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Can hernias cause erectile dysfunction: Hernia and erectile dysfunction: Is there a link?

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Hernia and erectile dysfunction: Is there a link?

A hernia is unlikely to cause erectile dysfunction (ED) or affect sexual function directly. However, some people may experience temporary sexual issues after surgery to repair certain types of hernias.

Surgery to repair a common type of hernia known as an inguinal hernia may cause pain that can affect sexual function until the area heals.

An inguinal hernia occurs when contents of the abdomen bulge through weak areas in the abdominal wall on either side of the groin.

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), about 27% of adult males develop an inguinal hernia at some point.

This article discusses hernias and male sexual function, hernia repair surgery, ED, and more.

A note about sex and gender

Sex and gender exist on spectrums. This article will use the terms “male,” “female,” or both to refer to sex assigned at birth. Click here to learn more.

Was this helpful?

A hernia is not likely to cause ED directly, as no sexual organs are involved in their development.

However, some males may experience temporary sexual dysfunction after they undergo surgery to repair a hernia.

Inguinal hernias mainly affect males and are the most likely type of hernia to have some effect on erectile function due to their location in the groin.

Doctors will most often treat inguinal hernia with surgery. Without treatment, a person may be at risk of serious complications, such as the death of tissues inside the hernia.

Learn about male sexual problems.

A 2020 review of studies involving 4,884 people found that some males experienced pain and sexual dysfunction after surgery to repair inguinal hernias.

It found that around 9% of the males experienced pain during sexual activity, and around 5% experienced sexual dysfunction. The study defined sexual dysfunction as having difficulty completing intercourse.

However, pain and sexual dysfunction after inguinal hernia repair are typically temporary.

Other research has found that inguinal hernia surgery can positively affect sexual function. A 2016 study found that males experienced improved sexual function after surgery compared with the preoperative period.

The researchers noted that pain or a bulge in the groin from inguinal hernias could affect sexual function. Hernia repair surgery significantly improved sexual function in the participants, especially in the later period after surgery.

Learn about hernia repair surgery.

A person should discuss with their doctor when it is safe to engage in sexual activity after the surgery. People can usually resume daily activities within 3–5 days following the procedure.

There may be some mild pain and swelling in the groin area and testicle after surgery, and a doctor will recommend pain relief options.

The pain typically recedes within 2 weeks, but a person should contact their doctor if it is severe or persistent.

ED that results from hernia repair surgery is typically temporary.

However, if a person is concerned about their sexual function or if ED persists, they should contact a doctor. They may recommend treatments and tips for managing ED.

Treatments for ED depend on the cause of the issue. Treatments may include:

  • making lifestyle changes, such as stopping smoking and limiting alcohol consumption, if applicable
  • changing certain medications that may contribute to ED
  • receiving counseling to address emotional or psychological causes of ED
  • taking medications to treat ED, such as sildenafil (Viagra) or tadalafil (Cialis)
  • having ED surgery to rebuild arteries or implant a device to make the penis erect

Overall, doctors associate inguinal hernias with a good outlook if a person undergoes surgery to repair the hernia.

Although some people may experience sexual dysfunction and pain after surgery to repair a hernia, this is usually temporary. Surgery to repair a hernia can lead to an improvement in sexual function.

If a person does not receive treatment for an inguinal hernia, they are at risk of serious complications. The blood flow to the hernia can be cut off, causing tissues to die.

This can also cause intestinal obstruction, which is when food or fluids become blocked in the intestines. It can be life threatening.

This section answers common questions about hernias and ED.

Can a hernia cause low testosterone?

A 2018 animal research study suggests that certain hormones, such as estrogen, may play an important role in forming inguinal hernias in male mice.

However, there is no evidence that hernias directly cause low testosterone in human males.

According to the study, inguinal hernias most often affect older men, who typically have lower testosterone levels.

Can hernia repair cause ED?

Some people may experience temporary ED due to pain after surgery.

What is a common complication of a hernia?

