Are There New Strategies In The Near Future That May Be Helpful In Improving Erection Recovery After Surgery
Neuromodulatory therapy, represents an exciting, rapidly developing approach to revitalize intact nerves and promote nerve growth. Therapeutic prospects include neurotrophins, neuroimmunophilin ligands, neuronal cell death inhibitors, nerve guides, tissue engineering/stem cell therapy, electrical stimulation, and even gene therapy.
What Are Some Treatment Options For Prostate Cancer And Their Effects For Erectile Dysfunction
Today, there are multiple treatment options when it comes to prostate cancer including GAINSWaves innovative shockwave therapy treatment. It is important to know treatment options and the possible risks affiliated with surgery or radiation treatment. Therefore, it is important to consult with your physician.
A New Treatment Option For Bph
Experts at University Hospitals now offer a new, minimally invasive approach to treat BPH called UroLift®.
Instead of removing prostate tissue, this procedure implants a device that pulls the prostate away from the urethra on both sides and holds it in place. This widens the urethra and restores normal urine flow.
Its like opening a curtain, says UH urologist Irina Jaeger, MD.
This procedure is a nice alternative, because the side effects are very minimal, it can be done in the doctors office in 15 minutes or less and very little sedation is required, she says. And the results are pretty instant.
UroLift®has been in use for six years. Studies have shown that the procedure is safe, effectively relieves symptoms and does not affect sexual function.
The only side effects are a little irritation immediately after the procedure. Patients are typically back to their normal routines within a day or two.
For more information about UroLift® and other treatments for BPH, or to schedule a consultation with a mens health expert, call or visit our website.
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Can Prostate Massage Really Help An Enlarged Prostate
Prostate milking, or prostate massage, has the ability to give men intense relief from prostate problems. The prostate, or the prostate gland is a major organ in the male reproductive system.
Unfortunately, factors like aging and a poor lifestyle can make the prostate weak. This results in an impairment in urinary function, sexual function and prostate inflammation.
> > > Prostate Massage for Optimal Prostate Health
However, by massaging the prostate on a regular basis, blood flow increases in the area. The pain that is related to an inflamed prostate as well as discomfort in the area diminishes.
It is important to know that prostate massage is not a new practice. It is a treatment that has been utilized for thousands of years in Asian culture, and it is still a treatment that is used today.
In fact, many men have reported feeling much better after one prostate massage session.
How Is Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Treated
The treatment of BPH¹ varies. When diagnosing BPH, doctors can use a specially-designed survey to determine what symptoms youre experiencing and how much your quality of life is affected by it.
If symptoms are mild or do not affect your quality of life much, your doctor might delay treatment and see how the symptoms progress while providing advice about lifestyle changes to manage symptoms. Some changes might include reducing caffeine and alcohol and changing some medications.
Some peopleâs symptoms are more severe and affect their quality of life, or their mild symptoms might worsen.
In these situations, you may need medication. Your doctor may prescribe several types of medicines depending on how bad your symptoms are and any allergies or other conditions you may have.
Various medications work for different types of BPH. Some people have mainly storage symptoms. Drugs used for this type of BPH include:
Other men have mostly voiding symptoms. Treatments for voiding symptoms include:
Possible associations¹ exist between some medications that treat BPH and sexual problems like ED. These vary from person to person and by drug.
Surgical treatments for BPH are also available. Surgery is often necessary when medication has not relieved symptoms or improved quality of life. Your doctor may suggest it if symptoms are severe and cause other serious health impacts like bladder stones.
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Treatment For Erection Problems Depends On The Cause
Treatments for erectile dysfunction are usually effective and the problem often goes away.
There are also specific treatments for some of the causes of erectile dysfunction.
| Possible cause | |
|---|---|
| Side effects of prescribed medicine | Change to medicine after discussion with GP |
Medicine such as sildenafil is also often used by doctors to treat erectile dysfunction. Its also available from pharmacies.
Because of changes in regulations, you no longer need a prescription to get sildenafil.
But youll have to have a consultation with the pharmacist to make sure its safe for you to take it.
There are other similar medicines called tadalafil , vardenafil and avanafil that work in a similar way.
Youll still need a prescription to get these medicines.
You can buy sildenafil over the internet. Be very careful if you do this as many websites sell fake medicines.
Online medicines are not always regulated and the ingredients in them can vary from one pack to another. They can cause unpleasant side effects, or may not be suitable for you.
Its best to see a doctor before buying medicines online. They know your medical history and can discuss whether you might benefit from treatment.
If you choose to buy sildenafil on the internet, make sure:
-
do not cycle for a while
-
do not drink more than 14 units of alcohol a week
The Sexual Advice Association has factsheets on medicines and other treatments for erectile dysfunction.
Can A Swollen Prostate Cause Erectile Dysfunction
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Erectile dysfunction can affect your ability to get and maintain an erection.
It is a very common condition around 322 million men globally by 2025 are projected to experience persistent difficulty achieving and sustaining erections.
This condition may be caused by psychological factors like performance anxiety or stress.
