Erection Challenges: Anyone Else Experienced This?

User

Posted 28 Oct 2025 at 05:31

Is there anyone here who has gone through a similar experience?

Background: I underwent a radical prostatectomy (RP) in July, and to my surprise, they discovered that the cancer had already spread beyond the prostate. As a result, they removed more tissue than I anticipated, including nerves on both sides. I was diagnosed with a Gleason score of 9 and had positive surgical margins.

Once I felt ready to think about sex again, I found that I was completely unresponsive—no reaction whatsoever. I diligently used a vacuum pump every day, and my doctor prescribed Vitaros cream. My partner and I tried it, and while it did lead to an erection, the aftermath was excruciating. I experienced intense pain, with my penis becoming hot, red, and incredibly uncomfortable, and the erection lasted for two hours—quite ironic, really. It was so distressing that I can't even begin to describe it.

I was scheduled for Invicorp training at the clinic next Wednesday, but the wonderful specialist nurse called me today. The consultant mentioned that having such an "extreme reaction" to the cream might indicate some remaining natural function, despite the nerve removal. They suggested trying a daily dose of Sildenafil to see if it could help.

Has anyone else experienced a similar situation with nerve damage, and did Sildenafil work well enough for you to resume sexual activity?

User

Posted 28 Oct 2025 at 09:19

Hello, mate.

Welcome to the forum.

Unfortunately, you are much less likely to have have natural erections after non nerve sparing RARP. As far as I'm aware Sildenafil, is usually ineffective if both nerve bundles have been removed.

Almost three years ago, I had non nerve sparing RARP. I was told that I would never have natural erections again and that Sildenafil would not help the situation. This was the case. Invicorp, however, was effective and produces decent erections. I'm prescribed it.

It's such a pity that your reaction to the Vitaros cream has precluded you using Invicorp.

User

Posted 28 Oct 2025 at 09:33

R, I was supposedly non nerve sparing but did get some stirrings in the penis just after surgery, on the odd occasion I got some impressive swelling,but never an erection. My consultant put me on 100mg sildenafil but there was never an instant reaction. I messed around with muse pellets because I didn't like the idea of injections into the penis. Eventually I went onto the injections which produce a useable swelling, I thought the injections also helped with the natural swelling but my peers told that was not possible. I have often posted that you don't need an erection for vaginal intercourse, look up flaccid insertion/ intercourse.

Take whatever is on offer,never give up and have fun trying to find a solution.

I am now on HT and due to other factors our sex life is not what it was.

Thanks Chris.

User

Posted 28 Oct 2025 at 09:58

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

I have often posted that you don't need an erection for vaginal intercourse, look up flaccid insertion/ intercourse.

Hi, Chris.

I tried flaccid insertion. It was like trying to put a Pontefract cake into a slot machine. 😁

User

Posted 28 Oct 2025 at 13:53

Press for the injections especially if it's Invicorp, I still have natural erections (ring assisted) but after my op I didn't, I credit the injections with kick-starting my recovery. I suspect the painful reaction was to the vitaroos cream, the same as is reported with Caverject by many, not a result of having natural function.

User

Posted 28 Oct 2025 at 20:42

There have been some men here who have reported recovery of erections despite non-nerve-sparing surgery, but in all cases I remember it took a year or more. So it is worth persisting with the vacuum pump, and the pharmacological assistance of drugs. Sildenafil (Viagra) has quite a short term effect, if it works to produce an erection you are lucky but for most tadalafil, a longer acting similar drug, is recommended to maintain long term blood flow for penile health.

Good luck. Prostate cancer is quite a "good" cancer in the sense there are effective treatments but the side effects aren't easy to deal with. It is worth trying the injection solutions, and being patient.

User

Posted 28 Oct 2025 at 22:10

Hi redditer 50

I am sorry to have to say that, from my personal experience and published research work, you have very little chance of achieving a natural erection.

I had an unsuccessful nerve sparing RARP 15 years ago and suffer from erectile dysfunction and arousal climacturia, particularly when I orgasm. Therefore we decided that the best course of action was to use a vacuum pump and constricting rings (which stops any urine leakage) which works for us. Some men have great successwith injections or Viagra etc. If injections don't work for you then a vacuum pump is not a bad idea. If you need help please private message me. Re-establishing sex life is not easy but doable; we have don it.

'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

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