What is the prostate?
The prostate is a small gland, situated close to the bladder, the urethra, and major blood vessels. This gland can cause a lot of trouble if it becomes enlarged, usually due to infection, inflammation, and sometimes even cancer. The enlarged gland causes difficulties with urination, and often an inability to completely empty the bladder.
If your urinating habits suddenly change, don’t hesitate to visit your doctor – it could save your life!
Sexual issues which may result from prostate disease
These issues include erectile dysfunction (ED) and other side effects like low libido.
- Studies have indicated that it is not the enlarged prostate that actually causes ED. Further research has shown that certain medications used to relieve an enlarged prostate, can result in erectile dysfunction, and other sexual side effects like low libido. These drugs tend to relax the bladder and prostate muscles which may cause may cause difficulty maintaining an erection, or result in a decreased ejaculation.
- Treatment may include surgery, known as transurethral resection of the prostate, which is a partial removal of a prostate gland which is not cancerous. About 50% of men who have this procedure may experience less semen when ejaculating, which is not harmful, but could have an impact on male fertility.
- Surgery to remove a cancerous prostate raise risks that nerves or arteries which are needed for erections, could be damaged, and make erections difficult.
- Radiation treatment for cancer can also harm erectile tissues, which may lead to ED, but this only occurs in about 50% of men who opt for this treatment.
The light at the end of the tunnel
The good news is that prostate disease does not necessarily be the end of your sex life. Early detection, diagnosis and effective treatment, is key to managing your sexual concerns, especially if you have benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or a non-malignant prostate enlargement, as it is better known.
Bear in mind that it is not BPH that causes the ED problems, but rather some of the medications used to treat it.
Some men who take medication on a daily basis for BPH have reported an improvement in symptoms, and consequently an improvement in the sexual issues. However, some BPH meds, while improving the symptoms of BPH, might not be suitable for you to take. Find out from your doctor which meds will be best for you that will help BPH, but not impact on sexuality.
Natural ways to keep your prostate healthy
A healthy diet will help keep your prostate free of infections which may cause enlargement and sexual issues. Cutting down on processed foods, as well as refined items like bread, rolls, and other sugary things, will be a good start, as will exercise and losing weight. Opt for natural foods like fruit and veggies, lean cuts of meat, and fatty fish like salmon and tuna, which are high in anti-inflammatories.
Excessive smoking and alcohol intake also have the potential to be major risks for prostate disease.
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