Men's Health

Men (and their families) sometimes become very concerned about the possibility of prostate cancer. Screening is promoted through the media and can be requested through a General Practitioner, but it is not offered formally through the NHS. As a result, many men are uncertain about the risks and benefits of screening, and how this might apply to their individual circumstances. The wrong decision can lead to a great deal of avoidable anxiety, and sometimes invasive medical investigations before the implications are fully understood.

Problems and difficulties passing water can adversely (and unnecessarily) affect men’s quality of life as they get older, and can indirectly also impact their partner. The symptoms can be measured by completing a questionnaire. It is usually straightforward but important to assess or rule out serious disease and complications. Then advice can be offered to improve both symptoms and life quality.

Quality of life in men can also be adversely affected by other general symptoms that initially may not raise undue concern but can become detrimental in the longer term. Such symptoms include erectile dysfunction and loss of libido, loss of vigour, drive, and mood changes, as well as other physical symptoms that include sweating, aches and pains, dry skin and difficulty sleeping. They can affect work performance, family relationships and personal quality of life.

Often symptoms affecting quality of life are attributed to work stress, relationship difficulties, travel or even aging. However, they can also be due to declining testosterone levels, so called Testosterone-Deficiency Syndrome. The symptoms can be assessed by questionnaire. Certain symptoms may be more troublesome than others, and some can be absent. The variability in symptoms relates to different degrees and duration of deficiency. Regardless, the many symptoms of testosterone deficiency respond well to testosterone treatment. Untreated in the longer term, testosterone deficiency may increase the risk of osteoporosis, metabolic, cardiovascular and neurological disease. Before treatment can be recommended, general medical and urological conditions must be fully assessed, potential contraindications ruled out, and while on treatment monitoring will be necessary.

Erection problems (erectile dysfunction) become more common with advancing age. Sometimes this is an indication of other undiagnosed diseases, which need to be investigated. Underlying conditions associated with erectile dysfunction include cardiovascular disease, diabetes and metabolic syndrome, prostate disease, and endocrine abnormalities including thyroid disease and testosterone deficiency. It is important that such diseases are identified before they progress and lead to complications. Erectile dysfunction can also be caused by various medication.

Erectile problems can usually be treated by a variety of means, and a range of medications are available to suit individual needs.