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The Penis Pandemic

Penises (or should that be penii?) rule the world it seems. Well not the organ itself, but rather the flood of hormones and emotions behind it. I can still (just) remember my youth, of wet dreams and the urge a couple of times a day. But 30 years later, when I had to resort to paying for some relief, although I aimed for monthly, that all consuming urge hit around the 2-3 week mark.

In this age of corona virus, we hear of blue-balls and quarantine cock. Time and again we find horny 20 somethings, believing that their 'right' to male-female social interaction over-rides any public health concerns. Hotels are being fined for not enforcing social distancing, of opening dance floors. South Korea had a similar issue with a chain of night clubs that triggered their 2nd wave of infection.

We were very lucking in Australia with the 1st wave of the Covid19 pandemic. We closed international flights from China in late Jan. to early Feb. even before WHO declared it a pandemic. With no land borders, all international arrivals came through controlled air and sea ports. As travel from all other countries was restricted or closed, within weeks all international arrivals were put into hotel quarantine for 14 days. So Covid was effectively kept out of the country.

The 1st big mistake was the Ruby Princess cruise ship, which had sailed from Sydney, around New Zealand ports and back to Sydney. With falsified medical reports on board, and a rushed turn-around of the ship by the operators, all passengers were let off without testing or quarantine. Several hundred cases and a couple of dozen deaths ensued, probably from one infected waiter.

The state of New South Wales was worst affected and three other states put in hard border restrictions. Over about 4 months, the Australia wide infection rate was very low, with deaths under 30 (in a population of 25 million). And so lockdown restrictions started to be eased.

But then back in June, the state of Victoria started to see a number of outbreak clusters. Without going into lots of detail, it has been discovered that some dysfunctional security firms, were hired to provide guards to staff the quarantine hotels in the state, filled with returned overseas travelers. What has since transpired, is that via a series of sub-contractors, they hired very inexperienced 'guards', even some university students. There was no interviewing, selection or any training or provision of Personal Protective Equipment. They were simply told to bring there own mask. These guys thought it was a piece of cake. One even took advantage of an offer-too-good-to-refuse from a returning sex worker in quarantine.

 Mask up, Percy!

Needless to say, she had brought the virus home from her holiday and passed it on. He went home and passed it on to a range of family members, who in turn spread it to schools and other work sites. So before we knew it, half of the city of Melbourne, of 6 million, had covid clusters popping up everywhere. Next thing we find some aged-care workers had contracted it and it spread like wild-fire through a couple of dozen aged-care homes with dozens of deaths.

Here we are, 8 weeks later with around 700 new cases per day and 4-7 deaths per day. DNA analysis of all these covid cases have identified them as all having derived from that stupid prick of a guard that couldn't keep Percy in his pants. This 2nd wave is now all about community transmission, not international travelers returning, like the 1st wave. As a result, we have just been put into stage 4 lock-down restrictions under a "state of disaster".

Now the northern state of Queensland has been jealousy guarding its almost virus-free status, with stringent checks on all border crossings. But just last week, a couple of young women were picked up for falsifying their declaration at Sydney airport before flying home to Queensland. They failed to declare that they had in fact been in Melbourne, Victoria. Further, their tests showed them as covid positive. They had been out in society about a week since their return. An aged-care nurse that had dined in the same cafe as these ladies on the same day, now tested positive and had worked in the aged-care home one day. When confronted, the ladies admitted to having gone to a party in Melbourne. Mild panic set in.

But back here in Melbourne, a couple of guys on an 'underground' sex-worker clients network, identified these ladies' photographs on an escorts web-site. What's more, among their services they advertised group activities. So the suspicion now is that they were in fact in Melbourne at a Swinger's Party. How many horny men were there? Who infected who? Such a party contravened a number of state covid restriction rules!

So come on guys, I know it's hard, but for the sake of your own health, your loved ones and the general public, you can't afford to let Percy's little head over-rule your big logical head.

 

PS. It has been confirmed that the Queensland girls threw a party at their AirBnB in Melbourne, hosting over 30 men. Police were called after complaints of noise, and fines were issued for breach of Covid gathering size. The girls are also under investigation about involvement with a crime syndicate involved in the theft and transport of luxury items, such as hand-bags, between states. It is believed that it was at the syndicate's direction that documents were falsified in Sydney and their mobile phones destroyed to eliminate incriminating evidence.

D.E. - Dysfunctional Erections (#AtoZChallenge)

Erectile Dysfunction (ED) is one of those conditions that will effect all men as they age, but sexual performance is so deeply ingrained in the male psyche, that ED is often hidden, denied or just not spoken about.

LADIES: Please don't shut off here thinking this is a male topic. This affects couples, and men suffering this need the support, love and encouragement of their partners to work through it. You will probably have to learn together to modify your intimate relationships to allow for these changes.

I see I have covered this subject 10 times over the last 10 years, so I'll try not to cover too much old ground. Follow links for further reading.

I was in my late 50's when it first hit me, losing my erection mid-coitus. A quick visit to my doctor, and a Viagra prescription got me up and going again, but there are side effects. Over time, I started to realise there are multiple facets to this condition. First there is the lack of or loss of erection itself, then there is the decreased sensation/feeling, this in turn leads to inability to orgasm or ejaculate. 

But in this last year, post prostate cancer radiotherapy treatment, I hit rock bottom. Everything was gone, and I wrote "Paradise Lost, Vale Sir Lust".

In researching my ED, I discovered that erection comes in two stages, the initial achievement of erection and secondly maintaining an erection. These stages are driven by different bio-chemical processes, which is why in early cases, erection can be attained but not maintained. Further I found that orgasm and ejaculation are not necessarily correlated. Did you know there is a medical journal, the "International Journal of Impotence Research", dedicated to understanding the underlying processes, the pathologies that leads to dysfunction and the search for medications and methods to counteract such dysfunction?

As I started to read learned research articles (not easy since my doctorate is in computer science and data analysis, not biochemical processes, but my university organic chemistry studies 50 years ago have helped), I started to get a new perspective of the problem and some promising hints into how I might regain some function.

Let me try and describe the erection process in lay terms, stripped of too much biochemical detail. Medical thinking about the causes/processes of ED flipped back and forth over 20 years or more. The thinking was that there were psychological and physiological causes separately. In younger men, psychological causes were considered principle and treatment was around relationships. In older men, physiological causes were prominent, namely ageing of blood vessels causing thickening and decreased flexibility of blood vessels. 

From around 2005, understanding of the biochemical processes improved and the inter-relationship of psychological and physiological aspects were better understood. Working backward, the actual erection is caused by inflow of blood into the two 'corpus cavernosum'. This process is triggered by Nitric Oxide (NO), a signalling chemical sent from the nerve endings enwrapping the cavernosum. (NO is synthesized from L-arginine by NO synthase (NOS)). The NO causes the blood vessel walls to relax encouraging blood inflow.  PDe5 inhibitor drugs like Sildenafil (Viagra) work by increasing bio-availability of NO. It is the signalling from the brain, initiated by a range of all sorts of erotic stimuli, touch, sight, smell, sound, that trigger this process. Conversely, inhibitory brain processes like depression, can disable this triggering process.

The cavernosum run down either side of the penis. The corpus spongiosum runs down the under-side of the penis and is responsible for holding the urethra open and restricting the outflow veins so blood is retained, holding the erection. A different Nitric Oxide process (eNO) is involved in retaining an erection. This is also a signalling chemical from nerve endings, but these are triggered by physiological conditions of the erection, specifically 'hematologial shear', which is a function of the actual blood flow affected by the flexibility and smoothness of the blood vessel walls and the viscosity of the blood. So a good psychologically aroused state can initiate a good erection, but aging or damaged blood vessels can limit retention.

Nerves are involved in both stages and sensory nerves provide feeling/touch sensations back to the brain, so nerve damage (surgical or radiotherapy) or peripheral neuropathy (eg. from diabetes), can also affect various aspects of ED.

Finally, there is the issue of treatment. It is best to take a holistic view, psychologically as well as physiologically. Physiological conditions can be permanent or temporary (eg.alcohol) and the best you can hope for is to moderate underlying conditions eg. diabetes, arteriosclerosis, hypertension etc. As has been mentioned, PDe5 inhibitors have proved generally beneficial in the absence of any other underlying pathology. To improve 'hematologial shear', keep well hydrated. Low testosterone has been linked to lower libido (psychological), but there is no evidence that testosterone supplements improve ED. Similarly, L-arginine supplements are promoted in men's 'health supplements', but a placebo-controlled, crossover comparison found no difference in ED improvement between oral L-arginine and placebo.

