How Long After Prostate Surgery Can You Have Sex
Regardless of the outcome of prostate cancer surgery at the level of the genital organ, surgeons recommend abstinence for a period of a few weeks. This is due to the fact that the body requires time for healing itself after an invasive procedure.
Unfortunately, side effects of prostate cancer surgery might reach a point where they outweigh the ability of the body to heal itself. Once the tissue around the penis stops receiving sufficient oxygen for far too long, the organ loses its function altogether, and erectile dysfunction takes place.
Considering those cases where patients led a healthy sex life before the diagnosis, they may be looking at a period of 6 weeks to 12 months before they can resume their sex life once the surgery is successful.
This estimation shrinks in case the patients opt for robotic prostate cancer surgery. This procedure relies on the assistance of a computer interface and mechanical arms. Together, they remove the tissue and organs affected by the tumor leaving the damaging repercussions to a minimum.
Compared to open surgery, the robotic approach ensures faster recovery, less blood loss, and a smaller risk for transfusion. Regarding sex life, this procedure may be a shortcut to more satisfactory performance after surgery.
Can An Enlarged Prostate Keep You From Ejaculating
Enlarged prostate, or BPH, is one of the most common urological conditions that a man can encounter as he gets older. It can cause uncomfortable urinary symptoms, such as blocking the flow of urine out of the bladder and other urinary tract, bladder, or kidney problems. Statistics show that 50% of men over the age of 50 will have BPH, then 60% over 60, and so forth, increasing by 10% with every decade of life. Accordingly, as men get older, they’re also more prone to have sexual dysfunction.
There is no evidence that having BPH leads immediately to erectile dysfunction, yet there are relationships between BPH and erectile dysfunction. In general, these relationships are due to patients with BPH who may have other numerous medical conditions that are also associated with erectile dysfunction like hypertension, lipid abnormalities, diabetes, heart disease, etc.
When the pills don’t work, treatments go to surgery such as TURP, where you basically carve out a part of the prostate to make the passageway of the urine bigger. These surgeries may have irreversible side effects that cause erectile dysfunction as well as ejaculatory dysfunction after surgery, retrograde ejaculation, sexual issues, bleeding, and can sometimes require catheters to be placed again. Additionally, they can cause incontinence in up to 1% of people, which can be quite disconcerting to a lot of patients.
What Are The Available Treatments For Bph
As men get older, their prostates tend to become enlarged. This is usually from a lifetime of bad habits. However, prostate enlargement does not equate to prostate cancer. Having an enlarged prostate does not inevitably mean you will get cancer.
Once diagnosed, doctors usually recommend medication. It is essential you know that some of the drugs used to treat BPH have side-effects. Some of these include erectile dysfunction and a diminished sex drive.
Men who take alpha-blockers and alpha-reductase are prone to develop erectile dysfunction.
Studies show that approximately 3% of men who took Dutasteride and 6.4% of men who took Finasteride experienced a loss of libido.
Therefore, it is not uncommon for men to experience flagging sexual desire and compromised erectile after initiation of treatment.
Recent scientific research has pointed out that medicine such as blue pills will also have a relaxing effect on the prostate.
30% of men facing BPH will encounter compromised sexual function. One-third of men suffering ED have troubling symptoms related to the prostate.
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Causes Of An Enlarged Prostate
We dont actually know what causes prostate enlargement. Potential factors include:
- Family history
We do know that men who have their testicles removed – for example, due to testicular cancer – do not experience prostate enlargement.
If the testicles are removed after prostate enlargement occurs, the prostate begins to shrink
What we do know is that:
- Your chances of developing an enlarged prostate increase with age
- Enlarged prostates are so common that its believed all males will eventually experience an enlarged prostate if they live long enough. In fact, over 90% of males over 80 have BPH.
- There are no specific risk factors for prostate enlargement, other than having testicles.
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How Bph Is Treated
A number of medications can relieve symptoms of BPH. However, these medications may cause sexual side effects, such as ejaculation problems and erectile dysfunction.
Other nonsurgical therapies include transurethral microwave thermotherapy and water-induced thermotherapy. Both use heat to destroy prostate tissue and reduce or resolve urinary symptoms.
If medications and/or thermotherapies are unsuccessful, surgery may be recommended.
Excess prostate tissue often can be surgically removed using a transurethral approach, which does not require an outside incision.
A more traditional, open surgery, which does require an incision, may be necessary if the prostate gland is very large or when the bladder has been damaged and needs to be repaired.
Enlarged Prostate And Sex Drive
Although we cant say for certain that an enlarged prostate will cause erectile dysfunction or problems ejaculating, there is plenty of evidence that the condition can and does impact the sex lives of those who experience it. BPH can affect your sex drive , because you might feel generally stressed or anxious about your symptoms.
If you feel that your prostate is impacting your sex life, you should talk to your doctor.
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How Can You Prevent Bph
The following lifestyle changes can prevent BPH:
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320954.php
- https://www.urologyhealth.org/urologic-conditions/benign-prostatic-hyperplasia-/causes
- Patel ND, Parsons JK. Epidemiology and aetiology of benign prostatic hyperplasia and bladder outlet obstruction. Indian J Urol. 2014 Apr 30:170-6. do: 10.4103/0970-1591.126900. PubMed PMID: 24744516 PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3989819.
