Urology

There are several risks and watch-outs to consider, including bruising or petechiae, pain, numbness or coldness from the constriction band, skin irritation or discoloration, difficulty ejaculating, device problems, psychological stress, and rarely priapism if the band stays on too long; be especially cautious if you use blood thinners, have bleeding or blood-cell disorders, penile infection or severe curvature, or a spinal cord injury. Reduce risk by using gentle suction with lubrication, following time limits of 10 to 15 minutes for the band and 20 to 30 minutes total, inspecting and cleaning the device, and seeking urgent care for an erection over 4 hours or persistent severe symptoms. Many more safety tips, red flags, and next-step guidance are detailed below.

A penis pump creates a vacuum around the penis that draws blood into the erectile chambers to produce an erection, and a constriction ring can then help maintain it for up to about 30 minutes. It is a drug-free option used for erectile dysfunction, post-surgery penile rehabilitation, and temporary enhancement, but technique, device choice, and safety considerations matter. There are several factors to consider; see below for key benefits, risks, contraindications, and usage tips that could guide your next steps.

A micro penis is a medically defined diagnosis for a penis measuring more than 2.5 standard deviations below the age based average, typically under 2.5 cm in newborns and about 7 cm stretched length in adults. It can reflect hormonal, genetic, or developmental issues and has specific evaluations and treatments that may be time sensitive; there are several factors to consider, so see below to understand measurement details, causes, tests, treatment choices, and when to seek care.

Start with oral PDE5 inhibitors like sildenafil or tadalafil plus lifestyle changes. The best choice depends on your other medicines, health conditions, side effects, cost, and preference; see below for key nuances. If pills are not suitable or do not work, options include vacuum devices, injections or intraurethral alprostadil, and for refractory cases penile implants; psychosexual therapy can help at any step. Because ED can signal heart disease, diabetes, or hormonal issues, and PDE5 drugs cannot be taken with nitrates, review the complete guidance below and speak with a clinician if you have red flags like sudden ED, chest symptoms, or an erection lasting over 4 hours.

The most effective approach is early, tailored androgen therapy such as testosterone or topical dihydrotestosterone after a specialist evaluation to confirm causes, with traction devices or selected surgeries considered if response is limited, and ongoing psychosocial support. There are several factors to consider, including age, hormonal or genetic findings, monitoring for side effects, and realistic goals; see below for dosing examples by age, device and surgical options, expected gains, safety checks, and signs that require urgent care.

The latest treatments for erectile dysfunction include first-line PDE-5 inhibitors like sildenafil and tadalafil plus the newer udenafil, low-intensity shockwave therapy that improves erections for many men for 6 to 12 months with minimal side effects, and emerging regenerative options such as PRP, stem cells, and gene therapy. There are several factors to consider, including severity, underlying conditions, and costs, and some options remain experimental and may not suit men on nitrates, so see the complete guidance below to decide the safest next steps and when to speak with a doctor.

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.