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Posted 5/15/2008 1:12 PM (GMT -7)
Ok these two questions may seem off the wall, but they bother me non the less.
  1. When they removed the prostate, they also removed the seminal vessels.  The tentacles and plumbing are still in place however.  When you have an orgasms where do the little fellas go?  I'm assuming that somehow the body reabsorbs them.  I have this picture in my head of my testacles slowly inflating on the next 30+ years.  You can laugh now.
  2. I'm still suffering from ED, but when I'm sitting on the toilet straining to have a bowl movement, I notice my penis is inflating.  Sometimes it inflates more than what can be achieve during musterbastion (I do like that term).  What gives?  confused This is not something that happened before surgery.

Any Thoughts?

 

Age: 43 (2008)
DRE Small Ridge on prostate, PSA 1.5
07/2007: Diagnosed cancer, T2c, Gleason 3+4=7
09/2007: Laparoscopic prostectomy @ Hamilton General, 4 hrs.
              Both nerve bundles spared
              Pathology Report: Tumor confined w/in prostate
              T2c, Gleason is 3+3=6
              Went home with JP drain
10/2007: Made return trip to hospital.  All urine was comming out JP drain.
10/2007: Catheter removed. Next to no leakage
11/2007: 1st PSA <.003 :)
              ED: Started Viagra, no response yet.
12/2007: Had confidence to go padless!!!!!
12/2007: ED:  Stopped Viagra as it's causing hemroid problems.
01/2008: 2nd PSA <.003 :)
              ED: next to no response.
04/2008: 3nd PSA <.003 :)
              ED: next to no response.  Changed the Viagra prescription.
 

Post Edited (Roger G) : 5/15/2008 2:30:14 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/15/2008 1:36 PM (GMT -7)

Roger,

I've noticed the same thing while straining. I've even run throught house to show the wife. After three years it's good to see the "old boy" every once in awhile. As for the sperm, I think mine went on vacation when the hormone treatments started and never came back. I think they are in Disney World or The Magic Kingdom. You started all this, so I could not resist.

I do believe that production is based on need and that the body does absorb them. I can't get the picture out of my head about dragging the "guys" around in a wheelbarrel or garden cart going to the store or out for dinner. I can see me and the wife going out for dinner and asking for a table for 4.

Don't worry. Both items are normal. The straining increases blood flow, thus energizing the penis, some times. The sperm production will not be a problem.

Thanks for adding some laughter to my day. Love ya man.

Walt

Age: 55 ( still alive at 55)
PSA 43 7/2005
Biopsy 12/14 Gleason 7 & 9
Divinci 9/2005 - spread to bladder
HT - 10/2005 (Eligard every 6 months)
RT - 10/2005 (38 treatments)
PSA 0.12 to 1.9 2/2007
Bone Scan and CT 4/2007 Bone mets
Casodex 4/2007
Zometa infusions 4/2007
PSA 4.8 8/2007
PSA 6.34 12/2007
Radiation (15 treatments) started on bone mets 12/2007
PSA 6.72 1/2008
PSA 8.23 2/2008 - Starting prednisone for 30 days
PSA 14 2-29-2008 - start chemo on 3/12
PSA 12.82 3/1/2008 round one chemo
PSA 12.24 4/2/2008 round two chemo 
PSA 10.86 4/24/2008 round three chemo
 
"I will persist without exception - I will find a way where there is no way"

Posted 5/15/2008 2:59 PM (GMT -7)

My understanding is the tubes that lead from the testicles to the seminal vesicles are just closed off. Any sperm are just broken down and reabsorbed into the body. Useful side-effect: no unwanted pregnancies!

For issue 2, (erection during BM) I take that as a very good sign.  I have a complete flat tire -- and I have done my fair share of straining for BMs!  I had non-nerve sparing surgery so expect to have no nerve function at all -- yet.

So based on the limited numbers so far, my tentative theory is this: In order to get an erection by straining you need some nerve function.