- https://www.webmd.com/men/prostate-enlargement-bph/what-is-bph#2
Does Bph Treatment Cause Ed
Certain BPH medications and surgical interventions are associated with the development of new or worsening sexual issues, such as erectile dysfunction and ejaculatory dysfunction. Because of the link between these BPH therapies and sexual dysfunction, many men choose not to go through with treatment and are left dealing with their urinary symptoms. With more modern and advanced treatments available today, however, men can finally get relief from their BPH symptoms without sacrificing their sexual performance.
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Bph And Sexual Dysfunction Explained
Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a condition in which the prostate becomes so enlarged that it begins to put pressure on the urethra. When this happens, the patient begins to experience lower urinary tract symptoms , including frequent urination, urgency, incontinence, nocturia and weak urine flow. For some men, the condition worsens, causing more severe symptoms that include kidney or bladder problems and urinary retention .
Enlarged Prostate And Ejaculation
It is unlikely that BPH on its own will cause problems with ejaculation. However, some of the treatments used for managing the symptoms of BPH can cause ejaculatory dysfunction. Many of the common BPH treatments, such as finasteride and dutasteride, can trigger issues with ejaculation, including a total inability to ejaculate or retrograde ejaculation, where the ejaculate goes into the bladder rather than out of the penis.
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Treatment For Enlarged Prostate May Be The Underlying Cause Of
- Retrograde ejaculation is a side effect that may occur after transurethral resection of the prostate, a procedure called TURP. This does not occur in all men whose BPH is treated with surgery, but it is a potential side effect that we discussed before treatment. Retrograde ejaculation is a condition in which, during the climax, semen enters the bladder rather than exiting the penis.
- Lowered libido. Conservative treatment for BPH may involve oral medication such as a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor. If you are taking this type of medication and are experiencing a drop in your sex drive, talk with your doctor about potential alternatives to your current treatment plan. Lowered libido may also coincide with erectile dysfunction, which may occur in approximately 10% of men treated for BPH.
An enlarged prostate is a problem for which multiple treatment options exist. The advantages of treatment outweigh the potential downsides for most men. To learn more, contact the Chattanooga office of UT Urology at 778-8765.
How Can A Swollen Prostate Cause Erectile Dysfunction
If you know anything about prostatic diseases, then you may be aware of how strongly they can affect the quality of life.
A condition like benign prostatic hyperplasia may cause lower urinary tract symptoms .
Urinary tract infections , bladder damage, blood in the urine, as well as urinary retention are often complications that result from BPH.
Additionally, benign prostatic hyperplasia is linked to pain during or after ejaculation, kidney damage and bladder stones.
In understanding how BPH may lead to ED, let’s get familiar with a little something called the alpha 1-adrenergic receptor.
In BPH, there is an imbalance in the autonomic control of smooth muscles, their contraction and relaxation.
This leads to increased smooth muscle tone in the prostate. Increased smooth muscle tone is caused by the a1-adrenergic receptor.
When this receptor is activated by noradrenaline , the penile tissues are contracted.
Erectile dysfunction favors the contraction of smooth muscles which encourages detumescence, and complicates the relaxation of these muscles, which is responsible for erections.
It is believed that 70 percent of men with BPH have an associated erectile dysfunction.
With prostatitis, erectile dysfunction may be induced by the pain caused from the condition.
Depending on the type of prostatitis in question, pain may be experienced in the perineum, penis and areas above the pubic bone.
This pain can last for three months and above.
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What Are The Symptomatic Effects Of Enlarged Prostate
An enlarged prostate pushes against both the bladder and urethra. This complication often might precipitate several urinary tract symptoms such as frequent urination, an uneasy feeling of always having to urinate, an inconsistent, unsteady stream of urine flow, urination difficulties, a painful or burning sensation while urinating, blood in the urine and frequent nighttime urination. In addition, men stricken with BPH may be at greater risk of developing urinary tract infections, urinary incontinence and bladder or kidney damage. Arguably the most uncomfortable and potentially life-altering problems associated with BPH are the sexual side effects. Such manifestations include:
Bph Medications And Sexual Side Effects
TURP or Transurethral Resection of the Prostate is a surgery that helps relieve the symptoms of an enlarged prostate. But this surgery often results in a lot of sexual issues later.
More than 50% of men who undergo TURP start experiencing retrograde ejaculation. A condition in which the seminal fluid after release enters the bladder instead of exiting out of the penis.
In less common cases, men who undergo TURP experience erectile dysfunction.
Alpha reductase inhibitors can also cause ED and also result in lower sexual drive.
Men who take BPH medications might also experience an overall decline in sperm health including low sperm count, decrease in sperm volume, and lower sperm movement.
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Is There Sex After Prostate Cancer Surgery
The surgical procedures that are needed in order to cure prostate cancer are invasive and may lead to long-term side effects. One of these side effects is impotence.
