Darragh Connolly | Penis Pumps, Prostate Health and Sex After Surgery #177

Laura sits down with community pharmacist Darragh Connolly, who has built a men's health service — Men's Health Downunder — around something most clinics rush past: helping men get their sexual function back after prostate surgery. It's a candid, frequently very funny conversation about a subject usually wrapped in silence and shame.

Darragh explains the male anatomy in plain (and memorable) terms, why nightly "micro-erections" keep the penis healthy, and what actually changes after a prostatectomy. He walks through how a penis pump works, what constriction rings are for, and why this isn't only for men who've had cancer surgery — smoking, diabetes, spinal injury, certain medicines and simply getting older can all play a part.

Running through all of it is a hopeful message: a prostate diagnosis or surgery is not the end of sex, intimacy is far more than penetration, and men well into their 80s can still enjoy a full sex life. Darragh also makes the case for meeting men's sexual health at the pharmacy counter, not only the consultant's clinic.

🔑 Key Points

Sexual health is health — and still taboo

There's deep shame and silence around men's genitals and sexual function, and Darragh's whole approach is to demystify it, often with humour, so men actually seek help.

Micro-erections keep the penis healthy

Men have around five micro-erections a night that bring blood, oxygen and nutrients to the tissue; without them it's "use it or lose it", and the penis can shrink and lose function.

Erectile dysfunction has many causes, not just prostate surgery

Ageing, smoking, diabetes, lower-back trauma, spinal injury and some medications can all affect erectile function.

How a penis pump actually works

Used for five to ten minutes a day, it draws blood into the penis like training a muscle, improving vascular and nerve health over time.

Constriction rings let men maintain an erection for sex

Paired with the pump, a constriction ring traps blood to hold an erection for penetrative sex — but should never be left on more than six to eight minutes.

A prostate diagnosis is not the end of sex

With the right tools, men who hadn't had an erection in months or years can have penetrative sex again — and intimacy is always more than penetration.

Know the warning signs of prostate trouble

Dribbling, a weak stream, going more often (especially at night) and "stage fright" can point to an enlarged prostate; Movember is a good place to learn the signs.

📚 Resources

Men's Health Downunder

Darragh Connolly's Irish men's health service and the surgical-grade penis pumps discussed

Movember

the men's health charity Darragh recommends for prostate cancer, testicular cancer and male suicide awareness

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 — Welcome and sponsor

01:36 — Why a pharmacist is talking about men's health

03:24 — How Darragh got into men's health

04:32 — What a prostatectomy actually involves

07:28 — Male anatomy explained simply

13:48 — Micro-erections and "use it or lose it"

20:55 — How a penis pump works

24:31 — Constriction rings and maintaining an erection

38:33 — The prostate and its warning signs

52:44 — How Viagra and Cialis were discovered

57:00 — Low-dose Cialis, the pump and the post-surgery "void"

1:01:24 — Couples, intimacy and a hopeful note

Thanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations.

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