Orgasms After Prostatectomy

Looking at the info in your signature, if you are already having orgasms, you are ahead of where I was at one month past surgery!

It might help if you describe if you are having erections, and if you are using a vacuum device and/or medication.

For me, my orgasms have been more subtle, and sometimes are difficult to generate, but I think that is partially due to the tension rings I use with the vacuum erection device.

I didn't know what to expect in the way of orgasms after surgery and wasn't in a hurry to experience one, because I was unsure of the
effects an orgasm would have on the healng of my insides.

One fallacy I had in mind was that I would no longer be able to feel the contractions of orgasm, which I thought were caused by the prostate contracting. Not so, though -- the contractions are still there.

Anyway, about four weeks out of surgery, I was doing my prescribed self stimulation to get the blood flowing as best possible and was literally surprsied by first orgasm without my prostate. It felt pretty much the same -- contractions and everything -- just seemed to last a little longer. Since then I have had about four or five more orgasms (all without complete erection of course) and they feel great -- not exactly the same -- but about 95 percent the same, to me.

Hope this is encouraging.

Thank you everyone, so far, and Joes411 for bumping the other thread up to the top. HOWEVER, my husband has experienced diminished orgasmic feelings up to now, although he has not experienced diminished erection ability. Last night's intercourse produced a slightly better orgasm. Granted, this was only 25 days post surgery! We are not complaining! BUT, my initial research (after the fact of surgery, mind you) is producing studies mainly from the UK and Japan showing that a rather signifcant percentage of men experience either pain upon orgasm, diminished feeling of orgasm or absence of orgasm. I am including a small excerpt of one study here, and a link to another, and will continue to share my findings.

www.Bmj.com 1997;314:319 (1 February)

Editorials

Surgery, drugs, and the male orgasm

Informed consent can't be assumed unless effects on orgasm have been discussed

William D Dunsmuir, Research fellow,a Mark Emberton, Senior registrar b

a Department of Urology, St George's Hospital, London SW17 0QT, b Institute of Urology and Nephrology, London W1P 7PN

“…In a large, nationally representative study of prostatectomy, about half the men who were sexually active both before and three months after their operation reported altered or absent orgasmic sensation.11 This was most common in men reporting retrograde ejaculation–a side effect of transurethral prostatectomy that can be expected to occur in three quarters of men. A proportion of these men expressed their disappointment and on occasions anger (through free text replies) at not having been warned about this side effect.12 Equally important is the increasing number of men with prostate cancer who are being considered for total (radical) prostatectomy. These men are generally younger than those undergoing prostatectomy for benign disease. Most (80%) will lose their ability to experience orgasm.13

11. Dunsmuir WD, Emberton M, Neal DE, on behalf of the steering group of the National Prostatectomy Audit. There is significant sexual dissatisfaction following TURP. Br J Urol 1996;77:161A.

12. Meredith P, Emberton M, Wood C, Smith J. Comparisons of patients' needs for information on prostate surgery with printed materials provided by surgeons. Quality in Health Care 1995;4:18-23.

13. Koeman M, Van Driel MF, Weijmar Schultz WCM, Mensink HJA. Orgasm after radical prostatectomy. Br J Urol 1996;77:861-4.



LINK TO ANOTHER STUDY: Orgasm after Radical Prostatectomy--

http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/pdf/10.1046/j.1464-410X.1996.01416.x?cookieSet=1

Hi B&B
Although I have yet to have a full erection I have experienced 5 dry orgasms. Basically the same as Pianoman. After the first one there was a period of about 4-5 hours of pain in that area which my surgeon told me would happen but that has reduced with each session. The intensity is very good.
It is great that you two can have relations in a normal manner. To regain your intimacy with your spouse is wonderful.
Congratulations!
Bob

Pianoman, you are making me laugh too much this morning! Becky, Jeff says his orgasms are better than before - more intense and longer, and there are still contractions. we both like the fact that there is no semen....no mess! He says somedays he has the sensations of getting an erection, other days he doesn't. I think it's great to read all the research, but realize that we are all a little different from each other. I know the people who wrote the article are experts, but I've never heard that 80% of men will lose the ability to have an orgasm after surgery. I'm glad I hadn't read that before! hang in there and keep doing what you can; heck - it's just been a month. :) kat

Becky and Pianoman


Ouuuutstaaaanding Pianoman!!!!!!!!!!!!!

never thought of the fake orgasm. Boy will this get us out of future tight spots.

