Some of the most common threats to male sexual health manifest themselves as penile and testicular disorders. These disorders that affect the male external reproductive organs can severely affect a man’s fertility as well as sexual functioning. Below are some of the most common threats to male sexual health:
Priapism
Priapism occurs when blood flows into the penis but is not drained sufficiently. Since priapism is not an effect of sexual activity, it can not be relieved by masturbation and orgasm.
Some of the most common causes of priapism are:
- blood pressure medications and antidepressants
- drug use and alcohol
- anesthesia
- blood diseases
- penile injection therapy
Medications for priapism are designed to shrink penile blood vessels to minimize blood flow. Treatment of underlying conditions is preferred to prevent priapism or its recurrence.
Balanitis and Balanoposthitis
Both disorders exhibit similar symptoms like rash, pain, swelling, foul discharge, and itching in the penile area. These disorders are common in boys and men who have poor personal hygiene and are uncircumcised.
Irritants the cause balances and balanoposthitis include:
- dead skin cells
- tight foreskins
- infection
- dermatitis
- diabetes
Circumcision and the practice of proper hygiene can prevent and alleviate both disorders. The best way to treat these disorders is by treatment of underlying conditions especially if the irritations are caused by infections, dermatitis, and diabetes.
Phimosis
It is not really a disease, phimosis is a condition that can cause one. When the foreskin is too tight that it can not be retracted to reveal the head of the penis, phimosis occurs. When it comes to sexual activity, urination, and personal hygiene, this condition can cause extreme discomfort.
Common cause of phimosis includes:
- birth defect
- scar tissue
- infection
- balanitis
Treatment for this condition usually includes gentle manual stretching of the foreskin to increase its elasticity. Circumcision and medication to loosen the skin are also popular options in treating phimosis. For a less traumatic treatment than circumcision, some opt for preputioplasty or separating the glans from the foreskin.
Penile Cancer
A rare form of cancer, penile cancer occurs when abnormal cell growth in the penis increase and grow. Symptoms of penile cancer often take the form of penile sores, bleeding, and abnormal discharge.
Some of these risks include:
- uncircumcision
- smoking
- smegma
- age
- human papilloma virus
- phimosis
- psoriasis treatment
Surgical removal of the cancer is the most common way to treat penile cancer. The cancer is often taken out using any of the following procedures:
- wide local excision
- cyrosurgery
- microsurgery
- curettage and electrodessication
- laser surgery
- penectomy
Some of the most common threats to male sexual health manifest themselves as penile and testicular disorders. Both disorders exhibit similar symptoms like rash, pain, swelling, foul discharge, and itching in the penile area. A rare form of cancer, penile cancer occurs when abnormal cell growth in the penis increase and grow. Symptoms of penile cancer often take the form of penile sores, bleeding, and abnormal discharge. The cause of penile cancer is not definite but there are certain risk factors that increase a man’s chances of developing this disease.
