Common Men's Health Conditions (Urology)

Overview and Facts about Common Men’s Health Conditions (Urology)

Men’s health focuses on the unique needs of men that do not affect women. Men should routinely see a urologist in the same way that women routinely see gynecologists. Urologists are experts in urology conditions, but they also specialize in men’s health and sexual function.

Because of this, urologists often provide early detection and prevention of chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, abnormal lipids (cholesterol) and diabetes. Although it may not be common to think of these diseases as related to men’s urological and sexual health, they often impact sexual function and the lower urinary tract system.

Signs and Symptoms of Common Men’s Health Conditions (Urology)

Many of the common men’s health conditions can affect the urological system. Although they each have their own specific symptoms, some of the most commonly seen problems associated with a urology condition include:

• Erectile dysfunction (ED)
• Difficulty with urination
• Urinary incontinence and urine leakage
• Low testosterone
• Peyronie's Disease (penile curvature)
• Blood in the urine
• Ejaculatory disorders
• Testicular masses or nodules

Causes and Risk Factors of Common Men’s Health Conditions (Urology)

Men’s urology conditions can have many different causes, however, sometimes the underlying causes are never discovered. Many of the most common symptoms are from the following:

• Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
• Urethral strictures
• Enlarged prostate
• Cancer of the prostate, bladder or testes
• Low testosterone
• Spinal cord injuries
• Heart disease
• Diabetes

Tests and Diagnosis of Common Men’s Health Conditions (Urology)

A man’s symptoms determine the types of tests a doctor recommends for diagnosing a urological condition. The doctor begins by taking a full medical history, including a discussion of symptoms the patient has experienced.

The urologist may perform a physical examination of the penis and testicles, looking for abnormalities or feeling for abnormal growths. Depending on the patient’s age and symptoms, the doctor may also perform a prostate exam by manually feeling the prostate for abnormal growths or size.

In addition, the doctor may request lab or imaging tests such as:

• Blood test for prostate-specific antigen (PSA), the primary indicator of prostate cancer
• Urinalysis to look for signs of infection, bacteria, or blood
• X-ray, CT scan, MRI, or ultrasound to look for abnormalities in the kidneys, bladder, or prostate
• Cystoscopy, which allows the doctor to see inside the urinary tract
• Urodynamic testing to observe both bladder function and how urine exits the body

Treatment and Care for Common Men’s Health Conditions (Urology)

Although there are many common men’s health conditions related to urology, many have different treatments. If the patient has an infection, such as a UTI, the urologist may prescribe antibiotics and discuss prevention techniques. These may include making sure to completely empty the bladder with every urination.

If the issues are related to the prostate or low testosterone, the doctor may recommend medications.

For sexual dysfunction, medications and procedures are available.