Prostatectomy and gender dysphoria

[NancyJ]

Hi, I haven?t been on the forum in a while, but that doesn?t mean I don?t continue to be a CD and underdress all the time. I?m curious if there are others who have had a prostatectomy, and how it has impacted you, if at all, in terms of your dysphoria, dressing, arousal, etc.

I will be having the da Vinci robotic procedure later this month. I am aware that urinary incontinence (at least temporarily) and ED are common side effects. Curious how this has affected others. Wondering if in some ways I?ll feel more feminine? Honestly, the whole thing has me a bit freaked out, although I know a lot of guys go through it. Thanks, Nancy

[Sometimes Steffi]

Mr. Google agrees with you on the side effects.

The major possible side effects of radical prostatectomy are: Urinary incontinence (being unable to control urine) Erectile dysfunction (problems getting or keeping erections)

But, I've recently learned of newer prostatectomy techniques that are much less likely to have the aforementioned side effects. I suggest checking them out and discussing your options with your doctor. Note that not all docs have the quals (training) to perform the less invasive procedures.

[DanielleDubois]

I had a robotic full prostatectomy 2 years ago. The incontinence lasted about 6 months until it was mostly resolved and gradually got better during that time. I still have some very minor leakage on some days but a lot of the incontinence and ED problems are age dependent. Generally the older you are , I was 69 at the time , the longer recovery takes and to what degree. My results were fairly average for my age group. I have ED but at my age that's not as important as for younger men. The urologist who did my surgery was a specialist in treating ED including penile implants but I wasn't interested.

What I do recommend and it was very helpful is seeing a physiotherapist who specializes in pelvic floor exercises. I did exercises prior to my surgery and afterwards and it makes a big difference in regaining continence.

As for effects on my crossdressing there have been no changes whatsoever. I don't have gender dysphoria and I can't say I feel any more feminine on Danielle days than before. BTW, even with ED pleasurable orgasms are still possible.

[Karren H]

I chose active surveillance for my prostate cancer vs what your getting. I have a good friend (nonCD) who had his removed and although successful, he wishes he had gone the active surveillance route. He does have some minor issues.

[SaraLin]

I only had TURP, which is basically "roto-rooter-ing" excessive growth.
A bit of incontinence for a while, but at least I could!

As for my gender dysphoria - it didn't make any difference either way.
I'm still the same-old-me.

[DanielleDubois]

Active surveillance is the course of action in the early stages of prostate cancer. In my case scans showed a quite enlarged prostate and the Gleason scores on my extensive biopsy showed high grade cancer in some regions so a prostatectomy was necessary to prevent the cancer from spreading to lymph nodes and other organs. I was fortunate I had the surgery before any cancer was detected in surrounding tissue and my PSA scores have been zero over the last two years.

[NancyJ]

Thank you, Danielle, this is very helpful. I have started the kegel exercises. Of everything, I?m probably most concerned about the incontinence.

I was in Active Surveillance protocol for several years. From the outset, my urologist said that treating the cancer was a question of “when,” not “if.” Some guys die from other causes before they ever have to treat it, but active surveillance does not mean you’ll never have to face treating the cancer. In my case, it bought me several more years.