Dysfunction in the Bedroom? Get a Prostate Check

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Published on Wednesday, 02 January 2013 00:11

Written by Jackie Jones, BlackAmericaWeb.com

The most important thing black men can do for themselves, and their lovers, is to get eat right, exercise, get regular checkups and go to the doctor when something seems off-kilter.

That latter issue, especially when it affects a man’s sex life, is particularly important.

Many men are afraid they may have prostate cancer and realize that a possible side effect of treatment is a reduced ability to get and sustain an erection or diminished sexual desire. Sometimes, though, the problem isn’t cancer at all, but other illnesses that have not been managed properly, including diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, obesity, smoking, alcohol or drug abuse.

And erectile dysfunction (ED) isn’t just an older man’s problem. Younger men can have trouble, too, and it can create marital or relationship problems, result in low self-esteem and create fertility problems, especially for young couples trying to get pregnant.

“Men seem to be reluctant to go in and get this sort of thing treated and we’ve had many patients that are literally dragged into the room by the women who love them,” said Dr. Samuel Wood, a reproductive endocrinologist and fertility and sexual medicine specialist, said in a recent television interview.

Wood has pioneered a procedure in which a patient’s blood is withdrawn and the platelets and plasma, which contain growth factors, are reinjected. It increases blood flow and enhances nerve function in the body’s reproductive areas. The procedure is called the "O Factor" for women and the "M factor" for men.

The treatment is available for men who have issues with enlarged prostates, as well as men who have prostate cancer.

The procedure involves no medication or surgery.

“It’s a good first place to go to try this before you take on the risk of surgery,” Wood said in the interview.

He also described BladderVoid, a relatively inexpensive product for men with enlarged prostates and urinary tract issues. It basically is a hotpack warmed in the microwave and put behind the groin area to relax the muscles and stimulate urination and helps the patient empty his bladder – a frequent problem for men with enlarged prostates, who often need to urinate more frequently because they cannot empty their bladders at any one time.

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in African American men, the highest mortality rate from prostate cancer of any ethnic group in the U.S.

The American Cancer Society recommends that the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test be offered annually, beginning at age 50, to men who have a life expectancy of at least 10 years. African American men and men with a strong family history of one or more first-degree relatives diagnosed with prostate cancer at an early age should begin testing at age 45.

The Society has a toll-free hotline staffed 24/7 that provides information (1-800-ACS-2345) as well as a website www.cancer.org that provides details.

Otis Brawley, M.D., chief medical officer of the American Cancer Society, told BlackAmericaWeb.com in a previous interview that most men have something that is easily fixed and is not cancer, but if they refuse to go to the doctor a small problem can become a bigger problem.

“They put off going to the doctor and there’s data that shows it’s sometimes because with screening tests there’s a $10 co-pay, but if there’s a free screening at the clinic they will go. Sometimes it’s fear of the doctor or concern about (missing) work and other things or (lack of) day care.

“Many of us simply don’t put health high enough in our priorities,” Brawley said. “If it’s our kids or loved ones we’ll push them to go, but we don’t take care of ourselves.”

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I know you are talking about male infertility, but I have a question about female infetility. I had surgery to remove a cyst from my ovary; my doctor discovered that I had mild endometriosis, "am I still able to conceive"?

Whether mild endometriosis affects fertility is controversial with most researchers believing that it has a minimal effect for the vast majority of women. So quite likely if that is your only fertility issue, you will be fine. If you aren't able to conceive in 6-12 months, you should have a complete evaluation by a fertility specialist to see if there is another problem.

I'm fat as Hell; Can I still have enjoyable sex?

It depends on whether you're a male or female. Obesity seems to have little effect on women's sexuality as long as it doesn't affect their self-esteem. With men, however, obesity is a major cause of sexual problems, especially erectile dysfunction. Many men have a remarkable improvement in sexual function simply by losing weight.

My husband has been told that he has zero count. He was electrocuted a few years ago, could that have something to do with it and what test can be done to make sure there is no blockage?

In some cases an electrical injury can cause the testes to stop producing sperm. He may also have a blockage as well. A urology specialist can take a small sample form the testes to see whether the problem is production or blockage. Believe it or not, that is a simple (nearly) painless in-office procedure!

Dr. Wood my name is Jeff, what is the best way for a man to increase testosterone levels? I have been diagnosed with low testosterone.

