You can still have a pleasurable sex life after a radical prostatectomy.

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Most people can orgasm and experience pleasure after a radical prostatectomy. But your postsurgery orgasm may differ from your presurgery orgasm.

“While it’s still possible to have an orgasm after this procedure, there’s no ejaculate associated with the orgasm,” explains Mohit Khera, MD, a urologist specializing in sexual dysfunction and infertility. This is referred to as a “dry orgasm” or an “orgasmic anejaculation.”

Yes, orgasms and ejaculation are different. While they sometimes occur at the same time, they are two different processes and can occur separately.

There’s no one, universal definition of orgasm. But generally, an orgasm is regarded as the pinnacle of pleasure, says Caitlin V. Neal, MPH, clinical sexologist for Royal, a vegan-friendly condom and lubricant company.

“It’s a pleasurable release of sexual tension,” she adds.

There are different types of orgasms a person can experience, which are often named for the erogenous zone that needs to be stimulated for that orgasm to occur.

For people assigned male at birth (AMAB), some of these include:

Regardless of the type, orgasms are accompanied by a release of muscle tension or a series of muscle contractions, involuntary sounds, and increased heart and respiratory rates. Sometimes orgasms are also accompanied by the expulsion of bodily fluids, such as squirt, come, or ejaculate.

“Ejaculation” is the name for the sudden expulsion of semen — which, as a reminder, usually contains sperm — from the tip of the penis.

It’s rare but possible to ejaculate without having an orgasm. This is often known as an anorgasmic ejaculation.

Honestly, it’s complicated.

“A prostate isn’t required for an orgasm,” says Jordan Soper, PsyD, an AASECT-certified sex therapist with the sexual wellness brand Promescent. So, it is still possible to orgasm after a radical prostatectomy.

However, the types of orgasms you can have after radical prostatectomy and how those orgasms feel may differ.

“You won’t be able to experience a prostate orgasm after your prostate is removed,” says sex educator Searah Deysach, owner of Early to Bed, a pleasure-product company based in Chicago.

“But in most circumstances, you’ll still be able to enjoy penis-centered orgasms and other kinds of orgasms,” adds Deysach.

In people with erectile dysfunction following radical prostatectomy, an erection may be harder to obtain, says Soper.

If a person can maintain an erection after surgery, they can likely have a penile orgasm through the same means — like hand sex, masturbation, oral sex, or penetrative sex — that they did before surgery.

This orgasm, however, will not be accompanied by ejaculation.

“In the absence of ejaculate, an orgasm may feel less intense or noticeably different,” says Soper.

Even if a person can’t obtain or maintain an erection after surgery, they may still be able to achieve penile orgasms. It’s possible to have an orgasm without an erection, adds Soper.

For some people, an orgasm can be reached by touching their non-erect penis with the same types of touch and sensations as touching their erect penis. However, some people require different pressures, intensities, and overall sensations.

What can you do to improve or regain your ability to orgasm?

It’s important to remember that pleasure (not orgasm!) is the point of sex.

“Sex is whole body experience that’s shared between people to create pleasure, connection, and intimacy, not just a means to an orgasmic end,” explains Deysach.

“So, even if your orgasms aren’t the same, are harder to achieve, or are more elusive, it can be helpful to remember that sex is about so much more than just orgasms — which you can still have following a radical prostatectomy.”

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If you or your loved one have a radical prostatectomy, your sex life will be affected.

Despite common misconceptions, that doesn’t necessarily mean it will be negatively affected. Following surgery, you might find new types of pleasure you didn’t know existed before surgery.

But — and this is important — you need to talk about it.

“An ongoing conversation about the changes that could take place following surgery is absolutely necessary,” says Soper. “Make sure your partner knows what’s happening to your body, the recovery timeline, and generally expected side effects.”

This will allow you to work together to explore what your sex life could look like. If you’re having a difficult time imagining your sex life postsurgery, a couples sex therapist could also be helpful, she says.

“A sex therapist will help you identify where some of your fears are with the changes, validate you during these difficult times, and give you tips for improving your sex life postsurgery,” adds Soper.

Here are some ways to introduce this conversation:

  • “Sex is a major way that you and I connect. I’m really worried about how that could change after my surgery. Can we make time to talk about other ways we can connect physically and intimately after I recover from surgery?”
  • “I’m having a really hard time talking about how this procedure might impact my sexual well-being and our sex lives as a couple. Would you be open to going to a couples sex therapist with me? I think it would be really helpful to get an expert’s input here.”
  • “I love being physical with you, and I’m head-over-heels attracted to you. But I’m nervous about how the surgery will impact my ability to perform. Would you be open to coming to my next doctor’s appointment so we can both get all the information?”

Can you still get erections after a radical prostatectomy?

Most people will have difficulty getting an erection for at least the first few months following a radical prostatectomy.

Some people will regain erectile and sexual function within 3 months to 3 years of surgery. However, not all people will regain that ability.

For people who do not regain erectile function, there are several erectile treatment options available. These include:

Can you still ejaculate after a radical prostatectomy?

No. “People aren’t able to ejaculate after a radical prostatectomy,” says Khera.

How soon after radical prostatectomy can you masturbate or have penetrative sex?

“Ask your medical professional when you can resume sexual activity after a radical prostatectomy,” says Deysach. “And if you’re into anal play, be sure to clarify with your doctor that it’s part of what you mean when you say ‘sex.’”

Generally, experts recommend waiting about 1 month.

In the meantime, remember that there are many ways to be intimate with your partner, like kissing, snuggling, and spooning naked in bed, says Deysach.

Is erectile dysfunction common after radical prostatectomy?

Yes, it’s very common. Data suggests up to 85% of people who have a radical prostatectomy may experience erectile dysfunction following the procedure.

If this statistic concerns you, talk with your healthcare professional.

But remember, healthcare professionals typically recommend radical prostatectomy because they think it’s the treatment option that’s most likely to cure your prostate cancer.

Is it possible to impregnate a sexual partner after a radical prostatectomy?

A radical prostatectomy stops a person from being able to produce seminal fluid, which carries the sperm out of the body.

So, you will likely not be able to get someone pregnant. However, a radical prostatectomy is not a vasectomy or other type of birth control.

Be sure to ask your healthcare professional about this outright. It’s important you have all the information you need about potential contraceptive needs moving forward.

Can you develop other prostate conditions after a radical prostatectomy?

No. If your prostate was completely removed, it’s impossible to develop other prostate conditions.

You won’t be able to have a prostate orgasm following radical prostatectomy. But you’ll still be able to experience other types of orgasms.

The exact sensations of those orgasms may be different because your ejaculatory and erectile function may be impacted. However, they can still feel quite pleasurable.

Talk with a healthcare professional if you have other questions about how a radical prostatectomy may affect your orgasms, erections, ejaculate, and sex life overall. They will be able to outline potential solutions for any erectile or sexual conditions that may arise following prostate removal.


Gabrielle Kassel (she/her) is a queer sex educator and wellness journalist who is committed to helping people feel the best they can in their bodies. In addition to Healthline, her work has appeared in publications such as Shape, Cosmopolitan, Well+Good, Health, Self, Women’s Health, Greatist, and more! In her free time, Gabrielle can be found coaching CrossFit, reviewing pleasure products, hiking with her border collie, or recording episodes of the podcast she co-hosts called Bad In Bed. Follow her on Instagram @Gabriellekassel.