For many men diagnosed with prostate cancer, one pressing concern often emerges: the potential impact of treatment on their intimate life. As such, understanding how long does it take to recover from prostate robotic surgery and what to expect after the prostate is removed becomes crucial. Delving into the post-surgical phase, most men find solace in the fact that they can reclaim their ability to achieve an erection after a prostatectomy. However, if challenges persist, there are pharmacological solutions available. Medications such as sildenafil (Viagra) and tadalafil (Cialis) have shown efficacy in aiding the recovery of erectile function. Moreover, while orgasms post-prostatectomy might be tinged with a different sensation, especially for those undergoing hormone therapy, they remain a source of pleasure. Another key facet of recovery to consider is how to speed up nerve regeneration after prostate surgery, as this can further bolster the journey back to a fulfilling intimate life.
How soon after?
Prostate cancer treatment can result in changes to your sexual life. You may no longer be able to have orgasms as often or be unable to get an erection; both scenarios could impact sexual pleasure and confidence; however there are ways of adapting and treatments available that could improve this aspect of your health.
Discuss how prostate cancer treatment could impact your sexual feelings and needs with your partner, and seek support through family, friends, or a specialist nurse or counsellor.
Undergoing prostate surgery will have different ramifications on your sexual life depending on where the cancer lies and how much is removed. With a simple prostatectomy, your doctor should only need to remove the prostate; you may be able to have sex soon after your operation is completed. But if the surgeon must also cut away parts of your urethra, bladder or rectum for repair purposes then more difficulty may arise with getting erections.
Your doctor can attempt to preserve nerve bundles that control erections using what’s known as a “nerve-sparing” approach during surgery, but if cancer spreads near these nerves they may need to be cut – meaning spontaneous erections won’t occur anymore and medication or injections will likely be required for effective sex.
Complex prostatectomy procedures often necessitate surgical removal of both your prostate and some of your urethra. Recovery time could take significantly longer since you will no longer possess any urethra, potentially precluding penetrative sexual relations for an extended period.
Some men find themselves reluctant to have sex after having a prostate operation because they fear losing the ability to have an erection or feeling less masculine, yet feeling sexual is ultimately about your thoughts and emotions; so if your relationship remains positive with your partner that may be enough to keep wanting sex.
Sex without ejaculation
After prostate surgery, your ability and intensity of orgasming depend on both how well your sex organs are working as well as your thoughts and feelings about sexual intimacy. Sexual desire may be affected by factors like cancer diagnosis and treatment stressors as well as health concerns or changes to partner’s sexual preferences.
Men who have had radical prostatectomy may permanently lose the ability to produce semen, whether their prostate was fully or partially removed and whether this change was brought about through surgery or radiation treatments. Therefore, when engaging in sexual relations it is crucial for these men to consider both fertility and family planning needs when engaging in intimate relations.
As soon as your catheter has been removed (typically two weeks post-operation), it’s physically safe for you and your partner to engage in non-penetrative sex; though an erection strong enough for penetration may take more time.
Some men who have undergone a prostatectomy experience pain during orgasms, which makes ejaculation uncomfortable or painful. While this may only last for a brief period or be constant, you should let your physician know about any ongoing discomfort that lasts more than several minutes or is constant. There are several solutions to address this discomfort such as sildenafil (Viagra), vardenafil (Levitra), and tadalafil (Cialis) pills to increase blood flow to the penis; or penile injections that help with erections.
No one who cannot ejaculate can become pregnant; therefore, any sperm that would normally leave your body and enter another cannot leave either. If having children in the future is important to you, consider discussing fertility-preserving treatments before having a prostatectomy.
If you have had a prostatectomy, an ejaculation aid may be required in order to have sexual relations that involve penetration. Your urologist or sex therapist can recommend an ideal device. Pelvic floor exercises or Kegel exercises have also been proven beneficial in improving erectile function after prostate removal.
Sex with ejaculation
Men undergoing prostate cancer treatments often find that treatment changes how they feel about sexuality and can have an impact on their relationship with their partner, making this challenge more difficult to bear without much support. Therefore, it’s vital that they discuss how they’re feeling with their doctor and nurse and get assistance if needed.
One of the most frequent results of having their prostate removed is Erectile Dysfunction (ED). This means they cannot get or sustain an erection that’s strong enough for penetration, often caused by surgery that disrupts nerve bundles that control erections; these nerves may become damaged during surgery or radiation, and in severe cases may need medical help in order to recover and have good erections again; otherwise it may become impossible without medication or other aids to get erections.
Another potential problem may arise if you cannot produce semen, the fluid with which sperm mixes when inside your penis. This is more likely if you undergo radical prostatectomy surgery or any surgery which includes your anus area; in such instances anal sex becomes harder although still possible with lubricants available today; many find this experience to be rewarding and fulfilling.
Pleasure, orgasm and climax will remain intact following removal of your prostate gland; however they may differ from what was experienced prior to surgery. Your doctor will discuss with you the most effective techniques for having sex as well as recommend masturbation or other methods to stimulate blood flow to the penis.
Increased stimulation of sex organs increases your chance of regaining full erections; don’t get discouraged if this takes time; many people experience problems that eventually improve, and other ways can provide pleasure without straining relationships.
Sex with or without ejaculation
Prostate cancer and its treatments can have an enormously detrimental impact on one’s sexual feelings, both physical and sexual. For some men, prostate cancer treatment can alter their desire for sexual intimacy, leading to reduced desire or even causing them to stop having sexual relations altogether. If you have prostate cancer and are in a relationship, both partners may also be affected; so it’s essential to communicate about feelings and concerns openly if applicable; therapy services like Sex Therapy or Couple Counselling or support groups may offer invaluable help and comfort during this trying time.
Surgery may inhibit your ability to produce semen, especially after radical prostatectomy, which involves the removal of both the prostate and organ that makes semen (semianal vesicles). You may experience dry orgasm – where you feel orgasm without actually ejaculating. Artificial lubricants or sperm injections will still allow for sexual encounters, however.
However, transperineal biopsies don’t impose these same limitations; rather, this involves inserting a needle through your perineum skin into your prostate gland for sampling purposes. Unlike an ER procedure, it doesn’t involve pain relief and doesn’t necessitate keeping away from sexual activities for an extended period. You may notice blood in your ejaculate for some time afterward; though not usually.
Attaining an erection strong enough for penetration is determined by how well your nerves that control erection function. Robotic prostatectomy surgery may damage these nerves; this risk increases with age or if surgeons use ineffective techniques during surgery. While nerves usually regenerate post-op, there’s no telling exactly how well they’ll function post-operation.
As it’s important to keep in mind, being able to have sex depends on more than your sex organs; it also depends on other parts of your body, brain, and feelings. Sometimes these things are hard to discuss with doctors or nurses alone, so consider consulting a sex therapist or counsellor for support if possible. Similarly, even if deciding not to engage in sexual relations altogether can provide other forms of physical affectionation and fulfillment.
