Can I Prevent Sexual Dysfunction
While there isnât a single way to prevent sexual dysfunction, you can reduce your risk by:
- Avoiding drugs and too much alcohol.
- Eating a balanced diet.
- Exercising regularly.
- Maintaining a healthy body weight.
- Seeking help from a health care professional if you are experiencing trouble with your mood or difficulty communicating with your partner.
Also, talk to your healthcare provider about sexual dysfunction risk before starting new medications or undergoing certain medical procedures.
Chlamydia And Erectile Dysfunction: What’s The Link
- web site: www.medicalnewstoday.com
Some individuals with chlamydia experience difficulty getting or keeping an erection, which is commonly called erectile dysfunction. This difficulty occurs when chlamydia infects the prostate gland, leading to prostatitis.
Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection that can cause long-term health problems. Many people with chlamydia have no symptoms and are unaware that they have the infection.
If it goes untreated, chlamydia can lead to:
chronic prostatitis in men, causing pain and erectile dysfunction an increased risk of getting HIV permanent infertility in women and a painful condition called pelvic inflammatory disease
In this article, we explore the link between chlamydia and ED. We also describe when to get tested, how chlamydia is treated, and which other conditions can cause ED.Does chlamydia cause ED?If chlamydia infects the prostate, it may lead to ED.
Chlamydia can infect the prostate, causing a complication called prostatitis, which can lead to ED.
If chlamydia enters the genital tract, it can spread to nearby organs. In males, chlamydia bacteria can infect the urethra, which is the tube that carries sperm out of the body. Over time, the bacteria can travel through the urethra to the prostate gland.
Chlamydia often causes no symptoms. In some people, symptoms appear several weeks after the initial infection, and by then a person may have spread chlamydia to someone else.
Std Causes Erectile Dysfunction
Certain STIs, like chlamydia, gonorrhea, untreated HIV, and viral hepatitis can sometimes cause infections in the prostate gland.
Chlamydia could infect the prostate, causing a severe condition called prostatitis, which can lead to Erectile Dysfunction. Chlamydia trachomatis is a bacterial infection that when the chlamydia enters the genital tract, can spread to nearby organs manifesting various forms like trachoma, lymphogranuloma venereum, nongonococcal urethritis, cervicitis, salpingitis, pelvic inflammatory disease. In males, chlamydia bacteria can infect the urethra, the tube that carries sperm out of the body.
In men, gonorrhea can cause a painful condition in the tubes attached to the testicles. It is a bacterial infection that leads to infertility. The bacterial attack may cause a man to be sterile, or prevent him from becoming a father.
HIV/AIDS-Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome is causing Erectile Dysfunction in men. The related research informs that around 40 to 60% of men with HIV may have some level of erectile dysfunction. Antiretroviral Therapy is the treatment to resist HIV/AIDs which have properties as a side effect to develop Erectile Dysfunction.
Hepatitis is an inflammatory disorder developed in the disease. There are three variant viruses in Hepatitis abbreviated as HAV, HAB, and HAC.
Recommended Reading: Does Chlamydia Have A Cure
Sexually Transmitted Diseases Among Men Who Use Erectile Dysfunction Drugs
What is the problem and what is known about it so far?
Erectile dysfunction , or impotence, is an inability to get or keep an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse. Causes can be psychological or physical. Physical causes include advanced age, heavy drinking, chronic diseases , hormonal abnormalities , and use of some drugs . Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors are drugs available to treat ED. Commonly prescribed ED drugs include sildenafil , vardenafil , and tadalafil . Because up to 40% of middle-aged and older men have some degree of ED, drugs for this condition are commonly used. Risks for sexually transmitted diseases may accompany the increased sexual activity that these drugs enable. Sexually transmitted diseases include infections with viruses or bacteria, such as HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, or syphilis. Little is known about the risk for STDs in men who use ED drugs.
Why did the researchers do this particular study?