Age 63. Other than cancer, in good health; BMI 20
Pre-op: No symptoms; PSA 5.7; Gleason 4+5=9; cancer in 4 of 12 cores
7 March 2008, RRP, non nerve sparing
Two nights in hospital; catheter and staples out after 7 days
Continent, no pads needed from the get-go
Post Op: Stage pT2 M- N-; clear margins and lymph nodes; Gleason 4+4=8; prostate weight: 37gm
6-week PSA: 0
No erections (of course!)
Experimenting with VED and Bimix
 

Posted 5/15/2008 3:13 PM (GMT -7)
I previously had a procedure which removed the internal portion of the prostate, a ream job. I don't remember the technical term. This process prevents ejectelation. The doctor told me that the sperm went into the bladder and was expelled the next time you urinated. If you looked closely you can see it.
Posted 5/15/2008 3:16 PM (GMT -7)
My understanding was that the sperm gets absorbed in the testicles itself; also remember reading at some other forum(on a question about urine having white bits in it after surgery) that on stimulation sperm could get back into the bladder. I do not understand how!!

After surgery,specially in the early days, i did notice penis getting bigger during BM. I thought it was because of pressure from the bowel on to the lower part of the bladder and the urethra which pushed the penis out. I would be very happy with the explanation of increased blood flow,which is what I hope for in my efforts towards improvement on the ED front. Any medics/zoologists/anatomists on the board please ?
Dx Age 48 Nov 07
PRE OP
Psa 4.5, Biopsy 2/8 cores positive Gleason 3+3
No perineural or lymphovascular invasion in the biopsy specimen.
Rushed to RRP without much research- Jan 08

POST OP
Geason 3+3 ,10% both lobes, There is perineurial invasion
No extraprostatic spread seen , Seminal vesicles normal,Nerves spared
Cancer close to apex but margins clear T2c NXMX
Incontinence pretty bad until April 08- suddenly down to 1 pad
ED - started cialis once every 2 or 3 days from April but no improvement
1st post op Psa <.1 (May 08)

Posted 5/15/2008 4:35 PM (GMT -7)

You are correct.  The sperm is absorbed.  Many, many years ago I had a vasectomy performed.  Last year they did it again (during prostate surgery), but only just a little bit I was told.

When you have a prostatectomy ( prostate surgery) they also perform a mini vasectomy.  This cuts off the path that the sperm flows.

When you have a vasectomy (usually for birth control), you still have fluid flowing through during an ejaculation.  Now it is dry.

  I do not have a good orgasm and asked my urologist if the reason was my earlier vasectomy.  He said no, but I still suspect that it has something to do with my current situation. Hey guys...are any of you with earlier vasectomies having problems with orgasm or erection?

Life..Guy..d

biopsy 10/16/06
T2A,  PSA 4.7
Gleason  4+4=8  right side
DaVinci Surgery  1/16/07
Post op confirms gleason 4+4=8
no extension or invasion found
no continence problems
PSA 90 day -.01  , 6 month -.01 , 9 month +.02 , 1 year +.02
Ed problems continue
Now using Bi-mix
 
 

Posted 5/15/2008 7:00 PM (GMT -7)
I had a vasectomy almost 20 years ago. I had the prostatectomy last month. I haven't noticed a difference in the feeling of an orgasm in either case. Of course, I do have a problem with erection since I am only 5 weeks out from surgery.

