Does Sexual Activity Improve Prostate Health
Regular ejaculation enhances the immune systems response to the presence of cancer cells.
According to a report published in JAMA, men who reported having more than 20 ejaculations per month were 33% less likely to develop prostate cancer.
These measured ejaculations included sexual intercourse, nocturnal emissions, and masturbation. Researchers evaluated nearly 30,000 patients, of whom 1,449 developed prostate cancer.
Assuming the men answered the survey questions honestly, the results indicated that active sex life is not associated with higher cancer risk in most men.
An Australian study of 2,338 men also came to a similar conclusion. This study found that men who averaged 4.6 to seven ejaculations a week were 36% less likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer before the age of 70 compared to men who ejaculated less than 2.3 times a week on average.
The study found no connection between prostate cancer and the number of sex partners.
Flomax Ejaculatory Dysfunction: Retrograde Ejaculation
Ejaculation plays a crucial role in infertility. During ejaculation, semen moves from the seminal vesicles toward the tip of the penis. Sometimes, however, problems occur during the ejaculatory process.
Different ejaculatory dysfunctions can affect a man. Some cause the man to ejaculate too quickly, while others may result in no or only a little semen pushing toward the tip of the penis.
Flomax ejaculatory dysfunction is a common concern among men with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Flomax is commonly used to treat an enlarged prostate or urinary symptoms. Sometimes, however, the drug may interfere with the normal ejaculatory process.
We take a closer look at retrograde ejaculation and Flomax ejaculatory dysfunction in this post. We consider what it means and why it happens. The post will also look at whether Flomax could be the cause behind ejaculatory dysfunction and retrograde ejaculation.
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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Surgery Complications & Risks
When the prostate becomes enlarged, it pushes against the bladder and urethra. This can lead to several complications. When drugs do not help, a surgeon may remove part of the prostate gland to ease the tension placed on the urethra and bladder neck.
There are cases where surgery to the prostate gland causes damage to the bladder neck. When this happens, the bladder neck may not properly close when a man ejaculates. This could result in semen pushing into the bladder.
Other surgical procedures can also carry risks of damaging the bladder neck or causing other problems that may contribute to retrograde ejaculation. Any surgical procedure that involves the bladder is susceptible to increase the risk of retrograde ejaculation. This is especially the case when surgery involves the neck of the bladder or the surrounding areas.
Patients who undergo an extensive surgical procedure in the pelvis also find themselves at risk. These surgeries usually assist in the treatment of cancer. The surgery may involve the colon, rectum, testicles, and prostate gland.
Drop In Blood Pressure
Some men may experience a sudden drop in blood pressure when taking certain prostate medications. This change in blood pressure can cause dizziness. Proscar can cause dizziness and feeling faint. Flomax can cause vertigo, dizziness and fainting. These symptoms can be dangerous, especially if you are driving, walking or operating heavy machinery.
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Can Anything Be Done For Erectile Dysfunction Caused By Prostate Cancer Treatment
Yes, there are things you can try if you have erectile dysfunction after your prostate cancer treatment. You should keep in mind that the following things will affect your ability to have an erection after your prostate cancer treatment:
- How good your erections were before your treatment
- Other medical conditions you have like high blood pressure or diabetes
- Some types of medicines you may take such as medicines for high blood pressure or antidepressants
- Things you do in your life such as drinking or smoking
- Your age
- The type of prostate cancer treatment you had
It is important that you and your partner speak with your doctor or healthcare team about what you can do. Your doctor or healthcare team will speak with you about what might work best for you if you have erectile dysfunction. It is important that you speak with them since some treatments for erectile dysfunction can affect other medical problems you may have.
Types of treatment for erectile dysfunction include:
Bph Medications And Sexual Side Effects
Some drugs used to treat BPH can cause difficulty in maintaining an erection. Men who take alpha-blockers such as doxazosin and terazosin may experience decreased ejaculation. This is because alpha-blockers relax the bladder and prostate muscle cells.
Alpha reductase inhibitors can also cause ED. Additionally, reduced sex drive is a possible side effect of the alpha reductase inhibitors dutasteride and finasteride.
Approximately 3 percent of men taking dutasteride reported experiencing a decreased libido in the first six months. About 6.4 percent of those taking finasteride experienced this within the first year. Roughly 4.5 percent of men taking dutasteride-tamsulosin reported decreased libido in the first six months.
