PHX Reporter

• Studies have shown that men who struggle with sinus issues are 50% more likely to be impotent.

• Cold and sinus medications can cause urinary retention in men and even erectile dysfunction.

• Seeking treatment from a sinus specialist can help to resolve sinusitis and other side effects.

Dr. John Stewart of Arizona Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers says that men who struggle with sinus issues and overuse decongestants run the risk of experiencing troubles with their urogenital health, which is why it's important to seek treatment from a specialist.

"Men may not understand that, since they have different anatomy than females, taking decongestants such as Sudafed does cause irreversible prostatic hypertrophy," Stewart told PHX Reporter. "Over time, that can affect function in urination and urogenital health in general. So they need to be aware of that when they're reaching in the medical aisle and looking for that magic bullet to try to help relieve their sinus issues. By the time they're thinking in those terms, they really need to seek help and let us help them, in a non-harmful way, with how to overcome the issues that they're experiencing."

Some men may be surprised to find that the cold or decongestant medication they're taking could be affecting their ability to urinate, also known as prostatic hypertrophy. According to Very Well Health, common over-the-counter cold and flu medications can make it harder for your body to release urine and lead to the inability to urinate. The medications to stay away from to prevent this are: pseudoephedrine, ephedrine and phenylephrine products.

Unfortunately, urinary issues aren't the only problems that men who suffer from sinusitis might have to deal with. Yahoo! Sports reported that men who suffer from chronic sinusitis are as much as 50% more likely to be impotent, compared to men who do not suffer from sinusitis, citing a report from Kaohsiung University in Taiwan. The study found that when sinusitis inflames the lining of the sinuses, it causes the blood vessels in men's genitals to restrict blood flow.

Subsequently, the same medications that can cause urinary issues can also cause other troubles. While some people might turn to medication to try and alleviate their sinus symptoms, products such as Sudafed or other cold medications can also cause erectile dysfunction, according to Men's Journal.

People who suffer from chronic sinusitis have several treatment options, including endoscopy and balloon sinuplasty, according to WebMD. Endoscopy is a common procedure, during which doctors insert thin, flexible instruments called endoscopes into the nose. One instrument has a small camera lens that sends images back to a screen, allowing the doctor to see where the sinuses are blocked and guide the other instruments to gently remove polyps, scar tissue and other blockages. Doctors won’t cut into the skin, so recovery is relatively fast and easy.

Endoscopy is usually done with a local anesthetic, meaning the area will be made numb and the patient remains awake. Another newer treatment is balloon sinuplasty, which is a good option for patients who don't need anything removed from the sinuses. The doctor puts a narrow tube into the nose with a small balloon attached to one end. The doctor then guides the balloon to the blocked area inside the nose and inflates it. The balloon helps clear the passageway so the sinuses can drain properly, alleviating congestion.

To see if you might benefit from chronic sinusitis treatments, please take this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.