Most Popular Questions

Response from Men's Sexual Health:

Hi Dave, Thanks for coming to us with your concern. This is obviously a serious problem for you, effecting you not only physically, but mentally and no doubt emotionally as well. There are many factors to take into consideration when trying to understand what the cause of spontaneous ejaculation could be, from physical to psychological to stimulation and medication, among other things. Though you've given a description of your problem, there are still many questions to be asked in order to get an idea which direction one would need to look for an answer. Sometimes, these kind of problems can be linked to issues with an enlarged prostate, however, this generally happens to older men, and, as this has been going on since what appears to be your teens, it's probably not likely. Some medications (including antidepressants) can have the side effect of spontaneous ejaculation. It could be something as simple as too much stimulation that you're not aware of. Perhaps if you switched to briefs instead of boxers it might help. It is difficult to advise you with any kind of certainty as to the definate cause. The best course of action is for you to visit your GP who will be able to take a medical history and ask all the necessary questions, before advising you in this case. Hope this helps. Please let us know the outcome, as we are very curious ourselves.

Answered by staff member Mara Ranieri Davey on 29th September 2010 at 15:35 Edited by MSH

Response from Men's Sexual Health:

Well, we wouldn't call you a medical curiosity, but it would be interesting to know what the underlying cause is, especially in case anyone else came along who suffered the same problem! As for bothering your doctor, don't worry about that, you have a genuine concern. It would be best to have this looked at sooner rather than later. Though the condition may not bother you now, it may become more difficult to cope with as you age. From what you describe, it doesn't seem to show signs of letting up. GP's are used to patients being uncomfortable with discussing certain issues and should handle the situation professionally in a way to put you at ease. Men can be notoriously reluctant to visit medical professionals when it comes to their health... So, it's part of our job to give you a gentle nudge to make that dreaded appointment... We look forward to hearing from you again!

Answered by staff member Mara Ranieri Davey on 30th September 2010 at 00:31 Edited by MSH

Response from Men's Sexual Health:

There many causes of testicular pain, some of which require immediate attention. As you have been experiencing this dull pain over a couple of days, it is most likely not due to trauma or torsion (twisting) of a testical. One cause of testicular pain is Epididymitis (testicle infection). This is an inflammation of the epididymis, usually due to an infection. It is the most common cause of testicular pain in men older than 18 years. It can be diagnosed with a urine sample and usually treated with antibiotics. However, this is normally accompanied by swelling, which you do not mention. As there are many possible causes, most easy to diagnose and treat, it is highly recommended you seek advice from your GP. If you would like further advice, or would prefer to use a local Sexual Health Clinic, please contact us. All calls are treated with strictest confidence.

Answered by staff member Mara Ranieri Davey on 8th July 2009 at 13:14

Response from Men's Sexual Health:

Taking medications can often have side effects, and it may well have contributed to the problem. When it comes to the possibility of testicular infection, if that is what you have, if left untreated, it can worsen. It is highly advisable you speak to your GP, to diagnose or rule out illness, especially if you find any further changes. It will be interesting to find out if the medication you are taking has contributed!

Answered by staff member Mara Ranieri Davey on 8th July 2009 at 15:07

Response from Men's Sexual Health:

The problem you feel you are having actually sounds quite normal. After a man ejaculates, his penis usually becomes soft, returning to its smaller pre-erect state. He will usually need some time to recover, before he can have another erection and ejaculation. This recovery period is called the refractory period, and generally, is quicker for younger men. Some men can have an erection immediately afterwards, some can have a few orgasms/ejaculations in a few hours, whilst others take longer to become erect again. It all falls within the normal parameters of sexual health! If you had difficulty maintaining an erection during sex, in your circumstance, the most likely cause would be mental; due to the problems you are having in your relationship. Erectile dysfunction, when your penis goes soft during when you don’t want it to, has many causes, both physical and mental and affects most men at some point in their life. To help prevent these kinds of problems in the future, you need to address your relationship issues with your girlfriend. If you've been fighting, even if you're having makeup sex, you most likely have residual worries that weigh on you that can affect you both. She may be experiencing similar feelings of worry, making it difficult for her to orgasm. If you two can work on your relationship issues, and not fight so much, it will no doubt ease the pressure you feel when you are having sex, as wedll as make life together happier! If you are finding that you ejaculate too quickly, again, your mind can play a large part in that. One thing you can try is using condoms, as they can help reduce sensitivity. There are also special condoms and lubricant you can use, that have a slight numbing effect on the penis, to help you last longer. The Delay brand, by Pasante or Performa by Durex, along with other store brands like Boots are specially made to help with premature ejaculation. These products prolong lovemaking by using a low dosage skin numbing ingredient like benzocaine, to reduce sensitivity and postpone orgasm. I hope this all helps. Please get back to us if you have any more questions or worries.

Answered by staff member Mara Ranieri Davey on 11th October 2010 at 10:07

Response from Men's Sexual Health:

As you've not mentioned it, can you please tell us if you have been receiving treatment at the same time. Also, though treatment is often a single dose of antibiotic, he must abstain from sexual activity for one week after taking it. Has this been the case? Is it possible you are passing it back and forth between yourselves? That would seem the simple answer, so please confirm you are taking neccessary precautions.

Answered by staff member Mara Ranieri Davey on 25th October 2009 at 09:14 Edited by MSH

Response from Men's Sexual Health:

You have stated that the Chlamydia is only showing up in blood tests, so it is just possible that what you partner is not actually infected with the Chlamydia Trachomatis bacterium, but the residue DNA from the original infection in his blood stream; this is quite rare, but not unheard of. If this is the case, then treatment is quite difficult, as he would need regular blood tests and only when the DNA count is low, would the doctor prescribe specific medication, and this would need be done two or three times before the blood is cleared of the residue DNA. The other aspect is that you have said your partner is in another country, though treatment for Chlamydia is quite universal today, there is evidence that show that in some countries not all antibiotics are as strong as they should be, or that the need to complete the full course is advised.