In the specific case of ED due to radiotherapy, some general healing of damaged tissue, both cavernosum and nerves, has been achieved with daily low doses of PDe5 inhibitors. Extra high doses of PDe5 inhibitors can also improve erection response and retention, if side effects can be tolerated. EG. Viagra is normally only recommended up to 100mg, but controlled experiments with 150mg and 200mg doses have had some success. The author seems to be having success with 150mg and plans to go for another 'test drive' once his Lady Of Pleasure is out of COVID19 self isolation. The other factor in ED 'recovery' noted in some studies, is frequency of use, even if it is DIY ('Use It Or Lose It' will be addressed in a coming post). 

 
Click to see who else is taking the challenge. 

The 39 Days

Celebrating the Road Often Traveled
But Seldom Spoken Of
(a 2017 post refreshed in 2021)

The road? Prostate Cancer treatment! The celebration? Eight roots in eight weeks and cancer clear!!! An Erotic Journal? With all the ups and downs of this bumpy road, perhaps it is an E-rocky Journal!

Doctor's Orders

I don't think anything can be more unsettling to a man's lusty sex-life, than the diagnosis of prostate cancer.

I guess it was on the cards - 60% of 70 year olds will have it. And I've always been health conscious and have had annual medical checkups for the last 20 years. So a slowly rising PSA level gave advance warning of possible issues. Early this year, my PSA passed a 2nd critical level, so it was off to the urologist for an MRI, a 10 needle biopsy and CT scan.  Fortunately, we caught it early, it is entirely contained and only about 1cm in diameter.  At my age and current good health, it was recommended that it should be treated (if left untreated, life expectancy could be 10-15 years - I'm aiming for another 25 years at least). I was offered either robotic surgery or radiotherapy. I opted for the later.

Radiotherapy lasts about 8 weeks for 5 days/week. The preliminary CT scan, size and location analysis, determined that I needed 78 RADs, at 2 RAD per treatment, meaning 39 days of treatment were needed.

Week 1, Day 1

After the 1st treatment, I go in to talk with the radiation oncologist doctor. I ask him the most important question of all, 

"Is Viagra and sex OK during radiotherapy?". 

"No problems" he replies. "You can continue your normal sex life".

Well, that's a relief. That was my main concern about radical prostatectomy surgery. Although modern robotic techniques are very good, there was still the possibility of nerve damage, with incontinence and/or impotence side-effects - NO THANKS.

Continue a 'normal' sex life? What is normal? My sex life has definitely not been regular nor 'normal'. 

8 Roots in 8 Weeks

A plan is formulating in my mind. I will set out to have a 'normal' sex life for the duration of my treatment. Doctor's 'orders' after all.

This is my planned 'treatment' of 'prostate exercises'. This will keep the plumbing clear, keep the good prostate tissue working in tip-top shape and boost my endorphine levels for a positive outlook.

Now the radiotherapy centre is a half hour drive from home, allowing for 30-90mins in the centre, it is easy to slip in an extra hour to visit one of my regular ladies-of pleasure.

To summarize, on explaining my condition and planned 'treatment', all my ladies were even more accommodating than ever, and eager to assist with my 'treatment'.  Thankyou ladies.

• Day 5 - Ruby.
• Day 9 - Crystal
• Day 13 - Amber
• Day 18 - Jess (Ruby was on holidays)
• Day 23 - Amber
• Day 28 - Ruby
• Day 26 - Amber
• Day 39 - Ruby - Celebration🙌😈💦💋👅👼👿

Its just a pity that my health insurance doesn't cover these extra 'treatments'.

The Wait

So now I have a 3 month wait before a PSA test and visit to the urologist, to confirm that the cancer has all gone.

And I guess my sex-life will return to its less-than-normal, irregular pre-treatment state. At least my ladies-of-pleasure remain in my life.