Men who take these medications may also experience lower sperm count, decreased sperm volume, and lower sperm movement. Adverse events typically decrease with continued use.
Medications that treat erectile dysfunction may help improve BPH. The ED drugs below have all been shown to reduce BPH symptoms:
- sildenafil
- tadalafil
However, they arent currently approved to treat BPH.
These medications inhibit a protein that breaks down a chemical called cyclic guanosine monophosphate , which increases blood flow to the penis. By inhibiting the protein that breaks down cGMP, blood flow to the penis can be increased.
One comparing tadalafil and a placebo showed that men who took 5 milligrams of tadalafil daily had significant improvement in both BPH and ED symptoms.
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What Are Some Reasons For Prostate Problems
It is believed that many prostate related health problems result from anxiety, stress, inactivity . The human body was not designed to sit for extended periods of time. This is one of the reasons why men who work in an office setting often report the most issues with their prostates.
When a man sits for prolonged periods of time, the prostate and the muscles surrounding it become weakened because there is not as much blood circulating in the area. Vital nutrients are not able to reach the prostate, and over time, its function becomes impaired.
Prostate problems are commonly seen in men who are 50 years of age and older. However, for those who have a family history of prostate related problems or have a sedentary lifestyle may notice problems as early as their 30s or 40s.
Treatment Options For Retrograde Ejaculation
Before beginning treatment for retrograde ejaculation, the patient needs a thorough inspection. A doctor needs to determine why the man is experiencing retrograde ejaculation. The treatment provided will usually focus on addressing the underlying cause.
If the doctor finds that the patient is using medication that contributes to the condition, then there may be a change in the patients prescription. By removing drugs such as Flomax that cause retrograde ejaculation, the ejaculatory dysfunction may decrease and return to normal. The doctor may ask the patient to use the new drugs for some time and monitor for changes in ejaculation.
There are a few drugs that doctors prescribe that may possibly help with retrograde ejaculation. These drugs are not specifically for this condition but rather as a treatment for other illnesses.
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Symptoms Of Prostate Cancer
In its early stages, prostate cancer doesnt necessarily cause symptoms. Men with prostate cancer might experience some of the following symptoms:
- needing to pee frequently or suddenly
- finding it difficult to pee, including trouble getting started or maintaining a strong or steady flow
- feeling like you havent completely emptied your bladder after going to the toilet
- pain, burning or discomfort when peeing
- blood in pee or semen
- or pain in the lower back, upper thighs, hips or chest
- feelings of weakness or numbness in the legs or feet
- unexplained weightloss
- feeling tired, short of breath or dizzy
- a rapid heart beat
- pale skin.
Youll notice a lot of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of other conditions, including an enlarged prostate or prostatitis, which is why its important to always see your doctor if you notice any of these symptoms or changes.
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When To See A Doctor For Retrograde Ejaculation
Retrograde ejaculation isnât harmful and doesnât affect your ability to get an erection or have an orgasm. Many people with retrograde ejaculation still have an enjoyable sex life. â
You may want to get treatment if youâre concerned about your fertility. If youâve been trying to get your partner pregnant for a year without success, visit your doctor. You may also want treatment if dry orgasms cause psychological distress or if you don’t like how it feels. â
Because dry orgasms can be a sign of other conditions, it’s always a good idea to have your doctor rule out anything more serious.
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Using Medication To Reduce Symptoms
Types Of Ejaculatory Dysfunctions
Ejaculatory dysfunction is a term that can refer to different conditions affecting the male reproductive system. Studies show that ejaculatory dysfunctions are relatively common among men. These conditions can affect young and older men.
One study found that premature ejaculation is the most common type of ejaculatory dysfunction. This condition causes a man to ejaculate quickly after initiating sexual activity. Premature ejaculation means both the man and his sexual partner will not feel satisfied at the time of orgasm. There is no specific time to ejaculation used to diagnose this condition, although most men report ejaculation within one minute. Studies show that up to 40% of men may experience premature ejaculation.
Apart from premature ejaculation, there are two other common types of ejaculatory dysfunctions. This includes delayed and retrograde ejaculation.
Delayed ejaculation means it takes longer than usual for a man to ejaculate.
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Does An Enlarged Prostate Cause Problems With Ejaculation
Asked by Mike
Does An Enlarged Prostate Cause Problems With Ejaculation?
