Orgasm Effect on Post-surgical PSA?

13 years ago I had a radical prostatectomy. Every year since then, my
PSA has been undetectable. However, this year, it rose to 0.2. My
surgeon wants me to consult a radiological oncologist and have
radiation. I just read, however, that ejaculation can cause a
temporary rise in PSA. Of course, since I no longer have a prostate,
I don't ejaculate but I do have orgasm. Recently my sex life has been
active and I am wondering if I my more-frequent orgasms may be
affecting my PSA. Should I abstain from sex for several days and then
get another PSA. Or, since I don't have a prostate any more, is that
simply not valid.

On May 16, "zorba" wrote:

(snip)

> Recently my sex life has been
> active and I am wondering if I my more-frequent orgasms may be
> affecting my PSA. Should I abstain from sex for several days and then
> get another PSA. Or, since I don't have a prostate any more, is that
> simply not valid.

Strum and others recommend abstaining from orgasm for at least 48 hours
before a PSA blood draw. I dunno about a question of before/after RP.

But why take the chance?

Regards,

Steve J

zorba wrote:
> 13 years ago I had a radical prostatectomy. Every year since then, my
> PSA has been undetectable. However, this year, it rose to 0.2. My
> surgeon wants me to consult a radiological oncologist and have
> radiation. I just read, however, that ejaculation can cause a
> temporary rise in PSA. Of course, since I no longer have a prostate,
> I don't ejaculate but I do have orgasm. Recently my sex life has been
> active and I am wondering if I my more-frequent orgasms may be
> affecting my PSA. Should I abstain from sex for several days and then
> get another PSA. Or, since I don't have a prostate any more, is that
> simply not valid.

If orgasms are raising your PSA, lucky you. It would imply that any new
cancer producing that PSA is localized right where your rad onc wants it.

I.P.

zorba wrote:
> 13 years ago I had a radical prostatectomy. Every year since then, my
> PSA has been undetectable. However, this year, it rose to 0.2. My
> surgeon wants me to consult a radiological oncologist and have
> radiation. I just read, however, that ejaculation can cause a
> temporary rise in PSA. Of course, since I no longer have a prostate,
> I don't ejaculate but I do have orgasm. Recently my sex life has been
> active and I am wondering if I my more-frequent orgasms may be
> affecting my PSA. Should I abstain from sex for several days and then
> get another PSA. Or, since I don't have a prostate any more, is that
> simply not valid.

I am not a physician or biologist, so take what I say with more than a
grain of salt.


The usual advice about abstaining applies to men with prostates.

PSA is produced mainly by prostate tissue, but to a very small extent by
other glands, some of which are in the vicinity of the prostate.
Usually that extra production is too small to measure. If I understand
correctly, the production of PSA is controlled by testosterone. If
testosterone production goes up after an orgasm, it would stimulate the
production of PSA from whatever is producing it, wherever it is in your
body. I don't think it could double it though.

If you don't have any prostate tissue anywhere in your body, the amount
produced should be undetectable, however much it is stimulated. So, if
this explanation is correct, you would have to have some significant
amount of such tissue somewhere in your body. It could have been
growing very slowly, but just recently got above the level of detection
used by the lab. It could have been just under 0.1, which is the usual
rule for the standard test on your last test and has more than doubled
since then. Or, it could be that it has been sitting there for years
just under the detectable level and the extra testosterone doubled its
level, but offhand I would say that such doubling is unlikely.

Thus, if my analysis is correct, your doctor is right. You apparently
have some PSA producing tissue, presumably prostate tissue, somewhere in
your body, and it has grown in the past year. The orgasm might have
increased it somewhat, but probably not by enough to matter. But if you
are unsure, just have a repeat test before beginning radiation therapy.
If it is then undetectable, and stays that way, it may just be one of
those medical mysteries that are never resolved.

Fortunately, if I understand correctly, if you have gone so long
without recurrence, there is a good chance that the tissue is local and
can be eliminated by radiation. Even if it doesn't work, there is a
good chance that any cancer is going to grow very slowly and not
materially affect your life.

