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6 common sexual and reproductive health issues in men

By Love Matters Kenya on

A urologist is to a man what a gynecologist is to a woman. A urologist focuses on sexual and reproductive health issues in men.

When it comes to general health, African men are slow at seeking medical care. They are even slower at seeking medical care for sexual and reproductive health issues.  

But did you know there is a range of reproductive health issues that affect men?

1. Peyronie’s disease

   Peyronie is a painful condition that makes a man’s penis to be curved when erect. The condition can be caused by an injury to the penis e.g. during sex or sports. 

2. Sexually transmitted infections

   Did you know that men get yeast infections too? In some cases, men don’t physically display any symptoms of certain STIs but can be carriers of the same which can be passed to their sexual partners if left untreated. It is therefore important for men to use protection against diseases for themselves and their sexual partners and in case of infection seek treatment. The fact that women are at a higher risk of getting HIV does not mean men are safe.

3. Prostate and testicular cancers

   These cancers manifest in different ways in different men. For some men, the cancers manifest slowly and are only diagnosed when they are quite advanced while in others they are detected at early stages. In a generation of technology and advanced treatment, it is important to go for regular checkups and monitoring to ensure early detection and treatment. 

4. Infertility

   When couples struggle with infertility, the fingers are often pointed at the woman. Men have infertility struggles too! Men may experience infertility due to a range of reasons from low sperm production, blockages, injuries, chronic health problems, lifestyle choices to abnormal sperm function.

5. Erectile dysfunction

   Erectile dysfunction (ED) is when a man cannot achieve or maintain an erection. ED can be caused by underlying health conditions such as obesity and high cholesterol. This is something a man can self-diagnose and as much as it may cause low self-confidence, it is important to seek medical attention because treatment may vary depending on the cause of erectile dysfunction.

6. Low testosterone

   Testosterone is an important sex hormone in men as it influences how a man’s body develops. This hormone affects a man’s libido, muscle, and bone strength in adults.  A man with low testosterone may have low libido, suffers from erectile dysfunction and his sexual features may not be well-developed. This condition can be brought about by health issues such as diabetes and testicular cancer, and hormonal issues.

Other minor reproductive health issues exist but whether major or minor, always seek medical attention. Your doctor or urologist should conduct tests for some of these issues and recommend treatment. 

What other sexual and reproductive health problems in men do you know of?