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As with any organ in the body, the penis can have
its share of physical problems. When it comes to your penis, it
doesn't matter whether you're young, old, black, white, or even
green, almost every man at some point in his life will experience
some kind of penis dysfunction.
Learn a little more about your 'package' today so
that you know what to watch for and can help try to prevent any
future problems.
Fertility
In about 40% of infertile couples, the cause of the infertility
lies with the males. There are many reasons for male infertility.
Quick Fact: It takes approximately 72-90
days to produce mature sperm. Sperm is produced 24 hours a day, 7
days a week.
There are many factors that can decrease or stop
sperm production. Here are a few:
- Illness
- Excessive Caffeine
- Stress
- Street and certain Prescription Drugs
- Some over the counter medications
- Injury to the testicles
- Blockage in the Vas Deferens (see our Penis Anatomy page)
- Varicocele
- Excessive Heat
- Vitamin Deficiencies
There are also natural ways to increase sperm count and
quality. One excellent way to increase sperm production is to try
an interesting product called Volume Pills. Volume Pills are penis
enlargement pills with a difference, they predominantly focus on
increasing the amount of sperm produced during ejaculation. Click
here to visit their website for more information.
Ways to Improve Fertility:
1. Limit or eliminate caffeine intake.
2. Stop smoking
3. Stop Recreational Drugs
4. Wear Loose Underwear (boxers)
5. Stay out of Hot Tubs
6. Natural Enlargement sites
Impotency
Impotence is the inability of a man either to have
an erection or to keep the penis erect long enough to have sexual
intercourse. This is a common problem affecting as many as 30
million men in the United States. By the time most men are 40 they
have already experienced impotence at some time in their lives.
When just a single incident occurs, the best thing
to do is forget about it. Problems arise when this difficulty
starts occurring regularly.
According to an article published in early 1993
(review: Morley, 1993), approximately 10 million men in the U.S.
had problems with impotence at that time. This figure is now
reported to be 30 million as more men have been willing to
approach their medical professional for assistance. We're sure the
development and release of Viagra™ by Pfizer® has contributed to a
greater understanding of just how many men suffer from this
difficult problem.
Men afflicted with repeated impotence tend to be
middle-aged and older, with this condition being most common in
men 60 years of age and older. Regardless of the age, however,
many men who have this problem can be treated successfully.
Impotence can result from a wide variety of
problems. As with any other ailment, when a person begins having
this problem repeatedly, he needs to see a doctor. The doctor will
want to rule out the possibility of disease, injury, or side
effects from medicine.
For example, cardiovascular problems, diabetes,
injuries to the spinal column, and side effects from high blood
pressure medicine are among the physical conditions that can lead
to impotence.
An erection occurs when the nervous system
activates a rapid increase in blood flow. The vascular muscle in
the spongy area becomes engorged with blood and the outflow of
blood is cutoff. An erection can be elicited by the so-called
reflex erection as we see in spinal cord patients, or can be
caused by psychogenic stimulation. Numerous sexual stimuli are
processed by the brain and transmitted to the penis via the
nervous system. In order to get an erection, the blood flow must
increase and, at the same time, the blood has to be prevented from
leaving the penis.
Possible Treatments:
Natural Enlargement sites offer exercises which
can increase blood flow in the penis for a longer period of time.
With practice and in a short period of time your erections can
come back no matter your age.
Penis Pumps & Vacuums - The vacuum erection device
is a plastic cylinder that is placed around the penis. When
negative pressure is applied the penis becomes rigid. A rubber
ring traps the blood in the penis and keeps the penis rigid for
periods up to 30 minutes. It still allows ejaculation. These
devices are made by a number of manufacturers and have very
variable levels of sophistication, from manual pumps to battery
operated devices. The devices are reusable and have a very high
satisfaction rate. The major drawback is the cumbersome device is
likely to cause loss of spontaneity.
One of the more common partner complaints that we
have seen is the fact that, after using a pump the penis is cold
and the rigidity is less than a normal erection. In older female
partners because of vaginal dryness and stenosis, penetration may
be difficult. However, overall these devices are an excellent
first choice and are widely used and recommended by doctors.
Peyronies Disease
Peyronie's disease is a severe curvature of the erect penis. It's
named after an Italian physician to King Louis XIV of France. This
physician was the first to note the disorder back in the 1700s.
While it is somewhat common, it is not often mentioned.
A minor bend in the erect penis is perfectly
normal, as few penises are straight as an arrow. In some cases of
Peyronie's, however, the penis can form a "J" or a corkscrew,
making intercourse impossible.
What causes a curved penis?
The cause of Peyronie's disease is unknown. Some physicians
theorize the cause of the curvature may be from trauma to the
penis, perhaps if the penis is bent backward during rough sex. The
injury causes an inflammation in the tunica, and subsequently
leads to scarring.
There are other theories, and some reports suggest
that men who take beta-blocking medications for high blood
pressure develop Peyronie's.
How is the penis constructed?
The penis is composed of three cylindrical cavities. The two on
top are called the corpus cavernosa, and the one on bottom the
corpus spongiosum, which contains the urethra (the tube that urine
flows through).
The two top corporal cavities expand to trap and
hold the blood that produces an erection in the male. The bottom
body, corpus spongiosum, functions mainly for the passage of
urine. Each of these corporal bodies is surrounded by a very
elastic covering called the tunica albuginea.
On top of the two corporal cavernosa are the
superficial nerves and blood vessels of the penis.
Why does the penis curve?
In Peyronie's disease, the normal elastic tissue of the tunica is
replaced by scar tissue. Normally with an erection the elastic
tissue of the penis expands and elongates symmetrically resulting
in a straight erection. Because the plaque, or scar tissue, is not
elastic, but rather hard, it will not stretch with an erection.
The disease starts as a small bump or constriction
on the shaft of the penis below the skin, which expands to form a
flat deposit that's sometimes as large as the diameter of a silver
dollar. This "plaque" invades and replaces the elastic covering of
the penis with inflexible material. When a man with Peyronie's has
an erection, the plaque does not expand, so the penis curves to
one side.
How does a curved penis affect sexual
intercourse?
A third of men with Peyronie's have pain with their erections. A
few men with Peyronie's become impotent. In some cases, the head
of the penis does not fill with blood.
Because inflammation is initially associated with
the scar tissue, there can be some discomfort with erection and
distension. Many patients complain not only about the curvature of
the erection but the loss of length and girth. These are all
results of the inelastic tissue and lack of distention that
results.
Most patients with Peyronie's disease can continue
to function sexually with the curvature in the penis. Rarely, some
patients with greater distortion are unable to have satisfactory
sexual intercourse.
Treatments
Some enlargement sites claim to help with this disease but there
is not a single cure recognized by the medical authorities, within
6-12 months the condition should go away but frequent trips to the
doctors is recommended.
Testicular Cancer
What is testicular cancer?
Testicular cancer occurs in approximately 1 in 25,000 men per
year. It is 4 times less common in African-American men compared
to Caucasian men. The risk of developing testicular cancer in a
man’s lifetime is approximately 1 in 500. It occurs most commonly
between the ages of 15 and 40 years. It can also occur in infancy
and late adulthood (e.g. over 60 years old). Individuals who have
had an undescended testicle are at higher risk of developing
testicular cancer.
How is testicular cancer diagnosed?
The best way to diagnose testicular cancer is through
self-examinations. The usual initial finding is a painless lump in
or on the testis, a hardness or enlargement of the testis. Less
commonly there is associated pain and tenderness. If problems do
occur and an individual is concerned due to tenderness, bloody
discharge or a lump for some symptoms they should see a urologist.
The urologist will do a physical examination and possibly order a
testicular ultrasound.
Non-cancerous masses found around the testicle can
be fluid collections or cysts. In addition, dilation of some of
the veins in the scrotum (varicocele) or cord leading to the
testicle can create a mass effect. If there are any abnormalities
that can be palpable, a visit to a physician may be required to
establish the significance of the findings.
How is testicular cancer treated?
Surgery-After the diagnosis of a solid testicular mass has been
made, the initial management is removal of the testis and its
associated cord, orchiectomy. This is done through a small
inguinal incision. The testis and abnormal tissue present is then
examined under the microscope to determine the type of cancer.
Depending on the cell type of the cancer present, other therapies
such as additional surgery, radiation therapy or possibly
chemotherapy may be indicated.
Using a combination of these therapies, testicular
cancer has one of the highest cure rates of all cancers. This has
been achieved using a combination of surgery and chemotherapy as
well as radiation in certain instances. Cures from testicular
cancer can even be achieved in individuals who have had spread of
the cancer into other parts of the body.
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