On May 17, 8:29 am, Leonard Evens <l...@math.northwestern.edu> wrote:
> zorba wrote:
> > 13 years ago I had a radical prostatectomy. Every year since then, my
> > PSA has been undetectable. However, this year, it rose to 0.2. My
> > surgeon wants me to consult a radiological oncologist and have
> > radiation. I just read, however, that ejaculation can cause a
> > temporary rise in PSA. Of course, since I no longer have a prostate,
> > I don't ejaculate but I do have orgasm. Recently my sex life has been
> > active and I am wondering if I my more-frequent orgasms may be
> > affecting my PSA. Should I abstain from sex for several days and then
> > get another PSA. Or, since I don't have a prostate any more, is that
> > simply not valid.
>
> I am not a physician or biologist, so take what I say with more than a
> grain of salt.
>
> The usual advice about abstaining applies to men with prostates.
>
> PSA is produced mainly by prostate tissue, but to a very small extent by
> other glands, some of which are in the vicinity of the prostate.
> Usually that extra production is too small to measure. If I understand
> correctly, the production of PSA is controlled by testosterone. If
> testosterone production goes up after an orgasm, it would stimulate the
> production of PSA from whatever is producing it, wherever it is in your
> body. I don't think it could double it though.
>
> If you don't have any prostate tissue anywhere in your body, the amount
> produced should be undetectable, however much it is stimulated. So, if
> this explanation is correct, you would have to have some significant
> amount of such tissue somewhere in your body. It could have been
> growing very slowly, but just recently got above the level of detection
> used by the lab. It could have been just under 0.1, which is the usual
> rule for the standard test on your last test and has more than doubled
> since then. Or, it could be that it has been sitting there for years
> just under the detectable level and the extra testosterone doubled its
> level, but offhand I would say that such doubling is unlikely.
>
> Thus, if my analysis is correct, your doctor is right. You apparently
> have some PSA producing tissue, presumably prostate tissue, somewhere in
> your body, and it has grown in the past year. The orgasm might have
> increased it somewhat, but probably not by enough to matter. But if you
> are unsure, just have a repeat test before beginning radiation therapy.
> If it is then undetectable, and stays that way, it may just be one of
> those medical mysteries that are never resolved.
>
> Fortunately, if I understand correctly, if you have gone so long
> without recurrence, there is a good chance that the tissue is local and
> can be eliminated by radiation. Even if it doesn't work, there is a
> good chance that any cancer is going to grow very slowly and not
> materially affect your life.

Zorba:
In reviewing your prostate surgery pathology report, was there any
evidence that some prostate tissue may have remained after the
surgery? This is so in more cases than we would like to think. If so,
such tissue, perhaps benign, might produce your psa.

On Fri, 16 May 2008 21:08:13 -0700, Steve Jordan <mycroftscj1@cox.net>
wrote:

>On May 16, "zorba" wrote:
>
>(snip)
>
>> Recently my sex life has been
>> active and I am wondering if I my more-frequent orgasms may be
>> affecting my PSA. Should I abstain from sex for several days and then
>> get another PSA. Or, since I don't have a prostate any more, is that
>> simply not valid.
>
>Strum and others recommend abstaining from orgasm for at least 48 hours
>before a PSA blood draw. I dunno about a question of before/after RP.
>
>But why take the chance?
>
>Regards,
>
>Steve J

Also, mistakes happen. I suggest you repeat your PSA test - refraining
from having sex for a few days before, just in case it has an impact
(I suspect not, in the absence of a prostate).

Just

"zorba" <jimoran@aol.com> wrote in message
news:9b1bfc5d-d846-49dd-ba37-34d65858263c@a70g2000hsh.googlegroups.com...
> 13 years ago I had a radical prostatectomy. Every year since then, my
> PSA has been undetectable. However, this year, it rose to 0.2. My
> surgeon wants me to consult a radiological oncologist and have
> radiation. I just read, however, that ejaculation can cause a
> temporary rise in PSA. Of course, since I no longer have a prostate,
> I don't ejaculate but I do have orgasm. Recently my sex life has been
> active and I am wondering if I my more-frequent orgasms may be
> affecting my PSA. Should I abstain from sex for several days and then
> get another PSA. Or, since I don't have a prostate any more, is that
> simply not valid.

No, I don't think so, unfortunately. I believe your cancer cells are just
now growing to be recognized. However, I wouldn't do a thing until after a
second test three months from now.