Unneeded hormone - erection problems

worried wife · Regular Joined: 02 Aug 2007 Posts: 10

My husband was diagnosed in December - age 56 - was supposed to do hormone/brachytherapy and received the hormone shot. Turned out he had to get a radical prostatectomy instead - Doc was pleased - no cancer in any of the margins, etc. Said the nerves were spared. QUESTION - when might the hormone wear off? We were told anywhere from 4-12 months - anyone out there with any experience on this? No erections, no libido even with Viagra...

johnw100

Effects of very short term hormone use are usually temporary.
The timeframe depends on the kind of hormone shot used . Some can be a one month or 3 month type, in which case the effect would gradually reduce, usually within a month or two after that time.

ED results from surgery, mainly due to disruption of the nerves. When nerve sparing has been possible, function often starts to return within a few months, but it can take longer and no one knows for sure how long it might take.
Try not to worry overly about it now, as there are a variety of alternative aids to consider, even if it becomes a long term problem.

For now, the regular use of viagra and a pump is worthwhile, as it's believed to assist with blood flow and healing in the meantime.

worried wife · Regular Joined: 02 Aug 2007 Posts: 10

Thanks very much for the information. Not sure if his hormone shot was a "short" term one because he is still having a lot of problem with hot flashes and has had weight gain as well. He is using the pump and viagra to keep the blood flowing, so we will hope for the best.

worried wife · Regular Joined: 02 Aug 2007 Posts: 10

My husband had his only hormone shot in January - just had his testosterone measured and it is still 0 - eight months later! Is this normal? When will this hormone wear off? He does not need it, it was used in conjunction with brachytherapy and he had surgery instead. He has many of the side effects that come with the hormone and I need to know when it will start to diminish.

sequoiaranger · Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 6:28 pm Post subject: Hormone/Erections

Could be that your hubby had a "6-month" Eligard shot that usually suppresses testosterone to "castration levels" for up to nine months to a year.

I'm 59 and had a prostatectomy that took the "boner nerves" with it (Sigh). Even high doses of Viagra were worthless. Before I went on hormone therapy and still had some testosterone, the doctor gave me a self-injection kit of "tri-mix" that produced erections but did nothing for the libido. Sadly, my intercourse days are pretty much over. I heretofore had a rich sex life, but sad as my loss is, I would rather be enjoying a richly-rewarding non-sex life than dead with a boner!

worried wife · Regular Joined: 02 Aug 2007 Posts: 10

Thanks for writing. Sorry to hear about your problems but hope you health stays good. I appreciate you input. My husband goes today to find out what his last testosterone levels are. Keeping my fingers crossed that the hormone is finally starting to wear off. It has been very strange - the hormone has had so many darn side effects - just weird. Feel free to write again.

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