The most frequent complication is the strangulation of tissue inside the hernia. This cuts off blood flow to the hernia, and the tissue inside it can die.

Hernias, such as an inguinal hernia that people can develop in the groin area, are not likely to affect sexual function or cause ED directly.

Sometimes, people experience temporary sexual dysfunction after surgery to repair the hernia.

However, surgery to repair a hernia can have a positive effect on sexual function, as it can alleviate pain and the bulging of tissue in the groin.

A person should not avoid treatment for a hernia — without treatment, a hernia can develop into serious complications.

Hernia and erectile dysfunction: Is there a link?

A hernia is unlikely to cause erectile dysfunction (ED) or affect sexual function directly. However, some people may experience temporary sexual issues after surgery to repair certain types of hernias.

Surgery to repair a common type of hernia known as an inguinal hernia may cause pain that can affect sexual function until the area heals.

An inguinal hernia occurs when contents of the abdomen bulge through weak areas in the abdominal wall on either side of the groin.

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), about 27% of adult males develop an inguinal hernia at some point.

This article discusses hernias and male sexual function, hernia repair surgery, ED, and more.

A note about sex and gender

Sex and gender exist on spectrums. This article will use the terms “male,” “female,” or both to refer to sex assigned at birth. Click here to learn more.

Was this helpful?

A hernia is not likely to cause ED directly, as no sexual organs are involved in their development.

However, some males may experience temporary sexual dysfunction after they undergo surgery to repair a hernia.

Inguinal hernias mainly affect males and are the most likely type of hernia to have some effect on erectile function due to their location in the groin.

Doctors will most often treat inguinal hernia with surgery. Without treatment, a person may be at risk of serious complications, such as the death of tissues inside the hernia.

Learn about male sexual problems.

A 2020 review of studies involving 4,884 people found that some males experienced pain and sexual dysfunction after surgery to repair inguinal hernias.

It found that around 9% of the males experienced pain during sexual activity, and around 5% experienced sexual dysfunction. The study defined sexual dysfunction as having difficulty completing intercourse.

However, pain and sexual dysfunction after inguinal hernia repair are typically temporary.

Other research has found that inguinal hernia surgery can positively affect sexual function. A 2016 study found that males experienced improved sexual function after surgery compared with the preoperative period.

The researchers noted that pain or a bulge in the groin from inguinal hernias could affect sexual function. Hernia repair surgery significantly improved sexual function in the participants, especially in the later period after surgery.

Learn about hernia repair surgery.

A person should discuss with their doctor when it is safe to engage in sexual activity after the surgery. People can usually resume daily activities within 3–5 days following the procedure.

There may be some mild pain and swelling in the groin area and testicle after surgery, and a doctor will recommend pain relief options.

The pain typically recedes within 2 weeks, but a person should contact their doctor if it is severe or persistent.

ED that results from hernia repair surgery is typically temporary.

However, if a person is concerned about their sexual function or if ED persists, they should contact a doctor. They may recommend treatments and tips for managing ED.

Treatments for ED depend on the cause of the issue. Treatments may include:

  • making lifestyle changes, such as stopping smoking and limiting alcohol consumption, if applicable
  • changing certain medications that may contribute to ED
  • receiving counseling to address emotional or psychological causes of ED
  • taking medications to treat ED, such as sildenafil (Viagra) or tadalafil (Cialis)
  • having ED surgery to rebuild arteries or implant a device to make the penis erect

Overall, doctors associate inguinal hernias with a good outlook if a person undergoes surgery to repair the hernia.

Although some people may experience sexual dysfunction and pain after surgery to repair a hernia, this is usually temporary. Surgery to repair a hernia can lead to an improvement in sexual function.

If a person does not receive treatment for an inguinal hernia, they are at risk of serious complications. The blood flow to the hernia can be cut off, causing tissues to die.

This can also cause intestinal obstruction, which is when food or fluids become blocked in the intestines. It can be life threatening.

This section answers common questions about hernias and ED.

Can a hernia cause low testosterone?

