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Penile Cancer
2007-12-08 20:42:00 The penis contains several types of tissue, including skin, nerves, smooth muscle, and blood vessels. Running through the inside of the penis is a thin tube called the urethra. Urine and semen come out through the urethra. The head of the penis is called the glans. At birth, the glans is covered by a piece of skin called the foreskin, or prepuce. The foreskin is often removed in infant boys in an operation called circumcision.Inside the penis are 3 chambers that contain a soft, spongy network of blood vessels. Two of these cylinder-shaped chambers, known as the corpora cavernosa, lie on either side of the upper part of the penis. The third lies below them and is known as the corpus spongiosum. This chamber widens at its end to form the glans. The corpus spongiosum surrounds the urethra, a tube that carries urine from the bladder through the penis. The opening at the end of the urethra is called the meatus.When a man gets an erection, nerves signal to his body to store blood in the v...
By: A health blog
Urethral Stricture
2007-12-08 20:15:00 Urethral stricture is an abnormal narrowing of the urethra (the tube that releases urine from the body).CausesUrethral stricture may be caused by inflammation or scar tissue from surgery, disease, or injury. It may also be caused by external pressure from an enlarging tumor near the urethra, although this is rare.Increased risk is associated with men who have a history of sexually transmitted disease (STD), repeated episodes of urethritis, or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). There is also increased risk of urethral stricture after an injury or trauma to the pelvic region. Any instrument inserted into the urethra (such as a catheter or cystoscope) increases the chance of developing urethral strictures.Congenital (present at birth) pediatric strictures are rare, as are true strictures in women.SymptomsDysuria (painful urination)Difficulty urinatingSlow urine stream (may develop suddenly or gradually)Spraying of urine streamDecreased urine outputIncreased urinary frequency or urgenc...
By: A health blog
Retrograde ejaculation
2007-12-08 19:54:00 Retrograde ejaculation is when semen goes into the bladder rather than out of your penis during orgasm. Although you still reach sexual climax, you may ejaculate very little or no semen (dry orgasm). Retrograde ejaculation isn't harmful, but it can cause fertility problems.Retrograde ejaculation can be caused by medications, health conditions or surgeries that affect the nerves or muscle that control the bladder opening. If retrograde ejaculation is caused by a medication, stopping the medication may be effective. For retrograde ejaculation due to a health condition or as a result of surgery, treatment with medications may restore normal ejaculation and fertility.Signs and symptomsRetrograde ejaculation does not affect your ability to get an erection or have an orgasm ? but when you climax, semen goes into your bladder instead of coming out of your penis. Retrograde ejaculation can cause:Dry orgasms or orgasms in which you ejaculate very little semen out of your penisUrine that is ...
By: A health blog
Priapism
2007-12-08 19:49:00 Priapism is a persistent, usually painful, erection that lasts for more than four hours and occurs without sexual stimulation. The condition develops when blood in the penis becomes trapped and unable to drain. If the condition is not treated immediately, it can lead to scarring and permanent erectile dysfunction.It can occur in all age groups, including newborns. However, it usually affects men between the ages of 5 to 10 years and 20 to 50 years.There are two categories of priapism: low-flow and high-flow.Low flow: This type of priapism is the result of blood being trapped in the erection chambers. It often occurs without a known cause in men who are otherwise healthy, but also affects men with sickle-cell disease, leukemia (cancer of the blood) or malaria.High flow: High flow priapism is more rare than low-flow and usually less painful. It is the result of a ruptured artery from an injury to the penis or the perineum (area between the scrotum and anus), which prevents blood in th...
By: A health blog
Peyronie?s Disease
2007-12-08 19:43:00 Peyronie?s disease, a condition of uncertain cause, is characterized by a plaque, or hard lump, that forms on the penis. The plaque develops on the upper or lower side of the penis in layers containing erectile tissue. It begins as a localized inflammation and can develop into a hardened scar.Cases of Peyronie?s disease range from mild to severe. Symptoms may develop slowly or appear overnight. In severe cases, the hardened plaque reduces flexibility, causing pain and forcing the penis to bend or arc during erection. In many cases, the pain decreases over time, but the bend in the penis may remain a problem, making sexual intercourse difficult. The sexual problems that result can disrupt a couple?s physical and emotional relationship and lead to lowered self-esteem in the man. In a small percentage of patients with the milder form of the disease, inflammation may resolve without causing significant pain or permanent bending.The plaque itself is benign, or noncancerous. A plaque on t...
