Penile Archives - Page 4 of 6 - Urology Clinics Manchester

Red Lesions

August 12, 2022 in Penile, Uncategorized

A lesion is a broad term to describe a change in tissue, including infections or injuries. A penile lesion can occur at any age and be the result of any number of conditions. Some lesions will look somewhat red or scaly, and they may also cause pain or itching to the effected person. There are a number of reasons why men develop lesions on this part of their body, but usually, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are some of the most common.A common forms of penile skin lesions are genital warts. This is caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV) the warts appear as flat or raised, more often as cauliflower-like genital lesions on the penile shaft or the pubic area. Genital warts often appear on the penis and especially underneath the foreskin.They can also be situated in the urethra (the urinary pipe) and may be visible poking out of it, and can also appear in the area around the anus.

One of the most benign and most harmless types of penile lesions are pearly penile papules. Pearly penile papules are usually small and can be filiform or dome-shaped and they usually appear on the tip of the penis.Benign lesions or lumps on the penis may be surgically excised for cosmetic reasons or because they are causing discomfort.

There are four types of penile lesions: infectious, inflammatory (noninfectious), neoplastic and traumatic lesions. Examples include:

Infectious

Human papillomavirus virus (HPV) or other sexually transmitted diseases.

Inflammatory

Contact dermatitis and other rashes.

Neoplastic

Cancerous growths

Traumatic

Sports-related injuries or other traumatic incidents.

If you would like to speak to our team about red lesions or other treatments, please call us on 0161 327 1269 or email us at info@urologyclinics.co.uk. We also offer treatment for other urological cancers.

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.

Sexual Dysfunction

July 12, 2022 in Penile

Your health, stress, relationship concerns and other issues can lead to problems during sex. Medical professionals call this sexual dysfunction. It is estimated that around 31% of men and 43% of women have some sort of difficulty during sexual dysfunction throughout their life and many types of sexual problems can be treated or otherwise improved.

Common Sexual Problems

Sexual dysfunction in men:

Lack of sexual desire
Inability to get or keep an erection
Orgasms that happen too slowly or too quickly
Inability to have orgasms

Other possible issues of sexual dysfunction are:

Deformities of your penis. One type is Peyronie’s disease, in which a buildup of collagen or scar tissue causes the penis to bend.
Retrograde ejaculation, when semen is forced back into your bladder instead of out of your penis. This may happen in men with nerve damage from diabetes, or after bladder or prostate surgery.

Sex and Ageing

Some changes in your desire for sex and sexual performance are common as you age. For example, you may need more foreplay before sex or more stimulation to get and keep an erection. It also may take longer to get an erection after an orgasm. It is worth understanding that drastic changes can be a sign of a bigger problem so it is important to talk to your doctor if this happens.

Health Problems

Your overall health and any medical conditions you have also affect your sex life. Conditions that can affect your sexual ability or desire for sex include:

Heart and vascular (blood vessel) disease
Diabetes
Hormone imbalances
Nervous system disorders like multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease
Obesity
High blood pressure
High cholesterol

Sudden changes in your sex drive or ability to have sex can be a sign you have a medical condition. Tell your doctor if you notice any of them.Medications, such as depression and high blood pressure drugs, can also affect sex. If you notice problems after you start a new medicine, ask your doctor how to manage the side effects or if they can switch your prescription if you find yourself suffering from sexual dysfunction.Smoking, drinking a lot of alcohol, and other unhealthy habits also may hurt your sexual function. On the flip side, regular exercise, weight loss, and stress management could improve your sex life.

Getting Help

You might feel nervous or shy about talking to your doctor about your sexual problems. But opening up about your concerns is the first step to getting help.Your doctor will ask questions about what is happening and you can talk about your sexual dysfunction issues. They might do a physical exam and order other tests (such as a blood test) to figure out whether an underlying health concern is the cause of your sexual difficulties.

Treatment Options

If a medical condition such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity, or depression is affecting your sex life, your doctor may need to address it first.