Nevertheless, even in the most severe cases of prostate cancer surgery, the affliction to ones sexual life can be reversible. Through extensive efforts over a period of around 12 months, a man who previously had a normal sexual function can regain potency. This is called penile rehabilitation which usually resorts to drugs or devices in order to accelerate the recovery of erectile function.
On the other hand, even after successful penile rehabilitation, men recovering from prostate cancer surgery are going to lose their ability to ejaculate. This change appears due to the complete extraction of the prostate gland and seminal vesicles.
Another implication of prostate cancer surgery is the loss of the ability to have a child the natural way. This is why it is important for patients to consider during the presurgery stage whether they want their sperm to be stored or not. The quality of the semen can be preserved under freezing temperatures for as long as 10 years.
What Are Bph Symptoms
The prostate surrounds part of the urethra the tube through which urine leaves the body. BPH, or an enlarged prostate, can result in this tube getting blocked. The block can cause problems with peeing, such as:1
- Weak stream
- Needing to wake up at night to pee
- Pain during urination or after ejaculation
BPH symptoms can get in the way of life. For example, you might become worried with finding a bathroom when you are away from home. Or you may become scared of leaving an embarrassing wet mark on your clothes if you cannot get to a bathroom in time.
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What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Bph
As the prostate gets bigger, it can place pressure on the bladder and urethra. An enlarged prostate gland can cause uncomfortable urinary symptoms, such as blocking the flow of urine out of the bladder. It can also cause bladder, urinary tract or kidney problems.
The most common signs and symptoms of BPH include:
- Frequent or urgent need to urinate
- Increased frequency of urination at night
- Difficulty starting urination
- Weak urine stream or a stream that stops and starts
- Dribbling at the end of urination
- Inability to completely empty the bladder.
Less common signs and symptoms include:
- Urinary tract infection
- Inability to urinate Blood in the urine.
Prostate issues can also cause sexual problems. The extent of any sexual problem varies according to the condition of the prostate. Some common sexual side effects include:
- Erectile dysfunction
When Should You Seek Medical Advice
Ideally, you should seek medical attention as soon as you notice something’s off before the symptoms get worse and start disrupting your peace.
Currently, we have no conclusive studies to show ED drugs are safe and completely effective at treating urinary symptoms of an enlarged prostate. Do not start any prescription medications without the help of a doctor. Your doctor might also be able to help you in making the right lifestyle changes and exercises needed to treat an Enlarged prostate and the resulting symptoms.
If you have anymore concerns related to men’s health, comment with them below and we’ll be sure to take it up soon. For more such blogs, keep checking this space!
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The Link Between An Enlarged Prostate And Erectile Dysfunction
In the past, the relationship between BPH and erectile dysfunction was believed to be based solely on age. The risk of having enlarged prostate increases with age so, does the risk of erectile dysfunction.
The link between BPH and erectile dysfunction was assessed in several clinical trials. One of the most important clinical trials was the Male Cologne Survey, including 4,489 men aged between 30 and 80. The study participants were questioned about their sexual activities and related factors. The results have shown that a high percentage of men who had lower urinary tract symptoms due to BPH also had erectile dysfunction.
Another study was the Multinational Survey of the Aging Male . More than 14,000 men aged between 50 and 80 years were enrolled. The study confirmed that high prevalence of BPH associated with lower urinary tract symptoms is linked with to an increased risk of erectile dysfunction.
The relationship between BPH and erectile dysfunction was not clearly understood by the researchers. One idea concerns the sympathetic nervous system, which studies show is hyperactive in animals and men with BPH-associated urinary tract symptoms. Nerve fibres in the sympathetic nervous system transmit signals that have an impact on stress and stress-related symptoms. An increase in these signals may lead to overactivity in the sympathetic nervous system, which is associated with erectile problems.
Should I Get Urolift Or Aquablation
While both UroLift and Aquablation are fantastic options for men seeking a BPH treatment that will not cause sexual dysfunction or incontinence, certain aspects of each procedure may make one or the other a more appropriate choice for a particular patient. For example, UroLift can be performed in the office using a local anesthetic and mild sedation, which may be beneficial for patients with little available downtime, whereas Aquablation requires general anesthesia and is performed in a hospital setting.
During your initial consultation for BPH treatment in Jacksonville, FL, Dr. Kasraeian will thoroughly discuss your symptoms and concerns, explain all of your available options at length, and recommend the most suitable treatment or procedure for you. With both Aquablation and UroLift, patients can achieve quick, reliable, and long-lasting relief from BPH symptoms without sacrificing their current level of sexual function.
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Potential Benefits Of Abstinence
On the other hand, men who abstain from sex voluntarily could experience different effects they may find it beneficial for their mental health and wellbeing. Thats why the whole subject of sexual side effects and the role of abstinence is a broad area where not everything is simply black or white.
Sexual abstinence strongly impacts different aspects of a mans life. Besides the inability to experience the physical and emotional effects of sexual activity, men who abstain from sex may also have relationship problems.
If you are in a relationship and dont have sex, the quality and wellbeing of your relationship could suffer. Reasons for lack of sex in relationships range from sexual dysfunction to unsolved problems between the two people.