By: A health blog
Paraphimosis, Penile Trauma
2007-12-08 19:04:00 PARAPHIMOSISParaphimosis (say: "para-fim-oh-sus") is a serious condition that can happen only in men and boys who haven't been circumcised. Paraphimosis means the foreskin is stuck behind the head of the penis and can't be pulled back down into a normal position.Return to topWhat causes paraphimosis?Uncircumcised men sometimes pull the foreskin back during sex, when they go to the bathroom or when they clean their penises. Doctors and nurses might pull the foreskin back when they examine the penis or put in a catheter.Sometimes you, a doctor or a nurse might forget to pull the foreskin back down. If the foreskin is left behind the head of the penis too long, your penis might swell so much that the foreskin is trapped behind it.What can I do to avoid getting paraphimosis?After having sex, going to the bathroom or cleaning yourself, be sure to pull the foreskin back down to its natural position.Never leave the foreskin behind the head of your penis for any longer than you need to.If...
By: A health blog
Male Yeast Infection
2007-12-08 18:55:00 Male yeast infection is widely misunderstood and is a much overlooked disease today. This report explains their causes, symptoms, and natural treatments without drugs and unwanted side effects. Recent advances have made it possible to eliminate yeast from the body by treating the cause and not just the very uncomfortable effects and symptoms...Most men will go through life never knowing that they have a candida or fungal infection because it is extremely difficult to detect since men are built different than women. Women will get a vaginal infection and this is the clue that things are amiss in their body. Whereas men will have absolutely no idea they may have a male yeast infection until it creates other problems with their health.Usually, men are informed by their significant other that she has a yeast infection, so the chances are he has it too. Most doctors will prescribe an anti-fungal and suggest that the man takes it also, other wise he will give it back to her.This is very t...
By: A health blog
Inflammation of the Penis, Hidden penis
2007-12-07 21:54:00 Inflammation of the PenisBalanitis is inflammation of the glans penis (the cone-shaped end of the penis). Posthitis is inflammation of the foreskin. Commonly, a yeast or bacterial infection beneath the foreskin causes posthitis. Inflammation of both the glans penis and the foreskin (balanoposthitis) can also develop. The inflammation causes pain, itching, redness, and swelling and can ultimately lead to a narrowing (stricture) of the urethra. Men who develop balanoposthitis have an increased chance of later developing balanitis xerotica obliterans, phimosis, paraphimosis, and cancer.In balanitis xerotica obliterans, chronic inflammation causes the skin near the tip of the penis to harden and turn white. The opening of the urethra is often surrounded by this hard white skin, which eventually blocks the flow of urine and semen. Antibacterial or anti-inflammatory creams may relieve the inflammation, but often the urethra must be reopened surgically.In phimosis, the foreskin is tight an...
By: A health blog
Hypospadias
2007-12-07 21:41:00 Hypospadias is a common birth defect of the penis. Usually, the urethral opening (the opening of the tube that carries urine out of the penis) appears at the very tip of the head (or glans) of the penis. In hypospadias, the opening can appear anywhere on the underside of the penis. In a mild case of hypospadias, the opening may be just below the head of the penis (coronal). In more severe cases of hypospadias, the opening can be anywhere from the middle of the underside of the penis (mid-shaft) to below the place where the penis and scrotum meet (perineal). Frequently there is a downward curving of the penis called chordee. This curvature may be more pronounced when the penis is erect. The foreskin is also incomplete and has the appearance of a dorsal hood (skin covering only the top and sides of the head of the penis).How often does hypospadias occur? This is a relatively common condition that occurs in approximately one out of every 300 male births. Most cases of hypospadias (appr...