A 2018 animal research study suggests that certain hormones, such as estrogen, may play an important role in forming inguinal hernias in male mice.

However, there is no evidence that hernias directly cause low testosterone in human males.

According to the study, inguinal hernias most often affect older men, who typically have lower testosterone levels.

Can hernia repair cause ED?

Some people may experience temporary ED due to pain after surgery.

What is a common complication of a hernia?

The most frequent complication is the strangulation of tissue inside the hernia. This cuts off blood flow to the hernia, and the tissue inside it can die.

Hernias, such as an inguinal hernia that people can develop in the groin area, are not likely to affect sexual function or cause ED directly.

Sometimes, people experience temporary sexual dysfunction after surgery to repair the hernia.

However, surgery to repair a hernia can have a positive effect on sexual function, as it can alleviate pain and the bulging of tissue in the groin.

A person should not avoid treatment for a hernia — without treatment, a hernia can develop into serious complications.

Violation of potency in osteochondrosis and intervertebral hernia in St. Petersburg

Topic: »» Diseases of the spine

Barabanov Roman Evgenievich

Urologist-andrologist, venereologist

The spine is the basis of all human life. The health of the person as a whole largely depends on the health of the spine. Spinal diseases such as osteochondrosis and herniated discs , entail a violation of the functions of almost all internal organs and systems.

Osteochondrosis – degenerative-dystrophic lesion of the spine, cartilaginous tissue of the spine, the vertebrae themselves and intervertebral discs.

This disorder is accompanied by compression of the roots of the spinal cord and disruption of the peripheral nervous system. One of the most severe complications of osteochondrosis is the instability of the vertebrae or the pathological mobility of individual vertebrae, as a result of which nerves may be pinched during movement. This can cause dysfunction of internal organs.

Instability in the lumbosacral region in men often causes problems with potency. With osteochondrosis, congestion in the pelvic cavity is noted, which further aggravates the manifestation of male weakness. Osteochondrosis occurs due to impaired blood supply to the vertebrae and surrounding tissues. The most common cause of these disorders is physical inactivity , sedentary lifestyle , uneven physical activity , bad habits . As a result of malnutrition, the intervertebral discs suffer, the cartilaginous base of the disc flattens and cracks.

Damage to the vertebrae and intervertebral discs can lead to segmental disorders of the spinal cord, deterioration of the peripheral blood supply to the pelvic organs. This, in turn, leads to dysfunction of the genital organs, erectile dysfunction and decreased libido.

In case of instability of the vertebrae and hernial disease, compression of the nerve roots occurs, the flow of nerve impulses through the spinal cord and peripheral nerves through the 3rd,4,5th vertebrae of the lumbar spine to the genitals is partially blocked. This leads to malnutrition in the genital organs and to the beginning of the inflammatory process in the organs. As a result of this compression, the conduction of the nerve impulse along the fiber is disrupted, which further aggravates the disruption in the functioning of the pelvic organs, problems with erection are observed. Osteochondrosis of the cervical, lumbar, thoracic spine is often the cause of impotence, anargasmia, infertility, and other diseases of the genitourinary system.

Impotence is the inability of a man to have a full sexual intercourse, to achieve and maintain vision. The cause of impotence can be osteochondrosis, intervertebral hernias, not only in the lumbosacral spine, but also in pathology in the cervical region. With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, the brain does not receive enough blood, oxygen supply to the hypothalamus, thalamus and pituitary gland is reduced, as a result of which the production of sex hormones decreases.

With frequent stress loads, men may develop a decrease in libido and other violations of sexual function, including a violation of potency. The presence of intense pain syndrome interferes with a full sexual life. The presence of such a psychological factor exacerbates the problem of potency. And a single failure during intercourse contributes to further erectile dysfunction, namely of a psychogenic nature. The “male” problem is aggravated by the presence of any stress. A decrease in potency can be not only due to impaired blood supply to the brain and pelvic organs, but to a greater extent due to neurological disorders. Impotence is a problem that does not allow you to live a full life. Do not wait for the potency to recover by itself. Contact qualified specialists. Doctors at the Dr. Voight Clinic are always ready to help in the treatment of this complex disease. Intimate relationships should bring pleasure and strengthen your health.

