Male sexual health diet, the harm of smoking to sexual function, and core knowledge of gonorrhea prevention and treatment.

Foods for Sexual Health of Middle-aged and Elderly Men: As people age, their sexual function gradually weakens, which is a natural law of aging. However, in order to prevent premature sexual decline, in addition to maintaining mental health and eliminating unnecessary worries, it is also very necessary to eat some foods that help sexual function in daily life. (1) Eat foods containing arginine: Arginine is an essential component for sperm production. Regularly eating arginine can promote sperm production and strengthen yang, and is effective in treating impotence. Foods rich in arginine mainly include octopus, cuttlefish, eel, sea cucumber, sesame, peanuts, walnuts, soybeans, sunflower seeds, etc. (2) Eat foods containing zinc: The trace element zinc plays a very important role in maintaining the function of the male reproductive system. Foods rich in zinc mainly include oysters, beef, sea fish, sea shrimp and dairy products, as well as animal hearts, livers, kidneys, etc. (3) Eat foods containing vitamin E: Vitamin E is effective in treating infertility and can also treat impotence. Foods rich in vitamin E mainly include peanut oil, sesame oil, soybean oil, sunflower seed oil, etc. In addition, foods commonly used in folk medicine to improve sexual function include: leeks, wolfberries, shrimp, sparrows, cordyceps, and dog meat.

Beware of Smoking Leading to Male Impotence: A study of 4,400 men, after excluding other risk factors that can cause sexual dysfunction, found that smokers were 50% more likely to suffer from erectile dysfunction than non-smokers. The Mannino study involved men aged 30-49. Erectile dysfunction is extremely rare in this age group, but now the risk is closely linked to smokers in this age group. Therefore, as men age, the number of smokers suffering from erectile dysfunction will increase. Because cigarettes contain so many harmful substances, any harmful chemical can cause harm, and nicotine is considered to severely affect sexual function.

Etiology and Clinical Manifestations of Gonorrhea: Gonorrhea is an infection of the urogenital mucosa caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae through sexual intercourse. Humans are the only known host for this bacterium. The disease can spread through the bloodstream, leading to sepsis, arthritis, iritis, or endocarditis. Alcohol abuse, physical weakness, and excessive sexual activity can worsen the infection. Children can also contract gonorrhea through contaminated clothing or objects. The causative agent of gonorrhea is a Gram-negative diplococcus; in the acute phase, bacteria are found within leukocytes, while in the chronic phase, they are found outside leukocytes. Young adults are highly susceptible. 80% of infected children are asymptomatic, and only 5%–30% of infected adults are asymptomatic, but both are contagious and have no immunity to reinfection, thus promoting the spread of gonorrhea. Except for gonococcal conjunctivitis, gonorrhea is mostly transmitted through sexual intercourse. The site of infection depends on the site of contact; for example, during rectal or oral sex, symptoms may appear in the corresponding area. In men, the main symptom of gonorrhea is acute infection of the anterior urethra. Two to eight days after sexual intercourse with an infected person, urethral discharge appears. Initially, the discharge is thin and watery, but it gradually becomes a large amount of thick, yellow pus, accompanied by significant dysuria. If treated promptly and properly at a reputable hospital, the symptoms can be quickly controlled. However, without timely and proper treatment, the infection can spread through the urogenital system, rarely leaving sequelae. It can also spread via lymphatic vessels and blood vessels, causing serious complications such as prostatitis, seminal vesiculitis, spermatic cord inflammation, epididymitis, inguinal lymphangitis, arthritis, skin abscesses, perihepatitis, meningitis, endocarditis, and conjunctivitis, and even urethral stricture.

How is gonorrhea transmitted? In short, it is caused by unprotected sexual intercourse. In rare cases, it can be transmitted through direct contact with bacterial secretions, causing conjunctivitis and other complications. Typical acute gonorrhea (gonococcal urethritis) usually develops within 1-3 days after infection, manifesting as redness, swelling, and burning pain at the urethral opening, accompanied by urinary frequency, urgency, and dysuria, followed by yellowish-green purulent discharge from the urethra. The positive rate of smears in the acute phase reaches 93%-99%. Occasionally, balanitis and posthitis may occur. Patients are prone to penile pain during erection at night. The lesion can also spread retrogradely to the urethra, causing bulbourethral gland inflammation, prostatitis, seminal vesiculitis, and epididymitis. In more severe cases, the bacteria can enter the bloodstream, multiply, and spread, causing gonococcal septicemia, gonococcal arthritis, gonococcal meningitis, pleurisy, and endocarditis. The symptoms of acute gonorrhea are most pronounced in the first week and may disappear spontaneously after one week. However, due to delayed or inappropriate treatment, it can develop into chronic gonorrhea after 4-6 weeks. At this stage, the gonococci remain dormant in the folds and mucous membranes of the urethra. In some gonorrhea patients, due to prolonged and repeated attacks, the submucosal glands and surrounding tissues of the urethra are repaired and fibrosed by connective tissue, gradually narrowing the urethra and vas deferens, eventually leading to obstruction of the seminal ducts and the formation of seminal vesicles. Such severe reproductive tract lesions can cause serious impairment or even loss of male sexual function and fertility. Furthermore, gonorrhea can also be transmitted through contact with toilet seats, swimsuits, etc. Some young girls can contract gonorrhea from kindergarten, parents, or even grandparents. If you have gonorrhea, you should not passively endure it, nor should you avoid seeking medical attention for fear of public exposure and damage to your reputation and family relationships. Such endurance not only harms your own health but also risks spreading the sexually transmitted disease to others and even harming future generations. Therefore, if you fall ill, you must seek treatment at a reputable hospital promptly and never trust quack doctors.