By: A health blog
Male Reproductive System Disorders -Penile Disorders
2007-12-07 13:03:00 Problems with the penis can cause pain and affect a man's sexual function and fertility. Penis disorders includeErectile dysfunction - inability to get or keep an erectionPriapism - a painful erection that does not go awayPeyronie's disease - bending of the penis during an erection due to a hard lump called a plaqueBalanitis - inflammation of the skin covering the head of the penis, most often in men and boys who have not been circumcisedPenile cancer - a rare form of cancer, highly curable when caught earlyAnd many others.ERECTILE DYSFUNCTIONErectile dysfunction (ED) affects the lives of many middle-aged men and their partners to one degree or another. The term erectile dysfunction covers a range of disorders, but usually refers to the inability to obtain an adequate erection for satisfactory sexual activity.Although erectile dysfunction, formerly called impotence, is more common in men older than 65, it can occur at any age. An occasional episode of erectile dysfunction happens ...
By: A health blog
Prostate Cancer - Preventive Tips, Coping Skills
2007-12-06 06:29:00 PreventionProstate cancer can't be prevented, but you can take measures to reduce your risk or possibly slow the disease's progression. The most important steps you can take to maintain prostate health ? and health in general ? are to eat well, keep physically active and see your doctor regularly.Eating wellHigh-fat diets have been linked to prostate cancer. Therefore, limiting your intake of high-fat foods and emphasizing fruits, vegetables and whole fibers may help you reduce your risk. Foods rich in lycopenes, an antioxidant, also may help lower your prostate cancer risk. These foods include raw or cooked tomatoes, tomato products, grapefruit and watermelon. Garlic and cruciferous vegetables such as arugula, bok choy, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage and cauliflower also may help fight cancer.Soy products contain isoflavones that seem to keep testosterone in check. Because prostate cancer feeds off testosterone, isoflavones may reduce the risk and progression of the disease....
By: A health blog
Prostate Cancer - Complications, Treatment
2007-12-06 06:17:00 ComplicationsComplications from prostate cancer are related to both the disease and its treatment. One of the biggest fears of many men who have prostate cancer is that treatment may leave them incontinent or impotent. Fortunately, therapies exist to help cope with or treat these conditions.The typical complications of prostate cancer and its treatments include:Spread of cancer. Prostate cancer can spread to nearby organs and bones and can be life-threatening.Pain. Although early-stage prostate cancer typically isn't painful, once it's spread to bones, it may produce pain, which can be intense. Treatments directed at shrinking the cancer often can produce significant pain relief. These treatments include hormone therapy, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. If these treatments aren't successful, or while waiting for them to work, pain management with medications is an option. Pain medications can range from over-the-counter pain relievers to prescription narcotics.Not all people w...
By: A health blog
Prostate cancer
2007-12-06 06:02:00 Prostate cancer is cancer of the small walnut-shaped gland in men that produces seminal fluid, the fluid that nourishes and transports sperm.For many men a diagnosis of prostate cancer can be frightening, not only because of the threat to their lives, but because of the threat to their sexuality. In fact, the possible consequences of treatment for prostate cancer ? which include bladder control problems and erectile dysfunction (ED) or impotence ? can be a great concern for some men.If prostate cancer is detected early ? when it's still confined to the prostate gland ? you have a better chance of successful treatment with minimal or short-term side effects. Successful treatment of cancer that has spread beyond the prostate gland is more difficult. But treatments exist that can help control prostate cancer.Signs and symptomsProstate cancer often doesn't produce any symptoms in its early stages. That's why many cases of prostate cancer aren't detected until it has spread beyond th...
By: A health blog
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
2007-12-05 13:55:00 It is common for the prostate gland to become enlarged as a man ages. Doctors call this condition benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or benign prostatic hypertrophy. Normal urine flow. Urine flow with BPH.As a man matures, the prostate goes through two main periods of growth. The first occurs early in puberty, when the prostate doubles in size. At around age 25, the gland begins to grow again. This second growth phase often results, years later, in BPH.Though the prostate continues to grow during most of a man's life, the enlargement doesn't usually cause problems until late in life. BPH rarely causes symptoms before age 40, but more than half of men in their sixties and as many as 90 percent in their seventies and eighties have some symptoms of BPH.As the prostate enlarges, the layer of tissue surrounding it stops it from expanding, causing the gland to press against the urethra like a clamp on a garden hose. T...