To find out about the frequency of STDs in men who use ED drugs.
Who was studied?
33 968 men with at least 1 prescription for an ED drug and more than 1 million men without a prescription. All of the study participants had private insurance from 44 large companies from 1997 to 2006.
How was the study done?
What did the researchers find?
What were the limitations of the study?
What are the implications of the study?
How Are Stds Treated
The best way to avoid prostatitis and associated pain and sexual dysfunction is to treat it as quickly as possible. If you are in a higher risk bracket for getting an STD, you should ensure that you are getting regular STD tests. Doing so can save you money on costly treatments and ensure that you arent spreading STDs to any sexual partner.
When caught early, many bacterial STDs can effectively be treated with a course of antibiotics. Antibiotics work by selectively targeting bacteria within the body and killing or inoculating them in some way. Viral STDs like HIV however have no cure. Antiviral medications however can effectively suppress the HIV virus to undetectable levels.
Also Check: Can A Male Have Chlamydia And Not Know It
Can An Std Cause Erectile Dysfunction
No man wants to dwell on the subject of erectile dysfunction. Talking about it with others can be embarrassing, awkward, or downright scary. Yet, the reality is that erectile dysfunction can occur because of a myriad of physical problems. Can an STD cause erectile dysfunction? The answer, unfortunately, is yes. Here, well explain everything you need to know about the connection between ED and STDs as well as what you can to protect yourself and your partner:
Is Sexual Dysfunction A Permanent Condition
For some women, sexual dysfunction may go away on its own. It also might only happen at certain times, such as after childbirth or during hormonal changes. For others, sexual dysfunction may need ongoing management. Sexual dysfunction often requires the assistance of different multiple different types of health care professionals, including physical therapists and counselors.
Read Also: What Medicine Can Treat Chlamydia
Other Ways To Improve Your Erections
In addition to treating any sexually transmitted diseases and using ED medication, there are a few simple changes that you can make to your habits and daily life for more reliable erections, better heart health and improved overall wellbeing. Try to:
-
Get plenty of physical activity, even if it just means going for a daily walk or bike ride.
-
Maintain a healthy body weight, especially if youre currently overweight or obese.
-
Eat a healthy, balanced diet thats rich in fresh fruits, vegetables and lean proteins.
-
If you have hypertension or diabetes, keep them under control.
-
Limit your alcohol intake by drinking in moderation and avoiding irresponsible drinking.
-
Avoid using illicit drugs, as these may affect your sex drive and sexual function.
-
If you smoke, make an effort to quit to improve your cardiovascular wellbeing.
Our list of ways to protect your erections naturally shares other lifestyle changes and healthy habits that you can use for better erections and sexual performance.
Does Chlamydia Cause Ed
If chlamydia infects the prostate, it may lead to ED.
Chlamydia can infect the prostate, causing a complication called prostatitis, which can lead to ED.
If chlamydia enters the genital tract, it can spread to nearby organs. In males, chlamydia bacteria can infect the urethra, which is the tube that carries sperm out of the body. Over time, the bacteria can travel through the urethra to the prostate gland.
Recommended Reading: Chlamydia Treatment Cost No Insurance
How To Prevent Chlamydia
Chlamydia can pose serious health complications, so it is best to prevent it in the first place. To reduce your chances of getting affected with chlamydia especially when you are sexually active, you can do the following:
- Use protection like condoms and dental dams whenever you want to have sexual intercourse, especially if you have multiple sexual partners.
- Get regular tests or screenings. Most chlamydia infectionsare always asymptomatic at the onset. This often makes it difficult to detect when you or your partner are infected. The only way to keep safe is to always have regular screening.
- Reduce the number of sexual partners you have – it is best to stick with one. Having multiple sexual partners increases the risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections.
- Avoid sharing sex toys with friends.
Read also:
What Is Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction is a common sexual health condition. If you have erectile dysfunction, you may find it difficult or impossible to get or maintain an erection thats firm enough to engage in sexual activity.
