When Should You Seek Medical Advice
Men over 40 are at risk of developing prostate cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, it is best to get screened once per year. Additionally, men with an enlarged prostate should seek medical advice promptly.
The medical professionals at Premier Mens Medical Center specialize in treating conditions that impact mens health. Our concierge approach positions your unique case at the centerpoint of our focus. We dont just give you a pill for ED and send you on your way. We treat the underlying issues that led to conditions such as ED, Low Testosterone, and more. Contact our office today to schedule an appointment.
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.
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.
The primary function of this gland is to produce prostatic fluid. This is the fluid that helps the sperm survive after ejaculation.
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.
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Current Treatments For Ed
Various treatment options are available and you should discuss them with your doctor. A primary care doctor can give a preliminary diagnosis of ED based on a patient history and a physical examination, but may refer a patient to a specialist, such as a urologist. Current treatments for ED include:
- Oral medication
- Penile implants
- Counseling and sex therapy
These methods have varying degrees of effectiveness and tolerability, and are used to treat ED caused by physical or psychological conditions.
If you are seeking products to help with your ED, click below to visit to the Urology Health Store.
How Are Prostate Cancer Stages Determined
Once all testing has been completed, your doctor will tell you the stage of your cancer, or how much it has progressed and whether it has spread beyond your prostate. The stage will help your medical team decide which treatment is best for you. The higher the stage, the more advanced your cancer. The most common way to stage prostate cancer is the TNM system, developed by the American Joint Committee on Cancer, which hinges on three important factors:
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T : How much of your prostate the tumor affects
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N : Whether the cancer has spread beyond your prostate to nearby lymph nodes
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M : Whether your cancer has metastasized, or spread far beyond your prostate to your bones, to nearby organs such as your bladder or rectum, or to more distant organs like your lungs, liver, or brain.
The TNM system also includes your PSA level and your Grade Group, based on your Gleason score. With your stage designated, which is labeled in a range of T1 to T4 , a treatment plan can be developed.
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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 case you didn’t know, your penis staying flaccid or achieving erection is heavily dependent on the contraction and relaxation of the corpus cavernosum smooth muscles, making a1-adrenergic receptors important for erectile function.
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.
Do Ed Medications Work For Bph
Some research has shownthough not definitivelythat ED meds may also help BPH. It seems against logic, since ED meds tend to affect the vascular system and BPH is not a vascular problem. Despite logic, ED meds might work for BPH.
For example, tadalfil , when taken daily,has been shown to improve erectile function, ejaculatory function, and sexual satisfaction in men showing both BPH and ED.Another study found that ED and BPH symptoms share common pathophysiological pathways that can be treated by tadalafil. This is likely because tadalfil increases cGMP, which is the chemical that both enhances blood flow to the penis and relaxes the muscles in the prostate and bladder. Nevertheless, tadalfil is not an approved treatment for BPH.
However, despite the research, there is still hesitancy to start prescribing tadalfil for all men with ED and BPH. ED pills dont get to the root of the problem, instead just masking the symptoms indefinitely. This means you will be on pills the rest of your life in order to stay healthy. Moreover, medications often host a number of mild and serious side effects that arent worth the trouble, including blood pressure and heart concerns.
You want to get to the root of the problem of your BPH and erectile dysfunction. As we know, the causes of erectile dysfunction are also the shared causes of BPH. In this way, fixing the root cause can solve both problems in the long-term.
- Weight
- Medications
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What Is The Link Between Bph And Ed
So what does all this mean? Lets recap.
Enlarged prostate does not cause ED. ED does not cause BPH.
But they do often appear simultaneously.The Survey of the Aging Male found that 60% of men who had urinary symptoms also presented ED symptoms.
There are three major links between these two independent concerns:
So what can you do about this? How can you overcome your symptoms of BPH and ED easily, quickly, safely, and effectively?