Your doctor might suggest changing unhealthy habits, such as smoking or drinking too much alcohol, and encourage you to exercise. These things can improve your overall health as well as your ability to have sex.Other treatment options include:

Counselling to help you manage stress, anxiety, fear, or guilt, or to address depression or other mental health concerns
Medications for erection problems that you take as a pill, such as Viagra
Testosterone replacement therapy and other hormone treatments for imbalances
Medical devices that help you get an erection
Penis implant surgery
Surgery to correct penis deformities
Penile traction therapy, in which you wear a device on your penis to correct deformities

If you would like to speak to our team about sexual dysfunction or other treatments, please call us on 0161 327 1269 or email us at info@urologyclinics.co.uk.

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.

Penile reconstruction

June 12, 2022 in Penile, Uncategorized

Penile cancer is a rare cancer. Around 600 men a year are diagnosed with it in the UK.

Men who smoke, who have had human papilloma virus infection and/or have a tight foreskin are at greater risk of developing penile cancer. It can affect any part of the penis but most commonly involves the foreskin and the head of the penis (glans penis). Men who present with penile cancer also need to be assessed for any spread of the disease to the groin and other lymph nodes.

Penile cancer can affect men of any age. The chances of cure are relatively high and treatment is often more successful, with a greater chance of penile preservation, if men present early.

Penile reconstruction surgery

We offer penile preserving surgery (penile reconstruction) to around most of our patients. Penile reconstruction involves excision of the cancer followed by reconstruction with a skin graft to try and preserve appearance and function.

We perform dynamic inguinal (groin) sentinel lymph node sampling in most of our patients. This is an operation to sample a few lymph nodes from the groins to assess whether there has been microscopic spread of the cancer, which can occur in about 1 in 5 men. This technique minimises the complications of groin surgery.

Most men do not need further treatment after their penile reconstruction surgery and groin sampling. A minority will need further nodal surgery, some of which is possible with “keyhole” surgery and they may also need radiotherapy and / or chemotherapy.

Some men who have the additional nodal surgery experience lymphoedema, swelling to their leg and / or genitals. We offer specialist clinics to help manage this.

If you would like to speak to our team about penile reconstruction or other treatments, please call us on 0161 327 1269 or email us at info@urologyclinics.co.uk. We also offer treatment for other urological cancers.

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.

Genital Warts

May 12, 2022 in Penile, Uncategorized

Condyloma acuminatum (also known as genital warts or anogenital warts) refers to an epidermal manifestation attributed to the epidermotropic human papillomavirus (HPV). More than 180 types of double-stranded HPV have been isolated to date. Many of these have been related directly to an increased neoplastic risk in men and women.

What are genital warts?

Visible genital warts usually are caused by HPV. HPV is a virus and the warts is the outcome, however, remember that not every growth in the genital area is a genital warts caused by HPV. It must be diagnosed by your medical doctor only.

HPV is very common in sexually active men and women and can sometimes have serious health consequences.

The virus can infect the genital skin and the linings of the vagina, cervix, rectum, and urethra. They come in different shapes and colour. Typically they present like cauliflower growth scattered around randomly, however, it comes in different look that could mimic other skin presentation. For example: they could look like mole , skin tag, cyst, keratosis, etc.

They come in different shapes such as raised, flat, big and small. Many patient have these growth for months, even years and they might not even know it. This usually becomes alarming when patients see multiple lesions and they then start to consider seeking medical attention. Many lesions occur in male or female genitals that could be easily mistaken by genital warts.

Locations of warts

This affects both females and males. In addition to the scrotum, the penis, vulva, perineum, and perianal skin, genital warts can also occur on the cervix, vagina, urethra, anus, and mouth. Intra-anal warts are seen predominantly in patients who have had receptive anal intercourse. These warts are distinct from perianal warts, which can occur in both men and women who have never had anal sex.

Diagnosis

Not every growth on the genitalia is a genital wart by HPV. It must be diagnosed by an experienced medical doctor. Diagnosis could be confirmed by a biopsy as well, your doctor may decide for biopsy, for example, if the size of the warts are big and bleeding or pigmented.

Physician experience is a major factor in diagnosing warts early and treating them immediately for more successful outcome. There is no blood test for HPV or genital warts, so we can not tell the overall status of an individual’s HPV. The virus does not circulate in blood and that is why we do not do blood test for the diagnosis. There is limited testing for females consisting of an element of typing for the cervix but not for men. If the HPV causes visible genital skin growth, then the doctor examination is the most important factor.

