Andrology Consultation

The Andrology Consultation studies male diseases, in particular those relating to the male sexual function and the reproductive system.

MAIN PATHOLOGIES / DISEASES

Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction is the persistent inability to achieve or maintain an adequate erection of the penis in order to achieve satisfactory sexual activity.

It is a common affliction and its frequency tends to increase with age. It is estimated that about 13% of Portuguese men suffer from erectile dysfunction.  An erection is the result of a complex process of psychological and physical alterations and its functioning relies on blood vessels, genital nerves and the brain. The brain needs to integrate the whole process for an erectile function.

The most common causes of ED are:

• Diseases that affect the blood vessels (hypertension, diabetes, atherosclerosis).
• Diseases that alter nerve impulses (pelvic surgery, serious injury, spinal, or accidents, Diabetes, Strokes).
• Other chronic diseases such as kidney or liver failure.
• Medication such as antidepressants or anti-hypertensive medication.
• Alcoholic beverages, tobacco, illicit drugs.

Premature ejaculation

Premature ejaculation is a male sexual dysfunction which is characterized by ejaculation which always or almost always occurs before or up to 1 minute following vaginal penetration; it is an inability to delay ejaculation on all or almost all vaginal penetrations and its results are distress, discomfort, frustration or avoidance of sexual intimacy.

Premature ejaculation is the most common sexual dysfunction. It can affect 20 to 30% of all males.

Premature ejaculation is universal: does not choose age, social status, marital status or sexual orientation.

The most common risk factors of Premature Ejaculation are:

• An anxious Psychological profile or anxiety as far as performance is concerned, with emotional instability and feelings of guilt, due to daily pressure and stress or a negative previous sexual experience.
• Genetic predisposition, obesity, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, inflammation of the prostate, sudden cessation of opioid analgesics, alcohol or drug abuse.

Varicocele

The main feature of varicocele is the dilation of the veins that drain blood from the testes, subsequently also causes the accumulation of harmful substances in the testicles, causing an increase of temperature in this region, leading to a decrease in sperm production.

Most men live with this problem and only 15% have their fertility compromised, which is often only detected when the couple plan to have children.

For anatomical reasons 80 to 95% of cases occur on the left testicle, due to the backflow of blood from the renal vein to the spermatic vein and valvular insufficiency.

Whenever pain, testicular atrophy or infertility occurs the treatment is surgery.

NECESSARY EXAMINATIONS

At the HPA  Health Group it is possible to undergo all the necessary  examinations depending on the diagnosis or monitoring of the dysfunction.

Diagnosis of Erectile Dysfunction:

• Blood tests (including hormone levels); specific tests such, eco-doppler, cavernosometry and cavernosography.

SURGERIES / PROCEDURES PERFORMED IN THE HPA HEALTH GROUP

We provide the necessary procedures and surgery best suited to each patient’s medical condition, such as:

• Erectile Dysfunction: Mechanical therapy (vacuum erection devices) or surgery;
• Premature Ejaculation: behavioral therapy; psychotherapy

LINKS