I’d like some advice on regaining erectile function. I would like advice from anyone suffering, but I might be of interest to medics and specialists because I suffered a very rare condition. I had a long and stressful ordeal losing it and getting it back has taken longer than it should have. I am really worried about it although I am doing my best to put this to the back of my mind as I know the more it is present the more it can hinder my recovery.
BACKGROUND I lost it through the very rare condition of high flow Priapism (differing from the more common low flow variety) which came about through a saddle injury. My penis increased in size significantly and appeared to have a semi erection all of the time. The accident happened in November 2009 and in February 2010 I had a form of mild surgery called selective embolization during arteriography. It was a stressful time and experience where I spent 2 nights in hospital. My penis returned to its original size but normal erectile function did not return. Previous studies on this form of surgery, which aren’t many, showed that 20% of patients did not regain normal erectile function within a year. It is now a year later and I am part of that 20%. In terms of recovering it, I am only 23 so my body should be at its prime for recovery and I can achieve an erection but it is very soft. I can just about have intercourse, but it has to be in exactly the right position and is often doesn’t last, is difficult and uncomfortable. It was like this very soon after the surgery and has stayed more or less like this since then. There has been some difference in time. In October I was prescribed Viagra, which I tried on my own several times to masturbate, and it worked very well. In January I tried it again with a partner and it took longer to work but eventually it did and I had “normal sex” for the first time since the accident –albeit with some concentration. I occasionally get a full, hard erection in the morning, especially in the few days after taking the Viagra. This definitely gives me hope. In the past year I have not had one steady partner, which has made things difficult for feeling totally relaxed and for trying things. I have also been travelling for a long while which has made it harder to measure progress and try things on my own. Soon I will be in one place for 2-3 months and will dedicate as much time as necessary to making progress with this.
RECOVERY So what I would like to know is this… Firstly, if anyone can offer any similar experiences at all or supportive words. I still find it very difficult to talk about with people and not many people know aside from my partners. Second, how can I experiment with the Viagra? I was thinking of taking the Viagra regularly, experimenting with different quantities and trying to measure the effect. Any ideas on how to measure erection quality? Also I would like to know how often is too often to take Viagra. I know the maximum is once every 24 hours but I think if I were to do this everyday I would suffer long term effects. Will masturbating everyday be too intensive on my body? Do I need to give my body time without sexual activity to recuperate? Third, if there is anything aside from Viagra that I can do or take to help. I have seen on many forums that there are a few exercises, like Kegel, that can help. Or else any effective natural alternatives or lifestyle tips. I gave up smoking marijuana (which was difficult) and have given up smoking my one cigarette a day recently. Does anyone have any personal experience with this or can recommend any websites? Lastly, there is one medical journal in particular that talks specifically about regaining erectile function after my journal and I was wondering if anyone might have access to it. I have the details written some where and will dig them out. Thank you very much for reading, I know there is a lot of text but I hope that it is useful to you. I hope you can offer something to help… Sincerely, M
