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Penile Shortening After Urethroplasty?

Greetings All,

It's three weeks after my excision primary anastomosis urethroplasty to correct a stricture in the bulbar urethra. I'm unsure of the stricture's exact length -- when I phoned to ask, I was told it wasn't included in the surgical notes -- but it was estimated 1.5-2.0 cm.

The reason I'm writing is that I've noticed a pronounced penile shortening, or rather a reduced erectile length, and am wondering about others' experiences. Has anyone else had this? Or, was your erectile length always the same? I'd say my erectile length is only at best about 50-60% of what it was before surgery. I'm hoping others have seen this and that the issue resolved fully in time.

When I asked one of my doctors about this over the phone, he reminded me that he warned of possible erectile dysfunction for up to six months after surgery. ED to me means difficulty attaining or maintaining an erection, not penile shortening (!), but I guess that's beside the point. The doctor added that the catheter prevents full erection, which I can accept, but the catheter is out now and I see no improvement. He assured me that I should return to normal in time and emphasized that I'm not achieving a full erection because that my penis underwent significant trauma.

The doctor also said that he's never seen erectile shortening with the type of surgery and stricture length I had, but I'm seeing medical surveys online showing 22-25% incidence of penile shortening after the same operation and stricture size. I don't doubt my physicians, but am just struggling to reconcile apparently conflicting information.

I specifically asked my doctors before the surgery multiple times about possible complications and cosmetic outcomes and never once was possible penile shortening mentioned. Stroke, heart attack and death were mentioned as risks during surgery and failure, recurrence, and ED were mentioned as possible side effects of the procedure. Also, scars at the incision site, of course.

I plan to ask my doctors again at a follow-up if the condition doesn't improve, but in the meantime, I would really appreciate any insight others can share.

Erectile length probably shouldn't matter if the surgery is otherwise successful, but I would've preferred at the very least a warning about the risk of shortening -- even if temporary -- so I could've at least psychologically prepared for the possibility or perhaps opted for another treatment.

I'm really hoping someone out there can confirm this reduced erection length is normal and temporary.

As a 32-year old single guy who wasn't overly thrilled with my length before, cutting it in half is not an idea I relish, to say the least. :/ Hope you can understand.

Thanks very much for reading and especially for sharing any insights. I searched the boards to see if this has been discussed before and didn't turn up anything, sorry if I just missed it.
Best Answer
Avatar universal
Hey! Thank you for replying to my post! Very helpful information. As you stated, day-by-day my symptoms are improving aswell. My erections are still painful, more in the urethra area than anywhere else. My testicule pain is slighty weird, it improves, then comes back worse. Hopefully it heals up soon.
And for your question; my erections are only about 60-70% of what they were before surgery, i sometimes am able to flex the slightest bit now, but hardly at all. It's as if it doesnt have it in it anymore. I too am a bit worried about this one, i mean im only 18 years old! Wish my doctor had warned me about this. I wasnt to thrilled with my size before either. Now im almost embarressed! I go back for a checkup in 1 1/2 months. i will ask him about this then, and keep you posted if the asnwer is any different than what you had been told. On the bright side, the flow is stronger than ever! Hope you have a speedy and full recovery too!
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Avatar universal
I have had a similar experience. I am 60 years old, and my wife and I agree that I have lost about 2 inches of length! That is substantial, and it is making sex difficult. A certain amount of length is necessary to fully penetrate the vagina and be able to move back and forth without coming out. It is still fairly soon after the surgery (6 weeks), so maybe this will improve, but it sounds like most people are not experiencing any improvement. Additionally, my "erect" penis does not point up, but out, so it is very uncomfortable when pressing against sheets, pajamas, or clothing.

And, like you, I was not told that this was a possible complications, though I asked.
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
Hey Immortal. It's been about 8 months since my surgery. Soon after the procedure, I could see and feel that my penis was shorter when I have an erection, I'd estimate by about 1-1.5 inches. I was hoping that with time, things would improve, and that I simply wasn't achieving a full erection, but so far everything is the same, unfortunately. The shortening doesn't seem to be temporary, at least not in my case. I plan to give it a few more months, until it's been a year or more for full healing, then maybe ask the doctor about medication for erectile dysfunction as a last ditch effort to see if that will help with the erectile length. Though, to be honest, I'm not too optimistic and don't want to get my hopes up (no pun intended). Over time, I'm getting used to it -- what else can we do? As long as everything works more or less, it's better than nothing. I will keep my fingers crossed for you and I wish you a full and speedy recovery.  Try not to worry too much and take it easy.    
Helpful - 1
1 Comments
What else can we do?  How about sue their ***?  They have ffed with our manhood!
Avatar universal
Hey Haya, thanks very much for posting. First and foremost, I'm really sorry to hear about your accident! I hope that with time, function can continue to improve for you. I wish you only the best. It's been about 8 months since my surgery. I'd estimate that I've also lost about 1-1.5 inches and it looks like it will stay that way. On another issue, the force of my ejaculation is completely gone, it just leaks out slowly. I wonder what others' experiences are with this? This is another thing my doctors did not warn me about. I asked at my 6-month follow-up appointment and the surgeon said that it's likely because a muscle involved in ejaculation was cut during the operation and that normal function probably will not return if it hasn't by now. The doctor did mention that some patients' ejaculatory function improves after the surgery, while others' is reduced like mine. I suppose it shouldn't matter, but ejaculation just doesn't feel the same or as enjoyable as before. Otherwise, the surgery seems to have succeeded, so I am grateful. I'm still a little sore and I have sharp, shooting pains as well as dull aches that come and go, but overall the discomfort seems to be lessening with time. Thanks again for commenting and please don't hesitate with any questions or if you just want to commiserate -- everything is easier in company and when you share, right.      
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
I had a anastomic urethroplasty for 2.5 cm stricture. Now , 24 days after the surgery and the penis is SHORTER. This question for people who did the surgery more than 3 months or so , Is that temporarily   ?
I am 30 years old.
Please let me know
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
47 yo.  It is about 6 months after surgery, and I have lost about 40-50% length with downward curvature. The main erectile strain is on the stitched up area underneath, thus the downward curvature.  Basically, I believe the stitching was made too constrictive.  Will be having followup in one month;  will be considering legal options if he says nothing can be done, as sex is darn near impossible.  I had specifically asked beforehand about this side effect, and was assured this would not be a problem.  Additionally, I still have to sit down to pee, as there is spraying going on.
Very, very angry at the whole situation.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I had an posterior urethroplasty in Feb. I was in a catheter for 4 weeks ( not a lot of fun) I definitely feel that my penis has shortened a small amount maybe an inch. My main concern is erectile function as I do not get an erection after the operation. Presently I am beginning to take 5mg of Cialis  at night to help the blood flow. It is too early to panic so I am hopeful that full function will return.
Helpful - 0
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