Does Sex Make Your Prostatitis Worse? Here’s Help

Highlights

• Does sex make prostatitis worse? Probably not, but prostatitis can cause sexual difficulties.
• Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland that causes pain.
• Prostatitis affects approximately eight percent of men.
• Common symptoms of prostatitis include pain during orgasm and ejaculation.
• When sex hurts, find creative ways to stay intimate without intercourse.
• If you develop erectile dysfunction as a result of prostatitis, get medical treatment.

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Can sex make prostatitis worse? Probably not. But prostatitis can cause problems in the bedroom. Due to its location in the male urinary and reproductive system, the illness has implications for your sex life. However, there are ways to enjoy intimacy when dealing with prostatitis.

What’s Prostatitis?

Prostatitis is a common disease, affecting approximately eight percent of men.  Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate — the organ producing the fluid you see when you ejaculate. Without it, your sperm would not survive its swim toward the egg.

There are four main types of prostatitis:

• Acute (temporary) bacterial prostatitis
• Chronic (long-term) bacterial prostatitis
• Chronic prostatitis (also known as chronic pelvic pain syndrome)
• Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis

Causes of Prostatitis

Bacterial prostatitis is an infection caused by bacteria, usually the E. coli strain. It can develop as a side effect of a sexually transmitted infection (STI), or after a prostate procedure. Men with enlarged prostates are at higher risk of chronic bacterial prostatitis.

Symptoms of Prostatitis

Pain is the main symptom of all types of prostatitis except the asymptomatic one. (You won’t know you have it unless your doctor discovers it by accident.) You may experience pain in several ways:

• Pain when urinating
• Pain when ejaculating
• Pain in your pelvis or lower back

Other symptoms will vary. For example, in an acute infection you may run a fever, while chronic prostatitis could lead to premature ejaculation (PE) or erectile dysfunction (ED). Your doctor will run all the necessary tests and recommend the best course of treatment for you.

Treatment for Prostatitis

To treat bacterial prostatitis, you will need to take antibiotics for a few weeks. You may have to take over-the-counter painkillers, too. If you have trouble urinating, your doctor can prescribe drugs called alpha-blockers.

Some men benefit from physical therapy;  others need psychological support to manage the stress that accompanies this condition.

Does Sex Make Prostatitis Worse?

In theory, you can have penetrative sex when dealing with prostatitis. Sex itself, including orgasm and ejaculation, doesn’t make your prostatitis worse. But it can cause discomfort and pain.

In practice, you may choose to avoid intercourse for a variety of reasons:

• Painful ejaculation. When it hurts every time you ejaculate, it’s better to avoid climax until you get better. This way you can prevent other complications, such as psychological erectile dysfunction. It happens when your penis refuses to cooperate because your mind associates orgasm with pain, which can cause long-term problems.

• Sexually transmitted infections. If your prostatitis was caused by an STI, you should avoid intercourse (or use condoms) until treated. Do it to protect your partner’s sexual health.

• Erectile dysfunction. ED and prostatitis often go together. Whether because of pain or stress, some men lose their ability to get and stay hard. Avoiding sex is not the best solution to this problem, particularly if you’re in an intimate relationship. ED is treatable, and you should talk to your doctor about it as soon as possible.

• Stress and anxiety. As much as you may not want to admit it, prostate problems can make you worried. You may agonize over such questions as, “Will I get prostate cancer from this?” or “Will I ever be able to have pain-free orgasms again?”. Many guys don’t know how to handle these emotions and shut down or distance themselves from their partners.

Nurturing Intimacy When You Have Prostatitis

When prostatitis enters the picture, your sex life can change overnight. You may find yourself not making love at all or avoiding intimacy.

For most couples, sex is more than a fun way to release tension. It’s a bonding ritual, something that brings you closer and allows you to reconnect. With that gone, you may feel like you’re drifting apart.

Here are some tips for navigating sex and prostatitis:

Find Creative Ways to Play

When ejaculation and orgasm hurt, it’s better to avoid climax until you’re pain-free. This is to prevent a vicious circle, where you feel the pain, your brain registers that ejaculating hurts, and in an attempt to avoid suffering, your body develops ED.

You might also try to:

• Use a painkiller. Try taking a painkiller before getting intimate and see if it makes any difference. If it doesn’t, look for ways to create erotic experiences without going all the way.

• Awaken the senses. Do something sexual that’s not too arousing, such as a sensual dance or massage. If it’s not too frustrating, you can ask your partner to caress you or even have intercourse, but stop before the big finish.
• Pleasure your partner. If you decide to avoid sexual stimulation for some time, it doesn’t mean your partner has to give up on pleasure! Use this time to generously give attention to your lover, touching them and leading them to orgasm.

Explore Your Kinky Side

Prostatitis may impose some sexual limitations for you and your partner, but it can also be a chance to explore your sexual nature in new ways. For example, some people enjoy BDSM play. These practices can bring erotic thrills without the need for intercourse.

BDSM stands for erotic activities that involve bondage, discipline, dominance, and submission. Think of it as sexual theatre, where you play power games. It can be as light or intense as you wish. It should go without saying that both partners need to be comfortable with this type of sex play.

Check out more ideas on great sex without an erection in this blog post.

Talk About It

None of these tips will work if you don’t tell your partner that you have prostatitis. Don’t make the mistake of keeping silent! Your partner deserves to know about your health problems, especially those affecting your relationship.

Here are other ideas for better intimate communication:

• Admit your feelings. The best strategy to talk about things you feel awkward about is to admit to feeling awkward about them. It helps release the initial tension and builds trust between you and your partner. If you don’t know how to explain what prostatitis is, point your partner to an online resource.

• Strategize together. Engage your partner in strategizing the best ways to nurture love and intimacy as you wait for treatment to end. Having a clear action plan is crucial for men with chronic prostatitis, as the disease can return at any time.
• Get counseling. Opening about your feelings in such an intimate matter can feel intimidating. If you feel like you can’t handle having a conversation about prostatitis, ask a professional for support. A couple’s therapist can help you sort out relationship tensions, while a sex coach can advise on bedroom matters.

Getting Help for Your Sexual Problems

Prostatitis and erectile dysfunction are two problems that often hit you at the same time, or one after the other. As prostatitis symptoms subside, you may be ready to resume sexual activity only to realize you can’t get hard.

Don’t wait for erectile dysfunction to solve itself. Get medical help right away. Modern treatments with medication such as Viagra or Levitra are very effective and safe for most men. At eDrugstore.com, an online consultation with a licensed physician is always free. Click here to order ED medication today.