Awkward topic but I hope it helps someone with medical "ED"

[MrPiper]

This thread is about Erectile Dysfunction as a medical condition. Not a "Youth Room" topic. That is why I put it in Fellowship Hall. Please be respectful. I'm fine, and very pleased with my life and my situation. This thread is just because I would have appreciated someone sharing this information with myself, and my family, many many years ago.

My father had a prostatectomy 30 years ago for prostate cancer. After this he was completely impotent. His surgeon recommended a surgical implant. The device failed. The second surgery to remove the implant and replace it worked for a couple of years and then also failed. This surgery also left him incontinent and he has had to wear a pad for leakage over the last 25 years. He had a THIRD implant that lasted for about 13 or 14 years but then failed as well. He is pretty miserable from the leaking and the impotence.

The urologist / surgeon NEVER even discussed any other option but surgery. He never mentioned the use of an FDA Approved Erectile Dysfunction Pump, which was available as a medical device even back then. My father could have considered this option and possibly NEVER had to wear a pad / depends, and been functional. The device costs less than a couple of prescriptions for Viagra or Cialis, and lasts for many years.

As many of you know, I have sadly followed in my father's footsteps. I had a surgery a few months back to repair my urinary system and help with BPH. The procedure I chose was called Rezum. The doctor, and the company, say this procedure has a 0% incidence of causing impotence. Well, of course, that clinical study did not include me. Since the surgery, I am completely impotent. 100% with no effect from any medical intervention, or pill. My surgeon, following in the footsteps of his ancestors, suggested the possibility of an implant surgery if the problem doesn't resolve after 6 months to a year. I was very emotionally frustrated and depressed.

A close friend, more of a brother really, that I shared my misery with, recommended a different solution. He also had complete impotence after a surgery 10 years ago, and his urologist referred him to a medical representative who provided FDA Approved Erectile dysfunction and therapy pump devices. He recommended my friend try this for 12 to 18 months before considering a surgical implant because of the success of the devices he had seen with his patients. Also because using the device for therapy in addition to regaining sexual function, had a good incidence of recovery of normal function in less than a year for many patients resulting in no longer needing the device at all.

I called the rep, and he spent 30 minutes on a phone consult answering my many questions. He also sent me some information, and a video that was very educational and helpful. My insurance even paid for most of the device. There are several FDA approved devices and I am sure any of them would be fine. If anyone has a question about the one I got, PM and I will give specifics, forward you the instructional medical videos, or answer any questions if I can be of help.

Here is the important part. The device has 2 purposes. Rehab, and restoration of sexual function. The device is used daily for rehab after surgery to speed the return to normal function which, if it ever returns at all, is often a year or two to recover. IF it recovers. With the device as therapy, function recovers for more than 50% of patients within the first year. As far as returning to normal sexual activity, it is excellent. Awkward at first of course, but the decision to just accept it, and if it becomes uncomfortable, to laugh about it and go on, gave intimate time back to my marriage from day 1. Not just function, but amazing. So much so that ANY male who is aging and doesn't have perfect ability to perform should evaluate the use of these FDA approved devices. This is not an adult store toy with filthy words and pictures on the box. It is a medical device for ED and has very different construction and function.

I don't even know what to say about my surgeon / urologist. Like the one that treated my father all those years ago, he never mentioned a word about ANY other option but surgery and pills. He also had the nerve to suggest it was more than likely just an emotional thing. I am 59 years old and have never had this problem in my life and it is 100% gone post surgery. That is not a mental disorder! I know he only gets paid for surgery. He would make nothing from offering this information as an option, but there are plenty of men who will keep him more than busy with procedures. The surgery I had was not an option. I had to have a surgical repair. The only question was which type of procedure. I am thankful to have found this information and wish it could have helped my dad.

If this thread helps anyone here, then it is worth the awkward disclosure.

[Hugo Drax]

Interesting and potentially useful information. Thanks for sharing it and being so frank about it.

Very happy for you, as well!

[JimVH]

I have a close family member with a similar story due to prostate CA. He is going through all the potential solutions looking for the right answer for him. I don’t have any real wisdom on the topic other than to acknowledge the struggle and the angst that I’m seeing him (them) go through.

Bravo for the frank discussion.

[Biff]

This thread is about Erectile Dysfunction as a medical condition.

Links?

[MrPiper]

This thread is about Erectile Dysfunction as a medical condition.

Links?

[MrPiper]

Also this from Mayo Clinic: The relevance here is that this works FAR better than the pills. I tried those, and Cialis caused such severe heartburn (as many blood pressure medicines will because of vasodilation) I would PREFER the device to the pill. For me, the pill did absolutely nothing anyway. I was placed on 3 different meds at the same time, and nothing helped, and all made me feel terrible. This is MUCH better and works EVERY time. It doesn't have ANY negative health effect. In fact, it has quite a few positive side effects in that it helps, over time, to restore the original level of function for many patients. It also decreases sensitivity slightly during intimacy resulting in a consistently amazing experience for both partners.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-proced ... c-20385225

[MrPiper]

And this is good information from the United States National Library of Medicine:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20410903/