Urology

BDSM is a consensual set of practices that include bondage and discipline, dominance and submission, and sadism and masochism, guided by consent-focused frameworks like Safe, Sane, and Consensual and Risk-Aware Consensual Kink. Risks include physical harm such as bruises, nerve or breathing complications, and infection, as well as emotional triggers, boundary violations, and social or legal consequences; these can be reduced with clear negotiation, safewords, education, proper gear, and aftercare, and medical or mental health support may be needed if injuries or distress occur. There are several factors to consider, and important details that could shape your next steps are summarized below.

There is no clinical proof that baking soda plus apple cider vinegar cures ED, and for men 65 and older the mix can increase risks like high blood pressure, fluid retention, reflux, and medication interactions. ACV may modestly lower post-meal blood sugar and baking soda can help high-intensity exercise, but neither improves penile blood flow or nerve signaling, so proven options like PDE5 inhibitors, cardiovascular risk control, and pelvic floor exercise are more effective. There are several factors to consider; see the complete answer below for specific risks, dosing pitfalls, safer next steps, and when to seek care.

There are several factors to consider in adults 65 and older, including epididymitis or orchitis, prostatitis, inguinal hernia, and kidney stones; less common but important causes include testicular torsion, appendicitis, an abdominal aortic aneurysm, testicular tumor, hydrocele or varicocele, nerve entrapment, and trauma. Seek urgent care for sudden severe pain, fever or redness, a groin bulge that will not go back in, blood in urine, inability to urinate, or tearing back or abdominal pain, and see the complete guidance below for key tests like scrotal and abdominal ultrasound, red flags, and treatment steps that could change what you do next.

At-home steps that can improve ED in men over 65 include a Mediterranean-style, heart-healthy diet; regular aerobic and pelvic-floor exercises; weight, blood pressure, and blood sugar control; quitting smoking; limiting alcohol; better sleep; and stress management, with any supplements used cautiously and reviewed by your doctor. Managing diabetes, cardiovascular and liver disease is also crucial, and urgent care is needed for sudden loss of erections, chest pain with sex, or penile pain or changes; there are several factors to consider, so see the complete details below.

There is no clinical evidence that baking soda or apple cider vinegar improve erectile function in men over 65. Apple cider vinegar may modestly help weight and blood sugar control, which can indirectly support vascular health, but neither remedy is proven for ED and both carry risks, including electrolyte issues with baking soda and tooth or throat irritation and medication interactions with vinegar. Safer, evidence based options are available; there are several factors to consider, so see below for important details and guidance on next steps.

The baking soda trick means drinking about 1 teaspoon of baking soda dissolved in water before sex to try to boost erections by briefly raising body alkalinity. There is no clinical evidence it works, and a teaspoon delivers about 1,260 mg of sodium that can raise blood pressure and worsen heart or kidney disease, plus it can cause stomach upset and medication interactions. There are several factors to consider and safer, proven treatments; see below for details that could affect your next steps.

Go to the ER now if the pain is sudden and severe or disabling, or if you have high fever, persistent vomiting, a hard tender groin lump you cannot push back in, scrotal redness or swelling, trouble urinating, blood in urine or semen, dizziness, fainting, or other signs of shock. These red flags can signal emergencies like testicular torsion, an incarcerated hernia, kidney stone colic, Fournier’s gangrene, or a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm where minutes to hours matter. If symptoms are milder and gradual, outpatient care may be appropriate, but there are several factors to consider. See below for details on specific red flags, what the ER will do, when office care is reasonable, and age related risks that could change your next steps.

Exercise is strongly linked to erectile function: regular aerobic, strength, and pelvic floor training improves blood flow and endothelial health, supports testosterone, aids weight loss, lowers cardiometabolic risks, and eases anxiety, with studies showing meaningful improvements and even restoration of erections in some men. There are several factors to consider, including which types and amounts of exercise help most and key safety steps or red flags that require medical care; see below for specific routines, precautions, and guidance on when to talk to a doctor.

No—using a dildo does not permanently loosen your vagina; its elastic tissues typically rebound, though a temporary relaxed feeling right after play is normal. There are several factors to consider, including pelvic-floor strength, childbirth and aging, and safe toy use (size, lubrication, hygiene). See the full details below, including when to seek care (pain, bleeding, pelvic pressure) and simple Kegels to maintain tone.

By most definitions, using a dildo does not change your virginity status—it’s solo masturbation, not sexual intercourse with another person. There are several factors to consider, including that “virginity” is a social/personal concept that varies by culture and belief, plus important health and safety points (hymen myths, toy hygiene/lube, and when to seek care); see the complete details below to guide your next steps.