Although the term erectile dysfunction is usually associated with a complete inability to get or stay hard, the reality is that ED can vary in severity.
Some men with ED are able to get an erection relatively easily, but arent able to maintain it for long enough to have sex. Others can get an erection sometimes, but not every time they want to have sex. Others may not be able to get an erection at all, even when they feel aroused.
Although erectile dysfunction is most common in middle-aged and elderly men, it affects men of all ages and backgrounds.
Factors that may increase your risk of developing erectile dysfunction include certain conditions and diseases, using certain types of medication or having negative health factors, such as being overweight, smoking cigarettes or taking illicit drugs.
Our complete guide to erectile dysfunction goes into more detail about what ED is, common risk factors and more.
Don’t Miss: What Is The Best Medicine For Chlamydia
Men Taking Drugs For Sex Function Risk Sex Diseases
4 Min Read
This infection rate was higher even in the year before the men got their prescriptions filled, which suggests the risky behavior came first, the researchers reported in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
The study shows that even middle-aged men need advice about spreading and catching STDs, especially AIDS, which is deadly and incurable, Dr. Anupam Jena of Harvard Medical School in Boston and colleagues wrote.
Users of ED drugs had higher rates of HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis in the 12 months before filling their first ED drug prescription, although only HIV and chlamydia were statistically significant in this period, Jenas team wrote.
At a minimum, use of ED drugs seems to correlate with higher-risk sexual behavior, either in the number or type of sexual encounters.
Jena and colleagues looked at the health insurance records of 33,968 men with at least one prescription for an ED drug and more than 1 million men without a prescription, searching billing codes for STDs.
Rates of HIV per 100,000 men in the previous year were 66.5 for men who did not get an ED drug but 147.2 for men who did. Rates of chlamydia where almost triple for men who took an ED drug — 41 per 100,000 compared to 15 per 100,000 for men not using the drugs.
They all belong to a class called phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors and they work by increasing blood flow.
Reporting by Maggie Fox editing by Todd Eastham
What Causes Of Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction, is actually a very common sexual dysfunction in men. It is characterized by the inability of a man to get an erection or maintain it. Men suffering from erectile dysfunction are not able to perform sexually and this can be a blast to the ego or be very frustrating, but its important to remember that its treatable! It has a negative impact on their sexual life but can have bigger impacts on relationships and self image.
While erectile dysfunction can happen to any man after they hit puberty, it is most commonly seen among men over the age of 40 years. The likelihood of erectile dysfunction increases as we men age. One of the most common questions asked about erectile dysfunction is why does it happen. Or more precisely, Why is this happening with me? especially if youre healthy, active and fit.
There are many factors that contribute to erectile dysfunction. Your healthcare practitioner will be able to guide you about the exact causes of your erectile dysfunction. However, experts suggest that erectile dysfunction is mostly caused because of the following 10 reasons.
You May Like: Can You Test Yourself For Chlamydia At Home
A Word From Same Day Std Testing
At Same Day STD Testing, we believe that your sexual health is your business not anyone elses! Thats why weve designed our facilities to ensure your comfort and confidentiality. We believe in providing safe, reliable, and private STD tests to all who need them. Contact one of our team members at for more information or visit a clinic near you to get tested today.
What Are Sexually Transmitted Infections Or Diseases
Sexually transmitted infections are also commonly called sexually transmitted diseases . They are the infections you get from another person through sexual contact. According to the CDC, there are more than 20 known types of STDs/STIs. In addition, over 20 million people in the United States are infected each year. About half of these people are age 15-24. Luckily, most STDs can be treated and cured.
How do you know if you have one? What is the best treatment? The information here should help answer these questions.
How do the male reproductive organs work?
