Vaccum pump small penis

Hi Robbored4d7417 .   First of all, well done for posting about a tricky subject. I had HT/RT, but I am aware of the anatomy of the operation as I researched both my options before making a treatment decision.  A surgeon explained it thus:  Prostatectomy means that when the gland is removed, the surgeon cuts the urethra (pipe for urine) at the top and rejoins it with the urethra that emerged from the bottom of the gland.  So, basically, the pipe running through the gland is removed.  However, when it’s reconnected there can be a stretch that temporarily pulls the penis a bit towards the body, and this is what gives the “mushroom” or “tortoise head” effect. However, the vacuum pump can gently pull the penis back out and regular exercise can restore length and girth, as blood is pumped into it and this encourages growth. Another thing you could ask your consultant or GP is a prescription of Tadalafil, which will (5mg tablet per day) encourage more night time erections. These happen multiple times in the night (usually not due to erotic dreams as some may think) in most men, who are generally unaware of most night time erections.  The low dose Tadalafil will encourage blood flow and hence improve the maintenance of penile health .  AW

Hello Rob, just to add to Alpine Wanderer wonderful post, if your in a relationship, it really does help to continue,  with as near as possible, a normal sex life. You'd be surprised how many of us are affected by  treatments, and a big thank you for being so open, there is a thread devoted to this subject which I'm sure our champ Millibob (Brian) can direct you. Best wishes my friend 

Eddie 

Thankyou for your prompt and detailed reply.

I have days when I worry alot about it.

As I said my aftercare been terrible no information at all. When recently spoke to my key worker said to early to start penile reabiltation look to start in Jan but Id read loads men start few weeks after operation.

So Im doing it myself with advice from people like  yourself.

Im going to purchase a vaccum pump

Hello Rob (Robbored4d7417) 

I think this is the thread Eddie (eddiel) was talking about:

 Sex and cancer - Let's talk 

We also have some notes that may help here:

Erection-problems-sexual-well-being

and here:

Sex-life-and-prostate-cancer

I hope the above helps - let me know if I can do anything else for you.

Best wishes - Brian.

Hi Robbored,

A vacuum pump is a great start but you do need to start slowly.  I had a few issues early on with micro tears to the ring of skin at the very tip of my penis, which can be very painful.  I found it was best to start at about 5 mins a day.  Then built up by a minute a week till I reached 10 minutes.  Now thankfully I don't get tears anymore.

The pump doesn't get me back to normal size but close.  When you first apply the pump it doesn't just spring up.  I normally only reach my maximum length after about 4 to 5 minutes, so be patient.

If you search around on here and prostate cancer UK you will find I have discussed a fair amount of information about sex after PC.

My wonderful wife has helped me a lot to overcome my permanent ED.  I had my nerves removed so there is no chance of a natural erection again.  However, we have the most amazing love life post the operation.  We have been in a second honeymoon period.  Erections via the pump are just one avenue we go down.  I also have a strap on hollow dildo for those moments when a pump is too much trouble.

We did try injections but for us we found them too much of a worry that we might inject wrong.

We have been very creative, which can be so much fun.

That all said I did need Cognitive Behaviour Therapy to come to terms with the loss of my erections.  It doesn't work for everyone, but I now accept what cancer has done to me and I seek to make everyday as special as it can be.

• Thanks Brian you have previously given me advice

Hi Rob

I was in a very similar situation to you.  Fortunately the support I have had from my hospital and GP has been good.  I was prescribed tadalafil 5mg/day from the outset to help with blood flow and after a follow up meeting a couple of months later, the hospital wrote to my GP requesting that I be prescribed a vacuum pump - which arrived very quickly. You should equally be able to get a pump on prescription without the need to purchase your own. Using the vacuum pump does reassure you that growth is still possible and helps to restore a more normal resting size.  I was advised to pump until it became uncomfortable and hold it for 5-10 seconds before releasing the vacuum, waiting for a couple of minutes and then repeat (up to 10 times). Do this 3 times a week. The novelty quickly wears off if doing it on your own and it can become a bit of a chore but definitely worth persisting with. Eight months down the line I only use it occasionally now but with the aid of an increased dose of tadalafil my ability to achieve erections is definitely improving, though there is still progress to be made on maintaining them!

There doesn't seem to be a quick fix for ED I think you just need to keep working at it, which can be fun.  Try not to worry and remain optimistic.

Best of luck

Dave