Perhaps you have heard the term “blue balls” used to describe sexual frustration in people with male genitals. Still, you may wonder, what exactly is “blue ball” syndrome? Does it really exist? If so, why does it happen? The following is a comprehensive guide on all you need to know about “blue balls.”

One notable symptom of Peyronie’s disease is the formation of plaques just beneath the skin of the penis. When plaques develop, the penis loses some of its flexibility when erect. The result is a curve that can make intercourse quite difficult.

Men with benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) - an enlarged prostate - may eventually have a new treatment option.

When a man has benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) – an enlarged prostate – he may have trouble with urination. Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) happen because the tissue in the prostate gland grows inward. Sometimes, it presses on the urethra, making it difficult for urine to leave the body.

A painkiller called tramadol may help men with premature ejaculation (PE) “last” longer during vaginal intercourse, according to a new study.

Men who take medications for Parkinson’s disease might develop premature ejaculation (PE), according to a June 2018 study.

For cervical cancer survivors, it can be difficult to adjust to changes in sexuality. Pain, poor lubrication, and anxiety are common issues, and it takes time to feel comfortable with sex again. For some women, the situation causes great distress. In fact, a recent study published in the journal Psycho-Oncology estimates that about a third of cervical cancer survivors feel sexual distress.

For some of us, taking care of our cancer patients involves the physical care. We might recommend surgery for our prostate cancer patients. Or we might order a certain chemotherapy regimen for a woman with ovarian cancer. Of course, we know that their mental health is extremely important, but we tend to focus on our area of expertise.

After breast cancer treatment, women may have a number of sexual health concerns.

Recreational use of amphetamines is associated with higher rates of erectile dysfunction (ED), according to a recent report in The Journal of Sexual Medicine.

What will the chemo/radiation/surgery do to parts of my body that have nothing to do with the cancer?

How can I be proactive in preserving my sex life or fertility?

Is there an expert I can talk with - and bring into the conversation now, rather than after my treatments?

Young men are often coerced into sex they do not want, a recent study says.

It’s not unusual for men and women returning from war to experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) – ongoing feelings of stress and anxiety that occur after a traumatic or frightening event. Recently, a team of experts from the United States studied the sexual health of veterans with PTSD.

New parents have a number of adjustments to make when their bundle of joy arrives, including sexual ones. But which sexual concerns are the most common? And how might they affect a couple’s relationship?

Older men may find that their sexual interest wanes when their house is messy, dirty, or in need of repairs, new research reveals.

Do you ever feel physically “in tune” with your partner? It’s possible that sexual satisfaction is connected to your sense of “physiological synchrony.”

For people with gender dysphoria, transitioning from one’s birth gender to their desired gender can be a big step. It can involve hormonal treatment as well as surgery. Some professionals recommend a mental health screening and psychotherapy beforehand as part of the process. But is that really necessary?

“Relationship OCD” can negatively impact sexual relationships.

Brains of men with compulsive sexual behavior – sometimes called sex addiction –share some similarities with the brains of drug addicts, according to a recent study published in the journal PLOS One.

What do sex addicts and people with gambling disorder have in common? A team of scientists from Spain recently looked at the similarities and differences between the two groups.

U.S. veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan often have sexual problems, according to new research published in Sexual Medicine

For some women, a man’s premature ejaculation (PE) interferes with sexual satisfaction.

Men with dysfunctional sexual beliefs often have sexual problems, according to researchers from Portugal.

Feeling guilt after masturbation is “a relevant health issue” for men, according to a recent study in the journal Sexual Medicine.

A small study has found that cognitive behavioral therapy could be a useful way to treat hypersexual disorder.

Men with urologic problems might also be at risk for depression and sleep disorders, experts report.

The “general cosmetic appearance” of a man’s penis is important to women, according to new research published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine.

Sitting by a light box might increase a man’s testosterone levels and, in turn, his sexual satisfaction, according to new research.

The condition is called postcoital dysphoria (PCD) and it’s not widely understood. Women with PCD may feel depressed, anxious, or argumentative, even if they enjoyed the sexual encounter.

Women’s orgasms might be influenced by a type of sexism called “benevolent sexism,” suggests a recent study in the Archives of Sexual Behavior.

After treatment, breast cancer survivors often struggle with sexual issues, such as low desire, reduced vaginal lubrication, and painful intercourse. But online therapy could help, according to new research.

Women with chronic pelvic pain (CPP) are at higher risk for sexual dysfunction than women without CPP, research shows.

Women veterans who experience military sexual trauma have high rates of sexual dysfunction, according to a new study in Sexual Medicine Reviews.

Painful intercourse is a common problem for women, but many of them don’t tell their partner about the pain, new research in the Journal of Sexual Medicine reveals.

Sexual function can be difficult after breast cancer treatment. (Learn more.) Many women feel little desire for sex or have trouble becoming lubricated enough for comfortable intercourse. They might have more trouble reaching orgasm than they did before having cancer. And emotional factors, like depression and poor body image, can influence sexuality as well.

Experts estimate that up to 90% of gynecologic cancer survivors develop sexual problems from illness and treatment. And often, their partners feel the effects, too.

A new mother’s stress could affect the sexual satisfaction of both parents, according a new study from Penn State researchers.

The rise of the internet over the past few decades has made pornography more accessible. Many couples watch it together to add some spice to their relationships. However, what they see depicted in porn videos and what happens in their own bedrooms are usually very different.

