Sex

[texas94]

Hey guys,
do any of your symptoms get worse after orgasm?
Is there any research as to whether we should refrain from sex or masturbation?
Thanks

[Dean76]

Hey guy! Not a whole lot of us men on here. Wish more men would post more info about thier IC.

Yes, I did go through a period of about 2 years when every time I had an orgasm I would extremely flare up. I would hurt for at least 24 hours with extreme pain, urgency, and frequency. I am not sure if you ever had the potassium test done for IC but that is what it felt like. After orgasm it would take 10 - 30 minutes and boom my IC symptoms would be x10. I described it to my Uro who doagnosed me with IC and he was clueless as to why this was happening.
I thought to myself that something in my ejaculatory fluid must be causing an irritation. The other thing I though about was that my fluid was draining back into my bladder. I still cant figure it out but it was causing mental and physicals problems for me. I went through a period of time when I wouldnt have sex with my girlfriend because I was afraid of the pain I would suffer after orgasm. After a year or so of that it went away. Every ow and then I will hurt slightly more after sex but not like what it use to hurt.

[ICB]

Hi Guys:

As an IC Patient Advocate, I've spoken to many men with IC. Moreover, I've been able to discuss some of the unique problems you guys face with extremely knowledgeable urologists.

There may be many reasons for the pain that you are experiencing. I've covered some of the possibilities below. However, it is unlikely that it be the seminal fluid or fluid draining back into the bladder. The most likely culprits are:


Strong spasms after intercourse
Increased circulation in the area causing pressure
Pelvic Floor Dysfunction (for physical therapy on men see www.roadtoslainte.blogspot.com)
Inflammation sets in after intercourse


Dr. Moldwin (who wrote the Interstitial Cystitis Survival Guide) tells "men who have pain on ejaculation that there is no CO2 cartridge in there, it is all muscle! These are the muscles that are involved in ejaculation. If they are tender, you are going to have problems with ejaculation."

Some men may experience painful ejaculation, suprapubic, scrotal and/or anal pain. Also, pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) may play a role in the pain associated with sexual intercourse in both men and women with IC.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that men treated successfully for IC usually experience normal erections and ejaculations. Once your IC (and Pelvic Floor Dysfunction) are under control with the appropriate treatment regimen; sexual intimacy usually returns to normal or becomes less painful. Some patients will find that they will have many normal experiences and then all of a sudden they will have a painful experience/flare; this is not uncommon.

Some healthcare providers prescribe 2mg of Valium 45 minutes prior to sexual intercourse to help relax the pelvic floor muscles and prevent spasming after climax. Discuss your diagnostic and treatment options with your healthcare provider. They will determine an appropriate treatment regimen for you.

The contents in this post are provided for informational purposes only. The contents are not intended in any way to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your medical condition.

Best wishes, ICB :flower:

[mick]

YEP.

I have been dianosged with IC for almost two years. For me the pain is so bad that I either need to avoid physical intimacy or take pain killers to deal with the discomfort after ejaculation. This can last just for a few hours or for several days. My urologist thought this would eventually burn itself out but it has gotten worse instead of better as I have been on treatment.

mick

[Katrina]

Our lecture on May 2 – Dr. Christopher Jayne – Intimacy and IC the Dr said that the muscles (pfd) is the reason for pain during and after sex in most cases for both men and women.

I don't believe their is any research stating you should refrain from sex or masterbation but you definatly want to treat the Pelvic Floor Dysfunction (PFD) part of things....it helps things sooooo much!
http://www.ic-network.com/forum/showthread.php?p=183302&posted=1#post183302 Jen's thread of great tips to avoid pain during/after sex http://www.roadtoslainte.blogspot.com/ more sex help

[ICguy]

I have noticed a small increase in pain. The pains seems to increase when two things are happening 1) My pelvic area is somewhat swollen but not yet in pain and 2) when the movement is fast or increased, the slower the better as it doesn't hurt as much, it keeps the sharp pain away.

[ICB]

I have noticed a small increase in pain. The pains seems to increase when two things are happening 1) My pelvic area is somewhat swollen but not yet in pain and 2) when the movement is fast or increased, the slower the better as it doesn't hurt as much, it keeps the sharp pain away.


If you start to notice that the pelvic area is swollen, you may want to apply a cold compress for 15 to 20 minutes (per hour, a few times per day) or as prescribed by your healthcare provider. Cold therapy helps to reduce inflammation and pain in many patients.

If you believe that this may be helpful, please consult with your healthcare provider to see if they believe that this is an appropriate treatment option for you.

