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My age is 68 years old, I am married and we have five daughters. 14 years ago I had surgery for rectal cancer. This was not a minor operation, because because the tumor was close to the anus, it had to be removed and I got a stoma. I can live with this very well and there has been no change for me compared to before the operation. In that respect I am very satisfied. But before the operation, the surgeon indicated that I would probably not be able to get an erection after the operation. Unfortunately, he was right, and the sex as far as intercourse is gone. I still manage, albeit with difficulty, to come through masturbation. Only this is no longer possible through penetration, because the penis is too flaccid. He doesn’t get the stiffness anymore which my wife also likes less. So the question is, is there anything that can be done about this? I hope to get a positive response from you, but I actually fear the worst. Then we will learn to live with it and enjoy each other in a different way.
Name known to the editor
Dear Sir,
I don’t know if you have tried erection pills, but in order to be able to have intercourse with your wife again, it is an option to have a penile prosthesis with pump implanted in the penis. That is an alternative for men where erection pills do not work or do not work sufficiently. Penile implants, also called penile prosthesis or erection prosthesis, are usually experienced as positive by men with this complaint. In the simplest procedure, the surgeon inserts a few flexible rods into the penis. After surgery, the penis is always semi-rigid. An erection is created by manually placing the penis in the erection position. After intercourse, the penis can be bent downwards again.
Another option is to place a prosthesis with a pump system. Cylinders are placed in both cavernous bodies, which you can pump up. The cylinders are connected to a pump that is placed in the scrotum. By squeezing the pump, the cylinders fill and an erection is created. After making love, the cylinders are emptied again by operating a button on the pump.
I don’t know if this advice makes you happy. It is important that you and your wife can enjoy sex in other ways as well.
Henriette Schoones
Sexologist NVVS/Relationship Therapist