Penis Rehab after Prostatectomy

EJ73

The most recent posts I could find on this topic are ten-plus years old, so I thought I’d start a new thread.

I am 6 weeks post-surgery. Fortunately, incontinence has been minimal. “Penis Rehabilitation “ (I know, I thought it was a hilarious term, too, but it’s quite serious) was recommended for sexual health.

A penis pump from Timm Medical was recommenced at the cost of about $200. to stimulate blood flow. Also, daily Cialis was prescribed and Viafra (generics) for sexual activity. I am 72. We had been sexually active and would like to continue this aspect of our life. Medicare of course will not cover ED drugs, but with GoodRx, I was able to find a fairly reasonable cost.

What is the experience of others with this rehab and specifically with a pump? I am otherwise in good health and physically active. Thanks!

jc5549

You can purchase the pump on Amazon for $30-$100 depending on whether you have a manual pump or electric pump motor. The pump allows you to maintain length girth while you’re waiting for your erectile function to return.

I started on daily Cialis 5 mg, however, after reading the paper below, I requested my regimen be changed to Viagra 100 mg daily. That’s not a type error, it is the full dose, daily. Like you, I used GoodRx and found it very affordable. Cost Plus Drugs, Mark Cuban site, sent me 90 pills for approximately $20 and change.

I recommend purchasing a pump and using it several minutes daily or every other day. The idea is to fill your penis with blood and prevent loss of length or girth due to lack of erections. I am 10 months out now starting to recover function. My erections are about 80% of what they used to be preoperatively.

I hope this helps, please feel free to ask any questions you might have.

jc

Penile, rehab post nerve sparing, prostatectomy, meta-analysis, 2020.pdf

EJ73

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1720037#Comment_1720037

Thanks. I just got my meds yesterday, going with the traditional dosages as recommended for now. Pump due to arrive today. I will give it a try. Have been able to achieve nearly full erection with self stimulation, but it is not hard enough (yet) for penetration. Hopeful!

jc5549

Understood. Good luck with your recovery

Clevelandguy

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1720157#Comment_1720157

Hi,

I wish I would have had a recovery @ 6weeks like you did, sounds like your doing OK. It took me about a year to get a useable erection. Hopefully the pump and the pills will get you there.

Dave 3+4

EJ73

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1720159#Comment_1720159

Thanks Dave! From all the reading I’ve done, I’m understanding that I have to be patient, and that following the protocol of using the pump and the meds as directed to stimulate return of blood flow and the nerve activity is necessary. I’ve now used the pump a few times, and it is rather remarkable how it makes the penis grow. Haven’t yet used the provided constriction rings, but those can be used to keep it engorged for penetration. Using the pump after taking a generic viagra is likely to yield something useful. 🙂

mbluth

I had prostatectomy 10/30/2024. I have been using cialis since surgery. Started with 5mg/day M-Sat 20 mg on Sunday. Now I am 20 mg MWF 5 mg every other day. I am supposed to see the doctor about injections next week. I can get an erection but not enough for penetration.

JackWest

So I should get a pump and use it how often? Love to hear your advice.

Thank you.

Old Salt

Don't just buy one; get the approval of your urologist first.

EJ73

I have been using the pump most every day (skipped a few) for two weeks. The one I I using is sold by Timm Medical and is a lot more expensive than the ones I see on Amazon. I can’t tell you whether it is really worth twice the cost, but some of those on Amazon look like toys. It does definitely produce an erection, but once the vacuum pressure is released, the erection subsides. However, there are constriction rings provided, and I believe that once you are experienced using the pump, especially combined with Viagra, you would be able to keep your erection in a usable state. I’ve not tried that yet, right now the goal is “rehabilitation,” getting everything working again.

I’ll be honest, I do find it frustrating that there is so little responsiveness as compared to before the surgery, but I remain hopeful that these efforts will help, and I know it is still early. The pump definitely produces the erection, it just doesn’t last when the vacuum is released.

JackWest

Never knew this existed for penis rehab. OMG, I have a lot of catching up to do.

Jack