Are you concerned about erectile dysfunction? Problems in the bathroom may be related to the issues in the bedroom as they get older. Prostate issues in men are common as they age.
It’s easy to see a symptom and misunderstand an underlying cause. Do you face issues in having an erection after you’ve had several drinks? Or not having an erection even for a week due to intense emotional stress? Well, it’s not erectile dysfunction.
Let me tell you about some causes of erectile dysfunction and how prostate issues in men are related to erectile dysfunction.
Table of Content
The Prostate Gland:
The prostate gland is a wall-nut-shaped gland that is part of a male’s genital system. The prostate makes fluid that goes into the semen (A mixture of sperms and prostate fluid). Prostate fluid is vital in a man’s ability to become a father.
It surrounds the urethra at the beginning of the bladder(neck of the bladder).
Causes of Prostate Issues In Men:
The causes of prostate issues may include:
- Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia ( Non-cancerous enlargement of Prostate)
- Prostatitis ( Inflammation or swelling of prostate glass).
- Prostate cancer.
The issues mentioned above may be related to erectile dysfunction, but doctors may not know the exact cause of erectile dysfunction.
Symptoms of prostate issues:
Prostate issues in men may lead to many sexual and health-related problems. The intensity of any sexual problem usually varies from man to man and depends on the condition of the prostate.
Some common symptoms include:
- Frequent visits to the bathroom at night.
- Extreme urges to urinate
- Problem in urination
These symptoms were associated with:
- Erectile dysfunction
- Reduced sexual satisfaction
- Problems in having and maintaining an erection
These symptoms may vary according to age, genetics, and stress-related issues.
In 1995, over 192 million men experienced erectile dysfunction; the projections for 2025 show an increase of 170 million. i.e., from 192- 322 million. That’s a massive increase.
Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH) and Erectile dysfunction:
BPH and erectile dysfunction are different terms, but these two terms are often related to each other.
Erectile dysfunction means having difficulty in achieving and then maintaining an erection.
In benign prostatic hyperplasia, the prostate becomes larger and presses against the bladder’s walls, making it harder for the urine to flow.
In response, the bladder walls thicken, which weakens the bladder and makes it harder to drain out completely.
All of this can lead to complications like UTIs( urinary tract infections), Blood in urine, and bladder damage.
How is BPH related to erectile dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction in BPH doesn’t result from the disease, and it usually results from treatment for the disease.
Medication like Finasteride(Proscar) has been the cause of erectile dysfunction in 3.7% of men who use it for BPH.
A Surgical procedure like TURP ( transurethral resection of the prostate) can cause erectile dysfunction in a small percentage of men.
Another reason is DHT(Dihydrotestosterone) which can cause excessive growth of the prostate and can be dangerous for the adult prostate.
Prostatitis and its role in erectile dysfunction:
Prostatitis is a painful problem that causes inflammation of the prostate. You may not know much about it, but it’s the most common UT problem for men under 50.
There are four types of prostatitis:
- Acute bacterial prostatitis lasts a short time.
- Chronic bacterial prostatitis is a frequent infection of the prostate which remains for a long time.
- Chronic pelvic pain prostatitis causes pain in the lower back and pelvic area. Infection may cause this disease though not from bacteria. It may be due to inflammation from other causes.
- Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis
Causes of Prostaititis:
Chronic pelvic pain syndrome can be caused by a number of factors which includes:
- Local infection
- Neuromuscular disturbances have been marked as a leading cause of prostatitis.
Bacterial infection of the prostate glands can cause urinary tract issues like frequent urination and urine retention. It can also cause pelvic pain.
Estrogen-producing inflammatory cells, as well as infections, can cause Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis.
How are Swollen prostate and Prostate issues in Men related?
As you are aware of prostate issues in men, you will now know how much they can affect your life.
BPH can cause pain during and after ejaculation. Additionally, this disease may lead to reduced ability to get and keep an erection. According to studies, 70% of men who have BPH are suffering from erectile dysfunction.
In the case of Prostatitis, Erectile dysfunction may be due to the pain from inflammation. You may experience pain in the perineum, penis, and pubic bone areas.
It depends on the type of prostatitis.
For example, in bacterial prostatitis, it isn’t exceptional to experience pain in the genital area and groin. This pain can last for more than 3 months.
Prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction:
It doesn’t sound very good! Isn’t it? Prostate cancer may not always be a direct cause of erectile dysfunction, but a growing prostate tumor can decrease sexual functionality by causing lower urinary tract symptoms(LUTS). Moreover, treatments for cancer and the psychological effects of cancer can cause erectile dysfunction.
Foods to help Prostate issues:
A healthy diet including fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats can protect the prostate.
Here is the list of foods that can be helpful in prostate issues in men:
- Salmon contains omega-3 fatty acids that help prevent inflammation within the body.
- Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, an antioxidant that may benefit prostate glands.
- Berries like strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries are some of the best sources of antioxidants that help in removing free radicals from the body.
- Nuts are rich in zinc. Zinc is thought to be helpful in balancing testosterone and DHT.
A swollen prostate can lead to dangerous situations, and it’s very uncomfortable to deal with. Treatments like medications and hormonal therapies can unfortunately also lead to difficulty in erectile function.
FAQs
How to treat prostate issues?
Medications like terazosin( An Alpha-Blocker) helps to relax the bladder. You can improve your prostate by drinking tea, exercise and lose weight, and quitting smoking.
What are swollen prostate issues?
Benign prostate hyperplasia, prostatitis, and prostate cancer are swollen prostate issues and are thought to affect men’s lives severely.
What type of doctor treats prostate issues?
A urologist who treats diseases of the urinary tract and the male reproductive system.
Can colonoscopy detect prostate issues in men?
Yes, colonoscopy can detect prostate issues in men.
Book an appointment now, to answer all your queries. You can book an appointment with the top Urologists in Karachi through Marham by calling at Marham helpline: 0311-1222398 or by online booking facility through the website or Marham mobile app.
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