. I cannot get natural erections but Invicorp penile injections, which basically chemically cause a rush of blood to the penis and hold it there, give a good enough erection for penetrative sex.


My penis when flaccid often seems to be half the size it used to be pre op. When injected and erect it seems 80/90% as big as pre op erections.


My wife, bless her, states that it definitely has got more girth than it's ever had when I use injections. However, she's always been a smooth talker and the compliment is usually followed by 'I've seen a nice handbag or pair of shoes' 😁


Joking apart mate. I thought I was doomed to flaccidity for the rest of my life but Invicorp saved me. Give it a shot. 


Good luck mate.


 

Edited by member 20 Apr 2025 at 08:59  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 20 Apr 2025 at 20:06

As others have mentioned, I would get going with the pump, 10 mins per day of penile physio, and see if it's making a difference.


Put a stick-on ruler on the pump cylinder, so you can actually measure progress day by day.
(e.g. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08XZF8LBK)


Note that length measured with a pump may be less than natural erect length, because the pump only inflates the external half of your penis (that part which is inside the pump), not the internal half which is extended in a natural erection.


It might be that using the pump for penile physio for a few months would improve things, and enable you to have a larger implant by then, if you go that route, or maybe not require an implant at all. The pump addresses both length and girth.

User
Posted 05 May 2025 at 08:16
Hi
I am 12 weeks post RALP,I take a daily dose of Viagra and have been using the Somaerect ED pump 3 to 4 times per week .
It takes a bit of practice to get the best out of it ,initially I had trouble creating a good enough vacuum and my penis hardly extended,however , by adding sufficient lubricant and a little perseverance I have mastered the Technique ,I am amazed at how my Penis goes over a little time from a shrivelled worm to a giant anaconda.I may be exaggerating but I never had a long Penis ,perhaps 5 1/2 inch length but reasonable girth .It seems to be back to full length ,after a good pumping session my girth is greater .I find the tightening sensation against my Penis gives me very powerful orgasms.I would say that you should persevere ,don’t put too much pressure on yourself for instant results but I feel very confident in having a good sex life in the future with my wife ,albeit a little bit different to before.Use plenty of lubrication on the base and head of your Penis .I don’t pretend to be an expert but it definitely works for me 👍
 
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