Why Sudden Erectile Dysfunction Could Be A Serious Warning Sign For A Man’s Prostate – Health Digest

Occasional erectile dysfunction (ED) may be an annoying (or embarrassing) problem, but it’s also very normal. In most cases, the issue is fleeting and goes away on its own. However, when ED occurs suddenly and keeps happening rather than going away, it may be a warning sign of problems related to the prostate.

It’s not difficult to understand why a connection exists between the prostate and ED, particularly when you consider the innately connected functions of the prostate and penis. The prostate gland, which is located below the bladder, assists in the creation and elimination of seminal fluid, as explained by the Cleveland Clinic. Consequently, it interacts with the penis routinely.

If something happens to disrupt the ability of the prostate to move seminal fluid out of the body, the penile nerves and muscles may be affected. As such, ED in the form of difficulty getting or maintaining an erection may occur. And there are a couple of issues that could cause a disruption between the natural relationship between the prostate and penis.

The first potential prostate-related reason for sudden ED is a mass within the prostate. Some masses or tumors may be cancerous. The larger they become, the more pressure they put on the vital body parts that help a man attain and keep an erection. Per Johns Hopkins Medicine, ED can be a symptom or warning sign of possible prostate cancer. That said, ED happens regularly enough to men — particularly older men — that it isn’t necessarily an indicator of a cancerous growth.

Another way the prostate could cause abrupt ED is through prostatitis. Men with prostatitis experience inflammation of the prostate, which can require medications, surgeries, or a combination of treatments (via the Mayo Clinic). Unlike the type of ED associated with cancerous tumors, men with prostatitis are more likely to feel burning or pain in their penises or when ejaculating.

What’s the final takeaway? If you experience ED once or twice, you’re not alone. Anywhere between 11% and 25% of men will have ED at some point (per Healthline). Having ED sporadically isn’t something that requires an immediate call to the doctor. On the other hand, a sudden onset of ED probably warrants a visit with a primary care provider or a specialist to rule out prostate cancer, prostatitis, or another serious medical concern that requires immediate action.

Be aware that if you’re diagnosed with prostate cancer, some of the treatment methods used to combat the disease may lead to future ED. In fact, Johns Hopkins Medicine notes that ED is typical in the months following prostate cancer therapies. The Prostate Cancer Foundation agrees and identifies radiation treatment and surgeries as primary causes for post-cancer ED due to nerve damage that can happen during the procedures.