How Does The Treatment For Bph Cause Erectile Dysfunction
Alpha-blockers
Alpha-blockers including alfuzosin, doxazosin, tamsulosin and silodosin relax smooth muscles, especially in the bladder neck and prostate which can improve urine flow. However, while they can be helpful in relieving BPH symptoms, in some patients they may also cause unwanted side effects such as impotence , dry orgasm , and a decrease in the production of seminal fluids.
5-alpha reductase inhibitors
Research has shown that men who take these drugs for an enlarged prostate could be at higher risk for sexual problems, especially erectile dysfunction , low libido, and trouble ejaculating.
5-alpha-reductase inhibitors represent a type of drug that is used to treat both BPH and androgenic alopecia . Two examples of 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors are dutasteride and finasteride. These drugs are considered safe and effective for these two conditions, but they could have sexual side effects.
In a study published in 2016 by the Journal of Sexual Medicine, Chinese researchers analysed seventeen studies on 5-alpha reductase inhibitors and sexual function. The study included almost 17,500 men with an average age of 60 years. About 55% of men were treated with 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors while the rest received placebo.
Another study performed by the researchers from the Boston University School of Medicine showed that ED associated with long term use of finasteride for the treatment of BPH appears to worsen.
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Does Enlarged Prostate Cause Ed
Of the many symptoms caused by BPH, one of the most common complaints men have when visiting a urologist is Erectile Dysfunction or ED. This is defined as the inability of a man to attain or maintain an erection sufficient for vaginal penetration and satisfactory sexual performance.
BPH does not directly cause ED, but many men with BPH seek medical attention to relieve ED.
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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What Are The Best Treatments For Prostate Cancer
Surgery, radiation, hormone therapy, chemotherapylots of treatment options exist for prostate cancer. And, in some cases, you may need no treatment at all. Whats right for you will depend several factors:
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Your PSA level
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Your Gleason score
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Your current health and comorbidities
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The stage of your cancer, particularly whether it remains confined to your prostate or has spread to other parts of your body
Now, lets take a look at the different possibilities:
Is Another Treatment Option Better For Preservation Of Erectile Function
The growing interest in pelvic radiation, including brachytherapy, as an alternative to surgery can be attributed in part to the supposition that surgery carries a higher risk of erectile dysfunction. Clearly, surgery is associated with an immediate, precipitous loss of erectile function that does not occur when radiation therapy is performed, although with surgery recovery is possible in many with appropriately extended follow-up. Radiation therapy, by contrast, often results in a steady decline in erectile function to a hardly trivial degree over time.
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What Are The Symptoms Of Bph
The symptoms of BPH tend to be urinary in nature. If you are struggling going number one in the bathroom, you may want to get checked for BPH. Youll often see BPH referred to as LUTS, which stands for lower urinary tract symptoms.
Symptoms can include:
- Incomplete emptying of bladder
- Needing to go excessively at night
Its interesting to note that there may be a correlation between the severity of BPH symptoms and the risk of other sexual dysfunctions. For example, men with severe trouble going to the bathroom often also find they have reduced sex drive, inability to keep an erection, and lowered sexual satisfaction.One review found that most men who sought treatment for either BPH or ED were actually diagnosed with both conditions.
How Does An Enlarged Prostate Affect Erectile Dysfunction
By | Submitted On August 18, 2011
There are two common health battles that men face during their life: an enlarged prostate and erectile dysfunction. The question many men have that struggle with one or the other is – are the two problems related? If so, if one problem is fixed does that mean the other follows suit? Or, do both struggles need to be treated separately? When it comes to your health, without seeking professional medical help, it is hard to know what the real roots of your symptoms are and exactly how to safely overcome them. Luckily, there is a world of information pertaining to the prostate and ED available to help all men develop overall health awareness.
Although erectile dysfunction is not a cause of an enlarged prostate, and enlarged prostate may be the cause of erectile dysfunction. ED is not always an effect of an enlarged prostate, but can be associated coincidentally because of prostate enlargement. Both are problems that men deal with as they continue to grow old in age.