By: A health blog
Male reproductive system disorders - Prostate diseases
2007-12-03 19:12:00 The prostate is a gland. It helps make semen, the fluid that contains sperm. The prostate surrounds the tube that carries urine away from the bladder and out of the body. A young man's prostate is about the size of a walnut. It slowly grows larger with age. If it gets too large, it can cause problems. This is very common after age 50. The older men get, the more likely they are to have prostate trouble.Some common problems are:Prostatitis - an infection, usually caused by bacteriaBenign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH - an enlarged prostate, which may cause dribbling after urination or a need to go often, especially at nightProstate cancer - a common cancer that responds best to treatment when detected earlyPROSTATITISProstatitis is inflammation or infection of the prostate gland ? an organ about the size and shape of a walnut, located just below the bladder in males. The prostate gland produces semen, the fluid that helps nourish and transport sperm. Prostatitis can cause a variety ...
By: A health blog
Testicular Cancer - Treatment Options
2007-12-03 15:33:00 Stage I seminomas are usually treated with surgical removal of the testicle and spermatic cord (radical inguinal orchiectomy) followed by radiation aimed at regional lymph nodes (inguinal and retroperitoneal lymph nodes). Because seminoma cells are very sensitive to radiation, moderate doses can be used, usually around 10 to 15 treatments. More than 95% of stage I seminomas can be cured this way.The doctor may recommend radiation therapy even if CT scan results do not show that the cancer has spread to the nodes. This is because in approximately 20% of cases of testicular cancer of this type, cancerous cells have spread but were not detected during imaging studies. Radiation therapy is usually successful in destroying these hidden (occult) metastases.Another approach to treating men with stage I seminomas is currently being evaluated. Instead of treating regional lymph nodes with radiation right after surgery, patients are followed closely with blood tests and regularly scheduled im...
By: A health blog
Testicular cancer
2007-12-03 15:33:00 Testicular cancer occurs in the testicles (testes), which are located inside the scrotum, a loose bag of skin underneath the penis. The testicles produce male sex hormones and sperm for reproduction.Compared with other types of cancer, testicular cancer is rare. But testicular cancer is the most common cancer in American males between the ages of 15 and 34. The cause of testicular cancer is unknown.Testicular cancer is highly treatable, even when cancer has spread beyond the testicle. Depending on the type and stage of testicular cancer, you may receive one of several treatments, or a combination. Regular testicular self-examinations can help identify growths early, when the chance for successful treatment of testicular cancer is highest.Signs and symptomsTesticular cancer can result in a number of signs and symptoms. These may include:A lump or enlargement in either testicleA feeling of heaviness in the scrotumA dull ache in the abdomen or groinA sudden collection of fluid in the s...
By: A health blog
Varicocele
2007-12-02 20:37:00 A varicocele is an enlargement of the veins within the scrotum, the loose bag of skin that holds the testicles. A varicocele is similar to a varicose vein of the leg.Up to one in five men have a varicocele. For males who are infertile, the figure is higher ? about 40 percent. Varicoceles are the most common cause of low sperm production and decreased sperm quality, although not all varicoceles affect sperm production.Most varicoceles develop over time. They usually occur in the left testicle, most likely because of the position of the left testicular vein. However, a varicocele in one testicle can affect sperm production in both testicles. Fortunately, most varicoceles are easy to diagnose and, if they cause symptoms, can be repaired surgically.Signs and symptomsA varicocele usually produces no symptoms. Rarely, it may cause pain that may worsen over the course of a day because of physical exertion and typically is relieved by lying on your back. Varicoceles can grow larger and beco...
By: A health blog
Testicular Trauma
2007-12-02 20:00:00 Because the testicles are located within the scrotum, which hangs outside of the body, they do not have the protection of muscles and bones. This makes it easier for the testicles to be struck, hit, kicked or crushed. The following information should help explain why timely evaluation and proper management are critical for the best outcomes.What happens under normal conditions?As the producers of sperm and testosterone, the testicles are paired organs essential for every reproductive and sexual function enjoyed by men. But they are also prone to injuries that can leave damage to either the entire gland or essential parts of it.Suspended in the scrotum, a skin pouch below the penis, each testicle is surrounded by the tunica albuginea, a tough, fibrous covering that often takes the hit of trauma to the gland. Like the shell of an egg, it can be easily "fractured" or shattered when confronted by a blunt or violent force.But while this covering is injury-prone, other parts of the scrota...
