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Erectile dysfunction & the possible treatments

May 18, 2021 in Fertility, Penile

Erectile dysfunction is the inability to get or maintain an erection in order to have sexual intercourse. Although it is more common in older men, around 25% of men under the age of 40 are affected by erectile dysfunction.

If you are suffering with erectile problems, it could be caused by a number of different reasons. These can include:

  • Problems with blood flow
  • Diabetes causing nerve damage or a low testosterone level

The best initial step is to seek your GPs opinion; as come cases can easily be dealt with. If you are referred to a specialist you will need a blood test at your consultation to check for any unknown causes for the erectile problem. In many cases the erectile dysfunction cannot be cured, however symptoms can be managed by using medication such as Viagra or Cialis.

It always helps to maintain a healthy and active life style, with a balanced diet to ensure that your weight stays at a healthy level. Reducing habits such as smoking and drinking can also help minimise the risk of developing erectile dysfunction.

Many men with erectile dysfunction (ED) have this problem due to a reduction of blood flow to the into penis. Previous research has shown sufferers of heart disease benefit from shocks waves over a period of time to help promote the growth of new blood vessels, which can tell to prevent further heart problems. This research has been extrapolated to help find a treatment for ED patients.

ED 1000 therapy is a relativity new treatment. The process is 9 weeks long, and uses small shock waves to help increase the number of blood vessels and therefore improve the flow of blood to the penis. The treatment consists of two 20-minute treatments a week for three weeks, then a three-week break followed by a further two treatments a week for three weeks. The pain free treatment is done in an outpatient clinic while the patient is awake and does not affect any day to day activities. Research has shown that the effects of ED 1000 can last over two years.

This treatment helps to increase the number of men who benefit from the use of medications such as Viagra, therefore resulting in a better patient satisfaction rate. Medical trials have shown that ED 1000 therapy can help two thirds of men achieve better erections with medications such as Viagra. Although this treatment is primarily for patients with vascular related erectile dysfunction, ED 1000 therapy has also been used to treat patients with ED problems related to diabetes.

Urology Clinics Manchester are currently the only clinic in the North West of England that offers ED 1000 Therapy. Please contact us to find out more or if you wish to known if ED 1000 is the right treatment for you. Often patients will come to us with a referral from their GP, however we also welcome self-referrals.

If you have never seen a specialist about your erectile dysfunction, we can offer a full consultation with the appropriate tests as needed prior to receiving the ED 1000 therapy.

Please note that the ED 1000 treatment is given at the discretion of the specialist. A consultation with us does not grantee that ED 1000 is the right treatment plan for you.

This article is intended to inform and give insight but not treat, diagnose or replace the advice of a doctor. Always seek medical advice with any questions regarding a medical condition.

Varicocele

September 12, 2020 in Fertility, Penile, Testes

A varicocele (which is pronounced VA-RI-KOH-SEAL) is defined as an enlargement of the veins within the scrotum (this is the loose sac of skin that holds the testicles). A varicocele is similar to a varicose vein that can be found in the legs.

Interestingly, varicoceles are more commonly seen in the left testicle than the right.

Most varicoceles develop and grow slowly over time and are relatively easy to diagnose. In most cases there is no need for any treatment.

This is often symptomless condition; however, some men may experience symptoms such as:

  • Sharp pains
  • Dull aching
  • Pain that gets worse when you stand or exercise
  • Pain that gets worse as the day goes on
  • Pain that improves when you lay on your back

Over time as the varicocele grows, it can cause some complications including:

  • Shrinking of the testicle – the varicocele can lead to the affected testicle shrinking and softening. This reason for this is unknown, however it may be linked to a pool of blood in the testicle.
  • Infertility – the varicocele can cause the temperature of the testicle to increase which can affect the quality and volume of sperm that is produced – but not everyone with a varicocele will experience this.
  • Swelling of the testicle – the enlarged vein can lead to an enlarged testicle.