Best wishes, ICB :flower:

[ICguy]

Ive been using a heating pad is that not good? is cold pack better?

[ICB]

Heat assists in drawing blood into the target tissues. The increased blood flow delivers needed oxygen and nutrients, and removes cell wastes. Heat is also known to decrease muscle spasms, relax tense muscles, relieve pain, and increase range of motion. However, it may increase nerve sensation. Heat therapy is good for easing tight muscles, but may only increase the pain and swelling of your condition by accelerating your metabolism.

Cold slows circulation and reduces inflammation, muscle spasm, and pain. Cold Therapy can also numb nerve endings. This stops the transfer of impulses to the brain that register as pain. The effect of cold is known to last longer than heat.

This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical treatment or consultation. If you believe that the information above may be helpful; please consult with your healthcare provider and ask if they believe that this is an appropriate treatment option for you.

Best wishes, ICB :flower:

[Hangin' Tough]

YES, YES and YES
After orgasm my symptoms peak and my stay at the elevated level for days or even weeks. I haven't found anything at this point that has helped at all. I hope you find an answer. For, me; it is just grin and bear it.

Steve

[ICB]

I've spoken to a few healthcare providers and patients that have suggested "prostate massage" to help reduce pain.

If you think this may be helpful; ask your healthcare provider if they believe that this is an appropriate treatment option for you.

Respectfully, ICB

[natalie2006]

hello I hope you guys get to feeling better. I know what not being able to have sex is like. I want to with my husband but it hurts to much still. I have also been taking a product called Bladder Q. I get it from the Natural Bladder. It is made for Men Or Women that have IC.:smile tee

[docwannabe]

hello, I don't have much of the pelvic pain some men speak of but finally, I have read and learned of some similar symptoms. I'm interested in learning about the treatments. I don't even try for sexual relations with anyone because I know I'll have pain and any partner will probably leave anyway. All of the pain is concentrated in the penis and is especially severe after ejaculation.

I have a few questions:
If ejaculatory fluid is being drained into the bladder, is that really bad?

Pain occurs during and immediately after orgasm. Also, it's often that I feel a weak urge to urinate just before which suggests something is really wrong. Is there any treatment for this?

The pain is really severe as soon as ejaculation occurs and afterwards, for several minutes and then gradually the pain lessens but it's still there. It can last a day or two and frequency increases somewhat. Also, the urine flow weakens. I am hoping that there are some treatments perhaps discovered if there were any similar symptoms.

For me, there is no point to consult any healthcare provider except the urologist that originally gave me the diagnosis of IC. About three urologists saw me in the past but none were able to be of much help. Eventually, I went to a specialist who has an office 2 hrs away. Should I try to contact the office again and inform them that my problem is not much better? I don't know what they can do. I was part of a study before but I might have to pay for some treatments now, I don't know. I just got depressed and when things were slightly improved (no pain when sitting, reduced frequency that I could somewhat manage and ability to drive/work etc.) I gave up.

I try to cope with the illness but I am often discouraged and get depressed. I already have enough negative things going on but since my situation and condition is not improving much, I decided to come back to this board.

[natalie2006]

i don't know much about men and IC. But I do know if you are with someone and they don't understand that it hurts to have sex then you don't want to be with that person anyway. There are other things besides sex you can do with a partner Like suggle, hUG, kISS, body rub downs. So don't be so hard on yourself. There is someone out there for you. Sorry can't answer any your questions. I know all about the sex thing. It hurts me to much to have sex too. :grouphug:

[wci30]

Hey guy! Not a whole lot of us men on here. Wish more men would post more info about thier IC.

Yes, I did go through a period of about 2 years when every time I had an orgasm I would extremely flare up. I would hurt for at least 24 hours with extreme pain, urgency, and frequency. I am not sure if you ever had the potassium test done for IC but that is what it felt like. After orgasm it would take 10 - 30 minutes and boom my IC symptoms would be x10. I described it to my Uro who doagnosed me with IC and he was clueless as to why this was happening.
I thought to myself that something in my ejaculatory fluid must be causing an irritation. The other thing I though about was that my fluid was draining back into my bladder. I still cant figure it out but it was causing mental and physicals problems for me. I went through a period of time when I wouldnt have sex with my girlfriend because I was afraid of the pain I would suffer after orgasm. After a year or so of that it went away. Every ow and then I will hurt slightly more after sex but not like what it use to hurt.
Hi, Dean76,

I just read your message, and I have to say that you are probably just "getting your feet wet" as to the real underlying problems and potential causes of pelvic pain after sex as well as the burning, frequency, and urgency associated with the problem.

