Male Reproductive Organ

Boaz,

My husband has been having "problems" down there.  He was fine after the operation; now he's having problems with pain in his penis, frequent and pain when passing urine, plus he has difficulty ejaculating (it's extremely painful). The doctors have sent him for numerous tests and scans and all come up empty handed. His problems started after he was put on chemotherapy.  He had a stent removed from his ureter about the same time he started chemo. And just before he is due for his next chemo drip (every two weeks) the pain in his penis subsides a bit.  Right after chemo, it flares up.  I'm not a doctor - and the doctors are not coming up with any explanation - but I think this is a side effect of chemotherapy.  

As for the reproductive organs.  It is my understanding that a colon resection will not impact one's sex life.  Issues with having a colostomy might happen, but that is easily solved with flesh coloured garments that hide the bag and a partner who is kind and understanding. I have a friend who had a colostomy in 1997 from his colon resection .  He now has three fine sons.  

However, I do believe -- at least from what my husband is currently going through -- that the chemotherapy can create problems down there.  Penis neuropathy seems to be happening with my husband.

Paula Jean

On 8/29/2009 Paula777 wrote:

Boaz,

My husband has been having "problems" down there.  He was fine after the operation; now he's having problems with pain in his penis, frequent and pain when passing urine, plus he has difficulty ejaculating (it's extremely painful). The doctors have sent him for numerous tests and scans and all come up empty handed. His problems started after he was put on chemotherapy.  He had a stent removed from his ureter about the same time he started chemo. And just before he is due for his next chemo drip (every two weeks) the pain in his penis subsides a bit.  Right after chemo, it flares up.  I'm not a doctor - and the doctors are not coming up with any explanation - but I think this is a side effect of chemotherapy.  

As for the reproductive organs.  It is my understanding that a colon resection will not impact one's sex life.  Issues with having a colostomy might happen, but that is easily solved with flesh coloured garments that hide the bag and a partner who is kind and understanding. I have a friend who had a colostomy in 1997 from his colon resection .  He now has three fine sons.  

However, I do believe -- at least from what my husband is currently going through -- that the chemotherapy can create problems down there.  Penis neuropathy seems to be happening with my husband.

Paula Jean

Hi there,

See the other posting above - Bleeding from Penis.  My husband has been having problems for months with pain with ejaculation, urination, etc.  He's now in hospital. A CT scan taken at the hospital shows no sign of cancer (good news) but his kidney has doubled in size and is swollen.  The bad news is that the doctors remain stumped.  Many specialists are now involved and I'm beginning to think I should get a film crew in there for the TLC show, Medical Mysteries (just kidding about that last statement, but honestly ... that's what it's beginning to feel like to my husband) .

In any case, I pointedly questioned the doctors if the colon cancer surgery could have anything to do with this.  They said on rare occasion a nerve can be severed.  Just thought I'd relay that on to you, though I have read and do know of people that are more impacted by the medications and chemotherapy.  Keep an eye on this, and bring this issue up with both your primary doctor and your oncologist and/or any other specialist you're seeing.

Paula Jean   

My husband is stage 3 rectal cancer and post LAR w/temp ileostomy (reversed 9/9/09).  He had 28 rounds of radiation prior to the resection and then 8 rounds of folfox after the resection.  His surgeon without question said the radiation and the resection affects the nerves surrounding the penis.  Rectal/colon tumors and the nerves for the penis are all located in the same area.  My husband just reversed his ileostomy yesterday and we are on our way to recovery and hopefully no recurrences of cancer.  After he hs healed from all this we'll inquire about viagra or some other things to help the sex life.  For this last year plus we have only focused on his cancer and treatment and subsequent recovery. 

 PS:  dont forget if you are actively undergoing chemo to please wear a condom when you have sex (everything is toxic - urine, semen, saliva, vomit etc.)