If you're overweight, lose weight. Fat reduces free testosterone levels. Exercises involving the lower body, squats in particular, raise testosterone levels as well. But there are medical conditions and medications that can cause low testosterone as well, so it's worth having a specialist evaluate the situation. Many men today are taking testosterone replacement medications and are seeing excellent results.

My question is I had a truck wreck in 2006 which left me with back problems. This is the same time I started experiencing mild ED, I was 36-years-old at the time. Could my back problems play a role with my mild DVD Injuries?

After such an injury, men are sometimes less active and gain weight. So yes, for a variety of reasons injuries can lead to ED.

Why is it so hard for me to get erected for the second round? And why does the first round go so fast?

There's a natural refractory period (a time a second erection is impossible) after an ejaculation. As men age, that period of time becomes longer and for many men a second time simply is very difficult or impossible. As for the first round going too fast (premature ejaculation), there are several highly effective treatments for that. One you can do at home is the "squeeze method" that you can find on an internet search. Here are a couple of good links with things you can try before seeing a doctor:

http://www.menshealth.com/health/6-steps-beat-pe

http://voices.yahoo.com/controlling-premature-ejaculation-squeeze-7528008.html?cat=5

is there anything a man can eat or drink that can help him with erectile dysfunction or increase sex drive?

Even though there are many supposed "aphrodisiacs" out there, their effectiveness is questionable. But speaking of drinking, there is no doubt that alcohol has a highly negative effect on sexual function. Talking with a specialist can help you pinpoint the reasons for your symptoms (for example, your testosterone may be low).

Do ageless male and other testosterone enhancement medications work well?

Most of the male supplements that are available over the counter do not actually increase testosterone levels (but they can have a strong placebo effect). I think the best supplement that actually works is Maca. It's a common ingredient in both fertility and sexual function supplements. Our version is called FertileMax (www.fertilemax.com<http://www.fertilemax.com>).

What causes long delayed ejaculation?

There are several possible causes that fall into four general categories: physical, psychological, medications, and relationship issues (for example, she just isn't doing it for you). Here's a good link to get details:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/delayed-ejaculation/DS01174/DSECTION=causes

Do drinking muscle drinks and/or protein drinks affect a males fertility?

Most of the time, these things don't affect fertility in a significant way. But they can in some men. Getting a semen analysis is the best first step to explore that possibility.

When they say you're always ready, does that mean we walk around all day with an erection?

No, that would likely be quite uncomfortable for you and others! Seriously, being "ready" means that you are able to immediately respond to stimulation.

Will having a very active sex life in your fifties prevent prostate problems?

There is some research that suggests that frequent ejaculations may reduce the chance of some prostate problems, including cancer. Whether or not it's true, it's fun to try!

Can high blood cause ED as well?

Both high blood pressure and the medications used to treat it can cause sexual problems. If possible, lowering blood pressure through weight loss, exercise, and stress reduction is best.

What’s infertility?

For women under 35, it's not becoming pregnant after 12 months of trying. For women 35 and over, it's six months.

I can get an erection but I just can't hold it as long as I used to. What should I do? I used to be able to go for at least an hour and a half, two hours, now I'm down to about 35 minutes.

35 minutes is actually pretty darn good! The average man is about 7 minutes and about 20-30% are two minutes or under.

I didn't hear it but which is better Viagra or Cialis?

I recommend Cialis because you can take it daily and be ready whenever it's time. Taking it daily also improves urinary function as the same time.

Do taking high blood pressure pills cause ED?

Yes, that's one of the most common medication causes. Ask your doctor about a different medication or other ways to reduce your blood pressure.

If you take high blood pressure medicine, what medicine would be right to take to get you ready?

Medications like Cialis, Levitra and Viagra all work for men taking blood pressure medications.

My husband has a hard time staying erect even though he takes Viagra which makes sex unbearable because it is long and labored. What can we do or what can he take to help him achieve erection sooner than 2 hours and sometimes longer?

He should definitely see a specialist. There are other treatments that are effective for men who do not fully respond to the usual medications.

I drive trucks, sit for long periods, and undergo a lot of stress from driving. Does any of that cause ED and what can I do other than take drugs?

Make sure the seat is comfortable and not too hard. Pressure on the penis and scrotum can cause sexual problems.

What if I have a low sperm count? How can I increase my fertility?

A low sperm count is less than 20 million sperm in a milliliter (cc). There are many causes of low sperm counts listed on my website (www.fertile.com). Good luck!