PS - Radiotherapy Side Effects

Fortunately, the side-effects of radiotherapy are usually minimal. Mind you, the bowel irritation gives me the shits, and bladder irritation really pisses me off. But that's it, no pain, no fatigue.

PPS - Radiotherapy Humour

One day, I was lying on the radiotherapy table with my pubes and mid-riff exposed.  The female operator was getting me aligned - I have had target marks tattooed on my mid-riff and thighs and a pair of laser beams show the correct alignment. Her cold hands on my thighs push and roll me a little to get alignment right. At which point she says "Beautiful!". I tell her that "Only special ladies are allowed to say that!". I get a little laugh.

A couple of days later, I have the same operator, and she says the same things. This time, I say "Well, thank you!". She says "Your welcome" and we both laugh.

PPPS - Six Months - Declining Side Effects

Doctor's report is that I am cancer clear and my PSA levels are back to a very low normal. One of the minor side-effects was reduction in the volume of ejaculate, and as a consequence reduced ability or time to cum. But here at the 6 month mark, I can see an improvement in volume due to prostate function returning to normal (for my age).

PPPPS - Three Years - Up For It, Just

Well my 6 month review was a bit optimistic. In fact at 2 years I wrote "Paradise Lost - Vale Sir Lust".

But I wasn't going to give up. After much research, I resorted to a 3 month course of daily low doses of Viagra, with very regular DIY sexercises, to the point where I was achieving usable erections, so a test drive was scheduled, with moderate success.

Then COVID hit so it was back to DIY for 12 months. But here we are in 2021, open for business, and time to dip my toes in the water (perhaps that should be dipping my willy in some pussies). Getting up is OK, but my issue is staying up, so I need to use cock rings - a vibrating rabbit ears novelty ring has added some fun, much to my buddy's delight.

And so dear Erotic Journal, my journey has been bumpy with lots of ups and downs. The key is to enjoy the 'ups'!

Click to see who else has been erotically challenged!

Celebration

I mentioned in "I Lust, Therefore I Am" that I had got the all clear from my prostate biopsy. Well that was quite a roller-coaster ride there for a while, worth celebrating at the end.

I like to keep an eye on my health, so almost 15 years ago, I started getting annual PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) screening blood tests done. My PSA levels have slowly been creeping up that whole time until early this year they passed the standard upper limit for normal range. My DRE (Digital Rectal Examination) indicated enlargement but no lumps. Urinary continence symptoms also indicated that it was time to get checked for Prostate Cancer with a biopsy. Even though elevated PSA levels indicate cancer in only about 30% of cases, the "C" word still gives the shivers. And prostatectomy is notorious for ill side effects - about 60% have continence issues and over 30% have erectile and nerve issues. OMG, the very thought of never having an erection again or sexual feeling in my organ is - well, disturbing, depressing, disastrous. Thank goodness my tongue is still in good working order.

Anyway, on to the biopsy. The worst part was the waiting. Afterwards there was no pain, just slight discomfort no different than butt-plug play. The pre-op notes mentioned that there could be some blood in the urine and ejaculate afterwards. OMG.  I'm sure my daughter would say "You're a wimp dad. Women bleed every month". Oh well, at least that flushed out within 2 days. But how does one "flush out" bloody ejaculate from the prostate? Well it had to be DIY, but at my age, once a week is about my limit, so it took over 3 weeks to clear.  So much for seeing my favourite Lady Of Pleasure for a celebration the afternoon after, should I get the all clear from the doctor at the follow-up meeting 1 week after the biopsy.

But the time did arrive.  I was clear, an opportunity for an evening out to myself arose, I was loaded with Viagra and ready to party. (Thank goodness that Viagra is now off patent restriction and the price has dropped from $18 to $4 per 100mg pill. Whoopy!!). It had been 2 months since I last saw my favourite Lady Of Pleasure, "Special K", and I was looking forward to a great celebration (God, how did I ever get by on 2 years "between drinks"?). I have written before about "Munching on Special K" and "DFF - Deep French Fucking" so I don't need to repeat myself, except to say that she was as pleased to see me as I was to see her and a most satisfying playtime celebration was had.

I had mentally made a "Plan B" of visiting a second LOP should my first attempt at post-biopsy celebration not go as well as hoped. But I needn't have worried. "K" was as accommodating, passionate, enthusiastic, horny and orgasmic as ever - I wonder what she was celebrating?

