Highlights:
- Early signs of prostate problems include trouble urinating and pain in your pelvis or genitals.
- Some symptoms may be caused by other conditions, for example sexually transmitted infections.
- If you notice worrying signs, find medical help as soon as possible.
- Prostate problems have been linked to sexual difficulties, such as erectile dysfunction.
- Recent discoveries show that certain types of ED medication can be useful in the treatment of enlarged prostate.
Early signs of prostate problems can have important implications for your health. They can also indicate a condition that can contribute to ED. If you notice something unusual, see your doctor and get treatment as soon as possible to prevent health complications and sexual problems. In this article, we’ll tell you what to watch out for.
Early Signs of Prostate Problems
Prostate problems are common among men over 50, but some conditions can kick in at a younger age. Diseases of the prostate are easy to spot early because they develop over time, giving you a chance to realize something is wrong. Common prostate problems include:
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), also known as prostate enlargement
- Prostatitis, also called prostate inflammation
- Prostate cancer
All men should learn to recognize the early symptoms of prostate disease. If you notice something worrying, don’t wait too long. If left untreated, prostate problems can cause a lot of pain and discomfort and rob you of sexual pleasure.
Here are the three symptoms to watch out for.
1. Trouble Urinating
It’s hard to miss pee problems. Suddenly, what used to be simple and obvious, begins to cause pain or just feels “off.” Here are the symptoms that suggest something isn’t right:
- Trickle instead of flow. You may notice that you can’t empty your bladder completely. You go to the toilet, do your thing, and then you wait for the urine to stop trickling. Some guys are shocked to observe that their once-strong urine stream has turned into a slow dribble.
- Frequency and urgency. Changing urination habits are an indication of potential prostate problems. A healthy person urinates an average of seven times during a 24-hour period. How often we have to go depends on the amount of liquid we drink and other factors. If you notice you pee more often, or you can’t sleep through the night because of the urge to urinate, prostate problems could be the reason.
- Blood in your urine or semen. If you see blood in your urine or semen, see a doctor as soon as possible. This could be something mild and easily treatable or an early sign of prostate cancer. Better get it checked immediately. Cancer sounds scary, but prostate cancer is treatable when caught early.
2. Painful Symptoms
Urinary discomfort isn’t the only type of pain that suggests prostate problems. Here are other types of pain that may have something to do with your prostate:
- Painful ejaculation. If your orgasms cause pain instead of bringing pleasure and release, it’s a sign that something’s wrong. Chances are high you have prostatitis, either acute or chronic. The good news? There are reliable treatments for both types of prostatitis.
- Pain in your genitals. Prostate problems can present as pain in your penis, testicles, or perineum (tissue between the scrotum and the anus). The most likely suspect is prostatitis. When the pain happens during urination, it’s probably benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate).
- Pelvic pain. Some men feel a more generalized pain in their pelvis. The sensation may radiate to the legs, buttocks, or lower back. This symptom is common for prostatitis. For some men, the pain gets worse during or after sex.
Get medical advice if you experience any kind of pain in connection with urination or sexual activity. Even if it’s not something prostate-related, it could be a urinary tract infection or a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that requires treatment.
3. Sexual Difficulties
The prostate is an important part of your sexual and reproductive system. Its role is to produce seminal fluid, the liquid that comes out of the penis when you ejaculate. Prostate problems can impact your sex life.
Here’s how:
- Erectile dysfunction (ED). Research suggests there is a link between lower urinary tract symptoms, including prostatitis, and ED. Earlier research found that prostatitis prostate enlargement (BPH) can also be a risk factor in erectile dysfunction.
Physical causes aside, the discomfort linked to prostate problems may lead to psychological ED. If ejaculation is painful, you may become anxious about intercourse and have trouble getting hard.
- Premature ejaculation (PE). Some men with prostate problems struggle to get and keep an erection, while others finish before they’re ready. Premature ejaculation can be frustrating for you and your partner. Research indicates that men with chronic prostatitis are at a high risk of PE. Additionally, there seems to be a link between BPH and premature ejaculation.
Read User’s Guide to the Prostate
Find the Right Treatment for Your Sexual Problems
It’s not uncommon for prostate problems to be followed by sexual difficulties or the other way around. Getting treatment for your prostate condition will help you regain sexual function, and treating ED may also relieve your prostate symptoms.
A recent discovery indicates that using the ED medication Cialis for daily use, or Tadalafil daily use, combined with tamsulosin can reduce the symptoms of BPH. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) now recommends the drug both for men with an enlarged prostate and those who have both BPH and erectile dysfunction.
Read Tamsulosin Alone versus Tamsulosin + Cialis for BPH and ED
Some treatments for prostate problems can lead to erectile dysfunction. For many men with prostate symptoms, ED medication can help restore sexual function. You can safely order your ED medication online with eDrugstore. Browse our medication guide, and take advantage of a complimentary consultation with a U.S.-licensed physician with free shipping discreetly to your door.
Anka Grzywacz is a sexologist, reproductive health expert and Certified Sex Coach™. In her online practice she helps busy women and couples solve their intimate problems.
