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.
Your prostate is a walnut-sized gland that sits between your bladder and penis. When it’s healthy, the gland does a great job of providing nutrients to seminal fluid — which emerges with sperm during ejaculation.
Most people with a prostate gland experience enlargement with age, and it’s generally not an urgent health matter. That said, you may develop bothersome symptoms that can benefit from treatment. And in some cases, such care lowers your risk of complications.
Expert urologist Dr. Mike Hsieh is pleased to provide care for enlarged prostate symptoms at our La Jolla, California, office.
Take a few moments to learn more about this common condition, including ways we can help.
When your prostate is enlarged, you have what’s medically known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). While the exact cause isn’t known, BPH appears to be linked with changes in your testicle cells or hormone levels with increasing age.
Common symptoms of an enlarged prostate include:
In more severe cases, BPH may also cause bloody or painful urination or a complete inability to urinate.
If your enlarged prostate isn’t bothering you or causing challenging symptoms, you may not need any treatment. In some cases, lifestyle changes are sufficient, such as urinating whenever you have the urge, managing stress, and avoiding drinking large amounts of beverages at once. A healthy diet and routine exercise may also help keep your symptoms at bay.
If you’re bothered by the effects of BPH, Dr. Hsieh will conduct a comprehensive exam, where you’ll discuss your symptoms and medical history. To confirm your diagnosis, his team may conduct a digital rectal exam to determine your prostate gland’s size. You’ll also likely have a urine test.
From there, if treatment is approved, your options may include:
These treatments can help alleviate your symptoms and stave off potential complications like kidney stones, urinary tract infections, and bladder or kidney damage. Thankfully, BPH is not known to increase your risk for or lead to prostate cancer.
To learn more about enlarged prostate issues or to get the care you need, call our office at 858-249-3534 or send us a message through our website today.