So I celebrate "Many happy returns"...

I Lust, Therefore I Am

This topic came up in relation to a forum discussion on prostate surgery.  Men are not the best at seeing their doctor for regular health checks, but the very thought of prostate surgery and possible (probable?) decline or loss of sexual function, sends shivers through any red-blooded male.  Not being able to get a 'rise' at the sight of a beautiful sexy woman, to not be able to get an erection ever again, or have no sexual feelings in your penis, to some, is like having the very core of your being cut out.

Mind you I read of ladies having similar feelings of loss of sexual identity after mastectomy.  For women, this is a double whammy of both body image as well as self identity.

I heard of a case of a young man in his late 20's, who developed testicular cancer. Despite treatment, it really messed with his mind and self worth.  He couldn't bring himself to touch his wife and the marriage eventually broke up.  Needless to say it had a profound effect on his wife too, who had a strong sex drive. Her whole persona of wife, lover, mother, in a happy, caring relationship, was down the toilet.  With two young children to raise, no career, no support and unmet 'needs', she talked to a girlfriend, who suggested she try 'sex work' (thank goodness in Australia this option is available, legal and safe).  It was here that I met her.  Apart from some rollicking good times, we also had some very deep conversations.  The work and her clients had opened her eyes to a whole new world, of the possibility of sexual enjoyment without having to commit to the unknown of a long-term relationship.  Having saved up a little nest egg, she has left the industry now, gone back to college to study for a new career, and maybe dip her toe into the dating scene again - but she has thrown off the shackles of thinking that a girl 'needs' a man in her life to feel complete.  I wish her all the best.

Lust in the sense of sexual feelings (as distinct from unrequited desire for someone) is at the core of our humanness. Menopause and age can be like thieves in the night that creep up on you and steal your natural lust away.  These are things we will all have to deal with at some point, both in ourselves and in our partners. But to have 'it' taken in traumatic circumstances can be mentally debilitating. It is so important to not put all your 'identity eggs' in the 'lust basket', but to have other charitable and creative outlets for self-worth.

PS. I have personally just had a prostate biopsy, and thank goodness, the results are all clear. So my declining post rate, in line with declining 'lust' and performance, is just old fashioned aging.  Thank goodness my tongue is still as strong and lusty as ever. There is nothing like a little dose of Cunning Linctus to perk one up.

Au Naturale? Oui? Non?

Let me say right up front, that this post is not meant to be "preachy".  Whilst I normally practice "safe sex", there have been the occasional times with one or two of my very special regular ladies, when we have got a bit "carried away" in the passion of the moment, and I have no regrets about that.

But I do want to high-light the realities of STDs, but in a balanced "risk" based assessment.

An Historical Perspective

First up, STD are not a new thing (though the deadly HIV virus is relatively new). During the two world-wars, military hospitals treated more VD (as it was known then) cases than battle injuries.  In OZ immediately after WW-I there was an epidemic of syphilis.  Returned servicemen picked up the "clap" in the brothels of Egypt, Palestine and France, returned home and infected their wives and subsequently their new-born children.  It is estimated that around 1920, 10% of Australian babies were born with syphilitic conditions.  This STD epidemic did not get publicity because, (a) such things were not discussed, and (b) it was over-shadowed by the influenza pandemic.

WW-II brought penicillin and other antibiotics and VD became a "mild", treatable annoyance.

Now I won't pursue the historical line, but rather I want to focus on the epidemiology of the situation.  We are talking about contagious diseases spread through inter-personal (sexual) contact.

WHO - The Risk Network

Epidemiologists talk about the "Risk Network" of who has had contact with who. In this case, who have your partners had sex with and who have your partner's partners had sex with, etc.  It is the "six degrees of separation" scenario.  The following diagram from the California Department of Health Services maps the sexual inter-relationship network at a college in Colorado Springs where an outbreak of gonorrhea occurred in the 1980s'.

The majority of students only had 1 or 2 partners, but you can clearly see that there are about 5 individuals who were highly sexually active and most students were only 2 or 3 couplings away from these focii of infection.

