Prostatectomy and Masturbation

[Thomas_Walker]

I had a radical prostatectomy in which certain nerves weren’t spared. Simply stated, I cannot father children again. I was given a medical device that uses a vacuum to create an erection; I am supposed to use periodically as an exercise to keep the blood vessels healthy. What I discovered in using this device that certain nerves are still intact…you get the point. Since surgery I’ve given in several times to the full stimulation of those nerves. The Catechism seems to leave the door open for a reduction in the gravity of this sin in certain circumstances; is this one of those circumstances?

 

[Saxum]

I’m sorry to hear about your health issues. You really need to talk to a priest for a proper answer. However if I was in your position, I wouldn’t masturbate. Sex is for union with your wife and procreation. It’s not about using yourself for pleasure - it’s about the gift of yourself to your wife.

 

[anikins]

Talk to your priest but most definitely tell him your doctor is recommending you do this for your health. Is your wife involved when you do this?

 

[Thomas_Walker]

No, my wife is not involved.

 

[Saxum]

No, my wife is not involved.

Why not involve your wife? Then your sexual act will not be sinful because it’ll be an expression of love between spouses.

Also, did your doctor instruct you to masturbate or to simply dilate the blood vessels in your penis by using the vacuum? If you were instructed to use the vacuum, then there’s no need to masturbate. I experience erections daily but I don’t masturbate.

 

[Elf01]

Why not involve your wife? Then your sexual act will not be sinful because it’ll be an expression of love between spouses.

That is not correct. Even with your spouse that type of act should lead to intercourse, I get the impression that the OP is not capable of intercourse.

Also, did your doctor instruct you to masturbate or to simply dilate the blood vessels in your penis by using the vacuum? If you were instructed to use the vacuum, then there’s no need to masturbate. I experience erections daily but I don’t masturbate.

My guess is that he began masturbating or using the machine with the primary purpose of pleasure, not sure which.

 

[Saxum]

That is not correct. Even with your spouse that type of act should lead to intercourse, I get the impression that the OP is not capable of intercourse.

I took for granted that people would interpret my words as meaning vaginal intercourse. Catholic teaching is that all sexual acts must be open to life. This gentleman can no longer father children due to his condition. Nevertheless, sexual intercourse with his wife would be unitive and therefore, not sinful.

 

[BlackFriar]

If you need to use the pump to keep the blood vessels healthy then you have to do that regardless of secondary “complications” you may at times find hard to resist.

Obviously you should be aiming to include your wife in this exercise.
You would need a very good reason not to.

Why is this not possible?

 

[Thomas_Walker]

My wife is also a cancer victim and on medication that reduces her libido
to zero. We’re older folks, 60+ anyway. It was an accidental thing, but
I’ve found it’s difficult to avoid when doing the therapy. I’m having some
angst as to the gravity of the sin, because I’ve also taken Communion since
this has occurred. Talking to a priest is good advice, albeit challenging
to follow through on.

 

[Spyridon]

I am strongly inclined to say yes, this is one of those circumstances.

Prior advice given to talk to your Priest is also strongly recommended.

My sympathies and prayers are with you.

Christe Eleison

 

[Rau]

I had a radical prostatectomy in which certain nerves weren’t spared. Simply stated, I cannot father children again.

As I understand that operation, it removes the prostrate and seminal vesicles eliminating the possibility of producing ejaculate, and it may eliminate or damage nerves responsible for erections.

I was given a medical device that uses a vacuum to create an erection; I am supposed to use periodically as an exercise to keep the blood vessels healthy.

After some reading, I’m not sure I understand the actual goal. Lack of erections will lead to shrinkage…but I couldn’t discover an actual medical issue such as blood vessels deteriorating etc. Your urologist can of course advise on the medical needs/risks etc. Apparently the vacuum device is also to be used as a means to get an erection (maintained by another item) suitable for intercourse.

Since surgery I’ve given in several times to the full stimulation of those nerves.

Presumably if masturbation to orgasm was possible the erection was maintained without the vacuum device in place, and thus temptation arose in light of your wife’s difficulty?