Answered by staff member Tim Darch on 3rd December 2009 at 12:48 Edited by MSH

Response from Men's Sexual Health:

Oxytetracycline is part of a group of medications that are collectively are called Tetracyclines which are broad spectrum antibiotics. Oxytetracycline is still the antibiotic of choice for many Doctors in the treatment of many forms of infections, as there are very rarely any side effects. A broad spectrum antibiotic is one that can be used to treat a wide range of bacterial infections, and is often used as they have a well proven track record in the treatment of both individual infections and more wide ranging infections. Within the Tetracycline group is a range of antibiotics that can be used, some are more specifically targeted than others, but all treat Chlamydia effectively as well as respitory infections, so the fact that Oxytetracycline was prescribed may well just be because the Doctor prescribing them, prefers them. So yes it is possible that the person being treated may have a respiratory co-infection, but it is more likely that the Oxytetracycline was give just to target the repsiritory infection.

Answered by staff member Tim Darch on 14th December 2009 at 10:58 Edited by MSH

Response from Men's Sexual Health:

Unfortunately it is not possible to say with any degree of accuracy. Your partners Doctor will have carried out an examination and then prescribed according to what was diagnosed at the time. All we can say with any accuracy is that Oxytetracycline is a broad spectrum anti-biotic, and can be prescribed for many infections, this does include both for respiratory infections and Chlamydia infections. However, it is unlikely that the Doctor would have prescribed a single anti-biotic to treat both a chest infection and Chlamydia, they will have prescribed to treat one or the other. I appreciate that you Googled Oxytetracycline and found the Chlamydia link, but you may be inadvertently reading much more into the prescription than actually exists (especially as a chest infection caused by Chlamydia is not that common)

Answered by staff member Tim Darch on 15th December 2009 at 10:41

Response from Men's Sexual Health:

No! A circumcision should be the last option for your condition. Your question appears to describe Acquired Phimosis (also known as Pathological Phimosis). Phimosis is a vague term used to describe any condition where the foreskin does not retract over the glans of the penis. All males are born with the foreskin attached. It can take years, even well into puberty, for the foreskin to be able to retract over the glans. This can be completely normal. In adult males, however, Phimosis can lead to problems including difficulty with urination and painful intercourse, among others which can become more serious. It is important you visit your GP to discuss this condition. Your GP will explain your options, which should include applying a topical steroid cream, gentle manual stretching or possibly a combination of both. There is also another surgical procedure called Preputialplasty, which releases the band of constricted skin but preserves much of the foreskin. Please do not be afraid to visit your GP for fear that a circumcision will be immediately recommended, as this should be a LAST RESORT. Your GP may also be able to give you an idea why this condition has occurred and advise you how to avoid it in the future. Please let us know how it goes and don't hesitate to contact if we can be of any help.

Answered by staff member Mara Ranieri Davey on 21st October 2009 at 20:22

Response from Men's Sexual Health:

Consistency of semen varies from individual to individual and can be affected by different factors such as diet, lifestyle and alcohol consumption. Semen that contains jelly like bits can be attributed to lack of regular ejaculation. The semen will solidfy into these jelly like lumps, regular ejaculation will maintain a smooth consistency in your semen. If further reassurance is needed please refer to your GP.

Answered by staff member Alex Monahan on 11th June 2009 at 13:49

Response from Men's Sexual Health:

Hi Mike, Chlamydia can only be contracted from unprotected sexual contact, such as vaginal, oral, or anal sex, and cannot be caught by kissing. If you have had unprotected sex and concerned you might have caught Chlamydia you can request a free test from us! Or pop along to you nearest GUM clinic for a full Screening

Answered by staff member Matt Othold on 2nd August 2009 at 20:30

Response from Men's Sexual Health:

A virus is a microscopic organism, they are unique because they cannot reproduce without a host cell. After contacting a host cell the virus will inject genetic material in the cell and take over its fucntions. The cell is now infected and it will continue to reproduce. Viruses can be passed between person to person and from mother to baby.

Answered by staff member Alex Monahan on 29th September 2009 at 16:01

Response from Men's Sexual Health:

Thank you for getting in touch. There could be a couple of reasons behind this, and the most common is what you have suggested yourself, diet. Depending on the type of food we put in our bodys, it can affect the colour, size, shape, of our stool (poo), try eating a more varied diet for a couple of weeks, with a variety of protein, fibre and carbs, eating fresh fruit and veg, try to avoid processed foods. And ensure you drink plenty of water throughout the day, at least 6-8 glasses is recommended. Some men who have anal sex also like to ensure there anal passage is clear by using a male douche, you can find a variety of differnt ones online and this might help prepare you for sex if that is what you are concerned about, but please ensure you use them correctly and do not damage yourself in the process and if embarking on anal sex ensure you use lubricant and condoms, anal sex is very risky and many STI's including HIV can be passed on through having unprotected anal sex. However if you are finding a change in diet is not improving the situation, you may want to consider going to your GP, you do not need to mention you intention for anal sex to them, just that you are suffering from a dirty anal passage even after showering and cleaning, as you may be suffering from some kind of anal weakening or other anal concern that he will be able to discuss with you. Please get in touch if you have any further questions or concerns.

Answered by staff member Matt Othold on 23rd January 2012 at 15:53