In this article we have tried to answer your questions:

  • what is impotence?
  • what is the relationship between potency and pathology of the spine?
  • what are the causes of potency in osteochondrosis7
  • can osteochondrosis cause impotence?
  • can a spinal hernia cause impotence?

  • What is impotence?
    It is generally accepted that reduced potency is suffered only in old age, but this is not at all true: a weak erection for some reason can also be observed in young men. But still, it most often manifests itself between the ages of 35 and 70: according to statistics, during this period, more than 52% of the stronger sex suffer from this disease. more »»

  • Human papillomavirus in men
    Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common viruses found in humans. The virus can enter the body at any age and in different ways. There are more than 100 types of human papillomavirus. Manifestations of papillomavirus infection on the genitals of men most often cause types 6 and 11 of the human papillomavirus. The main route of transmission of these viruses is sexual, but the contact route of transmission from mother to child during childbirth is not excluded. more »»

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Impotence (erectile dysfunction) – causes, symptoms, signs, age, diagnosis, treatment, prevention

Causes

Symptoms

Complications

Diagnosis

Treatment

Prognosis and prevention

Impotence is a form of erectile dysfunction in which a man has no erection at all.

Some time ago it was believed that up to 90% of all disorders are associated with psychogenic factors. New studies have shown that in most cases, the inability to perform a full-fledged sexual intercourse is due to various organic diseases, and only a small part of them is due to a psychogenic factor. Some causes of the disease can be eliminated, and some are so neglected that no treatment can return a person to the possibility of a normal erection.

Male impotence is a term that is considered obsolete. In modern medical literature, it is used very rarely. He was replaced by a new word – erectile dysfunction, and impotence will be the most severe manifestation of this pathology. According to statistics, this disorder affects 15 million men worldwide, whose age has passed over 40 years.

Causes and triggers of impotence

Finding the causes of impotence is quite difficult. It is noted that this type of erectile dysfunction often occurs in patients who suffer from stomach ulcers and angina pectoris, since all these diseases can appear due to traumatic effects on the human psyche.

Other causes may include:

  • injuries of the pelvis and spine;
  • degenerative-dystrophic diseases of the spine and spinal cord;
  • disorders in the hypothalamic-pituitary system;
  • diseases of the liver and kidneys;
  • bowel disease;
  • vascular disorders;
  • smoking;
  • drug use;
  • alcoholism.

Psychogenic impotence can develop at any age and be permanent or temporary. The main reason is mental or physical overwork. Neurogenic develops against the background of injuries and diseases of the brain or spinal cord. Arteriogenic occurs due to violations of the patency of blood vessels, which happens against the background of atherosclerosis. Hormonal is associated with diabetes and other diseases that have a negative effect on the hormonal background.

As for prostatitis, it does not cause impotence, but it can significantly aggravate the course of the disease.

Symptoms of impotence

There is no consensus on the age at which impotence most often occurs. It can appear in young men, and in those who have reached middle age, and in the elderly. Symptoms of psychogenic and organic impotence are somewhat different.

Psychogenic develops absolutely suddenly, appears from time to time and everything depends on the specific situation. The main reason is stress or another mental disorder. An erection that appears at night or in the morning is preserved. Also, during intercourse, the normal tension of the penis is maintained. During masturbation, no visible disturbances occur.

Organic impotence develops gradually. It progresses, although it happens slowly, and persists throughout life if not treated. The main reason is a disease of the internal organs or the intake of certain drugs that adversely affect erection. A man does not have a night or morning erection, moreover, it can completely disappear during intercourse. Masturbation cannot change the existing situation in any way.

Additional signs of impotence may look like this:

  • lack of sexual desire;
  • general weakness and fatigue;
  • the presence of additional symptoms depending on the affected organ;
  • increased body temperature;
  • premature ejaculation;
  • sexual intercourse is performed no more than once a week, and sometimes even less often.

Many are interested in the question – at what age does impotence develop. In young men, its main cause is diseases of the pelvic organs and back injuries, which lead to disability. This can happen at any age. In men after 40 years, organic diseases become the main causes.

If erection problems occur only occasionally and under certain circumstances, for example, during severe fatigue or during illness, this cannot be considered the beginning of the development of impotence. It is important to pay attention to such a fact as the presence of a spontaneous morning erection. If it is, then the man should not have any fears.

It is also noted that in men over the age of 40, the first symptoms of erectile dysfunction occur 5, maximum 7 years before the development of a heart attack or stroke.

Complications of impotence

The inability to have a full-fledged sexual intercourse leads to a violation of normal family relations, which often becomes the reason for divorce. Men with such difficulties may also have problems in relationships with the opposite sex, with the conception of a child. All this significantly reduces self-esteem and leads to depression, neurosis, aggressiveness. In severe cases, a person runs the risk of committing suicide.

The general health of a person is also significantly deteriorating. Constant stress reduces the defenses, which causes the development of all kinds of diseases. Against this background, gastritis, ulcers, coronary artery disease, angina pectoris, bronchitis and pneumonia often develop, and these diseases further inhibit potency, making a person completely unable to have a full-fledged sexual intercourse.

Impotence diagnostics

The treatment and diagnosis of impotence is carried out by a urologist or an andrologist. However, to make an accurate diagnosis and find out the causes of erectile dysfunction, consultations with other doctors are often required – a cardiologist, gastroenterologist, oncologist, neuropathologist, neurosurgeon.

Diagnosis of impotence begins with a questioning of the patient, taking an anamnesis and his complaints. The doctor can measure pressure and temperature, examine the penis and palpate it. If necessary, tests are prescribed – blood, urine, secretion of the sex glands, hormones. A procedure for the presence of latent infections is also required. In the diagnosis, ultrasound, urethrography, ureteroscopy can be used. Help in identifying the causes of diseases CT, MRI and radiography. They can show the doctor where the pathological areas are, whether there are diseases of the brain or spinal cord, what condition the glands are in.

It is important to see a doctor as soon as possible, and not wait until impotence begins to affect life too negatively. At the initial stage of his development and with a good diagnosis, a man can return to his usual way of life again without experiencing problems during intercourse.

Impotence treatment

Treatment begins with identifying and eliminating the causes that caused this unpleasant phenomenon.

Today, all impotence remedies used can be divided into several groups:

  • etiotropic, which cope with the cause of the disease;
  • pathogenetic, affecting the immediate cause of the disease;
  • symptomatic, allowing to eliminate symptoms;
  • immunostimulating.

Impotence pills can only be prescribed by a doctor. On his advice, you can buy Trazodone, Trimipramine, Cialis, Levitra, Viagra in a pharmacy. But not always a cure for impotence is able to cope with the problem, especially if the pathology is caused by a psychological factor. Therefore, it is important to connect sessions with a psychotherapist to treatment.

If conservative therapy fails, extreme erectile dysfunction should be treated surgically. Extracavernous phalloprosthesis is one of the ways to correct the situation. However, due to technical difficulties, this type of operation is rarely performed.

Intracavernous penile prosthesis is a method that helps to achieve imitation of an erection for the last 20 years. But the choice of one or another method of treatment always remains with the doctor.

Prognosis and prevention of impotence

Without proper and timely treatment, the prognosis will always be unfavorable. As a prevention of impotence, it is recommended to avoid sexually transmitted diseases and diseases of the urinary system, hypothermia, walk more often, swim and run, stop smoking and drinking alcohol.

Nutrition should be balanced and appropriate for age, and after 50 years, blood pressure levels should be checked every month and cholesterol tests should be taken every 6 months.

Sleep should be at least 8 hours a day, and exercises should be done every day to improve blood circulation.

Author of the article:

Zavalishin Evgeny Vitalievich

urologist, specialist in ultrasound of the genitourinary system

work experience 10 years

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