HOW - Mechanisms of Contagion

The next aspect of epidemiology is the mechanism of infection.  With STDs, we are talking about blood-born viruses so infection is essentially through blood-blood contact.  Thus shared syringes and open wounds are the highest risks.  But the lining of the vagina, penis and urethra have millions of blood capillaries very close to the surface of the skin and trans-cutaneous (through the skin) infection is highly likely.  The viral load in saliva is effectively non-existent - the chief risk of oral infection is via cold-sores, ulcers, etc.

RISK MITIGATION

Barriers to the "How"

The condom is still the most effective method of avoiding contagion.  With the range of thicknesses and sizes (girth), with some experimentation, you should be able to minimise any discomfort and loss of sensitivity.  But correct use is still essential (fitting it on and withdrawal immediately on completion to avoid slipping off).

The question of barriers for oral (condoms for fellatio and dams for cunnilingus) is open to debate.  The medics at my STD clinic tell me the risks from uncovered oral are minimal when there are no skin lesions on either partner.

Minimise Contagion "Entry Points"

In mentioning lesions, remember that contagious transfer can still occur in the uncovered pubic areas if there are warts, pimples, cuts, etc.  Similarly with lip and mouth ulcers, cold sours etc.  At home, we avoid kissing if either of us have a cold.  Show the same respect to your sexual partners.  In sport we now have the "blood rule".  Apply the same rule to your sexual activity - if you (or your partner) have any open sores, then avoid intimate contact.

This is probably a good place to recommend you discover, explore and enjoy the full gamut of intimate interactions.  A guy is much more likely to "get into trouble" if he is only focused on the one outcome, of "getting his rocks off" as quickly as possible.  Also, having sex when drunk is also dangerous.  A little liquor might help relax you, but with too much you quickly loose inhibition required for rational choice and risk minimization.

Choice of Partner - the "Who"

This very much falls into the risk minimization category rather than prevention.  Historically, prostitutes have been the principal source of infection.  But in recent decades, especially in countries like Australia with regulated prostitution, this situation has completely reversed.  Recent surveys (in OZ) have shown that regulated prostitutes have the lowest incident of STD of any sexually active demographic.  In STD clinics, infected men are 5 times more likely to have caught it from a casual encounter (pickup at the pub/club?) than from a prostitute.  Since regulation, there have been zero cases in HIV identified among regulated/tested prostitutes.  As one wag put it, professional electricians rarely get electrocuted - it is the weekend amateur that is in greatest risk.  As I have written elsewhere, under Australian regulations, prostitutes are required to always practice "safe sex" (I would guess that we have better than 95% compliance) and must have monthly STD health checks (as good as 100% compliance with brothels records checked at random).  Most perform a visual check of potential clients and any suspect conditions will have you turned away.

In whatever sort of "relationship", the key is communication and trust.  And that is two way.  Its not just "Can I trust her?", but "Can she trust me?".  I mentioned health checks above - you do have checkups yourself I hope. Take your share of the responsibility.

Early Detection and Treatment

Generally, men are not good at caring about their own health. Surely your sexual health is as important or more-so than your general health. Get to know your own body - yes self examination applies to men too. In OZ we have free, anonymous sexual health clinics - use them. If we expect our Ladies of Pleasure to have monthly check-ups, we should show them the courtesy of having ourselves checked as well, say 6 or 12 monthly.

Like most diseases, the earlier anything is detected, the sooner treatment can start and the quicker you will recover.

The Bottom Line - Risk, the Numbers "Game"

Now I'm no professional in this area and I can't put numeric probabilities on various aspects of risk and mitigation. All of life is risky. Just keep things in proportion in your mind. There is no point in being paranoid about contracting HIV from a drop of semen on the skin when the risk of being run-over by a car when crossing the road outside is a ten thousand times higher.

Outside of a monogamous or closed polygamous relationship, I don't advocate 'au naturale' as your normal 'modus operandi'. But having followed all the above risk mitigations, I am comfortable in taking the risk of an occasional "in flagrante delicto".

Be Informed

A short post like this can't possibly cover all aspects of this topic. So read up further. If in any doubt, talk to a medical practitioner (use one of the free anonymous services). And feel free to add your informative comments, though I do have the power of moderation.