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Prior to my robotic prostatectomy 6 mo ago I did a lot of reading and research. I read accounts of patients reporting that post surgical testicular pain is not uncommon. I am 6 months out and still have the pain. It is not constant. I may go a couple of days without pain and then it will re-occur. An episode may last for several hours. My work is not physically strenuous but I am on my feet most of the work day. I don't know if this is part of it.
I am unable to achieve an erection. I hope that gets better but nothing yet (even with pills). With patience and proper stimulation I am able to experience a "mini-orgasm" (about 5% or less of what I experienced prior to surgery). I have noted that the pain usually follows this activity but my sexual activity has been extremely limited since the surgery.
It is always the left testicle and often the pain radiates all the way down to just above the knee. The discomfort is not severe but I am very aware of it. Has anyone else experienced this? If so, how long does it take to go away?
Speaking of the very weak orgasm, have others experienced this, does it get better? Is it still reasonable to hope for a return of erections? It is all very frustrating, but I am glad to be over the surgery and on the mend.
Hi Jason,
I have not had a prostatectomy but I did have brachytherapy, a little more than 2.5 years ago. Almost from day one following the procedure I experienced a somewhat mild focused pain in my left groin area. It comes and goes but I think it is related to orgasm. It is difficult to locate it precisely for it seems to move about in the left groin area, seemingly in the left testicle sometimes, down the left leg and sometimes up in to the left abdominal area. It is worse when I sit or bend but I notice it rather constantly although it does seem to go away if I don't have sex. I have to think that it is really located in my prostate tissue on the left side, the side where my cancer was. None of my urologists or oncologists have been interested in it.
Of course, having had cancer, I worry about it but perhaps it is just due to scaring of the prostate in my case or damage to neurovascular bundles or blood vessels from the radiation.
I have pain as well local to my left testicle, but my docotr states that it is a nerve related issue caused by a vasectomoy four years ago. It seems to come and go but will flare up when I do not have enough support of underwear going on long walks. I had a bout with it a day ago and it is not fun.
On the orgasm front they seem to get better as time goes by, and I doubt they will ever be the same as before. I am happy to have 85% of 100% and still be alive. I guess I keep that in perspective and will live with the loss of 15%.
