First post here, I was just diagnosed with stage 1 (T2N0M0) in December, at least according to the MRI/CAT, right above the rectal verge, with another very "aggressive" polyp in the transverse that they couldn't connect with genetic testing. I say all of that since I don't have a signature (or know all the acronyms for this forum) just yet.
My question: I'm scheduled for robotic surgery at the Mayo clinic on the 6th of February. My biggest concern going in was the colostomy, but that pales in comparison to what I've read about sexual dysfunction over the last few days. I'm an active, single 35 year old man. Proper sexual function is probably the most important part of my life - so much that I've considered it might be more important than living longer without it. I denied neoadjuvent chemotherapy as all studies pointed towards surgery being the first treatment for my stage. Now I'm even more terrified at the potential outcome.
Have any men diagnosed under age fifty had this type of surgery? Did you encounter any problems with erections, ejaculation, quality, etc? Did they get better or worse over time? Was medication a resolution?
I'm losing a lot of sleep over this, and I've scoured the internet for any sort of input on the outcome... it ranges from 15-75%, and the data is vague, usually sampled from age groups that would experience ED without surgery.
Thank you!