Erectile dysfunction is not the only sexual health issue that concerns men. Related sexual problems include:
- Incontinence: the loss of voluntary bladder control that results in urine leakage. Read more about incontinence
- Difficulties with orgasm: side effects of treatment for prostate cancer can include an inability to have an orgasm or pain during orgasm. Read more about orgasm
- Changes in penile length: resulting from certain prostate cancer treatments and the failure to respond to treatments for ED or any penile rehabilitation program. Read more about penile length
- Questions about fertility: and the resulting inability to produce sperm after certain prostate cancer treatments. Read more about fertility
- Penile curvature (Peyronie’s disease): a painful condition in which a man’s penis develops a curve—typically 45 degrees or greater–due to the accumulation of abnormal scar tissue or plaques inside the penis. Read more about penile curvature and bend in the penis
- Problems with sexual intimacy: resulting from erectile dysfuction or the lack of libido resulting from treatments for prostate cancer. Read more about problems with sexual intimacy
- Priapism. The advertisements on TV for the major ED drugs always advise you to “seek medical attention if you have an erection lasting longer then 4-hours”. One side effect from drugs to treat ED can be a prolonged erection (known as priapism; an erection lasting longer than four hours). Priapism is a serious medical condition, because the penis is deprived of oxygen, which damages and destroys erectile tissue. These warnings should be taken seriously and medical attention sought immediately. Often times, your doctor may give you an information card similar to the Sloan-Kettering Wallet Card for patients using penile injections. This card details the serious nature of priapism and advises the attending medical professional of treatment options and other information.
- Heart Disease. ED is considered to be a major risk factor for heart disease in men especially if you are under 50. Read more on ED and Heart Attack Risk
It does not matter if a man is experiencing sexual health issues that are the result of treatment for prostate cancer or treatment for BPH, medical conditions such as diabetes or urinary tract infections, emotional trauma, or other circumstances: help is available. The first step is understanding what these sexual problems are, and that knowledge can jump start the search for ways to treat them. Read more on getting help for ED
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