One of the problems regarding urinating without a prostate is the backsplash. I have to be careful because the stream is so powerful i get a lot of backsplash from the urinals which gets on my pants.

Becky: except for the incontenence and waiting for ED recovery I would recommend eveyone get rid of the prostate. My orgasms are a lot more intense than pre surgery. My whole body feels like it is convulsing at the climax now, not just the penis. Added benifits, no gagging, wet spots or clean up from M***tion. You just zip up, done, no muss, no fuss,thank you very much!!!



Hope this helps your research

Thank you, Bluebird! I noticed that there are two search buttons in here, the "search site" on the top and the "search" on the slightly lower right. I am not sure if there is a difference,  but I have been trying to use the lower right. Thank you for your guiding hand, always appreciated. Becky 

Dear Pete, I am most grateful for your information. You were about the same age as my husband when you had your surgery. I am happy to see that you have not had a reoccurance of PCa. Your post makes me think that I want to know more about low testosterone; it seems that several of the guys in here suffer from it...why? Does it have anything to do with PCa treatment? Actually, I wouldn't mind hearing the long version about "something missing", because that was what prompted the creation of this thread! The other thing your post punctuated is the difference in orgasmic feeling after prostatectomy. Most men, so far, have reported extended orgasms, even if the feeling is altered (most, to the better I think). Some of the studies I have perused talk about how much orgasm sensation is felt from the brain. I think I will start a poll to find out whether the doctors addressed the possibility of altered orgasmic function after surgery. Again, I so appreciate your sharing such personal information...it really, really helps. Becky

Group:

I have finally stumbled onto this chat forum, having searched for some time to find others dealing with these post prostatectomy issues.

I had a Gleason 3+3, T1C small tumor removed by DaVinci system in 1/06, so I'm just over 1 yr out.

All my PSA numbers are, clinically, zero.  So that's good.

Continence fine...still have light pad and very minor mostly "stress" leakage, but for the "ease" of urinating now, it's a small price to pay after years on Flomax.

Reading the posts, I am in the group with "no problem" on orgasm...very intense and, generally satisfying.

My question is more one of mechanics: even with Viagra (and recently, Levitra) at "hi" dose levels (100 Mg Viagra, 20 mg Levitra), my erections are 50 -75% at best. (By the way, had very bad headache on Levitra and probably won't continue with it).

So...while we CAN get to orgasm, it isn't easy to manipulate and make it happen.  And...there's some leakage of urine when it does.

I have the vacuum pump, but haven't tried it yet.

Any comments from the "pump" users?  Would it be easier to stimulate using the "pump" for better erection?

Thanks...I'll try to help others with my story as well, if any are interested.

Dear Pete, I am so appreciative of you right now! I just read both of your recent posts to my husband, and he laughed along with me; I could hear some relief in his! I invited him to visit this place of comfort and, by gosh, I think he will soon. You have done a wonderful job in describing what is obviously difficult to do even in the most normal of circumstances, so candidly and kindly. Kindest Regards, Becky

Okay, 1588ap, you are only 30 days post surgery, just about where we are. What I want to know is, why aren't you using meds? Our doc said it is very important to get the blood to the organ--very important--what did your doc say? Also, aids told us that some men don't like to take the meds, so are you using a pump? Thanks for your post. Becky

up at the top of any thread, on the left, immediately above where the message starts there are three gray "buttons" ... one of them is "new topic".

Click on that and it will open a brand new thread ... put in your topic in the title area that will pop up then post your question, etc. It will show up as a new thread.

Tanya