If you would like to speak to our team about genital warts or other treatments, please call us on 0161 327 1269 or email us at info@urologyclinics.co.uk. We also offer treatment for other urological cancers.

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.

Frenuloplasty

March 14, 2022 in Penile

What is a frenuloplasty and why would you need one?

A frenuloplasty is a surgical procedure to treat a short penile frenulum by dividing the skin and restitching it lengthways. The frenulum is a band of tissue on the underside of the head of the penis. If it is tight, it can cause pain during erection or intercourse, and it may tear, causing bleeding and discomfort. This is relatively common and is a straight forward procedure.

On the day of the procedure your consultant will discuss the surgery with you to make sure you fully understand the risks and potential benefits as well as what the procedure involves. A frenuloplasty is done either under general anaesthetic (you are asleep) or local (you are awake but the area is completely numb). During the procedure the skin (frenulum) is divided at the top and pulling downwards (like a diamond) and the sides are stitched together at the centre giving a longer frenulum. The stitches are dissolvable so usually disappear within two or three weeks.

As with all surgical procedures there are risks associated with a frenuloplasty. These include:

Swelling of the penis which may last a couple of days
Reduced sensation in the glans penis (the head of the penis) – this affects between 1 in 10 and 1 in 50 patients
Bleeding from the incision
Failure to resolve the symptoms which may mean a circumcision is needed
Infection

After the procedure you will have some swelling and bruising of the penis which may last a few days. Any pain and discomfort should be able to be managed by painkillers such as paracetamol. There shouldn’t be any pain when passing urine after the procedure but it is important to keep the wound clean and dry after passing urine. It is suggested that you should wear loose fitting clothing for the first couple of days post-surgery. Sexual activity should be avoided or us to four weeks but this should be discussed with your consultant.

Contact our expert team at the Urology Clinics Manchester Penile Clinic now to discuss frenuloplasty further.

7 smoking related urological conditions

December 20, 2021 in Bladder, Fertility, Kidney, Penile, Testes

Everyone that does or does not smoke will know that it can have a major impact on your health. Each year millions of people die prematurely due to smoking related illnesses. In this blog we will highlight smoking relating urological conditions.

Bladder cancer – every year around 10,000 people are diagnosed with bladder cancer. Smoking causes harmful chemicals to collect in your urine. These chemicals can have a big effect on the lining of the bladder and increase the risk of developing bladder cancer.
Erectile disfunction – around 1 in 5 men experience erectile dysfunction in the UK. Smoking can harm blood vessels, therefore affecting the flow of blood to the penis. Erectile dysfunction can have a serious effect on sexual intercourse and a man’s self esteem.
Kidney cancer – kidney cancer is the 9^th most common cancer in the UK for both men and women. The harmful toxins in a cigarette enter the blood stream which is then filtered through by the kidneys. These toxins and chemicals can increase your risk of getting kidney cancer.
Kidney stones – research has shown that the risk of getting kidney stones is increased if you smoke.
Painful bladder syndrome – this condition is more common in women than men. As smoking irritates the lining of the bladder, it can worsen the symptoms of painful bladder syndrome.
Incontinence – urinary incontinence is an extremely common condition, especially for those that smoke. Coughing fits caused by smoking can worsen the frequency of incontinence and lead to stress incontinence.
Infertility – this affects both men and women. Smoking can chance the genetic makeup of in both eggs and sperm. Did you know that the infertility rate in smokers is twice the rate of those who do not smoke?

If you need help with quitting smoking then you should speak to your GP about getting the right help. Sometimes a simple change can improve your health significantly!

Hypogonadism

November 9, 2021 in Fertility, Penile, Testes

Hypogonadism is a condition that affects the sex gland in both men and women called the Gonads. Patients with hypogonadism produce little to no sex hormones, which can lead to low sex drive or libido.

For the purpose of this blog, we will focus on the effect on men.

Testicles in the male reproductive system are responsible for producing testosterone, which is the main male sex hormone. If you have hypogonadism this means that your testosterone level is low.