There seem to be no risk factors that will put a man at an increased chance of developing a varicocele.

Treatment

In many cases, treatment is not necessary and many men with a varicocele will be able to have children. However, if the varicocele is known to be causing problems, then you may be offered surgery to seal off the affected vein and direct the blood flow through normal, healthy veins.

Contact our expert team at the Urology Clinics Manchester Men’s Health Clinic now.

This article is intended to inform and give insight but not treat, diagnose or replace the advice of the doctor. Always seek medical advice with any questions regarding a medical condition.

Premature ejaculation

March 3, 2020 in Fertility, Penile, Testes

Premature ejaculation (PE) is one of the commonest male sexual disorders, affecting up to 40% of those that are sexually active. PE can be lifelong or acquired, the latter secondary to surgery or psychological, endocrine or neurological pathology.

Premature ejaculation is common in men of all ages and can be caused by many different reasons, such as prostate problems, medications, anxiety, stress or relationship issues. Ejaculation is controlled by the central nervous system. When men are sexually stimulated, signals are sent to your spinal cord and brain. When men reach a certain level of excitement, signals are then sent from your brain to your reproductive organs. This causes semen to be ejected through the penis (ejaculation).

Sometimes this occurs in conjunction with erection problems (erectile dysfunction). This is when men are not able to get or sustain an erection that’s firm enough for sexual intercourse. Since an erection goes away after ejaculation, it can be tough to know if the problem is premature ejaculation or erectile dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction should be treated first. Premature ejaculation may not be a problem once the erectile dysfunction is treated.

Although it is not uncommon to experience premature ejaculation, this should only occur once in a while, with a normal duration of around five to six minutes. If it occurs frequently then you may need to seek the opinion of a doctor, who can give the necessary help and rule out any underlying medical conditions.

Premature ejaculation may be linked to several factors including serotonin levels, age and psychological factors. All of these should be discussed with your consultant before deciding on the most appropriate treatment option for you.

We now offer new therapies for premature ejaculation such as Fortacin Spray (this is a cutaneous spray that reduces the sensitivity of the head of the penis to delay ejaculation). Another common treatment that we recommend is Psychosexual Therapy, from our partner organisation, alongside medical treatments.

if you are suffering with ejaculatory problems or erectile issues please contact our team.

This article is intended to inform and give insight but not treat, diagnose or replace the advice of a doctor. Always seek medical advice with any questions regarding a medical condition.

Second opinions

February 9, 2020 in Bladder, Fertility, Kidney, Penile, Prostate, Testes

When should you seek second opinions? If you have been diagnosed with an illness, it is common that you will seek the opinion of a second medical professional. This can help to reassure you and ensure that all of your treatment options have been shared with you. For example one doctor may say that you need surgery, however a second doctor may have a second treatment option that is less invasive.

On some occasions where patients are diagnosed with a rare or complex condition, they may need the second opinions from a number of experts to ensure that their final treatment plan is the best for their condition. In some instances patients decide to travel to different clinics around the world to ensure that they see a doctor that has a strong understanding of how to treat their specific condition.

If you wish to see our specialists for a second opinion, please contact us to organise a consultation.

This article is intended to inform and give insight but not treat, diagnose or replace the advice of a doctor. Always seek medical advice with any questions regarding a medical condition.

Did you know that today is STIQ day? If you don’t know what that means, then read on….

January 9, 2020 in Fertility

This year STIQ Day takes place on 14th January, a date chosen because many common STIs such as Chlamydia can take two weeks to be detectable. If you have had unprotected sex throughout the festive season then it is a wise idea for you to think about getting tested now.

Did you know that STIQ Day was launched with the view to get people thinking about their sexual health and to, therefore, encourage more people to get regular sexual health checks?

STIQ Day takes place on 14th January, this date was chosen because many common STIs can take two weeks to be detectable, such as Chlamydia. Also with Valentines Day just around the corner, wouldn’t it be nice to be infection-free and not put anyone else at risk?

