A man’s reproductive organs can encounter a variety of technical difficulties. Consider this troubleshooting guide Article: Gagan Gautam and Steve Mazzucchi
We men are a little uncomfortable with our genitals. Girls rock skirts sans undies (thanks, Britney), but most guys wouldn’t dare don a kilt. And while women have an entire area of medicine dedicated to the health of their private regions, if it wasn’t for the hernia check, we men would hardly drop in at the doctor’s office. The result? When it comes to caring for some of our most critical equipment – the stuff we need to, you know, keep our species going – we’re virtually clueless. And that aren’t good because a lot can happen to a man’s penis, testicles, and prostate: itchiness, infection, pain, bumps, sores, growths, rashes, burning, drooping, swelling, clogging and hell, caner. If you’re not paying attention, you can wind up sick, sterile or dead. With a little knowledge, though, you can cut much of the bad stuff off at the pass. Start here. These eight scenarios may make you wince, but at least you’ll know what to do if they happen to you.
• There’s an agonising pain in my scrotum.
The cause: Assuming you weren’t just kicked there, one of your testicles is probably twisted around something called the spermatic cord, cutting off the blood supply. Think of a ball hanging on a rope. As the rope turns, it bunches, and the ball rises. This knotting testicular torsion, it’s called instantly causes a sharp pain.
The cure: Head to the clinic.
Testicular tension is an acute emergency (something akin to a ‘heart attack’ of the testis) and one risks losing a testicle if proper surgical treatment is not given quickly. “If it isn’t treated within four hours, you can lose a testicle,” warns Larry Lipshultz, MD, a professor of urology at Baylor College of Medicine. An ultrasound will assess whether your testicle and cord are indeed twisted. If so, a urologic surgeon will be called to untangle things. He’ll suture each testicle to the inside of your scrotum to prevent a repeat of the torsion.
• There’s a slightly less piercing pain in my thighs.
The cause: The coiled tube that carries sperm from your testicles has probably become inflamed due to a bacterial infection. The most common culprits are gonorrhea, chlamydia, and in men over 40, a urinary-tract infection that migrated. The testicles themselves can also become inflamed.
The cure: Don’t just pop some pill and try to tough it out. Improper treatment can cause scarring and blockage of the tubes and lead to infertility. So see your doctor, who will probably prescribe at least two weeks on an oral antibiotic to tackle the bacteria. Swelling and pain should begin to lessen within three days, but it could take months for all symptoms to subside. A word of warning, though: this condition could be easily confused with torsion of the testis. See a urologic surgeon whenever things get painful down there.
• I have pain in my penis, testicles and lower belly and down my legs and it hurts when I urinate or ejaculate.
The cause: Chronic pelvic pain syndrome, usually resulting from an inflamed prostate gland. Usually seen in young men with a lot of physical and mental stress, it causes can be various – ranging from bacterial infection to neural/muscular spasms in the pelvic muscles. Affecting about 10 per cent of men at some time or the other, this problem is on the rise in India due to the stressful corporate lives many lead.
The cure: Two-thirds of men will get better with antibiotics in the early stages. For those with persistent problems, other options such as anti-inflammatory medications, biofeedback and acupressure are available that can provide relief in some cases. Alfuzosin (Flotral) and other prescription agents that block an important receptor in the region also reduces pain and improve urinary flow. Still other men suffer from nerve and muscle spasms, requiring muscle relaxants and physical therapy. See a urologist in any case, but you can help yourself by taking sitz baths (sitting in a bath tub full of warm water for 10-15 minutes at a time); by avoiding alcohol, spicy foods and caffeine; and by using a doughnut-shaped cushion when sitting for long periods of time.
• It feels like my scrotum is a bag of worms, and my goolies are droopier than Sophia Loren’s bustline.
The cause: Sometimes the valves inside the veins of the scrotum don’t close properly, so blood pools and they swell. The resulting bundle of enlarged veins, or varicocele, doesn’t always hurt, but the extra blood warms the testes. This jeopardizes sperm production (which requires temps cooler than 37OC) and causes the testicles to hang away from the body. About 20 per cent of men will experience varicocele at some point.
The cure: Varicocele doesn’t need to be treated in all men. It only needs to be tackled if it results in poor quality sperm or is causing pain or discomfort in the scrotum. If, however, you plan to enlist in the army, get your varicocele operated or the army won’t take you in. Micro-surgical varicocele surgery is the best way to deal with this as with this technique, the complication rates are very low and post-operative recovery of sperm functions is the best.
It involves tying off the veins under the microscope so as to stop the blood from pooling in them. It’s minor surgery and you can have sex again in three weeks, although you should schedule a follow-up semen analysis in 3-4 months. In 80 per cent of infertile men, semen quality will improve after surgery. Even if you aren’t trying for a baby, the problem should be corrected if it creates a size discrepancy between testicles.
• My semen has a reddish tint.
The cause: Blood in semen (hematospermia) is most commonly due to a benign infection in the seminal vesicles, which are small paired glands behind the prostate producing most of the fluid that makes up your semen.
The cure: This usually does not require aggressive treatment as in 98 per cent of the cases, the problem solves itself. However, if it is persistent or recurrent, you need to get some tests done, including ultrasound, to rule out more serious conditions like tuberculosis or cancer – both of which are extremely rare causes of this symptom.
• I’m 25 and in great shape, but I have trouble maintaining an erection. The cause: According to the American Urological Association, about 25 per cent of erectile-dysfunction cases are psychological, and it could be anything from relationship issues to performance anxiety. For example, a man may have a sexual experience after heavy drinking and fail to get it up. “In subsequent sexual attempts without alcohol, he’ll remember that episode, think something’s wrong with him, and be unable to perform,” says Karen Boyle, MD, director of reproductive medicine and surgery at the Johns Hopkins Brady Urological Institute.
The cure: Once physical factors have been ruled out, try seducing her after a romantic breakfast. Your testosterone levels peak around 7 am, so you’re hormones, and your penis, will be at full attention then. In many cases, a pharmaceutical option can also offer a helping hand. A little added self-confidence such as receiving some extra ‘lift’ from the Viagra family – goes a long way in this arena. If all else fails, seek counseling to address the underlying psychological issues. Avoid your friendly neighborhood quack posing as a ‘sexologist’. Go to a psychiatrist or a urologic surgeon for proper advice.
• I have an itchy red rash in my groin area
The cause: If it’s on your thighs, it’s often often tinea cruris (also known as jock itch), a fungus that thrives in warm, moist environment like, say, gym shorts that haven’t been washed since the Vajpayee administration. If it’s bright red and on your penis, it may be a yeast infection, which can be passed on from women to men through unprotected sex.
The cure: Shed damp gym clothes and shower immediately after exercise, and dry the area thoroughly before dressing. For treatment, try an over-the-counter antifungal cream, applying daily twice a week. Don’t treat either condition with a hydrocortisone cream. By suppressing your immune system, hydrocortisone will make your infection worse.
• There’s a bulge in my groin, and it hurts when I bend or try to lift stuff.
The cause: You should have hired movers to lift that fridge. Inguinal hernias occur when part of the intestine protrudes through a congenitally weak abdominal wall. It’s often associated with a major straining episode; men who lift big weights at the gym are more prone to getting it.
The cure: If it’s growing or painful, lying down with your pelvis higher than your head can reduce the pain, but ultimately you’ll need surgery. You’ll be back to work within a few days, though.
Source: Men’s Health
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