Gender variance – the desire to be another gender – seems more likely in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to research published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior.

When couples are told to have more sex, the order does not make them happier, according to researchers from Carnegie Mellon University.

New research from Canada might inspire men to vacuum the living room more often.

Staying sexually active after age 50 – and into the golden years – might be good for the brain, scientists say.

Many transgender youth engage in non-suicidal self-injury, such as cutting, punching, and scratching oneself, according to a new Journal of Sexual Medicine report.

Sexual problems – such as low desire, poor arousal, and orgasm difficulties - are common side effects of some antidepressants. However, patients experiencing these effects may have a new alternative.

Have you or your partner ever experienced racing thoughts during sex? Not just fleeting thoughts here and there, but thoughts that take your whole attention away from what you’re doing?

New research suggests that women who meditate could have better sexual function than those who don’t.

Teens and young adults who take birth control pills might experience symptoms of depression, a recent paper in JAMA Psychiatry suggests.

Men who feel good about their genitals tend to have less sexual anxiety, according to a new study of military personnel.

Cancer and its treatment can lead to a number of sexual problems, such as erectile dysfunction (ED) for men and painful intercourse for women. And sexual issues can occur even if the cancer does not affect an area of the body typically associated with sex.

Undergoing prostate cancer treatment can leave men both physically and emotionally spent. Common approaches like surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy often have side effects, including problems with urinary and bowel function, sexual function, and fatigue.  The stress of a cancer diagnosis and feeling unwell, along with concerns about meeting obligations and planning for the future, may be overwhelming.

Coping with prostate cancer and its treatment can be difficult for couples. Concerns about physical health are often combined with emotions – depression, anxiety, fear, and anger among them.

As it is for most health conditions, caregiving for a man with prostate cancer can take a significant toll on one’s own health and well-being.

Recent research suggests that older men on intermittent androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for prostate cancer are at higher risk for certain adverse events.

Use of complementary and alternative treatments for prostate cancer has increased since the mid-1990s, experts report in the Journal of Urology.

Intimate relationships with partners may decline when men with prostate cancer start androgen deprivation therapy (ADT).

After treatment for pelvic cancer (such as prostate cancer), men often face sexual difficulties, such as erectile dysfunction. While oncologists do their best to preserve sexual function as much as possible, most men still have some sexual adjustments to make afterward.

How well a man recovers from prostate cancer surgery might depend on his personality, according to new research.

Prostate cancer and its treatment can have a profound effect on a man’s sex life. There are physical issues to cope with (like erectile dysfunction and fatigue) as well as psychological and emotional ones (like depression and relationship changes). None of these are easy.

Trichomonas vaginalis, a common sexually-transmitted parasite, could be involved with the development of prostate cancer, according to research published last year.

There are several ways to treat prostate cancer, and some men don’t receive treatment right away. This approach is called active surveillance, and it’s often appropriate for men with low-risk, slow-growing cancer.

Prostate cancer survivors and their partners often face long-term sexual problems, especially erectile dysfunction (ED). Medical treatments can be effective, but some experts think adding other therapeutic approaches like mindfulness and acceptance may help even more.

Physically, prostate cancer treatment affects men in similar ways. Men may experience erectile dysfunction, low sex drive, and trouble with ejaculation and orgasm.

In terms of sexuality, older cancer survivors are not much different from their cancer-free counterparts. But they may be more likely to feel dissatisfied with their sex lives, according to the results of a 2016 study.

In 2016, the American Cancer Society (ACS) reported that there are over 15.5 million cancer survivors in the United States. And that number is expected to increase to 20 million by 2026.

But who, exactly, are cancer survivors?

Obese men who have weight loss surgery might see their testosterone levels – and their sex drive – improve in a month, according to new research.

It’s not unusual for obese men to have low testosterone (also called hypogonadism).

Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) doesn’t appear to cause or worsen lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) or an enlarged prostate, according to a review of past research.

An enlarged prostate – also called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) – is common as men get older. In fact, about half of men in their fifties have an enlarged prostate.

New research suggests that fathers-to-be experience declines in certain hormones when their partners are expecting a baby.

Hormonal changes are expected in pregnant women. But scientists from University of Michigan wanted to take a closer look at what changes men go through during their partner’s pregnancy.

Many men with borderline low testosterone also have symptoms of depression, according to researchers from George Washington University.

Their study involved 200 men with borderline low testosterone, defined as total testosterone levels between 200 and 350 ng/dl.

Men with certain types of hypogonadism (low testosterone) can now administer their own testosterone injections at home, bringing their levels of this hormone into normal ranges.

Xyosted, which delivers testosterone therapy in a special one-use device, was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in October 2018.

Topical testosterone, which can be applied directly to the skin, is a convenient way for men with hypogonadism to undergo testosterone replacement therapy.

However, men should use it cautiously and keep these key points in mind:

Exposure to a group of chemicals called phthalates could lower testosterone levels in men, women, and children, according to researchers from the University of Michigan School of Public Health.

Testosterone levels don’t affect a man’s risk of stroke, according to new research.

Scientists from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine presented their findings in March at the annual meeting of the Endocrine Society, held in San Diego, California.

Men and women who use opioids are more likely to have low testosterone, especially if they are older and have certain medical problems, according to research published last year.