Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) - inflammation of the digestive tract - can be tough to deal with, both physically and emotionally. Unfortunately, it can take a toll on one's sex life, too. 

But there's good news. With communication and planning, people with IBD can still enjoy satisfying sex. 

In our latest blog post, we go over the basics of IBD and offer suggestions for coping. For example, opening up to a partner, making adjustments for comfort, and finding support are all helpful strategies. 

Get the details here. 

Many men who undergo radiation therapy for prostate cancer develop erectile dysfunction (ED)  - the inability to get and keep an erection rigid enough for sex.  However, scientists have discovered that avoiding the base of the penis (the penile bulb) during treatment could lessen ED severity. 

Published last October in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology, the study focused on image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT), which uses images of the prostate to help doctors target radiation doses more exactly. 

The researchers looked at data from 182 men who had IGRT treatment for localized prostate cancer (confined to the prostate gland itself). They were also able to determine radiation amounts for 90 of the men. 

In this subgroup, 41 men developed severe ED after treatment. They also had the most radiation directed at the penile bulb.

The findings suggest that avoiding the penile bulb during IGRT would have sexual benefits for these men, but more research is needed before such a protocol can be recommended, the scientists said. 

Learn more about the study here.