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.”
Did You Know?
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.
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?
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?
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.
For some women, a man’s premature ejaculation (PE) interferes with sexual satisfaction.
The “general cosmetic appearance” of a man’s penis is important to women, according to new research published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine.
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.
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.
Men who feel good about their genitals tend to have less sexual anxiety, according to a new study of military personnel.
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.
Recent research suggests that older men on intermittent androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for prostate cancer are at higher risk for certain adverse events.
Trichomonas vaginalis, a common sexually-transmitted parasite, could be involved with the development of prostate cancer, according to research published last year.
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.
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: