Can A Hernia Cause Erectile Dysfunction?

 

 

Hernia is a common problem that is characterized by an abnormal protrusion or bulging out of an organ. It can be extremely painful and discomforting especially when it develops in sensitive areas like the abdomen, scrotum etc. A common concern regarding this kind of hernia is that it can cause erectile dysfunction and other sexual disorders.

 

To figure out why or why not a hernia would affect your sexual health, you first need to understand what a hernia is and how is it related to the male sexual organs.

 

Hernia, as mentioned above is a weak spot or opening in the body wall that allows an internal organ to protrude out. Activities that cause an increased pressure on your abdomen like lifting heavy objects, constipation, persistent coughing or sneezing can weaken the abdominal walls and lead to hernia.

 

While hernia can affect any part of the body, the one that is often linked to male enhancement problems is ‘Inguinal Hernia’. This occurs in the groin area, and can affect infants as well as adult men. The condition develops when intra-abdominal fat or part of the small intestine, bulges out through a weak area in the lower abdominal muscles. If neglected, inguinal hernia can increase in size causing the scrotum to expand grossly, causing penis enlargement problems.

 

Inguinal Hernia and Erectile Dysfunction

 

Though hernia involves the groin, it does not distort or compress the nerves and blood vessels surrounding the penis. Thus it would be very unlikely for it to affect a man's ability to achieve orgasm or maintain an erection.

 

Severe hernia (incarcerated hernia) can affect hormonal levels and testicular functions. Also when hernia is left untreated, it can interfere with the blood tissues and nerves that control penile erection and ejaculation, thus leading to erectile dysfunction.

 

Occasionally, hernioplasty can also disrupt the blood supply to the testis, causing penis enlargement/erection problems.

 

Low testosterone levels resulting from an over-grown hernia, are yet another factor that can prevent erection. However this is not a serious disorder. A variety of male enhancement products are available in the market that can correct such hormonal imbalances and restore potency.

 

In addition to its physical features, hernia can also cause a lot of pain which can affect your sexual activity. Most men suffering from hernia report painful sex, loss of libido etc, however the good news is that all these are temporary problems. Once the hernia is treated (surgically) and the wound is healed, you can resume a normal sex life.

 

Psychological implications of this disorder can also cause a hindrance in sexual activity and male enhancement disorders. The bulging of an internal organ might seem unsightly, and prevent men from having sexual intercourse. Stress from medication, surgery and pain can make it difficult for a man to feel aroused or achieve erection.

 

Treatment Options

 

A variety of sexual symptoms associated with inguinal hernia can be resolved with the help of penis enlargement devices. These devises can increase the libido levels and improve sexual performance. Psychotherapy can help in cases where stress (from having a hernia) is the main cause for sexual impairment.

 

To come back to our question ‘Can a Hernia Cause Erectile Dysfunction’, the answer is NO in majority of cases, and YES in rare and severe cases. Nonetheless, in most cases hernia-related sexual dysfunction is temporary and resolves as soon as the hernia is treated.