The male reproductive system is specialized for the following functions:
- To produce, maintain and transport sperm and protective fluid
- To discharge sperm within the female reproductive tract
- To produce and secrete male sex hormones
The male reproductive anatomy includes external structures which include the:
The male reproductive anatomy includes internal structures which include the:
How do the female reproductive organs work?
During menopause the female reproductive system gradually stops making the female hormones necessary for the reproductive cycle to work. At this point, menstrual cycles can become irregular and eventually stop. One year after menstrual cycles stop, the woman is considered to be menopausal.
The female reproductive anatomy includes both external and internal structures.
The female reproductive anatomy includes internal structures which include the:
Often, there are no symptoms at all.
Also Check: Chlamydia Bumps On Inner Thigh
Questions To Ask Your Doctor
How can STIs/STDs be prevented?
The only way to avoid a STI or STD is to have no sexual contact with an infected person. Other protections include:
- Using a condom correctly, and always with sex
- Having a sexual relationship with only one, long-term partner who has no infections
- Limiting the number of sexual partners you have
- Using clean needles if you are injecting drugs
Using latex condoms the right way helps to protect you and your partner. Still, condoms donât cover everything. It is possible to get or spread infections even when using a condom.
Talk about STIs before you have sex with a new partner. This way you can make informed choices about risks you want to take with your sex life. The only way to truly prevent STIs/STDs is to avoid having sex.
If you or someone you know has symptoms like unusual discharge, burning during urination, or a sore in the genital area, please talk with a health care provider. You can get treatment and help.
Can STIs/STDs cause other health problems in women?
Some STIs can spread into a womanâs uterus and fallopian tubes. They can cause pelvic inflammatory disease. They can cause infertility and ectopic pregnancy . STIs can be passed from mother to baby. Also, there are some links between STIs and cancer.
What if I am pregnant?
You can get treatment to prevent problems for your baby. If you are pregnant and have STD symptoms, please contact your doctor immediately. STDs during pregnancy should be addressed quickly.
Can Gonorrhea Cause Erectile Dysfunction
In some cases, yes. Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection that spreads through sexual contact. Its one of several bacterial STDs that can spread to your prostate gland and cause you to develop the symptoms of erectile dysfunction.
Common symptoms of gonorrhea in men include:
-
Pain, discomfort and a burning sensation when urinating
-
Swollen and/or painful testicles
Gonorrhea is treatable with antibiotics, making it important to talk to your healthcare provider if you start to experience any of the symptoms above.
You May Like: Azithromycin Chlamydia Where To Buy
What Stds Can Lead To Erectile Dysfunction
It is important to note that not all STDs are the same and that each has its own symptoms associated with it.
That being said, there are two main STDs that tend to cause prostatitis: chlamydia and gonorrhea. Both STDs are bacterial based and this logically makes sense. Bacteria are motile and readily move around within a space.
If you think of the urethra as a highway, your prostate is a nice convenient rest stop for bacteria traveling along urethra highway 1. Not only is it convenient, but the prostate seminal fluid production makes it an easy target for infection.
Connection Between Chlamydia And Erectile Dysfunction
Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted infection that is caused by the Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria. It is possible for both men and women to get infected by chlamydia.
If this sexually transmitted disease is left untreated, it can cause many severe and dangerous long-term health problems, one of which is erectile dysfunction. Chlamydia can cause erectile dysfunction when the bacteria infect the prostate gland in men, causing a condition known as prostatitis.
In many people, the STD does not cause any symptoms due to which they remain unaware that they are infected with chlamydia. Apart from erectile dysfunction, if left untreated, then chlamydia can also cause other problems such as:
- An increased risk of getting HIV
- Permanent infertility in women
- A painful condition is known as a pelvic inflammatory disease in women
You may go on for several weeks after the initial exposure to the bacteria before you start to feel any symptoms of chlamydia. This is why damage can already occur without you being aware of being infected and having chlamydia.
Don’t Miss: Can You Have Protected Sex While On Medication For Chlamydia