Likewise, your medication for managing high blood pressure or ulcers or other conditions could also affect erectile functioning.
However, physical conditions like an enlarged prostate and prostatitis may account for many cases of erectile dysfunction.
Well be examining how a swollen prostate can lead to ED.
Well do this by looking through the links between benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostatitis and erectile dysfunction, their causes, as well as treatment options which may affect erectile abilities.
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Why Erectile Dysfunction May Result From Prostate Disease
In the past, it was thought that most cases of erectile dysfunction were psychological in origin, the result of such demons as performance anxiety or more generalized stress. While these factors can cause erectile dysfunction, doctors now think that 70% of the time the problem can be traced to a physical condition that restricts blood flow, hampers nerve functioning, or both. Such conditions include diabetes, kidney disease, multiple sclerosis, atherosclerosis, vascular disease, and alcoholism.
However, some types of prostate disease and treatments may also be responsible.
What Can I As A Partner Expect
One of the effects of prostate cancer treatment is erectile dysfunction or impotence. This means that your partner may not be able to have erections that are hard enough for him to have sex with you or that he may not be interested in sex because of the medicine he is taking to treat his prostate cancer. This affects not only the man, but you, too, as his intimate partner. If you are the partner of a man with erectile dysfunction, it can be difficult to cope with changes in your sexual relationship. Sometimes men struggle to come to terms with changes in their body image or their ability to perform sexually. This can sometimes result in him staying away from intimate situations where he may feel under pressure to make love. As a partner you may feel rejected by what seems like a lack of sexual interest or intimacy. This may not have anything to do with his feelings for you, but is a result of his cancer treatment. Erectile dysfunction can be difficult for both of you. You may want to reassure your partner that:
- Sex is not as important as long as he is healthy and that he is no less of a man to you
- You will work through it with him
- You understand his feelings
- He is important to you
It may help if you explain to your partner how important nonsexual touching and intimacy such as kissing and cuddling is to you.
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What Are The Symptoms Of Prostatitis
These are the most common symptoms of prostatitis:
- Need to urinate often
- Burning or stinging while urinating
- Pain when urinating
- Less urine when you urinate
- Rectal pain or pressure
- Pain in your lower back or pelvis
- Discharge through the urethra during bowel movements
- Erectile dysfunction or loss of sex drive
- Throbbing sensations in the rectal or genital area
The symptoms of prostatitis may look like other medical conditions or problems. Always see your healthcare provider for a diagnosis.
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What Are The Effects Of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
BPH can cause many physical changes in men. These changes depend on the size and position of the prostate enlargement. If the prostate is enlarged in certain places, it can block or partially block the bladder outlet. The urethra can also become blocked.
These changes can cause many urinary and sexual symptoms in men. However, the effects arent just physical or medical. BPH and related sexual problems can be distressing and possibly cause relationship difficulties.
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Cialis For Treatment Of Urinary Symptoms Caused By Enlarged Prostate
Cialis 5 mg, when taken daily, can help men with both problems, erection problems, and urinary problems. Cialis works best for men with mild to moderate symptoms of an enlarged prostate. If you are taking Cialis daily and still have to wake up at night to urinate, have frequent urination or slow urine stream, other treatment options for enlarged prostate should be considered. These include medications such as Flomax, Detrol, finasteride and procedures such as the Urolift system for BPH and laser enucleation of the prostate.
What Have I Learned By Reading This
You learned about:
- Why prostate cancer treatment can cause erectile dysfunction
- What can be done about erectile dysfunction
- How erectile dysfunction may affect your sex life
- What your partner can expect
If you have any questions, please talk to your doctor or health care team. It is important that you understand what is going on with your prostate cancer treatment. This knowledge will help you take better care of yourself and feel more in control. It will also help you manage any side effects you may have from your treatment.
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Providing Your Medical History
At first, the doctor will probably ask you about your medical history. Do you have any chronic illnesses? What illnesses and operations have you had in the past? What medications are you taking, if any? Your doctor is also likely to ask about your psychological well-being and lifestyle: Do you suffer from depression? Are you under a lot of stress? Do you drink alcohol? Smoke? Use illegal drugs? Have you felt a loss of affection for your partner? Have you recently grown interested in a new partner?
As part of this health history, be prepared to tell your doctor specific details about the symptoms that brought you to the office and when they began. Your doctor might want to know how often you had sex before the problem started and if there have been weeks or months in the past when youve had erectile dysfunction. Your doctor may conduct a written or verbal screening test.
If the cause is clear a recent operation for prostate cancer, for example the conversation may move directly to your treatment options. Otherwise, you may need to answer more questions to help the doctor narrow down the possible causes and avoid unnecessary testing.
Erectile Dysfunction And The Prostate: What’s The Relationship
Written by the UPGUYS Editorial Team Published on March 21, 2022
Did you know that 49.4% of Canadian men between ages 40 and 88 experience ED? In the United States, 52% of men experience some form of erectile dysfunction as well. Complete ED usually increases from 5% to 15% in men between the ages of 40 and 70.