Sadly more and more people in the UK are catching STIs and each year the infection rate is rising. Regardless of age, gender and sexuality, even if you’ve had one or 100 partners – just one unprotected sexual encounter can put you all at risk of catching an STI.

You could feel perfectly healthy but you still might be carrying something. The best way is to get routinely tested to detect an infection – the earlier they are tested and treated, the less chance there is of the long-term damage being caused.

Getting a sexual health check is extremely easy and it shouldn’t be embarrassing or shameful so do not worry about having a test done. Sex is a normal part of adult life so don’t you think that sexual health checks should be just as normal?

It’s a very quick and simple process that not only puts your mind at rest but could protect your fertility or even save your life – or that of your partner too.

The only 1 way of knowing if you are infected or not is to get checked today.

This article is intended to inform and give insight but not treat, diagnose or replace the advice of a doctor. Always seek medical advice with any questions regarding a medical condition.

Mr Arie Parnham chairs for the Masterclass in Andrology educational event in Florence.

December 9, 2019 in Fertility

Our very own Mr Arie Parnham is part of this year’s faculty which is currently taking place in Florence, Italy.

The goal of this educational project is to offer young surgeons a concrete tool to acquire highly professional skills in the field of andrological surgery.

The format provides for the involvement of selected world-renowned doctors who will perform highly complex surgical procedures, lectures and clinical case discussions during the two conference days.

The event’s objective is to conduct full training. By attending the course attendees will acquire a precious wealth of practical and theoretical notions of the andrological patient with a specific focus on the surgical aspect. This will encourage a different approach in future training and in the interpersonal relationships with other Members.

Male genital surgery is a field of great scientific interest, in fast and continuous evolution. The scientific program focuses on LIVE SURGERY (3 parallel operating rooms). The most recognized experts in the field will be invited to operate live from the Hospital’s Operating Rooms and will share their operating strategies with colleagues and participants. The most interesting technical aspects will be illustrated along with the latest technological techniques available in the field of prosthetic implants for the treatment of erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence.

The Scientific program of the Congress, however, is not limited to the communication and discussion of surgical procedures. The first and second day will be dedicated to the presentation and discussion of clinical cases and to awarding the best andrological video presented, along with the keynote lectures by the main opinion leaders of the international andrological world.

The hot topics of the congress will be:

  • Aesthetic-functional penile surgery
  • Rehabilitative and surgical medical therapies in male urinary incontinence
  • New therapeutic approaches and new technologies in D.E.
  • New therapeutic approaches and new technologies in the BPH
  • Nutraceuticals in couple infertility, IPB, IPP
  • Hormone therapy in male infertility
  • Male sexology

The main goal shared by all presenters will be to encourage interaction between Operators, Moderators, Speakers with participants. Gynaecologists, Endocrinologists and Sexologists will also attend the congress as well as Urological Surgeons and Andrologists.

When you are asked to chair an event like this, Mr Arie Parnham said, “I feel privileged to be recognised for expertise in men’s health amongst other international experts”.

For more information on this event please visit the website here: http://www.masterclassinandrology.com/

Penile implants

October 28, 2019 in Fertility, Penile

How do you know if penile implants are the right option for you?

Most men will experience an erectile problem within their life, in fact 40% of men over the age 40 have problems with erectile dysfunction (ED). ED can occur for many different reasons. The most common causes of this are poor blood flow to the penis (vasculogenic) or nerve problems (neurogenic). ED can also be caused by some illnesses such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart disease, peripheral blood vessel disease, diabetes, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease. Another illness that can cause men to have ED problems is cancer, as some of the treatment options can cause these issues. Treatments that can cause ED include radical prostatectomy, brachytherapy or external beam radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer, bowel removal or radiotherapy for rectal or anal cancer, cystectomy (removal of the bladder) or radiotherapy to the bladder for bladder cancer, and spinal surgery or radiotherapy for spinal cancers.