Hypogonadism can either be caused by a problem with the productive system or a problem within the brain

Primary hypogonadism: A problem within the sex glands that slows or stops hormone production.
Secondary (central) hypogonadism: A problem with brain signals that affects hormone production (pituitary gland or hypothalamus)

As we get into our late 40’s/50’s the production of sex hormones naturally goes down; resulting in a reduced sex drive. These changes are normal so it is important to note that it is not necessarily the hypothalamus. If reduced libido and sex drive occurs in younger men then this may be linked to hypogonadism.

Here are some of the most common causes of primary and secondary hypogonadism:

Primary

Conditions such as diabetes and Addison’s Disease (affecting the adrenal gland)
Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy
Genetic disorders such as Klinefelter syndrome
Undescended testicles
Liver or kidney disease
Previous surgery on the reproductive system

Secondary

Obesity
Pituitary disorders
Use of steroids or opiods
Previous brain surgery or cancer treatment
Infections

These are just some of the possible causes.

Here are some of the most common signs and symptoms in men:

Enlarged breasts tissue
Erectile dysfunction
Infertility (this is related to the low sperm count)
Muscle loss

There are two main ways that hypogonadism can be diagnosed in men:

A blood test – this looks at the different levels in the blood
Semen analysis – this looks at the amount and quality of sperm

If you would like to speak to our team about hypogonadism please call us on 0161 327 1269 or email us at info@urologyclinics.co.uk

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.

Movember

October 26, 2021 in Penile, Prostate, Testes

November is almost here, which means that Movember is nearly here as well! Every November since 2003, Movember has been the biggest event for men’s health. This annual event aims to raise awareness for male cancers, such as testicular, penile and prostate cancer, while also growing a moustache.

The goal of this event is to “change the face of men’s health.”.

Every year in the UK over 50,000 men are diagnosed with a male-specific cancer, it is so important that everyone knows the signs and symptoms to look out for.

Testicular cancer

Testicular cancer is rare, however, each year in the UK around 2,400 men are diagnosed, most commonly affecting men between the ages of 15-45. Fortunately, it is a highly treatable cancer, with 98% of men living for over 10 years after diagnosis.

Try to perform a self-examination once a month after a shower or bath!

Check each testicle separately using one or both hands
Roll each testicle between the thumb and fingers to check that the surface is free of lumps or bumps
Get to know your balls; their size, texture and anatomy. Identify the epididymis or sperm collecting tube, often mistaken for an abnormal lump that runs behind each testicle

If you feel anything that is abnormal, book an appointment with your GP.

Prostate cancer

With over 47,000 men being diagnosed with prostate cancer every year, this is the most common male cancer. Studies have found that 1 in 8 men will develop this condition in the UK.

These are some of the most common symptoms associated with prostate cancer:

Slow or weak flow of urine
Urinating more frequently or urgently than usual
Difficulty starting to urinate
Pain or burning sensation when urinating
Unexplained urinary infection

These problems can also be linked to an enlarged prostate. Always attend your prostate examination!

Penile cancer

Penile cancer is a rare cancer affecting around 640 men every year. Although it is more common in men over the age of 50 it can affect people of any age.

Here are some of the most common signs associated with penile cancer:

White or red scaly patches
Red moist patches of skin
Change in the colour of the skin
Skin thickening
Growth, bump or sore

If you would like to take part in this year’s Movember event, click the link below.

https://uk.movember.com/

Circumcision

July 12, 2021 in Penile

Circumcision is the surgical removal of the foreskin that covers the head of a penis. Circumcision can be performed both during infancy and also during adulthood. People choose to have this procedure undertaken for medical, religious or social reasons.

Treatment

A circumcision is an operation that removes the foreskin from the penis, exposing the underlying head, medically known as the glans. Circumcisions are usually carried out because of phimosis (an abnormally tight foreskin), if the foreskin is stuck to the underlying glans, because of recurrent infections or for growths on the foreskin.

Some of these conditions prevent the foreskin being retracted, which can cause hygiene problems, infection and pain. Circumcisions are also carried out for social, religious and cultural reasons. Urology Clinics do not undertaken this procedure in children.