I'm in a different boat than most of you. My wife is disabled and we haven't been intimate for a number of years. Instead, we built our own support system and we've found that we are still very close without sex. So my recovery concerns my incontinence and ED is not a priority for me. I do massage the little bugger though, while thinking of my wife. I'm actually glad to have that part of the equation removed from my healing, so I can concentrate on the incontinence. I wouldn't recommend it for everyone, but if you have a strong marriage, I'm here to tell you that you can still keep it without sex.
Age 59 - diagnosed in Jan. 08 after biopsy
da Vinci Robotic Prostatectomy 4/11/08 - both nerves spared
Catheter removed 4/25/08
Prostate Pathology:
Gleason Grade 6 (3+3)
Apex: neg
Base: positive (tumor present at right and left base)
Peripheral Margins: neg
No extra postatic extension seen
Tumor corresponds to a AJCC/pTMN stage II
High-grade HGPIN present
Continence: 1 pad night, 2 during day

Posted 5/15/2008 7:35 PM (GMT -7)
Walt (aka War-eagle)  I'm glad I could make you laugh.   Peronally, I laughed my ass off and cried with the though of bringing the boys to dinner in a wheelbarrell.
 
Thanks for the information on both counts.  Hopefully in time my now little pecker will start behaving properly again.
Age: 43 (2008)
DRE Small Ridge on prostate, PSA 1.5
07/2007: Diagnosed cancer, T2c, Gleason 3+4=7
09/2007: Laparoscopic prostectomy @ Hamilton General, 4 hrs.
              Both nerve bundles spared
              Pathology Report: Tumor confined w/in prostate
              T2c, Gleason is 3+3=6
              Went home with JP drain
10/2007: Made return trip to hospital.  All urine was comming out JP drain.
10/2007: Catheter removed. Next to no leakage
11/2007: 1st PSA <.003 :)
              ED: Started Viagra, no response yet.
12/2007: Had confidence to go padless!!!!!
12/2007: ED:  Stopped Viagra as it's causing hemroid problems.
01/2008: 2nd PSA <.003 :)
              ED: next to no response.
04/2008: 3nd PSA <.003 :)
              ED: next to no response.  Changed the Viagra prescription.
 

Posted 5/15/2008 9:17 PM (GMT -7)
War-eagle, you made my day! The image you created was priceless. I really did laugh out loud. Just let me know when you've made the reservation. I want to be there with my camera!
Puget
61 years old (60 at surgery)
Dx March 2007
Pre-Surgery Gleason 3+3 = 6
Clinical Stage: T1c
Biopsy: 1 in 10 positive
Da Vinci: June 7, 2007 
Post-Surgery Gleason 3+3 = 6
   Clear at margins
First Post-PSA Sept 07 = <.01 (Hooray!!)
Second Post-PSA March 08 = 0.02
98% continent
ED seemed endless, but after 10 months definite improvement

Posted 5/16/2008 4:53 AM (GMT -7)
Come on Walt! A table for four! I'm still laughing at the thought. How about going to Wal Mart and asking if they carry any male Support Pads!!
Roger, I've had the same reaction while sitting on the throne. Talk about a lack of spontaneity..." Just a minute Honey, I have to go sit on the pot before we start.." or " Sorry Honey not tonight, I didn't eat enough fiber today." Thanks Roger for brightening my day a little!
Best,
Mike
June 2005 - Age 53 PSA 4.8 at regular physical October 2005 - After several rounds of anti-biotics, PSA 5.2 at Urlogist November 2005 - Biopsy negative July 2006 - PSA 5.9 at regular Physical October 2006 - After several more rounds of anti-biotics PSA 8.1 November 2006 - Second biopsy - Positive December 2006 - Gleason (3+4=7), Tumor T1c, CT Scan and Bone Scan Negative
January 2, 2007 Robotic Prostatectomy, University of Rochester Medical Center - Tumor confined but larger than thought, only one nerve able to be spared. Margins clear. February 2007 - Three to fo ur pads a day, no erection with viagara. April 2007 - First Post-Surgical PSA 0.02. Down to one pad a day.July, 2007 - Six Month Post-op: PSA 0.04 No change in ED. October, 2007 - Nine Month Post-op: PSA back down to 0.02!Almost totally dry! Only slight improvement in ED - Will try injections if not improved by next appointment. January 2008: One Year Post-OP PSA 0.02 still dripping, but improving. Tried 500 dose of MUSE for ED, no luck. Will try 1000.

