Impotency - What's that like?

Hi Gurnboy,

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis and proposed treatment. This is a very sensitive subject and I'll try to be frank, but I apologise in advance if you find any of this upsetting. All this is based on my own experience, I am not a medical professional. 

I had a prostatectomy 3 years ago when I was 64. There are two problems around impotency that a prostatectomy can cause. The first is that the connection between testes and urethra is permanently removed, so that ejaculation is impossible (many men report that some form of orgasm is possible).

The second problem is erectile dysfunction (ED). If the nerves near the prostate are removed you will no longer get an erection naturally. In some cases, only one of the two sets of nerves is removed, leaving some possibility of recovery. In my case both sets of nerves were removed. Various medications for ED are available, some of which do work for some men. There are other "mechanical" solutions, such as a vacuum pump, or penile implants. 

The only treatment I had that affected desire was hormone therapy, but my libido returned after that ended. Having a loving and supportive partner has been a great help to me in dealing with the effects of prostate cancer.

Prostate Cancer UK have a very good booklet and video CD about sex and relationships that may help you and your partner may find useful.

I hope everything goes well for you.

Thank you so much for the reply Angusp2. 

Really appreciate your frankness. 

Wishing you well

GB

Gurnboy, Angus,

I have seen one of the implants.  You end up with a button in your scrotum and when you want to have an erection, press the button!

Don't know if I would go that far.  I have Erectile Dysfunction from Hormones and Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer.  Hopefully there's an end in sight (no pun intended).

I know someone who has had a n implant for incontinence.  This is similar, press the button and...

He told me that it made a massive change to his life.

I don't know how you would go about getting an implant, ask at your hospital, hopefully they can be of help.

Best of luck.  Things may not turn out as bad as you think.

Thank you Steve