I can't get an erection after being kicked in the groin – my partner thinks I'm avoiding her
Today, Dr Zoe helps a reader who is unable to get an erection and is avoiding intimacy with his partner.
2
Q) A FEW months ago I was trying to help a young woman who had ingested a fair amount of ketamine and was lashing out.
She kicked me twice in my groin area, causing considerable pain. After a few days, I found I was passing blood, which has now stopped.
However, I'm no longer able to get an erection and my partner is getting concerned that I'm having sex with someone else as I try to avoid all intimacy.
I have type 2 diabetes but this is under control through medication and diet. I am a 59-year-old and I have never had erection problems before.
A) Trauma to the groin area can damage arteries, veins, or nerves responsible for erections.
The kicks to the groin followed by visible blood in your urine suggest there may have been some injury to the urinary tract or surrounding structures – possibly the bladder, urethra, or even the blood supply or nerves to the penis.
Visible blood in the urine should always be investigated, so please make an appointment with your GP.
Because your erectile dysfunction began immediately after a traumatic event, this does suggest a physical cause rather than a gradual metabolic cause (like long-standing diabetes).
Although your situation has a clear physical trigger, the fear, embarrassment, and relationship stress can also feed into ED, creating a cycle.
Avoiding intimacy, even for understandable reasons, often increases partner suspicion and tension.
If possible, explain to your partner that this was an injury-related problem, not infidelity.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
10 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Study finds medication lowers risk of dangerous behaviors in people with ADHD
ADHD affects around five per cent of children and 2.5 per cent of adults globally and is linked increased risks of suicidal behaviors, substance abuse, transport accidents, and criminality if people do not seek treatment. An international team of researchers wanted to fin out if taking medication would mitigate these risks. Researchers from the University Of Southampton, UK and the Karolinska Institute in Sweden found that during two years of treatment with ADHD medication, people who took the drugs were less likely to experience these harmful incidents than those weren't medicated. Around 22 million Americans are estimated to have ADHD and just over half of these are prescribed medication to manage their symptoms. Medications are classified into two main categories: stimulants and non-stimulants. Stimulants, the most common type, include methylphenidate and amphetamine-based medications that improve the transmission of the brain chemical dopamine which affects mood, motivation and movement. Non-stimulant options like atomoxetine, clonidine, and guanfacine can also be used, if stimulants are not effective or well tolerated. These help improve the transmission of norepinephrine, a hormone that helps with alertness and focus. Exactly why the condition occurs is not completely understood, but ADHD tends to run in families, suggesting genes may play a part. In the new study, researchers examined multiple population and health records in Sweden. The team used a novel study design called a 'trial emulation' to simulate a trial using existing real-world data from 148,581 people with ADHD. Comparing those who had started any type of ADHD medication within three months of diagnosis with those who hadn't, they looked at the records over the following two years. They found any form of medication reduced the first occurrence of four of the five incidents (with accidental injury being the exception) and all five outcomes when considering recurring incidents. Those taking stimulant medication were associated with the lowest incident rates, compared to non-stimulant medications. Methylphenidate was the most commonly prescribed drug, the researchers found. The likelihood was most reduced amongst people exhibiting a recurring pattern of behavior, such as multiple suicide attempts, numerous drug relapses or repeat offending. Medication didn't reduce the risk of a first-time accidental injury, but did reduce the risk of recurring ones. The study is the first of its kind to show the beneficial effect of ADHD medication on these broader clinical outcomes using a novel statistical method and data representative of all patients in routine clinical care from a whole country. Dr Zheng Chang, senior author of the study from the Karolinska Institute said: 'This finding is consistent with most guidelines that generally recommend stimulants as the first-line treatment, followed by non-stimulants. 'There is an ongoing discussion regarding whether methylphenidate should be included in the World Health Organization model list of essential medications, and we hope this research will help to inform this debate.' Co-senior author on the paper Samuele Cortese, a National Institute For Health And Care Research (NIHR) Research Professor at the University of Southampton added: 'The failure form clinical services to provide timely treatments that reduce these important outcomes represents a major ethical issue that needs to be addressed with urgency, with the crucial input of people with lived experience.'
