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Penis Health.
Curvature of the penis.
Curvature of the penis, also known as Peyronie's disease, occurs
when scar tissue or plaque forms around the cylindrical structures
that run the length of the penis. These are the structures that
fill with blood during an erection. The plaque can be felt as a
ridge running the length of the penis beneath the skin. It's unknown
why the tissue forms. Curvature of the penis can make sexual intercourse
difficult or impossible. This condition occurs most often in men
age 40 to 60.
WHEN TO SEE A UROLOGIST
Mild symptoms don't always get worse. In many cases, the disease
will go away on its own. Unfortunately, it may take several years
for this to happen. Give the condition a chance to improve on its
own; if no improvement occurs within a reasonable amount of time,
consult a urologist.
Cancer of the penis.
Cancer of the penis is characterized by a malignancy that develops
in or on the penis. It's most likely to develop at the end of the
penis or on the foreskin. This type of cancer is rare and is usually
found only in men over the age of 50. The American Cancer Society
states that research shows the proven risk factors include having
unprotected sexual relations with multiple partners (increasing
the likelihood of human papillomavirus infection), and cigarette
smoking.
Penile cancer is extremely rare in the United States and accounts
for less than one half a percent of cancers diagnosed among men
and less than one tenth of a percent of cancer deaths among men.
Circumcision is the removal of a part or all of the male foreskin
either at birth or later on. This practice has been suggested as
giving some protection against cancer of the penis by contributing
to improved hygiene.
However, the penile cancer risk is low in some uncircumcised populations,
and the practice of circumcision is strongly associated with socio-ethnic
factors, which in turn are associated with lessened risk. The consensus
among studies that have taken these other factors into account is
circumcision is not of value in preventing cancer of the penis.
Enlarged prostate gland.
The prostate gland is located just below the neck of the bladder,
close to the rectum. It produces about 30 percent of the fluid portion
of semen. When the prostate becomes enlarged, it's called benign
prostatic hyperplasia.
The normally small and pliable gland becomes enlarged and rigid.
When it becomes enlarged, it can partially or entirely block the
urethra, making urination difficult or impossible.
The prostate enlarges normally as part of the aging process, starting
in the late 40s. Four out of every five men between the ages of
50 and 60 have enlargement of the prostate.
Symptoms of enlarged prostate gland:
- frequent need to urinate
- a decrease in the strength and force of the urine stream.
- inability to sleep through the night without getting up to urinate
- a distended bladder which causes abdominal swelling
- complete inability to urinate
(Note: if you experience these symptoms see your doctor immediately.)
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