The Penis Project

175: Frank’s Prostate cancer Journey - Team work/support is the key

Today we speak with Frank, who was 49 when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He is now 16 months post-op and has had an unremarkable healing journey. He has no incontinence, and his erectile function has returned. It hasn’t all been plain sailing as you will hear, but with ‘stickability’ following the rehab roadmap he is back on track and now the surgery feels like a blip on the horizon.  

Frank talks about how he now wants to talk about his journey with others for two reasons:

1. To help other men in the same situation and,

2. He finds it therapeutic to talk about what he has been through.  

I sincerely hope that you listeners will enjoy this conversation as much as I did and that it gives men soon to go through this journey hope.  

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Websites:

https://melissahadleybarrett.com   Men’s health only

https://rshealth.com.au/  All genders

http://www.menshealthphysiotherapy.com.au/

http://prost.com.au/

 

Facebook:

https://m.facebook.com/p/Melissa-Hadley-Barrett-100085237672685/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085146627814

 

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/melissahadleybarrett/

https://www.instagram.com/restorativehealth.clinic/

TikTok: @melissahadleybarrett

YouTube: Melissa Hadley Barrett

Linkedin:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-hadley-barrett/

174: Dangerfield does Mike - Nerve grafting post prostate cancer removal for erectile function

This is another episode where you the listeners asked for it, so you got it. Most exciting this week is we have guest interviewer Victoria Cullen from ‘A Touchy Subject’ on the interview.  If you don’t know about Victoria and you have had prostate cancer treatment- you, should, she has awesome information for people in this area so check out her website https://www.atouchysubject.com/. 

Many of you saw the TV show where Dr. David Dangerfield was interviewed about this surgery. Professor Chris Coombes and Dr. David Dangerfield perform this surgery to return erectile function to men post prostate cancer treatment. Following Dr Dangerfield’s TV interview, I was inundated with requests for more information so here it is.  

Those of you who are longtime listeners of The Penis Project may remember Episode 46-way back in August 2021 where Jo Milios and I interviewed Dr. Dangerfield on this life changing surgery, and following in that we interviewed a patient who had been through the surgery (Episode 83). A few years have passed now and, in this episode, we speak with Mike who had non nerve sparing prostatectomy in May 2023 and recently had microsurgery with Dr. Dangerfield and Dr. Coombs to repair his erectile dysfunction.  

The plan is we will follow Mike’s journey over the next 12 months and see how he goes, so listen here for the initial post op recovery and keep listening for updates. 

Also, if you want to know more, we will be interviewing Dr. Dangerfield himself in September 2024 so keep listening. 

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Websites:

https://melissahadleybarrett.com   Men’s health only

https://rshealth.com.au/  All genders

http://www.menshealthphysiotherapy.com.au/

http://prost.com.au/

 

Facebook:

https://m.facebook.com/p/Melissa-Hadley-Barrett-100085237672685/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085146627814

 

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/melissahadleybarrett/

https://www.instagram.com/restorativehealth.clinic/

TikTok: @melissahadleybarrett

YouTube: Melissa Hadley Barrett

Linkedin:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-hadley-barrett/

173: Happy Fanny, Happy Willy - a woman’s story

You the listeners asked for it, so you got it. 

Many requests come through that the listeners of The Penis Project podcast want to know more about women, so this week we talk to a Michelle who will discuss how Kate helped Michelle’s vagina and Vulva stopped feeling like ‘broken glass’. In this episode we also have Kate who works at RSHC and assisted Michelle in having pain free sex for the first time in years! Michelle had previously seen many clinicians none of which assisted with her issue until she saw Kate.  

Listen here to hear about the treatment used and what helped Michelle and may help you if you are a vagina owner or your loved one. Not only is Michelle pain free she has noticed significant improvements in her personal relationship.  

