Sexual Activity/ Erections

[ryanchan]

I noticed that when I get an erection but do not beat off or anything, no bending, no stroking, no touching or anything, I still get mondor symptoms with veins popping out like crazy! As well, it gets slightly hard-flaccid too.

I read on the forum that the consensus was that its ok to have sexual activity and so forth.

However, looking around the internet, some suggest that you take a good 4 months break from sexual activity and the sort to give the penis a break. While its on break the penis should not be under tension to produce more scaring, instead, with pentox it should signal the penis to heal and that it does not require the scar tissue. Think of it like atrophy. If you don't use your legs after breaking them, your muscles atrophy because your body recognizes that it doesn't need the muscle mass.

Thoughts?

Thanks

[welshwales]

I think there are valid arguments on both sides of the subject. Personally I follow the 'everything in moderation' line. Sexual activity 3-5 times a week is average.  

[james1947]

welshwales

I agree with the moderation, I will also say that everyone should decide himself what is good for him.
But sexual activity 3-5 times a week is average for young people, not for older like me

James

[nemo]

If one accepts the merits of the VED being corpora expansion, healthy infusion of blood volume, tissue stretching, etc., I take from that the belief that frequent erections and yes, sexual activity (alone or with a partner), is actually very much in order here.  Gentle, of course.  

For my own part, ever since having a sudden, unexplainable flair up in Nov. of 2013 of two nodules (after a 12-year period of stability), I have pursued essentially a two-part strategy: Pentox/Cialias and nearly daily masturbation (when not involved with a partner). I feel like a good solid Cialis-fueled erection, bringing in fresh new Pentox-filled blood, has helped keep my nodule tissue stretched and supple.

I've actually been thrilled the last few weeks as I noticed the nodules have shrunken (or reduced in size) almost to the point that I can no longer find them, although the two indentations they correspond to are still present when I'm erect. This took just about a year to run its course. Unfortunately, just as soon as I discovered this great reduction in those nodules, I also discovered a new nodule corresponding to a smaller indentation that has sort of come and gone over the years - so again, I'm in another "crossed fingers" stage, hoping this eventually subsides like the other two.  Sadly, I now have Peyronies Disease scarring at the base, mid-section, and just behind the glans, almost in thirds. My saving grace is that this scarring hasn't distorted the penis to any great degree (and hopefully will not do so!)

All this is to say, I am more fearful of NOT exercising regular, good erections, which the penis needs for tissue health (hence why we have nocturnal erections, or should have them) than I am of having them.  I think it just makes sense. But of course, be very gentle.  

Just my experience,
Nemo

[ryanchan]

Thank you all for your thoughts

I agree that the penis needs a healthy flow of blood for proper nourishment and healing.

I personally find that after an erection, whether induced or natural, results in inflammation causing a rubbery penis and mondors.

However, the difference is, with the natural erection (with no action taken on it ie. no masturbation), actually allows the penis to more quickly resolve into a soft penis.  

In my opinion, having a soft penis (without hard inflammation) will most likely accelerate the healing process as blood can enter and exit more easily. Additionally, with my previous thought about tissue atrophy (including scar tissue), I believe it normally takes 3 - 6 months to have noticeable atrophy. To achieve this i think one needs to abstain from sexual activity (easier said than done) for 3 - 6 months.

Mind you, one cannot control natural and spontaneous erections, however, those are the healthiest since they are synced with your bodies hormone levels. Masturbation can upset your bodies neurochemical balance  and affect your nervous system resulting in improper signaling to the area.

I think a read somewhere that steroid injections into the scar tissue worsens peyronies. So does that also mean that one should try to lower the amount of hormone going to the area? (if i find the research i'll post it)

[james1947]

ryanchan

As I have stated in an other posts, the opinions are divided between "Use it or lose it" and "Stop using it until heals".
Decision in the subject is yours, yours alone and any decision you are taking is affecting only you not others.

James

[ryanchan]

James,


That is true.

I was hoping that members could possibly share their experience as to which method has shown "more promise". If there aren't any experiences to share, maybe we can start an experiment, which of course is voluntary.