My problem began several years ago when I noticed slow small urination streams along with the stopping and starting to empty the bladder. Eventually, the stream became so small that it nearly stopped. Frightened by the possibility that I could not empty the bladder at all, I began seeing a long list of urologists to diagnose the problem.

The first urologist decided to do a cystocopy right away without any hesitation, but the instrument he was using drew blood upon the entry into the penis, and he stopped the procedure stating that "to come back Monday for a complete cystocopy analysis at the hospital". He actually scared me to death, and I never returned to this character.

The second urologist did a sonogram of the bladder to see how well it was emptying, and eventually decided to check out the bladder with a cystocopy. He found a small benign tumor in the bladder and removed it, but that was all he did and sent me on my way.

The third urologist decided to give me a microwave treatment to open the prostate to make it easier to urinate after two cystocopies had been performed. The procedure failed since it did nothing to improve the situation. Needless to say, I didn't return to his office for further analysis.

The fourth urologist performed two more cystocopies before deciding to do a TURP (trans urethral resection procedure). It seemed to help for a couple of months, then the problem returned with slow urination, frequency, urgency, and now burning. I never returned to this doctor until recently after I had read about several doctors at Stanford University who had initiated a new procedure to combat the pain associated with IC called "Myofascial Trigger Point Therapy".

To make a long story short, after much struggle, the doctor eventually wrote me a prescription to see a physical therapist specialist who was an expert in the field of pelvic pain and trigger point therapy for those patients diagnosed with IC. She has been giving me therapy for three weeks, and for the first time in over five years I am now experiencing some relief from the pain, burning, frequency, and urgency associated with pelvic pain and IC. My sleep patterns are beginning to change with longer periods of actual sleep not interrupted by the urges to urinate. Sleep periods sometimes now occasionally reach as long as two and one-half hours up from about one hour which was the case before the treatments.

I do believe after struggling with all the pelvic pain and other problems associated with the condition including sexual activity dysfunction that I may be on the right track to recovery!! The therapist told me that I probably would not notice any substantial change in the condition for four to six weeks. I pray to God that this works since it appears to be the last possible resolution to the problem.

Hopefully, this will shed some light on your problem as well as others who may be suffering needlessly as a result of mis-diagnosis and many worthless, time consuming, expensive procedures. I wish that someone's advice through their experience would have helped me several years ago.

Bill

[ICguy]

I have found out over the last several months that if you have sex and put up with the pain it reduces after a couple of months. I believe that it strengthens the pelvic and penis tissues. I also take my regular pain meds, but I just kept going with the pain and I noticed that it reduced after sometime. Maybe just exercising it makes a difference. I also noticed that if I go a week or two without sex it hurts more then the previous time. So keep it up regularly and hopefully things work out. I'm not sure if my experience would apply to a female

[strobers]

YES, YES and YES
After orgasm my symptoms peak and my stay at the elevated level for days or even weeks. I haven't found anything at this point that has helped at all. I hope you find an answer. For, me; it is just grin and bear it.

Steve

This is a repost from another thread, but I think it's more aprapo here.

I totally relate to your post.

For some reason the Uro's I've seen and my general GP, refuse to see a connection between my urgency/frequency symptoms and masturbation, even though all my problems started immidiately after masturbating, which was around April 6th of this year. Although I don't have pain, the first two months or so, I would get urgency to void so bad that I would curl up in a fetal position and lay on the floor. Even after voiding, I would feel exactly the same way. It was the most horrible thing I have ever lived through.

At this point I am a lot better. Although I still get frequency and urgency, it's containable and I'm able to deal with it, although it is still annoying and affects the quality of my life. I've reached a ceiling in my recovery and I haven't been able to break through to where I was before April, which is very disheartening.

I haven't had sex with my wife or masturbated since April. Frankly, I'm too scared that I will go back to where I was in April and May. I've always wondered that if my history of chronic masturbation going back to when I was seven, and I mean sometimes two or more times a day, damaged my nerves and led to my having this problem. The last time I tried to masturbate, which was about a week after I did the first time, which started this nightmare, my orgasm wasn't even normal. It wasn't pleasureable. It was very unfullfilling. It was as if I had an internal short curcuit. The sad thing is that I can't get anybody to believe that masturbation has anything to do with my problem. Yet, all the regular tests show that I'm completely normal. My only issue continues to be frequency and urgency.

I wish I could reach inside myself, press a few buttons and pull a couple of levers so I can be normal again.