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Websites:

https://melissahadleybarrett.com   Men’s health only

https://rshealth.com.au/  All genders

http://www.menshealthphysiotherapy.com.au/

http://prost.com.au/

 

Facebook:

https://m.facebook.com/p/Melissa-Hadley-Barrett-100085237672685/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085146627814

 

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/melissahadleybarrett/

https://www.instagram.com/restorativehealth.clinic/

TikTok: @melissahadleybarrett

YouTube: Melissa Hadley Barrett

Linkedin:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-hadley-barrett/

172: Pelvic Health and Continence Physiotherapy with Louise Hug

Today on The Penis Project Project podcast I speak with Louise Hug. I work closely with Louise as she sees many of the men that I see pre-prostatectomy and she does women’s pelvic health too, so we cross paths quite a bit.

Sometimes men tell me snippets of their consultations with Louise, and she has some great tips to share and ways of explaining pelvic floor training. So, for today’s episode I have asked her to share them with you. 

About Louise:  
Pelvic Health Physiotherapist 
MClin (Pelvic Health and Continence) 
BSc (Physiotherapy), APAM, MACP 

She completed her Undergraduate Bachelor of Physiotherapy at the University of Notre Dame, then commenced work at a private practice shortly after graduating. In 2021 she completed a Post Graduate Certificate in Continence and Pelvic Health Physiotherapy, followed by completion of Clinical Masters, majoring in Pelvic Health and Continence Physiotherapy. Following Graduation, she worked with Dr Judith Thompson (Physiotherapist PhD) who I have interviewed previously the podcast.   

She worked musculoskeletal physiotherapy for eight years treating neck, back and pelvic girdle pain with both hands-on and gym-based treatment. In 2015 she developed an interest in core activation, breath work and muscle balance for rehabilitation, subsequently completing a Cert IV in Pilates.  

In her early sporting life, she was a full-time gymnast until the age of 13 and enjoyed tennis, pilates, swimming and barre. These experiences gave her an understanding of injury management and prevention. This is what motivates her to assist others with their return to daily life and sport, not only post-injury but also after life events such as vaginal delivery and caesarean section, as well as gynaecological, breast cancer and prostate surgery.   

She has completed several courses upskilling in Women’s and Men’s Urinary Continence and Ano-Rectal Dysfunction expanding her knowledge, leading to a passion in the field of Pelvic Health. She provides treatment that has evidence-based support.  

She is passionate about assisting both male and female patients with their bladder, bowel, and sexual function.  

Check out her spoken bio on you tube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JDYEiF7z88 

Also I videoed this interview so if you would like to see us in person check out my You tube channel: Melissa Hadley Barrett https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6SkzSkveDXzqUuA1ZONDEg 

 

You tube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6SkzSkveDXzqUuA1ZONDEg 

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Websites:

https://melissahadleybarrett.com   Men’s health only

https://rshealth.com.au/  All genders

http://www.menshealthphysiotherapy.com.au/

http://prost.com.au/

 

Facebook:

https://m.facebook.com/p/Melissa-Hadley-Barrett-100085237672685/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085146627814

 

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/melissahadleybarrett/

https://www.instagram.com/restorativehealth.clinic/

TikTok: @melissahadleybarrett

YouTube: Melissa Hadley Barrett

Linkedin:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-hadley-barrett/

171: Cool Beans

Today we speak to Saara Jamieson, a scientist with a very cool invention.  

Cool Beans is an innovative, cooling underwear designed to boost sperm health and improve the likelihood of conception for couples, but as you will hear in this episode, this is not all they do.  

Cool Beans are a registered medical device with the Therapeutic Goods Administration Registrar (ARTG 379655). Who would have though a pair of jocks could be a medical device - the mind boggles!  

Cool Beans are far more than your run-of-the-mill underwear, they are designed to keep the testes cool and ensure the scrotum remains on the lap, not between the thighs when seated, which is imperative for sperm health and comfortability. 

They are a breakthrough in men’s fertility health. But if fertility isn’t your thing, this is not all they do. They keep your testicles cool and in doing so, can improve testosterone levels which if you are a regular Penis Project listener you will know gives you your get up and go, sex drive and improves your mood. 

These cool dudes also help with pain from varicoceles, providing amazing support. Many older men struggle with scrotal sagging, discomfort, testicular torsion, sitting on scrotum, scrotums that hang low and get in the way when sitting down and post-surgical support.  