I hope to make a log to describe, changes, if any, that occur while trying to abstain for 3 months. (Going to be difficult, but worth a try)

I hope/encourage others to experiment with me so we can share our results to see if makes any difference (even if its just a positive psychological one)  

[james1947]

ryanchan

Me and some other "Old" people (maybe some younger also) are strongly behind the "Use it or lose it" approach.
Myself following this approach even I am 67 and have to use Viagra for intercourse with the associated headache I have.
Doing my best to have much sex as I can.
You don't need to make an experiment, as the subject was already debated in details in a few topics.
The point is that the opinions, derived from experience, are divided more or less 50/50.
This is the reason I am saying that the decision is yours.

James  

[Old Man]

ryanchan:

Hey, I am 85 years old and still enjoying the ability to have sex any time I desire. So, my 2 cents says the same: "use it or lose it''. Not having erections either induced or natural will certainly cause ones desire to atrophy and in some cases, completely ''dry up''.

Old Man

[nemo]

Old Man, you give us all hope, on many fronts. Bless you!

Nemo

[Old Man]

Nemo:

Thanks for the vote of confidence! I come from a family of men that all had libido out of this world! I seem to have inherited that feature too!

I just want to let members of this, the most excellent Peyronies Disease and/or ED forum in the world, know that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Not all cases of Peyronies Disease nor ED can be ''cured'', but there is some relief of the symptoms if the right combination of therapy is found and used.

I thank my Maker each and every day for the ability to have a sexual life and be able to encourage others in their search for a remedy.

Old Man

[emasculated]

I have to disagree though a little bit. It's just the case that what helps penile health is erections during sleep which we have no control over except taking PDE5 inhibitors. You do not have to have erections or sex besides that. If you don't use it you will not loose it, despite the saying. If you have insufficient erections during sleep then you will lose it. And sexual activity carries huge risks for injury. Not saying you should avoid it altogether. That's not solution either (I have tried..).

[Old Man]

emasculated:

I will not debate you on this subject. However, I have been there and done that with the sexual side of life. I have worked in the sexual health field under the auspices of my personal uro. She let me counsel with her patients that needed advice about prostate cancer and ED as well as Peyronies Disease. She would ask me to discuss any and all subjects of men's health as long as she was told the outcome of the discussions.

As I said, my family has had many men whose libido was very high and several events in their life reduced that ability mainly because they were unable to have erections. This caused them to completely the ability to ever get erections of any kind.

Whatever you think about the subject is strictly your choice and I won't take issue with whatever you say according to your interpretation. BTW, if you have not already learned that I am over 85 years old and seen many miles of men's health under the bridge. So, firmly believe that I am way ahead of most men about the subject of sex and how to handle it.

Old Man

[emasculated]

What I can't figure out for myself (as a 28 years old man) is how to handle the constant fear of injury. It completely prevents me to relax and enjoy sexual experience.  

[ryanchan]

Thanks everyone for your opinions. I respect each one of them

I personally have always had a love for science and love to do experiments and use metrics to evaluate a situation rather than solely rely on "interpretations" or "opinions"; you can say i take a utilitarian approach to life (results are #1).

Thus far, in the 2 weeks that I have refrained from sexual activity, I have
1) had more morning erections (every second day)
2) maintained an erection without stimulation
3) less superficial veins popping (i.e. mondors)  
4) a softer flaccid penis
5) no pain
6) softer shaft skin
7) paler penis? (i'm guessing because its softer there is less entrapment of the blood)

It is still to early to see if there is any improvement of angle.

I also noticed an important observation, that when i urinate, my penis tends to get softer, becomes more relaxed and increases in size a little. I would like your thoughts on that matter to know whether this is a muscle issue or not?  My hypothesis is that there is a problem with the muscle that entraps blood in the penis and it might be a factor in peyronies (by preventing proper oxygenated and nutritious blood to enter and leave). If this is the case, then I would need a medication or supplement that would help with it.

Regards

[welshwales]

Ryanchan, I am pleased you are having positive results in general. The paler coloration of your penis may well be due a reduction of inflammation, which is certainly a positive result of your experiment. There is no muscle that traps blood in the penis. It works similar to a valve system, like with an air bed, the internal pressure of the increased blood flow pushes the valve shut. For example a venous leak is when the valve works inefficiently, causing blood to leak out.

