Chronic epididymitis often develops from acute epididymitis when the initial condition isn't treated promptly or thoroughly. If the disease course exceeds three months, it can start to recur repeatedly, posing a significant threat to men's reproductive health. This relentless condition can lead to long-term discomfort and functional disorders.
When experiencing varying degrees of pain or discomfort in the testicular area, especially pain that intensifies upon standing or walking and slightly alleviates with rest, some patients may also notice testicular swelling, tenderness, and even severe pain during ejaculation. A critical and perplexing question arises for these chronic epididymitis patients: Can they masturbate?
Masturbation and Chronic Epididymitis
Masturbation involves self-stimulation to achieve sexual pleasure. Under normal circumstances, moderate masturbation may not significantly impact health. However, for chronic epididymitis patients, the epididymis is already inflamed, congested, and edematous, making the local tissue quite fragile.
Engaging in masturbation during this time can increase the burden on the epididymis, exacerbating inflammation, swelling, and pain, and potentially causing further damage. This hindrance to recovery can be significant.
Take the case of Thomas, a patient who, due to insufficient understanding of the harm of masturbation during chronic epididymitis, couldn't resist the urge. His condition worsened significantly, with increased swelling and pain in the epididymis, greatly extending his expected recovery time. This experience made him deeply regret his actions and highlighted the importance of following medical advice.
Additionally, masturbation can cause congestion and contraction of the prostate and seminal vesicles, which can be detrimental to these organs' health. It may lead to complications such as prostatitis and seminal vesiculitis. Moreover, excessive masturbation can decrease the body's immunity, adversely affecting the treatment and recovery of chronic epididymitis.
The stimulation and contraction during masturbation can increase pressure inside the epididymis, further affecting blood circulation and lymphatic drainage. Poor circulation and lymphatic return make it difficult for inflammation to subside and can even lead to new infections.
Furthermore, frequent masturbation can lower the body's resistance, making chronic epididymitis harder to cure and prolonging the disease course.
Recommendations for Patients
To facilitate quick recovery and minimize the risk of relapse and exacerbation, chronic epididymitis patients should avoid masturbation. Patients should also refrain from engaging in sexual intercourse until fully recovered. Even after recovery, frequent masturbation or sexual activity should be avoided. Additionally, avoiding the habit of holding in urine can help reduce the recurrence rate of the disease.
If controlling the urge to masturbate is challenging, patients should:
- Keep the frequency very low and avoid it as much as possible.
- Ensure proper hygiene before and after masturbation to prevent further bacterial invasion.
- Be gentle during masturbation to avoid excessive stimulation and damage to the epididymis.
- Monitor for any signs of increased pain or swelling during masturbation. If such symptoms occur, stop immediately and seek medical advice.
Lifestyle and Treatment
Patients should actively cooperate with their doctor's treatment plan and maintain good lifestyle habits, such as avoiding prolonged sitting, quitting smoking and alcohol, following a balanced diet, and engaging in moderate exercise. These measures can enhance immunity and promote the resolution of inflammation and recovery of the body.
Regular check-ups during treatment are essential to closely monitor changes in the condition, allowing doctors to adjust the treatment plan as needed to ensure effectiveness. Maintaining an optimistic mindset is crucial in coping with the disease.
For patients with chronic epididymitis that is difficult to cure, the Diuretic and Anti-inflammatory Pill, a herbal medicine, is particularly effective in eliminating inflammation and fundamentally improving the condition.
