tel Jill 01316602363
email Jill_Sullivan3@msn.com
Penis Problems
If there is an infection, the doctor
may prescribe antibiotics or antifungal
medication. In severe cases of balanitis,
circumcision may be recommended.
To avoid future bouts of balanitis, do not
use strong soaps and chemicals, and pull
back the foreskin and clean it daily.
What is Balanitis Xerotica
Obliterans, BXO?
Balanitis Xerotica Obliterans (BXO) is not to
be confused with balanitis (inflammation
of the glans penis). BXO is a rare condition
where scar tissue forms in the foreskin. A
ring of white tissue develops at the tip of
the foreskin, tightening the foreskin at the
tip, and this may prevent the foreskin from
retracting (phimosis). BXO may spread to
the glans penis, but this is not common.
It is important to speak to your doctor if
you are concerned about white scarring of
your foreskin, to distinguish BXO from early
penis cancer. BXO is a progressive disease
and it is usually treated by circumcision.
PHIMOSIS
What is phimosis?
Phimosis is when the foreskin is too
tight, or the tip of the foreskin narrows
and is unable to be pulled back to
expose the head of the penis.
What causes phimosis?
Phimosis is often seen in children or
young adults (primary or congenital
phimosis). The condition is at its highest
incidence rate before puberty.
Phimosis can also happen because of
injury or damage that causes the foreskin
to tear (secondary or acquired phimosis).
As the tear heals, scar tissue forms which
reduces the elasticity of the foreskin. This
scar tissue can then stop the foreskin from
stretching open far enough to pull back. The
scarring from BXO can also cause phimosis.
Phimosis can often follow infection or
inflammation such as balanitis. Adult
men with phimosis should be checked
for balanitis, diabetes and cancer.
Are there any other symptoms
with phimosis?
Severe phimosis can cause pain when
urinating, urinary retention, urinary tract
infections and the skin on the penis can
become infected. In older men with severe
phimosis, the foreskin can look swollen.
How is phimosis treated?
Phimosis can be treated with steroid
creams applied once or twice daily for
a couple of weeks. Studies have shown
that the creams have a success rate of
more than 85 per cent, and this can
increase if the foreskin is gently stretched
together with the cream application.
If the steroid creams do not work
and phimosis is severe, circumcision
is another option to consider.
PARAPHIMOSIS
What is paraphimosis?
Paraphimosis happens when the foreskin
has been retracted behind the head of the
penis and cannot go back to its original
position.
If the foreskin stays in this position, it
can cause pain, swelling and can stop
blood flow to the penis. This is a serious
medical problem and must be treated
immediately or the penis can sustain
long-term or permanent damage.
What causes paraphimosis?
Paraphimosis can happen at any age, and
can be caused by injury to the head of
the penis. It can also happen to infants
if parents pull back their foreskin and do
not pull it forward again afterwards.
How is paraphimosis treated?
The glans penis and the foreskin often
swell up with paraphimosis. It is important
to apply ice to reduce the swelling and
then try and move the foreskin forward to
the usual position. Other methods used to
reduce swelling include injecting medicine
that lessens swelling, or inserting a needle
and releasing some blood. If the foreskin
does not return to its normal position,
a surgeon may have to cut the foreskin to
release it, or circumcision may be necessary.
PRIAPISM
What is priapism?
Priapism is an erection that lasts for more
than three hours and is usually very
painful. Blood becomes trapped in the
penis and does not return to circulation;
it is not necessarily because of, or related
to, sexual stimulation. If priapism is
not treated, it can lead to permanent
damage to the erectile tissue and the
inability to get an erection at all. Priapism
can happen to males at any age.
What causes it?
The most common cause of priapism is
drug treatments for erectile dysfunction,
in particular, penile injection treatments.
About a quarter of other cases of priapism
are associated with medical conditions
such as advanced cancer, leukaemia and
sickle cell anaemia. Other possible causes
include damage to the nervous system,
injury to the penis, the use of some
medicines and illegal drugs. Sometimes
the cause of priapism is unknown.
How is it treated?
It is important to see a doctor straight away
because the sooner the prolonged erection
is treated, the less damage will be done
to the erectile tissue. If treatment is
sought within four to six hours, the doctor
may provide a decongestant medication
to help the erection go down. Another
option is for the doctor to use a needle
and syringe to release the extra blood
trapped in the penis. If this does not
work, surgery may be needed to try and
avoid permanent damage to the penis.