I felt nauseous for about a month, and took a urine pregnancy test; it came out positive two times. I do feel pregnant and I have gained 10 lbs. Can I be pregnant at 60?

If you were pregnant and delivered, you would set the world record! So, no, that's not likely. There are conditions, some of them serious that can cause a pregnancy test to be positive after the reproductive years. Make sure you have this checked out!

Dr. Wood, I've had my prostate removed due to cancer, is there any hope?

Unfortunately, over half of men who have this procedure have long-term sexual problems. But, yes, there is hope. There are methods (including injections) that do work under these circumstances. I feel for you. This is one of the most difficult things about prostate cancer treatment. If you call my office (858-625-0125), we can give you more information about your options. Good luck!

I suffer with premature ejaculation with my wife. Use of condoms with side pieces helps with ED and PE. I recently ended it with my side pieces but I cannot control condom-less ED and PE, any advice?

There are both medical and at-home treatments you can try. Here's a link for home remedies, some of which work very well for some men):

http://www.menshealth.com/health/6-steps-beat-pe

If they don't work, see a doctor. Don't give up hope!

I'm a 52-year-old male and I can't seem to get an erection as normal .I just got married, so u can see my dilemma. Please help!

There are many potential causes for this situation. It's best to see a sexual medicine specialist, but if that isn't possible, see your regular doctor who should be able to narrow it down for you. Usually, they will give you a trial of something like Cialis or Viagra.

Dr. Wood, I already take Revadio for pulmonary hyper tension. Should I request Viagra for my erectile dysfunction?

Revatio and Viagra are the same medication just called something different because they're being used for two different purposes. You may want to ask your doctor if you can adjust your dosage.

Dr. Woods, are there natural cures for ED?

Best natural cures are to lose weight, lower blood fats and make sure the blood sugar is under control. Almost all men who are able to do these things improve. Doing regular Kegel exercises seem to help as well.

Can you help me with my erectile problems? I’m taking Andregel now and I am still having problems.

Make sure you're on the right dose so that your testosterone level is optimal. You may also need to take a second medication as well (Cialis, Viagra, etc).

Do IUDs delay the process of pregnancy after you remove it?

When copper-containing IUDs are removed, pregnancy rates return to normal almost immediately. For those containing hormones (Mirena), there is sometimes a few months delay. In all cases, six months later, pregnancy rates are back to normal.

Dr. Wood, I believe that Viagra and Cialis are not always effective. Why not? What can be done to increase the possibility that they work.

Sometimes the dose is simply too low and increasing it solves the problem immediately. Sometimes, something else is going on that needs to be addressed.

Dr. Wood, I use Cialis but the side effect I get is back pain.

Back pain is seen in about 6% of men who take Cialis. It usually occurs in those that are taking the highest dose (20 mg) for as needed sexual activity. Try taking the daily Cialis dosage (5 mg)--back pain is no more likely at that that dosage than placebo.

Dr. Wood, I have a problem with reaching my peak quickly, I usually reach within three seconds, I am currently taking Flomax. What can i do to last?

There are several other medications that are available for treating urinary problems. Ask you doctor to consider a different medication. Also, in consultation with your doctor, consider non-medication approaches to what is likely a prostate problem. If you send me an email ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ), I will send you (and anyone else who would like this information), a list of things you can try at home. One of the best approaches is to increase blood flow and relaxation in the urinary tract prior to voiding by using heat. The easiest, most effective way to do that is by using the Bladdervoid device (bladdervoid.com).

How can I fix low sperm ejaculation?

It depends on the cause. Seeing a specialist is the best approach, but short of that, the most common easily correctable solution is make sure you minimize heat in the area of the scrotum by wearing boxers rather than tight underwear and avoiding external heat (like a jacuzzi).

What can I do with a benign prostate problem? I urinate frequently.

There are several easy at home things you can try before considering medications or other treatments that can have significant sexual side effects. Send me an email ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ), and I will send you (and anyone else who would like this information), a list of things you can try at home. One of the best approaches is to increase blood flow and relaxation in the urinary tract prior to voiding by using heat. The easiest, most effective way to do that is by using the Bladdervoid device (bladdervoid.com).

Is it normal for a male to be young and not be able to perform?

Sexual problems can have a profound effect on how a man views himself and his quality of life. Problems like this can have a negative effect of several other aspects of health, including your heart. A healthy sex life makes you live longer, better and happier. Definitely, you should get help. A life without sex is rarely a satisfying one!

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