Help for the little fellow

Brizzy1,

Welcome to the Prostate Forum, plenty of good folk here, who can offer their experiences of their journies.

I know my "little man" is smaller than he was before Radiotherapy and Hormone Treatment.

It's exactly 3 years ago I finished the Radiotherapy treatment, Tamsulosin is helping out with my bladder issues.

Still got E.D. I am going to let it improve naturally, if you know what I mean.  My libido is back but nothing to back it up!

I'm against Pumps, don't know why, just one of these things I don't want to try.

When I had no libido it was better because I never worried about what I couldn't do.

I don't worry now, but it would be nice...

Keeping my sense of humour helped!!!

Hello Brizzy1 

Now that's a great question, so I will start you off with a link to our official advice:

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/treatment/coping-with-treatment/your-sex-life/erection-problems-sexual-well-being

Next, there's a cracking thread you might like to read on the General Cancer Chat forum called Sex and Cancer and again, here's the link:

 Sex and cancer - Let's talk 

Finally, you will find my comments on the Sex and Cancer thread. It's a very personal opinion but I (and Mrs M) have no interest in pumps and pills and we have our fun and are quite happy!!. To be honest the cancer has brought us closer together (and we had a great relationship before cancer) and it's just our opinion.

Let me just add here - this is my personal view and I respect others who wist to retain/go back to what they had. I am happy to see what happens now HT has almost finished!!

Best wishes - Brian.

I found this article of interest on testosterone recovery.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1078143924005775#:~:text=T%20recovery%20after%20ADT%20is,with%20worse%20T%20recovery%20rates.

The conclusion states -

Conclusion

T recovery after ADT is variable with roughly one sixth of men remaining castrate. GnRH antagonist use and younger age are associated with higher rates of T recovery after ADT. Longer ADT courses were associated with worse T recovery rates.

The different ADT types are -

Leuprolide, goserelin, triptorelin and histrelin are considered GnRH agonists, whereas degarelix acts predominantly as an antagonist. 

This article suggests that older men who have 24+ months of ADT may remain at the castrate state. The implications for this is that there may not be any benefit for men diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer being kept on ADT, in fact it might be of benefit if they come off it.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9826908/

Had my testosterone levels checked last year.  I thought it would come back zero, but somehow it was 21.9

That was just as my libido was waking up.  I'm just going to take it as it comes!  Not that it will again!!

It's not the end of the world is it?  The treatment did it's job!!

Hi Steve. Your testosterone has returned to the level of the average man. You were probably a good candidate for this happening due to your age and the limited time on ADT according to the statistics.

Good Evening Alwayshope 

Thank you for the very impressive reply as always. I will have a good read of that over the weekend - but from a brief look - things are not looking good (although to be honest I and more to the point Mrs M) are not too bothered.

She's just pleased that I am still here!! .

Best wishes - Brian.

Brian, we are all pleased you are here!!

If my accompaniments were the level of the average man.