How does an enlarged prostate affect a man's ability to achieve an erection?
Have you ever thought about how the prostate gland is important for a good sexual life? Well, this area about the size of a walnut isn't usually noticed until something goes wrong, right?
You should know that the prostate gland is a big part of ejaculation, which is needed to fertilize an egg when a man is trying to have children.
Any treatment for your prostate could have an effect on your sexual life. So, the question now is: how does a man's physical life change when his prostate is bigger?
Don't be afraid. This article will tell you everything you need to know about why your prostate is getting bigger, how it affects your sex life, and, most importantly, how to deal with it. So, let's figure it out!
BPH AND SEXUAL FUNCTION – WHAT IS THE CONNECTION?
Sexual difficulties are common among men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), also known as an enlarged prostate. However, there are treatments available for this condition. Multiple studies have demonstrated a link between BPH and erectile dysfunction (ED).
Both are distinct issues, and the majority of older adults encounter them. One causes urinary issues, while the other disrupts your intimate life. Therefore, the issue arises as to how an enlarged prostate impacts a man's sexuality.
BPH occurs when the prostate is enlarged, but this is not caused by malignancy. Throughout adulthood, a prostate gland tends to grow in size, which explains why so many older individuals are affected.
In contrast, erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability to maintain an erection and is caused by physical conditions such as reduced testosterone, diabetes, or heart disease. There are also psychological conditions present. ED and BPH are not directly related. However, some treatments may alleviate your BPH, but they may also cause sexual adverse effects and erectile dysfunction. While treating erectile dysfunction can benefit the treatment of an enlarged prostate.
WHAT ARE THE REASONS FOR CAUSING PROSTATE ENLARGEMENT?
It resembles a walnut in size and is an essential component of the male reproductive system. The prostate gland serves an important role in the production of fluid containing sperm during ejaculation.
So, how do you locate your prostate? Below the bladder, in front of the rectum, and surrounding the urethra is the prostate organ.
The actual causes of prostate enlargement are still unclear. According to numerous studies, alterations in testicular cells and aging are potential causes. Earlier research demonstrated that males without testicles (due to testicular cancer removal) do not develop BPH.
In addition, testicular removal can reduce the size of the prostate in men with BPH. So, what is the treatment for an enlarged prostate? Well, testicular removal is not an option for treating BPH. You will be given some secure treatment options. Numerous men over the age of 40 and nearly all men over the age of 80 have a minor amount of prostate enlargement.
SYMPTOMS OF AN ENLARGED PROSTATE
The symptoms of an enlarged prostate may vary from person to person, and many are concerned about the sexual impact of an enlarged prostate. It can sometimes be severe and may worsen over time. Some of the common symptoms include:
- Inability to empty the bladder
- Increase the frequency of urination, two to three times per night( nocturia)
- Dribbling at the end of your urination
- Incontinence, or lack of control during urination
- Frequent urge to urinate
- A slowed, delayed, and weak urinary stream
Some other less severe symptoms might include:
- Difficulty in urination
- UTI or urinary tract infection
- Blood in urine
The size of your prostate has nothing to do with how bad your symptoms are. Men with an enlarged prostate can sometimes have small urinary symptoms, but when the prostate is just a little bit bigger, the symptoms can be much worse. Some home treatments can help the symptoms get better or at least stop getting worse.
HOW DOES THE ENLARGED PROSTATE AFFECT YOUR SEXUAL LIFE?
Some studies show that men with a swollen prostate can have erectile dysfunction (ED) and other sexual issues. So, how does a man's sexual life change when his prostate is bigger? Now, let's look for it.
- The most popular types of drugs used to treat BPH are 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (dutasteride or finasteride) and alpha-blockers (tamsulosin). Even so, 5-alpha reductase may make it hard to get an erection and lower the desire to have sex, and alpha-blockers may make it hard to ejaculate.
- Procedures that aren't too invasive – It may involve treatments with heat or lasers, which can sometimes lead to ED or backward ejaculation. Retrograde ejaculation is when a man urinates backward into his bladder instead of forward into his penis.
- Surgery – Some surgeries in which the middle part of the prostate has to be taken out can also cause backward ejaculation. You should know that ejaculating backwards is not dangerous. The pee and sperm will come out of the bladder at the same time. But if you want to have a baby, you need to talk to a fertility doctor.
So, what is the treatment for an enlarged prostate? Sometimes physicians also suggest Tadalafil. It is beneficial to treat both BPH and erectile dysfunction. Tadalafil was also approved by the FDA in 2011. Therefore, the best course of action is to seek the assistance of physicians, who will adjust your medications and propose ways to improve your sexual function.
WHEN TO TALK WITH A DOCTOR FOR ENLARGED PROSTATE
If you are experiencing symptoms of an enlarged prostate, you should consult a physician. According to the American Cancer Society[1], males of a certain age who are aware of the risks and benefits of prostate screening should undergo it routinely. According to this investigation, the following ages are recommended for screening:
- Men over the age of 50 have an average prostate cancer risk.
- Men over 45 have an increased risk of developing prostate cancer.
- Even men over 40 have an increased risk of prostate cancer.
A prostate cleansing will assist you in ruling out cancer as the cause of these symptoms.
TREATMENT FOR ENLARGED PROSTATE CANCER
There are numerous treatment options for an enlarged prostate. If you suffer from an enlarged prostate, you should first consult a physician. He will recommend numerous options, such as medications, household remedies, surgical procedures, and healthy activities.
The following medications are used to treat an enlarged prostate:
- Terazosin finasteride
- Doxazosin
- Dutasteride
- Dutasteride- tamsulosin
So, does a swollen prostate impact a man's sexuality? You should be aware that it may cause issues such as difficulties maintaining and attaining an erection and a decrease in sex drive.
HOME REMEDIES FOR ENLARGED PROSTATES
A study by Prostate Cancer UK[2] says that you can treat a swollen prostate by doing some healthy things. These things are:
- Keep your weight in a good range.
- Try not to drink in the evening or right before bed.
- Cut down on your use of booze, soda with bubbles, and sugar.
- Check to see if any medicine is making these signs worse.
Besides that, you should workout every day. Regular exercise, especially Kegel movements, may help improve your heart health and blood flow. In turn, this helps men with swollen prostates feel better.
CONCLUSION
As men get older, their prostates tend to get bigger. By its very nature, the prostate gland starts to get bigger as you age. So, as you get older, try to get your prostate checked for cancer. Aside from that, there are a number of medicines, surgeries, and healthy things you can do to get rid of a swollen prostate and keep having good sex life without worry.
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