Yes—when chosen and used correctly, it can be safe for teens, but there are several factors to consider. Start small with body-safe, phthalate-free materials, use plenty of water-based lube, clean before and after, don’t share, and stop if it hurts; seek care for heavy bleeding, severe pain, fever, or persistent symptoms. For important details on materials, sizing, hygiene, emotional readiness, consent/legal issues, and specific red flags, see below.

Generally yes—dildo use is considered safe in uncomplicated pregnancies, and gentle vaginal stimulation hasn’t been shown to cause miscarriage or preterm labor. Be gentle and hygienic (body-safe materials, clean toy, lube, avoid deep thrusting), and stop/seek care with pain, bleeding, fluid leakage, or strong contractions; avoid use and talk to your clinician if you have placenta or vasa previa, ruptured membranes, active infection, unexplained bleeding, or a history of preterm labor/cervical insufficiency. There are several factors to consider, including safety tips and trimester-specific advice—see below for the complete answer.

There are several factors to consider. Brief soreness from size, inadequate lubrication, or hitting the cervix often improves with rest and safer techniques (use body-safe materials, plenty of lube, go slow, and avoid force), but stop and seek care if you have sharp or worsening pelvic pain, heavy or persistent bleeding, fever/chills, unusual discharge, or urinary burning/blood; see the complete guidance below for specific red flags, step-by-step safe-use tips, and when to choose urgent vs. routine care.

Probably not—vaginal elasticity means any stretching from toy use is temporary, and lasting laxity is usually linked to childbirth or aging; partners mainly notice arousal, lubrication, and muscle tone, not recent toy size. There are several factors to consider, including pelvic floor exercises, proper cleaning, and warning signs like persistent pain, bleeding, odor, or unusual discharge; see below for the complete answer and key details that could guide your next steps.

Yes—blue balls are real (also called epididymal hypertension/pelvic congestion) and usually cause temporary aching after prolonged arousal without orgasm. They can often be avoided or relieved by moderating arousal, planning for orgasm, using distraction/relaxation, cold or warm compresses, gentle pelvic floor techniques, and OTC pain relievers. There are several important factors to consider—severe, worsening, or unusual symptoms could signal torsion, infection, or other conditions needing prompt care; see the complete guidance below to know what to watch for and the best next steps.

Frothy vaginal discharge is usually not life-threatening, but it often signals a treatable infection—most commonly trichomoniasis or bacterial vaginosis—and should be evaluated, especially with odor, itching, or discomfort. If you have fever, severe pelvic or abdominal pain, or abnormal bleeding, seek urgent care. There are several factors to consider; see below for causes, tests, partner treatment, and other steps that can guide your next move.

The best at‑home steps include heart‑healthy lifestyle changes (lose weight, stop smoking, limit alcohol, manage stress, get 7–9 hours sleep), a Mediterranean-style diet rich in flavonoids and omega‑3s, regular aerobic plus pelvic‑floor (Kegel) exercises, and—for some—evidence‑based supplements like Pycnogenol with L‑arginine or Korean red ginseng after discussing with your clinician. There are several factors to consider, including mental health strategies and red flags (ED can signal diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease)—see the complete details below for specific steps, dosages, cautions, and when to seek care. With consistent effort, many men notice improvement within weeks to months.

Quick at-home relief includes resting with scrotal support (snug underwear or a jockstrap), icing 10–15 minutes on/off, and using over‑the‑counter pain relievers; after the first day, a warm sitz bath and gentle movement may also help while avoiding strenuous activity. Urgent red flags include sudden severe pain, a high‑riding or rotated testicle, rapidly worsening swelling, fever/chills, or nausea/vomiting—seek care right away. There are several factors to consider for causes and next steps; see the complete guidance below.

The baking soda trick for men with ED involves mixing 1/2–1 teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate into 8 ounces of water and drinking it daily for up to a week, aiming to slightly raise blood pH so penile smooth muscle relaxes and blood flow improves. There’s no clinical proof it helps ED, and it can pose risks (high sodium load, metabolic alkalosis, blood-pressure increases, drug interactions), so talk with a clinician—especially if you have heart, kidney, or BP issues. There are several factors to consider, including safe use, red flags, and proven options like PDE5 medications and lifestyle changes; see the complete details below.

There are several factors to consider—foamy or bubbly urine is often harmless (fast stream, dehydration, cleaning products), but persistent foam can signal protein in the urine from kidney disease, or be caused by a UTI, diabetes, liver disease, or pregnancy-related issues. Red flags like swelling, high blood pressure, dark or bloody urine, fever, flank pain, or shortness of breath mean you should seek medical care. See the complete guidance below for details on causes, testing, and the right next steps.