Discount code to use for 10% discount: COOLMHB  

Website link for 10% discount: https://coolbeansunderwear.com?coupon=COOLMHB

Instagram: coolbeansunderwear 

Facebook: coolbeansunderwear  

Websites:

https://melissahadleybarrett.com   Men’s health only

https://rshealth.com.au/  All genders

http://www.menshealthphysiotherapy.com.au/

http://prost.com.au/

 

Facebook:

https://m.facebook.com/p/Melissa-Hadley-Barrett-100085237672685/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085146627814

 

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/melissahadleybarrett/

https://www.instagram.com/restorativehealth.clinic/

TikTok: @melissahadleybarrett

YouTube: Melissa Hadley Barrett

Linkedin:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-hadley-barrett/

170: 7P’s of prostate: Prior Preparation prevents a piss poor performance of your prostate

This week we hear the story of Faryar who had his prostate removed in November 2023. If you are a regular listener to The Penis Project you may have heard stories of “young blokes” who recover quickly and this prostate removal business is a blip on the radar for them, you may even think “well that’s ok for these young fellas”.  But this is a story of guy a bit older who has an amazing recovery. Why did he have such a smooth recovery? 

I believe prior preparation is the key. This is not to say that you can have done everything right and still have troubles but is you put in the work you are more like to have a speedy recovery. 

Faryar has had a personal trainer for 15 years and consequently started his journey in tip-top shape which helped his recovery. Listen here, to see how you can improve your quality of life and performance with exercise and specific training.  

Please don’t let this story give you FOMO, instead think “I can do that too” and get moving, or as a well-known sports brand puts it “Just Do It!”

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Websites:

https://melissahadleybarrett.com   Men’s health only

https://rshealth.com.au/  All genders

http://www.menshealthphysiotherapy.com.au/

http://prost.com.au/

 

Facebook:

https://m.facebook.com/p/Melissa-Hadley-Barrett-100085237672685/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085146627814

 

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/melissahadleybarrett/

https://www.instagram.com/restorativehealth.clinic/

TikTok: @melissahadleybarrett

YouTube: Melissa Hadley Barrett

Linkedin:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-hadley-barrett/

  

 

169: A story of overcoming adversity. Imagine being born 70 years ago left-handed, with a stutter and gay.

Today we speak with Ken who recently celebrated his 70th Birthday. I met Ken when he had his prostate removed, however today we are not discussing his prostate cancer journey but his life journey of being born left-handed, with a stutter and gay.

This is a story that I found fascinating. Did you know that being gay was only decriminalized in Australia in 1980’s to the 2000’s depending on the state, USA 1970’s in some states and 2000’s in others, in the United Kingdom 1980’s to late 1990’s.  

In this podcast we discuss this and many more interesting facts we should all know. Plus, some suggestions on how to deal with a child or grandchild ‘coming out’.  

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Websites:

https://melissahadleybarrett.com   Men’s health only

https://rshealth.com.au/  All genders

http://www.menshealthphysiotherapy.com.au/

http://prost.com.au/

 

Facebook:

https://m.facebook.com/p/Melissa-Hadley-Barrett-100085237672685/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085146627814

 

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/melissahadleybarrett/

https://www.instagram.com/restorativehealth.clinic/

TikTok: @melissahadleybarrett

YouTube: Melissa Hadley Barrett

Linkedin:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-hadley-barrett/

168: A Touchy Subject

In this episode I speak to the amazing founder of “A Touchy Subject”, Victoria Cullen. https://www.atouchysubject.com/ 

A Touchy Subject is a great resource for men and their partners about sexual recovery when diagnosed with prostate cancer. They are obsessed with uncovering ‘the practical stuff’ from the latest clinical literature, and from the thousands of conversations we have with men ‘MacGyvering’ their way through sexual recovery. They have YouTube videos, blogs, free programs and more to help you on your journey. They also have a list of recommended products to help with the process. 

Victoria and I chat about common issues we hear from men and their partners and ways to navigate them. The overarching thought is that; it takes a bit work, ingenuity, a sense of humour, and my favorite skill, “stickability”.

