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Loss of libido & ED

User
Posted 14 Nov 2025 at 16:36

Hi all, I'm new to the forum & have read many conversations with interest.

I had my prostate cancer treated by radiotherapy almost 5 years ago & with 2 years of 3monthly prostap injections.

 To date my PSA has remained >0.1 & I feel fit & well. A disappointing side effect has been an almost total loss of libido & inability to get an erection with the use of either Sildenafil or Tadalafil even taking maximum doses. I am aged 80 & I'm in a new relationship with a similarly aged lady whom I have known since we were aged 16, we both still feel the need for a good sexual relationship and I'm anxious to find a solution. I have recently had a blood test for testosterone & my level is at the lower end of, but within what is considered the normal range.

 I am currently investigating pumps, however, before I commit myself to investing, I'd appreciate any information, ,experience, advice, which members might share with me.

Thanks in advance

User
Posted 14 Nov 2025 at 17:55

Hi, John.

Welcome to the forum. 

Have you considered penile injections. I've found Invicorp very effective.

It doesn't matter if your libido has gone or you dont feel sexually aroused, it still works. 

You may find this link useful:

https://community.prostatecanceruk.org/posts/t29845-Hooray-for-Invicorp

Good luck mate. 🤞 

Edited by member 14 Nov 2025 at 21:58  | Reason: Typo

User
Posted 15 Nov 2025 at 12:34

Hi John

We have something in common: I suffer from ED following my prostatectomy 15 years ago. We decided to use VEDs (Vacuum Erection Devices) to re-establish our sex life. Using a vacuum pump in your bedroom is very challenging. With a willing wife/partner, mutual desire for intimacy, imagination and, of course, determination you can have amazing sex because you can achieve reliable and strong erections which can be safely sustained for 30 minutes. As far as our experience goes there are no side effects which some of the other methods have; I sound like a VED sales guy! Not everyone can cope with it but seriously it is worth considering. My wife and I are in our 80s and our sex life is better than it might have been had we not had this catastrophe in our life. You may find the following link which contains useful information about pumps and explains in some detail how we incorporate such a device into our sex life.

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

Also I have produced a training video (for limited circulation) for using a vacuum pump which I can let you have to view if you let me have you email address via a private message. You can use the private messaging facility here after you have posted a few comments.

Edited by member 15 Nov 2025 at 14:02  | 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 16 Nov 2025 at 00:24

Your inbox appears to be full  , I have a pump but struggle with it ,so your help would be welcome .

Mike & .Gina

User
Posted 16 Nov 2025 at 10:23

Hi Mike

Try sending me a message now.

Pratap

 '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 16 Nov 2025 at 21:41
John, it is a tough side effect - as I know personally. Andy62 on this forum is our local expert on testosterone recovery, but he pops up less frequently now. With luck he will spot your new thread, but in the meantime you might find some useful advice looking for his previous posts on the forum.

I am three years since finishing ADT with Zoladex (goserelin) as part of salvage RT; I had had a PSA upturn following surgery 6 years previously. So not quite the identical situation, but the same problem. I persuaded the hospital to measure testosterone at the same time as my last PSA test (which was <0.05) and it was 11 nmol/L The lab gives 6-27 nmol/L as their reference range, but having looked at scientific papers it is clear that 6 nmol/L is less than a healthy amount - though it indicates recovery from the drug. It seems that "normogonadic" testosterone is above 12 nmol/L, with most sexually active men having a level nearer 20. (It is a little confusing when you chase the details up, simply because the Americans and some other countries use different measurement units where normogonadic starts at 350 ng/dL).

When I had my telephone appointment with the consultant I persuaded him that things weren't right, and I got a referral to an endocrinologist who knows about testosterone. He wanted more blood tests, to include other relevant parameters, but said that if poor testosterone production is confirmed he would be prepared to prescribe testosterone supplementation. I am currently waiting for the results.

I think for a long time doctors were unwilling to give testosterone to prostate cancer patients, in case it triggered return of the cancer. However the modern view is that any stimulation of prostate cells will already have occurred with testosterone above 6 nmol/L, and supplementation above that doesn't cause any further risk. The relevant policy document is here: https://wjmh.org/DOIx.php?id=10.5534/wjmh.250086

Good luck with fighting your corner on this one, there is hope!

User
Posted 17 Nov 2025 at 15:52
Thank you all for the prompt & very informative and interesting posts. My partner & I are now able to consider in a more enlightened way, our options for the future. Maybe our experiences will be of help to others in due course
User
Posted 17 Nov 2025 at 22:09

Hi Mike

Email me on pratapmehta@live.co.uk (if the administrator allows me) and I will send you the link.

 '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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