Following removal of the foreskin two skin edges remain; these are joined together with fine dissolving stitches.

A wound dressing or solution is then applied around the penis to aid healing.

The operation is a day stay procedure, which means no overnight stay is required.

About your consent

As with all surgical procedures, we need your permission for your operation to go ahead. Before the consent is signed, it is important that the risks and effects of the operation and anaesthetic are understood. These will be discussed prior to surgery. Should any questions arise after the discussion please feel free to ask the nurse or doctor who would be happy to answer these.

About your anaesthetic

If you are having a general anaesthetic, usually nothing is allowed to be eaten or drunk for at least six hours before surgery. This includes chewing gum and sweets.

There are two main types of anaesthetic used for this surgery;

General Anaesthetic: Patients are asleep throughout the operation and remember nothing of it. For young children, gas is given through a small mask, which puts the child off to sleep and avoids the need for the insertion of a needle while the child is awake. However, as soon as the child is asleep, a drip is put in for safety reasons.
Local Anaesthetic: A needle is placed into the area at the base of the penis. Medicine is injected which makes the penis go numb, so the procedure can be performed. The numbness will stay for 2-3 hours.

Feel free to discuss these options, and any questions with your doctor.

About your operation

The operation takes about 30-40 minutes to perform. When the operation is completed, patients go to the recovery room. Patients stay in the recovery room only for a short while where they are cared for until ready to be transferred to the ward.

What can you expect after surgery?

The nurse will check your wound routinely. Patients can usually eat and drink when they return to the ward. Pain relief is given on a regular basis to ensure comfort is maintained.

When you can go home

Once patients have passed urine, are up and about, eating and drinking they are able to go home. The nurse gives instructions on whether or not it is necessary to see the surgeon or family doctor for follow-up.

A discharge information letter is given prior to discharge that contains helpful information for returning home.

The doctor may give a prescription for some antibiotics after the operation. It is important to complete the whole course as instructed, even if everything looks okay and it doesn’t look like any more tablets need to be taken.

A letter is sent to the family doctor about the operation and the details of treatment given in hospital.

What to expect when you are at home

It is important for day stay patients to rest for the day as the anaesthetic can still have some effects on the body and there will be pain.

Regular pain relief can be taken as required to maintain comfort. Advice about post-op pain relief will be given by the nurse prior to discharge.

Instructions about wound and dressing care will be given prior to discharge. The stitches placed during the operation dissolve slowly in the 6-8 weeks following surgery. To start with, the penis may look red and swollen but this soon settles. If the foreskin was stuck to the glans prior to surgery there will be a raw skin surface on the glans where the foreskin was removed. This forms a scab that can look unpleasant; however, this usually heals up nicely and leaves no permanent scar.

Once home, if there is any excessive bleeding or signs of infection please see the family doctor as soon as possible.

Very rarely a circumcision can result in narrowing of the urethral opening (where the urine is passed from the bladder). This may require a very minor procedure to open it up again. However, the majority of patients have a short hospital stay, a very speedy recovery and require no further treatment.

Contact our expert team at the penile clinic 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.

The Penis

July 12, 2021 in Penile

The Penis (phallus) is not just the male sexual organ. It is anatomically complex and nature has constructed it to be one of the strongest mechanical structures. For most of the animal kingdom it is important for conception, sexual pleasure, micturition and provides the male with his body image/animal instinct.

Diseases of the penis, as in diseases of the breast in women, can be very distressing as it encroaches on the whole sexuality of patients. Until recently the management of penile disease has remained largely ignored by the medical profession, media and patients; excepting erectile dysfunction. With the advent of regional penile teams the plight of many men is coming to the forefront. This article covers some of the more common problems and also touches on the more serious conditions which sometimes result in significant psychological issues.

Urology Clinics has expertise seeing patients with all types of penile problems. We cover the entire North West of England, North Wales and the Isle of Man. Additionally we work closely with Teams in London, West Midlands, Northern Ireland and Europe. Our Clinical experts have one of the largest penile practices in Europe, which aligns with our global expertise. Contact our team of experts here or find out more about our penile clinic here.

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.