[loyalty]

Yes, there is indeed a muscle that traps blood in the penis during erection - the Ischiocavernosus (IC).  The compression of the emissary veins within the penis results in an erection to the level of systolic blood pressure only, which is a soft erection, but the contraction of the paired IC muscles then act as a clamp at the base of the penis to cause the pressure in the penis to rise far above systolic blood pressure resulting in a rigid erection.  Many cases of erectile dysfunction due to venous leak are actually due to dysfunctional IC muscles.  For someone with dysfunctional IC muscles, abstaining from sex and masturbation would be helpful. The problem of "hardflaccid" is due to dysfunctional IC muscles as well.  

[Cal30]

Ryanchan,

I don't have much to say regarding your question about sexual activity vs. inactivity for healing, however I do want to commend you for posting updates on your situation. Some day, a man who is experiencing exactly the same problems as you may come across this post and find some answers for himself. He will be indebted to you for this, and may even benefit greatly from what you are doing.

[NeoV]

I can report the same effects are Ryan. Abstaining has always helped me, yet I've never been able to do it for that long.

[ryanchan]

Update:

into week 3.

1) alot easier now to get aroused
2) was peeing at 9 o'clock when flaccid, now its at 10
3) urine flow is much stronger
4) More energy during the day
5) maintaining a softer (less hard) flaccid penis)

The other day I was watching a movie which had a strip club scene in it. Having abstained a little over 2 weeks, I was easily aroused and even ejaculated (no stimulation). The Mondor veins lasted longer after ejaculation. Got pain on the left underside. The penis felt allot warmer around the base after it returned back to flaccid.

Waiting on a 1 complete month to pass before measuring the angle. However, the underside (where it bends) seems to have the cord-like structure to be dissipating.  

[NeoV]

That's great Ryan.

The simple fact is that abstaining is usually the last thing any of us are willing to try. It's also easy to lie about abstaining or to obsessively erection check or even "edge" which is masturbating without ejaculating. Granted, some guys have tried it and it does not help them.

If you think you may have a vascular or lymphatic problem and not Peyronie's that's all the more reason to abstain, but more importantly, if its helping to abstain, don't kid yourself, leave it alone longer. I'm also doing well now by abstaining and taking supplements. Citrulline has restored my nighttime erections and in general things are feeling good.

Let us know what happens.

[ryanchan]

Thanks Nemo for the vote of Confidence!

Update:

Into Week 4:

Its been hard abstaining, so to my disappointment, I regret to inform you that I ended up giving into a week of junk food to get some pleasure out life. I ate very unhealthy this past week with an increase in refined carbs and greasy foods  and have noticed some changes. Observations for this week are as follows

1) Inflammation increase
2) Daily morning erections
3) Acidity in the stomach
4) itch increase

I am started to think, that a combination of healthy diet and abstinence might be the key to a speedy recovery. Having looked around the forum, i see that carbs for many appear to worsen the situation. It appears to be true for myself. However, the continued abstinence still has its benefits of less "hard-flaccids"  and more morning woods.

I hope this helps.  

[NeoV]

Nemo or me?  

It really is about finding what works for you.

[ryanchan]

Nemo or me?  

lol

Sorry, I miss typed that, that was supposed to be NeoV.  

[ryanchan]

Sorry I've been off for a while. Back!

Update:

Into the 2nd Month of abstinence

1) measurement of bend (decreased by 5 degrees)
2) daily morning erections (fullness varies)

Observation:

When erection is restricted (i.e.) pants causes it to bend, the mondors veins are more prominent.

[notscared]

I don't see how not masturbating could decrease a noticeable bend and decrease " acidity in the stomach" but i've studied pyschology and the placebo effect is a very strong/ good thing!

Congrats!

[ryanchan]

@notscared

The acidity was just an observation from having a week of junk food and carbs. I brought it up simply because I noticed that the mondors veins where really big that week and I assume its from the unhealthy eating. Most people on the forum seem to agree that eating healthy iis important.

In terms of the degree change, I used the technique outlined on this forum to do the measurement of the lines and the protractor.