Daily Mail
10 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Scientists note HSPs are most likely to have mental health problems
Up to one in three people may be what experts call a 'highly sensitive person' (HSP) - often dismissed as thin-skinned or a 'drama queen'. But HSPs could be wired differently, British scientists have said. In world-first research involving more than 12,000 people, experts found those with high sensitivity were more likely to experience mental health issues, including anxiety and depression, than their less sensitive counterparts. Experts labeled the discovery 'important' but stressed further research is needed to explore how sensitivity affects the success of different mental health treatments. Tom Falkenstein, a psychotherapist at Queen Mary University of London and study co-author, said: 'We found positive and moderate correlations between sensitivity and various mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, agoraphobia, and avoidant personality disorder. 'Our findings suggest that sensitivity should be considered more in clinical practice which could be used to improve diagnosis of conditions. 'In addition, our findings could help improve treatment for these individuals. 'HSPs are more likely to respond better to some psychological interventions than less sensitive individuals. 'Therefore, sensitivity should be considered when thinking about treatment plans for mental health conditions.' An HSP is clinically defined as someone with 'increased central nervous system sensitivity to physical, emotional or social stimuli'. The term was coined in the mid-1990s by psychologist Elaine Aron, who published The Highly Sensitive Person. She theorized that HSPs may have a hyper-evolved sense of danger, likely the result of inherited genes, allowing them to 'read' other human emotions to an extraordinary degree. Later research suggested HSPs may have higher levels of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, contributing to heightened responsiveness to stimuli, while other studies have cited childhood trauma as a potential cause. Several high-profile figures, including actors Nicole Kidman and Miranda Hart, and most recently David Bowie's artist daughter Lexi Jones, have spoken publicly about identifying as HSPs. In the new research, scientists analysed 33 studies involving 12,697 adults and children over 12 years of age, with an average participant age of 25. They found HSPs were most likely to suffer depression and anxiety. Writing in the journal Clinical Psychological Science, the researchers said: 'Sensitivity is significantly correlated with common mental-health outcomes. 'It is also noticeable that we found moderate and positive correlations with agoraphobia and avoidant personality disorder,' the researchers said. One explanation for the higher likelihood of HSPs experiencing anxiety may be their 'depth of processing or their tendency to respond with overstimulation', they added. 'Depth of processing might reflect a tendency to worry about future outcomes or could lead to imagining possible future scenarios in a given situation that could account for some anxiety. 'Depression, on the other hand, might be more dependent on the environmental factors.' Professor Michael Pluess, an expert in developmental psychology and study co-author, said: 'It is important to remember that highly sensitive people are also more responsive to positive experiences, including psychological treatment. 'Our results provide further evidence that sensitive people are more affected by both negative and positive experiences and that the quality of their environment is particularly important for their well-being.' The researchers, however, acknowledged the study had 'several limitations' including the fact the average age of study participants was 25 and most were 'highly educated young women'. This 'overrepresentation of women' may make it 'difficult to predict whether the correlations observed could apply to a more diverse population', they added. Heightened sensitivity may also be a 'consequence of mental health problems', researchers noted, which requires further research. Finally, all studies analysed relied on participants self-reporting their feelings which could skew results, given they may have been 'influenced by the participant's specific level of introspection'.
Metro
39 minutes ago
- Metro
What does a tick bite look like?
Lyme disease, a bacterial infection which is spread to humans through bites from infected ticks, is 'increasing rapidly', with the number of people who've been diagnosed with the disease, including several celebrities, rising. Signs and symptoms of Lyme disease include a circular red rash, flu-like symptoms and – if the infection is not treated swiftly with antibiotics – it can cause nerve and heart problems, pain and swelling in the joints, and trouble concentrating for years. Therefore it's important for people to be able to recognise what tick bites look like, and the tell-tale red rash that can be the first sign that a person has Lyme disease. A tick bite usually results in a small red bump – similar to the bump you get when a mosquito bites you – and it will likely go away after a few days. The bites aren't always painful, so it's important to check your skin for ticks and bites after you've been outdoors. The distinctive red rash associated with Lyme disease is circular and forms a pattern not unlike a bullseye – but it's important to note that not everyone who gets Lyme disease will get a rash. These rashes can develop up to three months after a person has been bitten, but most of the time they will be noticeable within the first month after the bite. The NHS points out that the majority of tick bites are harmless, and that only a small amount of ticks carry the bacteria that can cause Lyme disease in humans. More Trending If you spot a tick on your body, don't panic – you can use fine-tipped tweezers to remove it. Then simply disinfect the bite. The NHS also stipulates that you should see a GP if you've been bitten by a tick or been in an area in the last month where infected ticks have been found and you have flu-like symptoms (headaches, aching muscles, nausea) or a circular bullseye rash. According to the NHS, to remove a tick safely: Use fine-tipped tweezers or a tick-removal tool – you can buy these from some pharmacies, vets and pet shops. Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible. Slowly pull upwards, taking care not to squeeze or crush the tick. Dispose of it when you've removed it. Clean the bite with antiseptic or soap and water. View More » This article was fist published on August 1, 2019. MORE: British mum steals towels from sunbed hoggers in dead of night saying 'they deserved it' MORE: Cost of Mounjaro weight-loss drug to go up by 170% in the UK within weeks MORE: Chikungunya cases double in UK as expert warns 'all it takes is one mosquito bite' Your free newsletter guide to the best London has on offer, from drinks deals to restaurant reviews.
