Penile Shortening After Urethroplasty?

[Lothson]

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.

[KPtak]

Thank you for your post.  I will be having urethroplasty sometime this year. I go back in April.  I had 5 UTI and I have another this year.  The doctor said the only way to get rid of the UTI are to have by stricture taking out. Its just before the sphincter muscle.  They found it when I was in the hospital they try to catheter me and could not get it in the bladder.  It was a ordeal.  They nurses never said a word to me.  even after I ask what was going on they just took my pants off and stuff a stuff a catheter in me.  It happen so fast.  I have been having  the same kind of problems like you.  Sperm does not shoot out anymore it leaks out.  And I have dry orgasms to.  it go backwards.  At 59 I should not worry about it but like to have fun once in a while.  I'm going to talk to the doctor about a oral graft.  Thanks for the information.  Good luck with the baby..  Have a few more....I have 3.      

[KPtak]

Hello  First of all have you talk to a doctor. What does he say.  I'm 59 and I had my kids all ready.  After reading all the problems I don't know.  I have a urethral stricture just before the uriary sphincter muscle.  I still like sex any kind.  Had 5 UTI's last year and 1 this year all ready. My doctor said that a uethroplasty is the only way to get rid of them  With all the problems I don't know  Please talk to a good doctor before you decide anything    

[Biker65]

This thread has been so helpful!  I have had urethral strictures most of my life (17-49) with two urethral dilutions followed (3 weeks ago) by urethroplasty. I have had 2-6 erections per night since the surgery that are painful and have the wrong angle - 60 degrees south instead of 45 degrees north. I was told the angle might change but had no idea it would be this bad. I told my wife about the reports of shortening (I haven't measured) and she said well that would actually be a good thing ;)  But the angle is unworkable and I found this thread trying to learn whether angles change with time or can be altered. I was excited to hear that there is such a thing as anti-boner medication and wish my doctor (supposedly the best in the state at urethroplasty) had given me some.

[optimistic1001]

It's been about 14 or 15 months since the surgery.  Again, this thread started out as a question about shortening. I never had a problem with that.  Urination works better though sometimes is still a split stream.  I had scrotal numbness which is mostly gone but not completely.  The biggest problem I've had is with erectile dysfunction.  I have never had this before in my life.  I am not sure but believe this is associated with pain in the bulbospongiosus muscle in the pelvic floor, which hurt after the surgery and continues to be very sensitive to the touch.That's what they cut through when they did the urethroplasty to get to the urethra.   I have pain during sex. I have pain when walking, sitting, etc. I have had problems maintaining an erection and tried pills for that.  The pills allow me to maintain an erection but now I have problems with delayed ejaculation.    I just started physical therapy for pelvic floor pain which hopefully will address the problem.

[Innuendo91]

Hi! Yes, sure. But you'll need a good doctor to treat you. Stricture is a rather complicated issue. Still in experienced hands you may forget about it till the end of your life. Urethroplasty gives best results and a high guarantee with low risk of any complications and side effects. I had 15 cm stricture (penile and bulbar parts were affected by the catheter). I underwent 9-hour surgery and had a few complications that were gone with time.

[12cesar24]

Hello thanks for replying i appreciate it! Yes it hurts to pass urine frequently. Also after my circumcission it feels like my bladder doesn't empty all the way.I think bxo is what caused my strictures do you think a urethroplasty would fix them?