Dry Climax after RPLND

[zero]

Back in June I had RPLND to remove some lymph nodes and the affected tissue around it. The surgery went well and according to them it was "text book" like as there was no complications at all during the surgery. They said they used the procedure to protect my nerves and that they weren't damaged.

All that being said I have been experiencing Dry Climax since the surgery. I can get an erection fine and my climax feels the same but simply nothing comes out any more. There is no sperm in my urine however so it doesn't appear to be retrograde.

The main surgeon that did the operation said that Dry Climax is often the case after surgery even if the nerves are preserved and that it can take months or a year before sperm during climax reappears.

I've been searching on the internet for more information about this but haven't found too much, most pages or articles I find only mentions retrograde which isn't really my case. Does anyone know approx. how long it takes on average for it to come back or could tell me more about it?

[Already Bald]

There is no sperm in my urine however so it doesn't appear to be retrograde.

Hi Zero, and I call you that because I believe you have zero cancer cells left in you body!

It is likely that you do have semen in your urine, you just don't always see it.
I've been retrograde for over a year now, and the fluid is going somewhere. I'm willing to pee on a stick to see if I've gotten myself pregnant , but I'm sure it is going into my bladder and getting peed out.

BTW, this has not changed anything in my life, except my ability to father a child. There are many in this forum who over time have regained normal function- you will likely as well.

Tell us more about you case, and the pathology from the RPLND.
Joe

[zero]

I am 25 years old and I was diagnosed back in January 2007 a few days after New Years... not exactly a great way to start off a new year.

I had surgery to remove the testicle within a few days and was put on a observational treatment for several months. In my CT scans there was one lymph node in particular they were concerned about but it was still under 2cm and didn't appear to be growing over the fist few months so they kept an eye on it.

Then around May it appeared that particular lymph node had gotten slightly bigger and something had to be done. In my case I also have ulcerative colitis so after consultation with the main TC doctor and the surgeon it was agreed that doing the surgery first was the better option for me in my case rather then doing chemo first. So in early June I underwent RPLND with nerve saving technique.

Like I mentioned in the other post the surgery went great, there was no complications during surgery and they said it was "text book" like. The first two weeks after surgery was a little rough but all things considered I recovered quickly and after 3-4 weeks I was already starting to feel normal and like myself again.

Of the 30 lymph nodes or cells they took out there was only 2 that were cancerous. At this point I am back on observational treatment again, in my case they don't think I will need chemo in addition to the surgery. My blood work always comes back negative and there is nothing else of concern in my scans.

Obviously I am not in the clear yet but I am fairly optimistic about it and hope all goes well over the next few months.

I just hope in my case the function returns, the surgeon believes it will but it could take some time. He said as long as I don't see any visible signs of it in my urine that I shouldn't be concerned about it right now.

[Margaret]

Hi zero. My husband also had the RPLND but keep in mind, some men experience this and the fluid returns. It took my husband 3-4 months to start seeing fluid during ejaculation. Some men it can take up to a year, some it never returns. But this may not be a 'forever' thing.

Joe, the pregnant thing was too funny!

[Karen]

Hey zero, welcome to the forum. The retrograde may resolve itself in time. I'm glad you're all clear now. What was your pathology?

[oscar666]

Hi Zero

Hi Zero,

I had my RPLND last month.
Doctors said that they didn’t cut the nerves.
However, during the OP they maybe pulled some.
The normal ejaculation could be disturbed for several months post OP.
4-5 weeks after my OP, I start to see some drops going out.
I believe that the normal function will return one day. As you said, I don’t see any traces in urine neither.
You always still have a chance to be father.
If you don’t have sperm banking done, there are another (a bit weird) methods to extract the fresh one “live” from you.
Well … you could be a good father of your girlfriend’s kids too
Don’t worry. You are young.
All the best!

[zero]

I did have sperm banking done before the surgery and I am glad I did it. At first I was on the fence whether to do it or not but figured if I didn't do it then I might regret it later so I paid for it.

Its not really a question of being worried if I can have kids or not later on it is more a worry about sexual enjoyment. You really don't notice how much pre-cum provides natural lubricant until you no longer have it.

[Mom]

My husband regained his semen after about a year and a half. Believe me, the pre-lub that you might provide pales in comparison to what the female brings to the act! Please, don't worry. Dianne

[Karen]

Dianne,
Tellin' it like it is!!!

[Already Bald]

My husband regained his semen after about a year and a half. Believe me, the pre-lub that you might provide pales in comparison to what the female brings to the act! Please, don't worry. Dianne

MOM! I'm right here and I can read everything you write!!!
Geez, now I have to go to church!
And Karen, you too?? Your turning my face a warm fuschia

Zero,
You will be okay, I wish you luck with future fertilty.
Do you have your Pathology report from the I/O?
Did you write that the RPLND was about 6 months after the I/O?

[zero]

Zero,
You will be okay, I wish you luck with future fertilty.
Do you have your Pathology report from the I/O?
Did you write that the RPLND was about 6 months after the I/O?

I don't have the specifics of the pathology with me right now, all the names of all this stuff confuses me half the time as well...

Yes my RPLND was about 6 months later.

[Already Bald]

all the names of all this stuff confuses me half the time as well

I can understand that, it is confusing stuff. If you take the time to post your specifics, there are people here that can help you make sense of it all. One thing is for sure, you are not alone.

[zero]

Hello everyone,

Just wanted to give an update on my situation.

Today for the first time since the surgery I have noticed finally a little bit of fluid coming out now. It has now been just over 4 months from the surgery and from reading on here and elsewhere that seems to be the common time when ejaculate fluid some times returns for people which is why when I saw a little bit of fluid come out today after months of nothing I was very happy and relieved.

I also got additional good news last Friday when I got the results of my last scans and blood tests. These were the first tests since the surgery so I wasn't sure what to expect. To be honest I was paranoid and was convinced they would find something new but thankfully everything checked out, nothing had spread and everything looks good so far, I hope it stays that way.

I think now for the first time since all this happened I'm starting to feel a lot better about myself and the situation I have been in this past year. I feel better now then I have all year and although I am not in the clear quite yet I feel I am finally going down the right road.

[Margaret]

Hi Zero! I am glad that your tests came back with happy results

Your experience with ejaculation is very similar to my husband. A few months post RPLND we saw a tiny amount of fluid and then as the months progressed, he is almost as he was before the operation. I have a feeling you will start to see an increase in fluid in the following months.

[MRMRSU]

That's great news Zero...keep the "All Clear"s coming. And I'm happy to hear that you are feeling good about this situation no one ever wants to be in. Still waiting for Andy's boys to make their return...it's been 6 months and I do think it will make him feel much better as well. Best wishes!