Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection that can occur in both women and men. It’s quite hard to detect without displaying visible symptoms, and can trigger the onset of major long-term health issues like infertility, increased risk of contracting HIV, and erectile dysfunction, if not treated promptly.
In men, one of the long-term consequences is erectile dysfunction (ED). It can be the result of prostatitis, when the infection begins to take hold of the male prostate.
According to Medical News Today, bacteria that has entered the genital tract can infect the urethra, which is the tube that carries sperm out of the body. Without being treated, this bacteria may travel through the urethra and into the prostate gland.
Consequently, today we’ll cast our microscope on this STI to find out what role it plays in erectile dysfunction when left untreated.
Sometimes It’s All in Your Head
While science has shown that Chlamydia has a direct correlation to ED, there is also another way through which the infection can affect the penis without infecting the prostate.
For one, the fear of contracting chlamydia or any other STD can lead to psychological issues which can negatively impact male libido.
Getting and keeping an erection hinges greatly upon blood flow to the penis and when you are worried or extremely stressed, this can prove a psychological barrier that stands in the way of getting things to “stand up.” Anxiety can hinder blood flow, and proper oxygenation of the body, leading to performance issues. According to ClevelandClinic.org, psychological influences on erectile dysfunction may include marital problems, feelings of guilt or depression, work-related stress and anxiety, and past trauma. Sexual arousal is directly controlled by the brain and being unable to sustain sexual arousal can cause further frustration & discouragement, leading to ED.
Sometimes ED can also be as a result of other underlying health conditions such as diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, or heart disease.
Over 70% of men and 90% of women who have chlamydia won’t display any symptoms. This means that many people find out they have chlamydia after experiencing erectile dysfunction. However, having ED doesn’t necessarily mean you have chlamydia. While Chlamydia can be detected after having problems getting an erection, it’s best to test yourself early and frequently if you’re sexually active.
Treatment for ED
Chlamydia can cause ED both directly and indirectly through physiological or psychological interference with sexual arousal. The good news is that both ED and Chlamydia can be treated. The psychological solution is getting tested regularly, and maintaining basic mental health, minimal stress levels, and a healthy balance of diet and exercise.
If you test positive for chlamydia, you can start on medication immediately before the disease gets to an advanced stage where it causes ED.
Erectile dysfunction is simply when you’re unable to get or keep an erection, and can also be remedied in a number of ways such as increasing physical activity, changing your diet, taking natural drugs or pharmaceuticals, stress reduction, hormone therapy, or reconstructive surgery.
CBD oil can also help with ED. According to cbdvapepenguide.com, CBD oil can treat multiple conditions like neurodegeneration and heart disease – both contributing or resulting from complications of ED. CBD oil specifically aids in relaxation, which helps alleviate erectile dysfunction resulting from stress, anxiety, and other mental blocks. CBD from Hemp Derived CBD Oil is legal to import, to use and to travel across state lines.. To put it simply, CBD oil is a natural way to combat health issues without developing new ones.
Remember, chlamydia will not initially trigger ED, however in time, the bacteria causing the infection can veer into nearby organs and ultimately find its way into the urethra (the tube that forms the exit route for both urine and sperm). From there, the bacteria may target the prostate gland with the urethra providing a direct path for infection. Once in the prostate, it can lead to inflammation, further infection, and scarring of the organ which may curtail the penis’ blood network. From there, blood flow to the genitals is limited which can thereby affect one’s ability to achieve an erection.
A Parting Shot
While distinguishing whether you have chlamydia or something else can be difficult, the most obvious sign that you may experience involves the swelling of the testicles accompanied by a mild pain. This can become quite painful during sex, hindering your ability to climax.
Other symptoms include an abnormal discharge from the penis and a burning sensation when urinating. All of these symptoms should be taken seriously and discussed with a physician. If you have experienced any of these symptoms, it’s best to get tested as soon as possible so as to nip ED – and other long-term health issues that chlamydia may cause – in the bud.