My blog focuses on Health/Wellness. There are many things that can impact a man’s sexual performance. While there’s a laundry list of factors that are thought to contribute to erectile dysfunction, BPH is seldom discussed. The following contributed post is entitled, 5 Things No One Tells You About BPH and Erectile Dysfunction.
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There are two conditions, Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia and Erectile Dysfunction, that are frequently linked. They often coexist in aging men and share a number of underlying health factors.
While many men will focus just on the urinary symptoms, there are often connections between the two conditions that are often overlooked.
1. BPH medications can often cause sexual dysfunction
While drugs for enlarged prostates (BPH) are helpful for urinary flow, they will often come with significant sexual side effects, which unsurprisingly are under-reported due to shame or embarrassment.
The drugs shrink the prostate, but they’re linked to ED and reduced libido in some men. While often considered to have lower sexual side effects, they can often cause retrograde ejaculation to occur. This is where semen flows back into the bladder.
2. The link is often psychological and not just physical
It’s a myth when it’s said that an enlarged prostate can physically cause erectile dysfunction. In fact, the connection is frequently indirect.
The constant need to go to the bathroom, waking up at night, and worrying about finding a restroom can cause a lot of stress and anxiety. As a result of that, it can also directly hinder sexual performance.
The loss of quality of life and sexual confidence due to the issue of urinary problems can also compound ED.
3. BPH surgery can lead to permanent sexual changes
There are common surgical treatments for BPH that are highly effective when it comes to treating urinary symptoms. However, they do carry a risk of sexual side effects.
These can include retrograde ejaculation, mentioned above, where the semen enters the bladder rather than leaving the body. There’s also persistent ED, while less common, it still happens with BPH surgery. This is due to nerve damage near the prostate.
4. Some BPH treatments can improve ED
Some BPH treatments can help with improving ED. Certain medical treatments have proven effective for erectile function. Such treatments include Tadalafil. This is a medication that’s approved to treat both ED and BPH simultaneously.
The medication works by relaxing the smooth muscle in the prostate, penile arteries, and bladder, helping ease both urination and improve erection quality.
5. Shared underlying causes beyond just age
With BPH and ED links, there’s a broader issue with metabolism rather than it being just about getting old.
Chronic inflammation of the prostate can often affect the blood flow, and as many of us know, blood flow is an important part of the health of any limb or body part, including the penis. Not only does it impact blood flow, but it can also affect the nerve signals that are necessary for erections.
Factors like diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease also contribute to both an enlarged prostate and a diminished erectile capacity.
It’s important to know that both of these are connected due to several factors and are useful for helping men navigate this stage of their lives. Having a good understanding of both and not shying away from the topic will encourage more men to come forward with their own concerns regarding their sexual health and wellbeing.
