Rebuilding Intimacy after Prostate Cancer: A Somatic Therapist's Journey
After my prostate cancer diagnosis, my focus was consumed by medical appointments, procedures, and eventually, surgery. I was fortunate to receive a clear outcome following my radical prostatectomy, and I had some understanding of the rehabilitation process thanks to my background as a therapist.
Knowing the cancer had not metastasised was a relief. The surgery also spared the nerves around my prostate. Still, I found myself facing a quieter, more complex phase of recovery—incontinence and sexual rehabilitation.
As a Somatic Sex Therapist, I’ve spent years helping men reconnect with their bodies, cultivate pleasure, and build confidence in their sexuality. Yet nothing quite prepared me for the vulnerability of being on the other side—walking the path myself.
I experienced first-hand the frustrations many of my clients face: changes in sensation, difficulty achieving erections, emotional disconnection from my body, and the fear that pleasure might not return. These challenges weren’t just physical—they touched the very heart of intimacy, identity, and connection.
I leaned into the practices I teach: breathwork, pelvic floor awareness, embodied self-touch, and gentle movement. Gradually, I began to rebuild the neural and emotional pathways that allow for arousal, pleasure, and connection. I also explored a range of tools and devices that might support my recovery—including vacuum erection technology.
Most of the pumps I tried were clunky, noisy, and left me feeling more like a patient than a person. Many seemed designed with performance or enlargement in mind—more suitable for porn actors than men in recovery. They lacked comfort, accessibility, and emotional integration.
Then I discovered the Vacurect. Unlike the others, it was compact, simple, and didn’t require batteries or complex assembly. It integrated easily into my daily routine and felt less clinical—more like a practice than a procedure.
Used alongside my somatic work, the Vacurect became a surprisingly valuable ally. It wasn’t just about achieving an erection—it was about restoring a felt sense of connection to my body. Regular use supported blood flow, improved sensation, and helped me reconnect with desire. It allowed me to rebuild confidence—not only in sexual function, but in trusting my body again.
This journey has been not only physical, but profoundly emotional and I haven’t done it alone. My medical team— including Dr Gordon O’Neill (Urologist), as well as the Luke Herzog - Physiotherapist and Russell Parbury - Cancer Nurse at the St Vincent’s NELUNE Men’s Health Centre, part of the Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Sydney support this integrative, body-based approach. Together they support my recovery not simply as a pathway to function, but as a return to wholeness.
If you're navigating recovery—whether from cancer, stress, illness, or anxiety—I want you to know that sexual wellbeing is possible. It may take time. It may ask you to slow down, listen deeply, and try new approaches. But healing is not only possible—it can become a pathway to deeper self-understanding, intimacy, and pleasure.
If you're curious about what supported me, or you're looking for ways to reconnect with your own body and pleasure, I invite you to reach out.
Jonn Close
Somatic Sex Therapist & Counsellor
Founder, Body Curious – Potts Point Men’s Clinic
📞 0416 012 862 | ✉️ info@bodycurious.com
Vacurect Availability at Body Curious
Vacurect OTC 10 model available for purchase through the clinic
Comes with 10 tension rings for individual fit and comfort
Non-invasive, drug-free, and TGA-registered medical device
Suitable for men recovering from prostate surgery, managing ED, or rebuilding confidence after illness or anxiety
Price: $360 AUD
Pickup: Body Curious – Potts Point Men’s Clinic
Shipping within Australia: $15 standard / $25 express
Private health rebates may apply (check with your provider)
