Learn More About Men’s Health Topics

Erectile dysfunction, or impotence, is the inability to get and keep an erection.

Erectile dysfunction may also be the most important diagnostic tool when it comes to general health in baby-boomers. If a man is experiencing ED, he may need to be screened for more serious health conditions such as heart disease, hypertension and diabetes.

ED FACTS

• The average time it takes a man to talk to a physician about ED is 18 months
• 50% of men over the age of 40 have some degree of ED
• 70% of men over the age of 70 have some degree of ED
• ED usually has a gradual onset, with increasing prevalence and severity as one ages
• 68% of men with high blood pressure also report ED
• Up to 75% of men with diabetes also have ED

CAUSES OF ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION

ED TREATMENT OPTIONS

More than 90 percent of men with ED are able to find a successful treatment option. All that is needed is the desire, courage, and determination, combined with skilled and understanding professionals, to solve the problem.

Medical treatment options include:

• Controlling blood sugar
• Decreasing elevated lipid levels
• Altering or discontinuing use of medicines
• Adjusting testosterone
• Improving circulation medically

Urologic treatment options include:

• Viagra/Levitra/Cialis
• VED or Vacuum Erection Device
• Penile Injection
• Penile Prosthesis
• Vascular Surgery

While it is normal for testosterone levels to decrease as men age, low levels of testosterone can have a dramatic impact on overall wellness. When you consider that testosterone is the chemical that helps develop and maintain male characteristics, it’s no wonder that low levels can lower your libido and leave you feeling fatigued.

Let the experts at The Men’s Health Clinic take the guesswork out of treatment by providing a testosterone replacement plan that’s right for your specific needs. Our specially trained staff will develop a medically-supervised treatment approach to regulate your testosterone levels and leave you feeling like yourself again.

HISTORY OF HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY

In the past, giving testosterone orally was a common form of treatment for Low T, but it was found to be ineffective, and possibly toxic to the liver.

Studies also showed that giving injections of testosterone created high peaks and valleys in hormone levels making this a less than an optimal form of treatment. Testicular atrophy is much more common with this therapy.

Today, adjustments of testosterone levels are now facilitated with new treatments, including products absorbed through the skin and implantable pellet that releases testosterone slowly over 4-6 months.

SYMPTOMS OF LOW T

The symptoms of low testosterone can include loss of muscle mass and bone strength, low sex drive, erectile dysfunction, irritability, depression, and sleep disturbances. Other symptoms can include:

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you may be a good candidate for testosterone replacement therapy. However, unmonitored testosterone treatment can be dangerous and have severe side effects for the patient including prostate swelling and sterility.

RESPONSIBLE TREATMENT

Awareness of the negative effect of testosterone abuse is an important part of responsible testosterone supplementation therapy, and the consequences of abuse can be very serious.

That’s why it’s important to receive treatment from medical professionals that are experts in men’s health needs. Our program at Urology Associates allows us to maximize your vigor, strength, and wellbeing by adjusting the testosterone levels within physiologically responsible parameters. The new testosterone products now available allow us to try variable doses of testosterone and adjust your hormone levels within normal ranges that feel right for you.

For the first year of treatment, we will test all of the following parameters to make sure that you are achieving normal hormone levels at no risk to your health:

Quarterly testing and certain physical measurements are required during the first year of the therapy. This testing will assure that treatment is proceeding in a safe manner. After the first year testing will be semi-annual.

Male infertility can be an extremely sensitive and challenging issue for men and their families. That’s why The Men’s Health Clinic at Urology Associates is available for you and your loved ones during the family planning process by providing trained specialists to help diagnose and treat infertility issues.

Our physicians will serve as caring and compassionate advocates for you by identifying the factor contributing to infertility and working to formulate a family planning strategy that’s right for you and your loved one.

CAUSES OF INFERTILITY

• A problem called varicocele (VAIR-ih-koh-seel). This happens when the veins on a man’s testicle(s) are too large. This heats the testicles. The heat can affect the number or shape of the sperm.
• Other factors that cause a man to make too few sperm or none at all.
• Movement of the sperm. This may be caused by the shape of the sperm. Sometimes injuries or other damage to the reproductive system block the sperm.
• Sometimes a man is born with problems that affect his sperm. Other times problems start later in life due to illness or injury. For example, cystic fibrosis often causes infertility in men.

Urology Associates provides a comprehensive clinic assessing patients at increased risk of skeletal-related events, bone loss, or osteoporosis.

Many of our prostate cancer patients undergo an osteo-scan (bone density ultrasound) to determine if they are at increased risk. This is a simple five-minute scan done on the wrist of the patient. Patients may undergo a more Sensitive DEXA scan before starting bone resorption or more aggressive therapy.

Bone resorptive medications, such as Xgeva or Prolia, are recommended for patients who have advanced cancer to the bone or have been diagnosed with osteoporosis. Many of our advanced cancer patients are at increased risk for fracture.

We have providers at each of our locations throughout Middle Tennessee capable of treating Men’s Health Clinic patients.

To find the office nearest you please visit our Locations page to ensure that you receive the best quality care convenient to you.

To schedule a men’s health consultation with our urologists, please call 615-250-9370 or request an appointment through our secure online form.

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