The prostate is a part of the male reproductive system. It is a muscular gland that is located just below the bladder. It is responsible for managing the flow of urine and ejaculation. The prostate produces seminal fluids that carry sperm. The size of this gland keeps on increasing with age. It becomes problematic when it starts growing abnormally. This unusual development of this gland can indicate prostate cancer, prostatitis, or benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Individuals with prostate problems may experience difficulties with their erection function. Since the prostate serves as a switch between urination and ejaculation, its abnormal growth can contribute to pain, inflammation, and erectile dysfunction in men.
Let us understand each of these issues related to the prostate and their impact on your erection function.
Prostatitis
Prostatitis is a condition wherein the prostate gland produces inflammation. It could be a result of some bacterial infection which gives rise to intense pain in the pelvic region or around the groin. An individual with this condition might face difficulties while urinating, due to the pain. This condition can be acute or chronic. Those with acute prostatitis may experience sudden or severe symptoms, whereas those with chronic forms of it have to go through less severe symptoms. Sometimes one might not even realize the presence of such a condition owing to its asymptomatic nature.
The link between prostatitis and erectile dysfunction
Prostatitis causes intense pain around the pelvic region. The pain can be felt in the testicles, penile, lower back, and groin. This pain is responsible for impotence issues in men. It makes the erection function difficult, which is why men with this condition avoid intimate interactions.
Symptoms of prostatitis include:
- Pain and burning sensation felt while passing urine
- Frequent urge to urinate especially during nighttime
- Pain and discomfort around the groin and lower back
- Pain around the scrotum or rectum
- Cloudy or bloody urine
- Sudden urge to urinate
- Pain during ejaculating
- Pain in testicles or penile
Prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is a common type of cancer that may or may not produce any symptoms at all, especially during its early stages. Its presence can be indicated through screening and tests. Prostate cancer results due to abnormal cellular growth, which can lead to tumor formation in the gland. Prostate cancer can be either benign or malignant. The benign type of tumor does not cause any damage to the surrounding organs, it just causes the swelling of the prostate. Whereas a malignant type of tumor develops and spreads cancer to the surrounding parts of the male reproductive system.
The link between prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction
Individuals suffering from prostate cancer experience erectile dysfunction along with ejaculatory disorder. This happens due to the unusual swelling and abnormal growth of the prostate. This type of cancer is common among older individuals. They may not experience pain in the region, but the enlarged size of the prostate can cause discomfort while having erections and during ejaculations. Its growth disturbs all the reproductive organs and hence it contributes to sexual difficulties.
Prostate Cancer
A condition such as prostate cancer needs immediate treatment, otherwise, the difficulties experienced while urinating, during sexual interactions, and ejaculation might worsen. After getting appropriate cancer treatment, men may suffer from severe symptoms of erectile dysfunction. The symptoms of erectile dysfunction may not last for too long.
It might stick around for several months of treatment and once the nerves heal substantially, the erection function gets restored gradually. In some cases, men after prostate surgery may lose their nerves due to the spreading of cancer in the nerves. Such individuals are permanently affected by erectile dysfunction, and they cannot attain erections.
Symptoms of prostate cancer include:
- Difficulties and discomfort while urinating
- A sudden urge to go to pee, especially during the nighttime
- Frequent urination
- Pain while urinating or ejaculating
- Erectile dysfunction
- Traces of blood in urine or semen
- Back pain and hip pain
- Pain in the lower abdomen or pelvic region
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
This condition is characterized by a non-cancerous growth or enlargement of the prostate, that leads to urination and sexual difficulties. It stems due to hormonal imbalances in the male body. Older men are most likely to develop this condition. The prostate enlargement causes discomfort in the pelvic area. It affects the normal function of the organs, that are responsible for triggering erections and causing urination. It might as well impact the ejaculatory function.
The link between benign prostatic hyperplasia and erectile dysfunction
It happens due to hormonal imbalances. This condition causes a loss in libido or sex drive, thereby making it difficult for such individuals to become sexually aroused. Lack of arousal leads to a loss of interest in intimate interactions. Thus, the individual may not attain erections, hence it leads to erectile dysfunction.
Symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia include:
- Frequent and urgent urinating
- Weak or interrupted stream of urine
- Dribbling at the end of urination
- Urinary incontinence
- Frequent urge to urinate during nighttime
- Change in urine color or odor
- Pain while ejaculating
- Erectile dysfunction
A condition like erectile dysfunction can still be managed with the aid of ED medications like Malegra. Such pills contain an active ingredient, which helps in boosting the blood flow to the penile, thereby helping men in restoring their erection function.