Erectile dysfunction can be treated in many different ways, for example the use of medicines such as Viagra or vardenafil, injection therapy, intraurethral therapy, vacuum pump therapy or ED1000. It is common that men will try two or three different treatments before they settle with one that works well for them, and fits in with their lifestyle. In cases where these treatments are not effective, the only remaining option for them is to consider a penile implant surgery. This is usually in the form of a malleable or inflatable penile prosthesis. The main difference between the two penile implants are that the inflatable implant produces a more natural erection, while the malleable implant produces a permanently firm penis.

Having a penile prosthesis involves undergoing surgery. Surgery takes between 1 and 3 and may involve an overnight stay if you live far from the hospital. It usually takes 6-8 weeks before the implant is ready to be used for sexual activities. The procedure has a success rate of approximately 90%.

Please contact us to find out further information and to book a consultation so that we can assess you and ensure that penile implants is the right treatment plan for you.

 

This article is intended to inform and give insight but not treat, diagnose or replace the advice of a doctor. Always seek medical advice with any questions regarding a medical condition.

The 20th Annual Meeting of the Society of Urologic Oncology is underway and we are there.

October 9, 2019 in Bladder, Fertility, Kidney, Penile, Prostate, Testes

Our very own Professor Vijay Sangar is currently attending the 20th Annual Meeting of the Society of Urologic Oncology in Washington DC.

The Society of Urologic Oncology will sponsor this highly interactive meeting where attendees participate in discussions led by internationally renowned urologic oncologists, medical oncologists, and scientists. State-of-the-art translational topics on prostate, kidney, and bladder cancer, as well as strategies in urologic oncology will be discussed.

The meeting is designed to be a discussion of issues among members of the urologic oncology community. All attendees participate in the discussions and are encouraged to interact with program faculty as well as Clinical Research sessions.

It is reassuring to know that Professor Sangar will have attended this annual meeting which helps him further understand the urology sector thus backing up the reason that he is one of the best in his field.

For more information on the SUO please click here: https://suonet.org/home.aspx

Who is Urology Clinics Manchester?

March 9, 2019 in Bladder, Fertility, Kidney, Penile, Prostate, Testes

In today’s modern healthcare service our patients are increasingly well informed and medically literate. The expectations of patients are high and rightly so. As a consequence of several high-profile charities and extensive media coverage, the importance of men’s health, cancer and rapid diagnostics and treatment is becoming an increasingly important requirement for world-class healthcare. That is why Urology Clinics Manchester formed and it is why we do what we do!

Urology Clinics Manchester pride themselves on delivering:

  • Expert diagnostic clinics utilising modern technology, genetics where needed and rapid pathways to treatment.
  • ​Cancer treatments in an international cancer centre and the only internationally accredited and private fully equipped robotic prostate centre in the North West.
  • ​Men’s health clinics led by individuals dedicated to this important area of health.

We are dedicated to providing our patients with access to:

  • Evidenced based care & clinical excellence
  • Appropriate tested technologies & innovations
  • Our multidisciplinary team management pathways
  • 24/7 care, including urgent cases
  • Our concierge service (for international patients)
  • Our second opinion service
  • World-leading clinical trials

At Urology Clinics Manchester, we ensure you are seen by one of our 6 most appropriate clinicians in our clinics across Manchester, Cheshire & Wirral/Merseyside. We can offer the following clinics:

  • Kidney Clinic
  • Bladder Clinic
  • Prostate Clinic
  •  Penile Clinic
  • Testes Clinic
  • Infertility Clinic

We understand that seeing someone close to you is important, that’s why we have set up clinics in several locations across the North West. These include Manchester, Rochdale, Wilmslow, Wirral, Cheshire, Warrington and Newton-le-willows. All of these locations have good road links and parking on site or nearby. So finding a suitable a clinic shouldn’t be too far away from you.