I am 46 yrs. old and have to push harder to urinate to the point that I pass gas. Also, I have very little discharge if any after several hours of sex because I can’t reach climax. My partners think they don’t turn me on enough, and it’s embarrassing. Is there a way to treat this?
Common Side Effects People Have Besides Retrograde Ejaculation *:
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Prostatic Surgery And Treatments For Enlarged Prostate
Surgeries for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate often adversely affect ejaculatory function. If the surgery affects the bladder neck, it can result in retrograde ejaculation wherein the semen flows back to the bladder during ejaculation.
Ejaculatory disorders such as retrograde ejaculation and delayed ejaculation are more prevalent in men who have had a transurethral resection as compared to those who have had a transurethral incision of the prostate.
HOLEP is a relatively new form of treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia which makes use of Holmium laser. Although its considered an alternative to transurethral resection of the prostate , HOLEP is also associated with a high prevalence of ejaculatory disorders.
A Chicken And Egg Situation
Sadly, this is a chicken and egg situation. For men facing lower urinary tract symptoms of frequency, urgency, slow flow, and dribbling, the first-line treatment are alpha-blockers. They are known to relax the prostate to ease urine flow.
If medications do not work, doctors will try surgical methods starting with minimally invasive techniques. However, they may sometimes recommend removing the prostate altogether.
This is known as radical prostatectomy. Transurethral resection of the prostate is a surgical procedure that is known to relieve symptoms of BPH.
Men who have this procedure often experience sexual side-effects after surgery. According to the Harvard Medical School, between 50 to 75% of men who underwent TURP experienced retrograde and dry ejaculation.
Most men will experience relief of urinary problems. Some even experience improved blood pressure.
One of the complaints encountered by sufferers is retrograde ejaculation. This is caused by the easing of the prostatic sphincter, resulting in the semen going backward.
The operation to correct the BPH can either be carried out with TURP or laser done by simply coring out a cavity to allow a better flow of urine with minimal resistance.
The adverse effect of retrograde ejaculation is both undeniable and unavoidable. But the degree of compromise on erectile rigidity is still unclear and hotly debated.
For more information on prostate surgery click here.
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Best Evidence Yet: Ejaculation Reduces Prostate Cancer Risk
Nick Mulcahy
May 17, 2015
NEW ORLEANS Good news, men: you may be able to decrease your risk for prostate cancer by ejaculating frequently, according to research presented here at American Urological Association 2015 Annual Meeting.
The frothy advice is not new but is now backed up by the strongest evidence to date on the subject, according to lead author Jennifer Rider, ScD, MPH, an epidemiologist at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston.
There is no modifiable risk factor for developing prostate cancer, Dr Rider told Medscape Medical News. It would be exciting to tell men that there was a way to modify their risk.
However, she noted that these are observational data and urged caution when interpreting them.
The results are fascinating, said Jesse Sammon, MD, a urologist at the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, who attended Dr Riders presentation. It was the highlight of the session on cancer epidemiology the moderator called it the study most likely to be tweeted.
These are incredibly high-quality data, said Dr Sammon, who was not involved with the study.
The data come from nearly 32,000 men in the prospective Health Professionals Follow-up Study, who now have been followed for 18 years.
During the study period, 3839 men have been diagnosed with incident prostate cancer, 384 cases of which were lethal.
At ages 40 to 49, men most reported 8 to 12 ejaculations per month only 8.8% reported at least 21 ejaculations per month.
What Causes Retrograde Ejaculation
There are numerous possible causes behind retrograde ejaculation. Men should ensure they understand what the causes are. This will help a man determine why they might be experiencing the condition. It also makes identifying potential treatment options easier.
Medication is a common factor in retrograde ejaculation. This is why doctors tend to take a look at any medications that the patient uses. In many cases, switching medication may be a helpful method for improving the symptoms.
There are other factors that can contribute to retrograde ejaculation too. Doctors will need to consider possibilities like prostate cancer. If lower urinary tract symptoms are present, the doctor will also look for signs of an enlarged prostate. This condition causes prostate tissue to increase in size. BPH symptoms can lead to abnormal ejaculation. This is because semen travels through a prostatic urethra found in the prostate gland.
Additional questions will help the doctor further pin down a specific cause behind the condition. This includes accompanying symptoms, such as erectile dysfunction, as well as pain symptoms during sex or ejaculation. Several conditions that result in ejaculatory issues can affect erectile function.
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