How to Manage Painful Erections
Painful erections are usually more than a mild inconvenience. Learn what to do once it happens, including how the right treatment can help.
The male sex drive is infamous. Unfortunately, all the attention men get about their libido may prevent them from seeking help when they need it.
Almost every man experiences some kind of sexual problem during his lifetime, but many may have a hard time discussing these problems with their doctor. Though erectile dysfunction (ED) is widely recognized and accepted as a common sexual problem in men, it’s not the only one.
At the urology practice of Mike Hsieh, MD, in La Jolla, California, we specialize in men’s health and sexual dysfunction. In this month’s blog, Dr. Hsieh wants to shed light on other sexual problems common in men: ejaculation disorders.
Premature ejaculation, inhibited ejaculation, and retrograde ejaculation are three types of ejaculation disorders. Read on to learn how to recognize these disorders, understand their causes, and how we treat them.
Premature ejaculation is rapid ejaculation that you can’t stop. You may ejaculate sooner than you or your partner expects or desires.
It’s not uncommon to experience premature ejaculation from time to time. But if premature ejaculation occurs often and causes problems, it’s time to get professional help.
Your unexpected ejaculation may occur because of an underlying health issue like ED or depression. Low serotonin levels are also linked to premature ejaculation.
Treatment for premature ejaculation may include talk therapy, behavioral therapy, or medications directed at the underlying cause. Currently, there are no prescription medications specifically used to treat premature ejaculation.
If it takes longer than you expect to ejaculate, even with the right stimulation, you’re experiencing inhibited ejaculation, also called delayed ejaculation. In severe cases, ejaculation never happens, leaving you sexually dissatisfied.
Inhibited ejaculation may occur from any number of causes, such as:
Some causes of inhibited ejaculation are temporary and fixable, while others may require ongoing management.
Treatment for this type of ejaculation disorder focuses on the cause and may include lifestyle changes, counseling, or medication.
Retrograde ejaculation is when semen pushes back into your bladder instead of exiting through your urethra. It occurs because of problems with the bladder sphincter, the muscle that closes off the bladder, allowing semen out while keeping urine in.
If you have retrograde ejaculation, this muscle doesn’t close, making it easier for the semen to go up into the bladder.
You may not know you have retrograde ejaculation until you experience difficulties getting your partner pregnant. This ejaculation disorder is a common cause of male infertility.
Retrograde ejaculation isn’t painful or harmful and may not require any treatments. But if you’re trying to have a baby, there are prescription medications you can take that keep the bladder sphincter closed. You can also do Kegel exercises to strengthen the muscles that control urination.
Sexual dysfunction is treatable, but only when you reach out for help. Call our office today to schedule an appointment with one of our men’s health experts, who can expertly diagnose and treat your sexual health problem.