Erectile dysfunction and prostate problems are common for men, especially as they get older. While the cause of ED can be physical or psychological, one factor that is often overlooked is the role of the prostate.
We’re going to explore the relationship between ED and the prostate. We’ll also take a look at what men can do to improve their sexual health. Keep reading to find out more.
In this article, we’re going to cover the following:
- Does and How Are Erectile Dysfunction and Prostate Problems Connected?
- The Kinds of Prostate Problems That Can Cause Erectile Dysfunction
- Symptoms of Erectile Dysfunction Caused by Prostate Problems
- Can You Take Erectile Dysfunction Medications if You Are Taking Prostate Problems Medications?
- Does Prostate Disease Medication Cause Erectile Dysfunction?
- How to Treat Erectile Dysfunction Caused by Prostate Diseases?
- Improving Symptoms and Prevention
- FAQs About Erectile Dysfunction and Prostate Diseases
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Enlarged Prostate And Erections
Can an enlarged prostate cause erectile dysfunction? We dont know for certain that enlarged prostates cause ED but there is some data linking the two, and some BPH treatments, such as alpha blockers, can cause ED. Conversely, some erectile dysfunction treatments can in fact relieve the symptoms of an enlarged prostate.
So, can a swollen prostate cause erectile dysfunction? There simply havent been enough studies to confirm a link between erectile dysfunction and enlarged prostates. If you are experiencing erectile dysfunction alongside symptoms of BPH, the best thing to do is talk to your doctor.
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Cause And Risk Factors
The prostate gland can enlarge as men grow older. The exact reasons for continued growth are unclear but may be related to changes in sex hormones as men age. While the exact cause of BPH or an enlarged prostate remain unclear, there are risk factors that are important to keep in mind, including aging, family history, obesity and underlying conditions that may increase the risk of BPH like diabetes and heart disease.
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Impact Of Erectile Dysfunction On Qol
Preservation of sexual function should be considered in the management of patients with symptomatic BPE. With increase in elderly population, it is expected that more men will experience ED and symptomatic BPE. There was positive correlation between the severity of ED and prostate size in this study, and patients with severe ED had higher mean prostate size of 122.94 g. This further supports the need to screen patients with symptomatic BPE for ED. Sexual and urinary functions have a direct impact on QoL. This present study shows that QoL has a weak negative correlation with ED and a weak positive correlation with prostate size . This is because patients impression on quality of life varies. While a patient with a huge prostate and severe ED may be satisfied with the symptoms, another patient with milder form may feel terrible with his symptoms .
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What Is Prostate Enlargement
Enlargement of the prostate occurs when the prostate gland cells begin to multiply and cause the prostate gland to swell. This swelling tends to compress the urethra, limiting urine flow and causing symptoms known as lower urinary tract symptoms . BPH is a condition that many men encounter with aging.
Most of the symptoms of BPH are associated with urinary function. They are:
- Frequent need to urinate
- Urinary retention inability to empty the bladder
- An intense urge to urinate, even shortly after urinating
- A weak urine stream or an interrupted urine stream
- Difficulty starting or stopping urination
While BPH itself is not a directly linked cause of sexual problems, most men that suffer from it do indeed find it affects sexual performance. Some common sexual side effects of BPH are:
- Inability to maintain an erection
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How May Erectile Dysfunction Affect My Sexual Relationships
Prostate cancer and its treatment can affect your desire for sex. Every man is different but the feelings caused by having cancer and the physical stress of treatment can affect the way you feel about your body and your relationships. Some men talk about feelings of a loss of their role within the partnership or family. This can sometimes affect a mans self esteem and confidence. For others, the physical effects of treatment may lead to tiredness and a lack of energy. Physical changes after some treatments can also affect the way you feel about your body and appearance . All of these things may result in a lack of interest in sex.
If you are feeling tired or under stress, tell your partner how your feel. Loss of interest in sex does not mean you lose interest in a loving and supportive relationship. There are ways to remain physically intimate without having sex. If you are used to a close physical relationship, it is important to remember that hugs, cuddles and kisses maintain intimacy, provide support, and do not have to lead to sex.
What Kinds Of Prostate Problems Can Cause Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction and prostate enlargement issues are two completely different problems. They usually will come with different symptoms, as well as different causes, and at one point, different treatments. When men reach middle age, the prostate will often start to enlarge.
Any form of enlargement can cause a range of difficulties with urination. The prostate itself causes issues, not for sex, but urination in particular. A few common prostate issues could cause erectile dysfunction.
Treatments that are meant to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia can cause ejaculatory or erectile dysfunction issues. BPH is a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate
Some of these treatments that could present these causes could be:
- Anti testosterone drugs
- Transurethral resection of the prostate
5 Alpha reductase inhibitors show a potential for risk association that could impact erectile physiology. These inhibitors provide a drop in median serum dihydrotestosterone levels between 60% and 93% within at least two years.
While it’s possible that alpha-blockers could contribute to ED, they often don’t cause issues with erections. Some men often see improvement in their condition after taking the medication. Anti testosterone drugs could cause lower amounts of testosterone.
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