Posted 5/16/2008 6:05 AM (GMT -7)
I had a vasectomy 36 years ago. I never felt any different before or after, as far as orgasm went.

During prostatectomy, the surgeon will remove your seminal vesicles, the tubes that carry sperm from the testicles to the urethra. The vas deferens, small ducts that store sperm, will either be removed or tied off. The result is the loss of sperm being stored in the vas deferens and the seminal fluid which is a carrier medium for the sperm from the vas deferens, and in most cases the pre-intercourse lube most of were accustomed to seeing. A Vasectomy stopped the sperm at the lower end of the tube, and surgery stops it at the top end of the tube, in both cases, the sperm is absorbed by the body, to no ill effect.

Dry orgasms after surgery is the norm, and most guys report a change in how they feel. I know mine started as weak, internal contractions, and have now matured into almost as good and sometimes better intense ripple contractions. Some report much more intense and longer lasting ones. Mine are much more pleasurable now. Before, most of them were of the 'ho-hum', thats done variety.
James C.  
Help support the forums so they can support you:  https://www.healingwell.com/donate  
Age 60 
4/19/07   PSA 7.6, referred to Urologist, recheck 6.7
7/11/07   Biopsy- 16 core samples, size of gland around 76 cc. Staging pT2c
7/17/07   Path report:  3 of 16 PCa, 5% involved, left lobe , GS 3/3:6. 
9/24/07   (Open) Retropubic Radical Prostatectomy performed 
9/26/07   Post-op Path Report: GS 3+3=6 Staging pT2c, 110gms, margins clear
10/15/07  ED- begin 50mg Viagra and Vacurect pump nightly, Fully continent
1/14/08   Caverject started/stopped, aching.  2/24/08 .5ml Bimix started-success
5/7/08     ED- Viagra, pump, no response- Trimix .075ml continues
              Post-surgery PSA's:  3 mt:0, 6 mt:0,

Posted 5/16/2008 8:07 PM (GMT -7)
Sperm heaven? :-)
 
Uh, for the record.  The vas deferans are the tubes that connect the testes to the prostate.  The seminals store and produce the seminal fluids and produced by the prostate.

Tony

Age 45 (44 when Dx)
Pre-op PSA was 19.8
Surgery on Feb 16, 2007 @ The City of Hope
Post-Op Pathology: Gleason 4+3=7, positive margins, Stage pT3b (Stage III)
HT began in May, '07 with Lupron and Casodex 50mg
IMRT radiation for 38 Treatments ending August 3, '07
Current PSA (1/08): <0.1
I will continue HT until May '09. 
Years in Remission (3/23/07): 1
Visit my Journey at:
 
STAY POSITIVE!
 
Prostate Cancer Forum Moderator

Post Edited (TC-LasVegas) : 5/16/2008 10:07:29 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/17/2008 7:37 AM (GMT -7)
Hmmm, my reference had it exactly opposite. I didn't spend a lot of time studying what it said. Most of that decsription ws a straight copy and paste. Guess I'm gonna have to proofread everything now..... lol tongue
James C.  
Help support the forums so they can support you:  https://www.healingwell.com/donate  
Age 60 
4/19/07   PSA 7.6, referred to Urologist, recheck 6.7
7/11/07   Biopsy- 16 core samples, size of gland around 76 cc. Staging pT2c
7/17/07   Path report:  3 of 16 PCa, 5% involved, left lobe , GS 3/3:6. 
9/24/07   (Open) Retropubic Radical Prostatectomy performed 
9/26/07   Post-op Path Report: GS 3+3=6 Staging pT2c, 110gms, margins clear
10/15/07  ED- begin 50mg Viagra and Vacurect pump nightly, Fully continent
1/14/08   Caverject started/stopped, aching.  2/24/08 .5ml Bimix started-success
5/7/08     ED- Viagra, pump, no response- Trimix .075ml continues
              Post-surgery PSA's:  3 mt:0, 6 mt:0,

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