By: A health blog
Testicular Torsion
2007-12-02 19:39:00 Sometimes, the tissue surrounding a testicle is not well attached to the scrotum. As a result, the testicle may become twisted around the spermatic cord resulting in the blood supply being cut off. The following information should help you better understand this potentially serious health hazard.What happens under normal conditions?The testicle (testis) receives its blood supply through the spermatic cord, which arises in the abdomen, courses through the inguinal canal and then enters the scrotum. This cord also includes the vas deferens, which transports sperm to the urethra. While there is more than one source of arterial blood to the testicle, they all enter the testicle via the spermatic cord. Interruption of this arterial route, therefore, will result in a complete cutoff of blood supply and demise of the testicle.The testicles are organs suspended in a pouch-like skin sac ? the scrotum ? below the penis. By looking at the scrotum, both the right and left testicle should be app...
By: A health blog
Spermatoceles
2007-12-02 19:34:00 The male reproductive tract is responsible for the production, maturation of sperm, and delivery of sperm. This tract is a complex and highly integrated entity. Sperm are produced in the testicles and then are transported through the genital ductal system to the penis and out of the urethra during ejaculation. Each component of the reproductive tract is highly specialized.Abnormalities within the male reproductive tract may appear as scrotal masses. Masses may be of little significance or may represent life-threatening illnesses. It is necessary to follow a set course of action to determine the nature of the masses and the most appropriate treatment option. For example, testicular cancer is a source of great concern and uniformly requires prompt intervention. Other masses, such as varicoceles, can cause pain or impair reproductive function. Spermatoceles are benign and generally painless masses that grow at the top of the testicle. Thus, it is important for a patient to seek prompt ...
By: A health blog
Orchitis
2007-12-01 18:01:00 If you're an adult male, you may have heard that getting mumps may affect your fertility. The reason is viral orchitis, an inflammation of one or both testicles, most commonly associated with the virus that causes mumps. About one-third of males who contract mumps develop orchitis.Fortunately, infertility as a result of mumps-related orchitis is rare, especially when only one testicle becomes inflamed.Other causes of orchitis usually are bacterial, including sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The best way to prevent orchitis is to prevent mumps and to avoid behaviors that may result in STDs.Signs and symptomsOrchitis symptoms usually have an abrupt onset. They may include:Testicular swelling on one or both sidesPain ranging from mild to severeTenderness in one or both testiclesNauseaFeverDischarge from penisBlood in semenThe terms "testicle pain" and "groin pain" are sometimes used interchangeably. But groin pain occurs in the fold of skin between the thigh and abdomen ? not in ...
By: A health blog
Hydrocele
2007-12-01 05:31:00 A hydrocele is a fluid-filled sac surrounding a testicle that results in swelling of the scrotum, the loose bag of skin underneath the penis. About one in 10 male infants has a hydrocele at birth, but most hydroceles disappear without treatment within the first year of life. Additionally, men ? usually older than 40 ? can develop a hydrocele due to inflammation or injury within the scrotum.Hydroceles usually aren't painful. Typically not harmful, hydroceles may require no treatment. However, if you have scrotal swelling, see your doctor to rule out other causes, such as testicular cancer or other conditions.Signs and symptoms Usually the only indication of a hydrocele is a painless swelling of one or both testicles.CausesFor baby boys, a hydrocele can develop in the womb. At about 28 weeks of gestation, the testicles descend from the developing baby's abdominal cavity into the scrotum. A sac (processus vaginalis) accompanies each testicle, allowing fluid to surround them.In most c...