Beyond erectile dysfunction, an enlarged prostate can cause it turn burn during ejaculation. This is why prostate problems are so closely related to sexual health complications – not only does it cause sex to be painful but it can be a complimentary result of having an enlarged prostate. Although there is a greater statistical definition for having erectile dysfunction as a result of an enlarged prostate, they are not 100% related.
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Its Complicated: Enlarged Prostate And Sex
BPH and sexual function
Prostate enlargement, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia , and erectile dysfunction are separate problems. Both increase with age, but one causes problems in the bathroom and the other in the bedroom. However, the two are somewhat linked.
BPH happens when your prostate becomes enlarged, but cancer isnt the cause. A mans prostate continues growing throughout most of his adult life. This is why many older men are affected by the condition.
ED is the inability to get or maintain an erection. It can be caused by physical conditions such as:
It can also be caused by psychological issues.
These two conditions dont necessarily seem linked, but certain treatments that relieve BPH can cause ED and other sexual side effects. On the other hand, treating ED can improve enlarged prostate symptoms.
- inability to empty the bladder
- a weak urine stream
A surgery called transurethral resection of the prostate can help relieve these symptoms. Men who have this procedure often experience sexual side effects after surgery.
Between 50 and 75 percent of men experience retrograde ejaculation after TURP, according to Harvard Medical School. This means that semen released during orgasm enters the bladder rather than exiting the penis. Retrograde ejaculation is sometimes called dry orgasm. Its not harmful but can affect male fertility.
What Does The Prostate Have To Do With Erectile Function
The prostate gland is wrapped around the male urethra, and when problems occur such as an enlargement, the development of a tumor, or inflammation of the prostate, it may damage or put pressure on the vessels and nerves which innervate and supply the penis.
The proximity of the prostate to the penis can link these two together when issues occur and tissues are damaged. Damage to the nerves and vessels near the penile area may lead to temporary or lasting erectile dysfunction.
Additionally, some of the medications used to treat prostate concerns may have the side effect of potential erectile dysfunction, or prostate surgeries and radiation treatments can damage the surrounding tissues and lead to malfunction. The bottom line is, the prostate and the penis share a lot of the same territory, so problems with the prostate can directly or indirectly cause issues with erectile function.
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Additional Types Of Therapy For Prostate Cancer
A few other treatments exist for advanced prostate cancer or prostate cancer that has stopped responding well to other forms of hormone therapy. They are usually taken with one of the therapies discussed above.
Chemotherapy. For cases of very aggressive prostate cancer, or when hormone therapy isnât effective, your doctor may recommend chemotherapy. This class of anti-cancer drug, taken by mouth or injected, fights cancers that have spread beyond the prostate to other parts of your body. The schedule of your treatment will depend on the specific drugs you require, but chemotherapy is typically given in cycles that last two to three weeks. Once you finish a cycle, the next cycle begins. The length of your treatment hinges on how well it works and whether you can cope with the side effects. Chemotherapy drugs are used to help you live longer. They rarely cure prostate cancer, according to the ACS, and can cause unpleasant side effects, including hair loss, nausea, and fatigue.
Immunotherapy. This type of treatment harnesses the power of your immune system to fight cancer. While it has been used successfully in several types of cancer, it hasnt proved as effective in prostate canceryet. Researchers are working to discover the best ways to incorporate immune therapy into prostate cancer care, particularly for men whose cancer no longer responds to hormone treatment. In 2019, more than 100 such studies were underway.
How Can Prostate Surgery And Radiation Therapy Cause Ed
Both prostate surgery and radiation therapy can damage tissue around the prostate and cause ED. In fact, it is estimated that 25% 75% of men will have ED after the removal of the prostate, called a prostatectomy. Similarly, radiation therapy can also cause damage to the tissue around the prostate. If nerves get damaged, signals from the brain may not be able to reach the penis to initiate an erection. And even when sexual stimulation is present, if blood vessels are damaged, that might mean that blood cant flow properly to the penis to maintain an erection.
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