 

Links from discussion with Victoria Cullen “A Touchy Subject”: 

- Rehab program: https://www.atouchysubject.com/help-for-ed-post-prostate-surgery 

- This is where the Vacurect mastery course will be (demo videos + top tips): https://www.atouchysubject.com/ed-vacuum-pump-vacurect-demonstration-video 

- Tess Deveze's two-minute game: https://medium.com/@connectabletherapies/how-a-simple-2-minutes-saved-my-sex-during-cancer-treatments-482a174d25d2 

- Soft penis pleasure course: https://connectable.podia.com/penis-pleasure/jfxm5 

- Vulva pleasure course: https://connectable.podia.com/vulva-masterclass/jfxm5 

- Study on erectile function return (but not necessarily sexual satisfaction): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30033192/ (Terrier et al., 2018) 

- My Ilo egg vibrator https://melissahadleybarrett.com/product/my-ilo-egg-vibrator/ 

- Pump Hub waitlist: https://atouchysubject.com/pump-hub-signup 

- Pump-A-Sutra waitlist: https://www.atouchysubject.com/pump-a-sutra-signup 

Vacurect affiliate links: 

- Australia/New Zealand - https://www.vacumed.com.au/product/vacurect-otc10/?ref=1 

- USA/Canada - https://www.mainspringmedical.com/pages/lp-cullen?aff=2 

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Websites:

https://melissahadleybarrett.com   Men’s health only

https://rshealth.com.au/  All genders

http://www.menshealthphysiotherapy.com.au/

http://prost.com.au/

 

Facebook:

https://m.facebook.com/p/Melissa-Hadley-Barrett-100085237672685/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085146627814

 

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/melissahadleybarrett/

https://www.instagram.com/restorativehealth.clinic/

TikTok: @melissahadleybarrett

YouTube: Melissa Hadley Barrett

Linkedin:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-hadley-barrett/

 

167: Porn Star Liam

Is it possible to break your penis? Yes it is.  

Today we discuss this tricky penis problem with Liam. This issue is always a problem but even more so when your penis is your livelihood.  

Listen here to find out how he broke it, what it felt like and the treatment to get back together.  

This is a fascinating story that will make yours eyes water if you are a penis owner.  

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Websites:

https://melissahadleybarrett.com   Men’s health only

https://rshealth.com.au/  All genders

http://www.menshealthphysiotherapy.com.au/

http://prost.com.au/

 

Facebook:

https://m.facebook.com/p/Melissa-Hadley-Barrett-100085237672685/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085146627814

 

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/melissahadleybarrett/

https://www.instagram.com/restorativehealth.clinic/

TikTok: @melissahadleybarrett

YouTube: Melissa Hadley Barrett

Linkedin:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-hadley-barrett/

 

166: Running for life - A prostate cancer story

In this episode of the "Penis Project Podcast," I chat with Jason Phillips to discuss his journey following his prostate surgery. Jason wants to give back, get on with life as he knows it and most importantly raise awareness about prostate cancer for other men.

His way of doing it?

Running 129km in rural Western Australia to raise money for research at PCFA.   

I hope you enjoy this inspiring story. Follow his training and run at his socials below. He leaves the starting blocks 24th April and is hoping to finish on the 25th April (ANZAC day). 

 

This is the link to Jason’s official PCFA fundraising page: 

https://fundraise.pcfa.org.au/s/1762/1879 

 

The following are the links to Jason’s socials: 

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/jason.phillips.5891 

Instagram -  https://www.instagram.com/jason_phillips_05/ 

 

Episode Summary 

 - Prostate cancer treatment journey  

 - Getting on with life as ‘normal’ 

 - Survival 

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Websites:

https://melissahadleybarrett.com   Men’s health only

https://rshealth.com.au/  All genders

http://www.menshealthphysiotherapy.com.au/

http://prost.com.au/

 

Facebook:

https://m.facebook.com/p/Melissa-Hadley-Barrett-100085237672685/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085146627814

 

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/melissahadleybarrett/

https://www.instagram.com/restorativehealth.clinic/

TikTok: @melissahadleybarrett

YouTube: Melissa Hadley Barrett

Linkedin:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-hadley-barrett/