By: A health blog
Male hypogonadism
2007-12-01 05:31:00 Male hypogonadism is a condition in which the body doesn't produce enough of the sex hormone testosterone. As many as 5 million men in the United Sates may not produce enough testosterone ? the hormone that plays a key role in masculine growth and development during puberty.Testosterone's effects begin after conception, stimulating the formation of male sex organs. The hormone continues to play an important role through puberty and adulthood by triggering male characteristics and maintaining sex drive.You may be born with hypogonadism, or it can develop later in life from injury or infection. The effects ? and what you can do about them ? depend on the cause and at what point in your life hypogonadism occurs.During fetal development, low testosterone can cause incomplete formation of sex organs. Low testosterone levels before puberty can permanently affect growth and development. After puberty, the development of hypogonadism is more likely to cause temporary problems that may imp...
By: A health blog
Epididymitis
2007-12-01 05:31:00 Epididymitis is an inflammation of the coiled tube (epididymis) at the back of the testicle that stores and carries sperm. Pain and swelling are the most common signs and symptoms. Males of any age can get epididymitis, but it's most common in men between the ages of 19 and 35.Epididymitis is most often caused by a bacterial infection or by a sexually transmitted disease (STD) such as gonorrhea or chlamydia. In some cases, the testicle may also become inflamed ? a condition called orchitis.Signs and symptoms The signs and symptoms of epididymitis depend on the cause. They can include:A tender, swollen, red or warm scrotumTesticle pain and tenderness, usually on one side ? the pain may get worse when you have a bowel movementPainful urination or an urgent or frequent need to urinatePainful intercourse or ejaculationChills and a fever that can last up to six weeksA lump on the testicleEnlarged lymph nodes in the groin (inguinal nodes)Pain or discomfort in the lower abdomen or pelvic ...
By: A health blog
Testiculer Disorders - Male Reproductive System Disorders
2007-12-01 05:09:00 Testicles, or testes, make male hormones and sperm. They are two egg-shaped organs inside the scrotum, the loose sac of skin behind the penis. It's easy to injure your testicles because they are not protected by bones or muscles. Men and boys should wear athletic supporters when they play sports.You should examine your testicles monthly and seek medical attention for lumps, redness, pain or other changes. Testicles can get inflamed or infected. They can also develop cancer. Testicular cancer is rare and highly treatable. It usually happens between the ages of 15 and 40.We highlights few and common Testicular disordersBLOOD IN SEMENBlood in ejaculated semen (hemospermia) is relatively uncommon and rarely serious. In most cases, the cause can't be determined, and the problem goes away without treatment. However, known causes of blood in semen include inflammation, infection and blockage or injury to the prostate gland or seminal vesicles. Also, following a prostate biopsy, it is com...
By: A health blog
Accessory Glands
2007-11-30 19:38:00 The accessory glands of the male reproductive system are the seminal vesicles, prostate gland, and the bulbourethral glands. These glands secrete fluids that enter the urethra. Seminal VesiclesThe paired seminal vesicles are saccular glands posterior to the urinary bladder. Each gland has a short duct that joins with the ductus deferens at the ampulla to form an ejaculatory duct, which then empties into the urethra. The fluid from the seminal vesicles is viscous and contains fructose, which provides an energy source forthe sperm; prostaglandins, which contribute to the mobility and viability of the sperm; and proteins that cause slight coagulation reactions in the semen after ejaculation.ProstateThe prostate gland is a firm, dense structure that is located just inferior to the urinary bladder. It is about the size of a walnut and encircles the urethra as it leaves the urinary bladder. Numerous short ducts from the substance of the prostate gland empty into the prostatic urethra. The...
By: A health blog
Duct System
2007-11-30 19:38:00 Sperm cells pass through a series of ducts to reach the outside of the body. After they leave the testes, the sperm passes through the epididymis, ductus deferens, ejaculatory duct, and urethra. Epididymis Sperm leave the testes through a series of efferent ducts that enter the epididymis. Eachepididymis is a long (about 6 meters) tube that is tightly coiled to form a comma-shaped organ located along the superior and posterior margins of the testes. When the sperm leave the testes, they are immature and incapable of fertilizing ova. They complete their maturation process and become fertile as they move through the epididymis. Mature sperm are stored in the lower portion, or tail, of the epididymis.Ductus Deferens The ductus deferens, also called vas deferens, is a fibromuscular tube that is continuous ( or contiguous) with the epididymis. It begins at the bottom (tail) of the epididymis then turns sharply upward along the posterior margin of the testes. The ductus deferens enters th...
By: A health blog
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