If priapism was caused by erectile
dysfunction drugs, alternative treatments
should be used instead. Also, if priapism
has been caused by other medications,
trying a different medication may help.
Are there any other symptoms
with phimosis?
Severe phimosis can cause pain when
urinating, urinary retention, urinary tract
infections and the skin on the penis can
become infected. In older men with severe
phimosis, the foreskin can look swollen.
How is phimosis treated?
Phimosis can be treated with steroid
creams applied once or twice daily for
a couple of weeks. Studies have shown
that the creams have a success rate of
more than 85 per cent, and this can
increase if the foreskin is gently stretched
together with the cream application.
If the steroid creams do not work
and phimosis is severe, circumcision
is another option to consider.
PARAPHIMOSIS
What is paraphimosis?
Paraphimosis happens when the foreskin
has been retracted behind the head of the
penis and cannot go back to its original
position.
If the foreskin stays in this position, it
can cause pain, swelling and can stop
blood flow to the penis. This is a serious
medical problem and must be treated
immediately or the penis can sustain a surgeon may have to cut the foreskin to
release it, or circumcision may be necessary.
PRIAPISM
What is priapism?
Priapism is an erection that lasts for more
than three hours and is usually very
painful. Blood becomes trapped in the
penis and does not return to circulation;
it is not necessarily because of, or related
to, sexual stimulation. If priapism is
not treated, it can lead to permanent
damage to the erectile tissue and the
inability to get an erection at all. Priapism
can happen to males at any age.
What causes it?
The most common cause of priapism is
drug treatments for erectile dysfunction,
in particular, penile injection treatments.
About a quarter of other cases of priapism
are associated with medical conditions
such as advanced cancer, leukaemia and
sickle cell anaemia. Other possible causes
include damage to the nervous system,
injury to the penis, the use of some
medicines and illegal drugs. Sometimes
the cause of priapism is unknown.
How is it treated?
It is important to see a doctor straight away
because the sooner the prolonged erection
Prostate enlargement
The prostate gland is the male organ that produces semen, the milky-colored fluid that nourishes and transports sperm during ejaculation. It sits beneath your bladder and surrounds your urethra — the tube that drains urine from your bladder. When it becomes enlarged, the prostate can put pressure on your urethra and cause difficulty urinating.
Most men have a period of prostate growth in their mid- to late 40s. At this time, cells in the central portion reproduce more rapidly, resulting in prostate gland enlargement. As tissues in the area enlarge, they often compress the urethra and partially block urine flow. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the medical term for prostate gland enlargement.
Treatment of prostate gland enlargement depends on your signs and symptoms and may include medications, surgery or nonsurgical therapies. Prostate gland enlargement is not related to the development of prostate cancer.
Prostate gland enlargement varies in severity among men and doesn’t always pose a problem. Only about half the men with prostate gland enlargement experience signs and symptoms that become noticeable or bothersome enough for them to seek medical treatment. These signs and symptoms may include:
- Weak urine stream
- Difficulty starting urination
- Stopping and starting while urinating
- Dribbling at the end of urination
- Straining while urinating
- Frequent need to urinate
- Increased frequency of urination at night (nocturia)
- Urgent need to urinate
- Not being able to completely empty the bladder
- Blood in the urine (hematuria)
- Urinary tract infection
At birth, your prostate gland is about the size of a pea. It grows slightly during childhood and then at puberty undergoes a rapid growth spurt. By age 25, your prostate is fully developed and is about the size of a walnut.
Doctors aren’t sure exactly what causes prostate enlargement. It’s thought that with age, changes in the ratio of male hormone (testosterone) and female hormone (estrogen) levels in men stimulate the prostate to grow. Another theory is that with aging, the prostate gland becomes more sensitive or responsive to normal levels of male hormone and grows more rapidly.
The main risk factors for prostate gland enlargement include:
- Aging. Prostate gland enlargement rarely causes signs and symptoms in men younger than 40, but about half the men in their 60s have some signs and symptoms.
- Heredity. A family history of prostate enlargement can increase the odds of developing problems from prostate enlargement.
- National origin. Prostate enlargement is more common in white and black men than in Asian men.