Chronic Prostatitis: How Men Can Restore Sexual Function?

Chronic prostatitis is a prevalent urological condition marked by a high incidence, challenging treatment, and frequent recurrence. Clinically, it manifests as pain in the prostate area, urinary difficulties, and symptoms of urethral irritation, such as frequent urination, urgency, and a burning sensation. Additionally, many patients experience fatigue, sexual dysfunction, and even autonomic nervous system disorders like depression and insomnia, severely impacting their intimate life and mental health.

Why Does Chronic Prostatitis Affect Sexual Function?

1. Direct Impact of the Disease on Sexual Function

The prostate’s primary function is to secrete prostatic fluid, a crucial component of semen. When inflamed, the secretion of prostatic fluid is compromised, impacting sperm quality and motility, which can adversely affect fertility. Furthermore, prostatitis can impair a man’s ability to achieve an erection or lead to premature ejaculation, resulting in poor sexual performance.

2. Psychological Effects of the Disease on Sexual Function

The psychological burden of chronic prostatitis is significant. This mental stress exacerbates the severity of the condition, increasing physical discomfort and preventing full mental and emotional engagement in sexual activities. Additionally, chronic prostatitis can affect nerve conduction and the endocrine system, indirectly impairing erectile function.

3. Pain Induced by the Disease Affecting Sexual Function

When chronic prostatitis is caused by infections such as chlamydia and mycoplasma, patients often experience intense pain in the lower back, anus, and testicles. This pain makes it difficult to engage in sexual activity, indirectly reducing sexual performance.

How Can Patients with Chronic Prostatitis Regain Sexual Function?

1. Active Treatment

Effectively controlling and treating chronic prostatitis is key to addressing decreased sexual function. Professional urological or andrological consultation is crucial to determine the type of inflammation and adopt targeted treatment strategies. Common treatments include medications such as antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs. Physical therapies like prostate massage and thermotherapy can alleviate symptoms, and in some instances, surgical intervention may be necessary.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatments, such as acupuncture and herbal remedies, are also options. For example, the Diuretic and Anti-inflammatory Pill, known for its effects of clearing heat and detoxification, promoting blood circulation, relieving pain, and promoting urination, can thoroughly eliminate inflammation and improve the internal environment of the urogenital system. This dual approach treats both the symptoms and the root cause, reducing the likelihood of recurrence.

2. Lifestyle Adjustments

Prevent prolonged sitting and avoid holding urine to reduce prostate congestion. Engage in moderate sexual activity to prevent congestion and the discomfort that inflammation brings. Maintain a balanced diet, reducing the intake of spicy foods, alcohol, and caffeine, which may irritate the prostate. Consuming foods rich in zinc, vitamin E, and antioxidants can boost the immune system and promote reproductive health.

Drinking enough water, at least two thousand milliliters of plain water daily, promotes metabolism and accelerates the elimination of bacteria and toxins. Maintaining cleanliness is crucial as men secrete more sweat, and poor ventilation in the genital area can lead to local bacterial infections. Therefore, paying attention to cleanliness helps prevent infection and inflammation.

Regular exercise, such as walking, swimming, or yoga, improves blood circulation and alleviates prostatic symptoms. Ensuring sufficient sleep and effectively managing stress are vital for restoring sexual function.

3. Psychological Support and Communication

Sexual dysfunction often accompanies psychological stress. Psychological counseling or sex therapy can help alleviate anxiety and depression, enhancing the quality of intimate life. Open and honest communication with a partner to face challenges together and find mutually satisfying sexual practices is essential for emotional connection and sexual satisfaction. Seeking help from a psychologist or counselor for psychological interventions can boost self-confidence and reduce psychological stress.

Each patient’s situation is unique, and treatment should be personalized and carried out under professional guidance. Maintaining a positive mindset and actively facing the treatment process is also crucial for recovery.

Men need to be aware of five potential symptoms that may indicate prostatitis:

1. Abnormal Urination: Prostate inflammation can cause urgency, pain, frequent urination, and blood in the urine. This is due to inflammatory substances stimulating the organ and irritating the urethra, leading to inflammation.

2. Pain: Inflammation of the prostate can cause a heavy, painful sensation in the scrotum, penis, and anus. This pain may gradually radiate to the groin, lower back, or thighs, causing noticeable discomfort throughout the lower body.

3. Decreased Sexual Ability: Prostatitis can affect male sexual function, leading to difficulty achieving normal erections, premature ejaculation, nocturnal emissions, decreased libido, or pain during ejaculation. These issues can create psychological barriers during sexual activity.

4. Abnormal Urethral Discharge: Normally, the male urethra does not produce much discharge. However, prostatitis can cause the urethral opening to emit purulent discharge.

5. Hematuria: Blood in the urine is a typical symptom of prostatitis. This is caused by the dilation of blood vessels at the end of the prostate. The prostate is pulled by the gland, leading to noticeable bleeding symptoms.