What do clinics for men’s health do?
Women frequently seek medical attention for various reasons. Men, on the other hand, frequently have a tendency to put off visiting the doctor and tend to ignore symptoms. But, men’s health is vital, despite what the majority of men would believe. With that said, it is helpful to know about men’s health and the services offered in men’s health clinics (https://www.artisanhealthclinic.sg/) in countries such as Singapore. Read on further to learn more.
Men’s health, to put it simply, is the state of men’s physical, mental, and social health. This field of medicine focuses on a variety of health conditions that affect men differently than women or that are specific to men, such as types of cancers, mental and emotional disorders, and irregularities of the male reproductive system.
Men’s health clinics will be able to offer comprehensive screening and treatment for male-related health problems. Here are the common conditions that affect men and how each is treated in a men’s health clinic:
- Erectile dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction is a condition more commonly known as impotence. Men who suffer from erectile dysfunction are unable to get and maintain an erection during sexual intercourse. This condition is normal in men, but frequent occurrence can lead to problems in the male’s social and mental well being.
This condition can be caused by physical factors (such as sleep disorders, heavy drinking and/or smoking, certain diseases, etc.) and Psychological factors ( anxiety, depression, etc.).
Diagnosis in men’s health clinic would include the following:
- Urine test or urinalysis
- Blood test
- Psychological exam
- Ultrasound
Treatment for erectile dysfunction will depend on what is causing it. Common treatment is prescribing oral medicine to help the body relax the penis muscled and promote erection. Other treatment approaches are the use of penis pumps (a battery-operated medical device), implants or surgery. For psychological causes, counseling may be suggested to improve the male patient’s mental state.
- Male hypogonadism (low testosterone)
Male hypogonadism is a disorder where the testicles (a male sex organ) don’t produce enough of the hormone testosterone (male sex hormone). Low testosterone can be a result of aging, obesity, high blood pressure, high levels of blood sugar and cholesterol, and belly fat. Taking certain medications such as antidepressants and narcotics can affect testosterone levels. Symptoms associated with low testosterone include low sex drive, feeling of fatigue or tiredness, irritability/mood swings/depression, erectile dysfunction and muscle atrophy (reduced muscle mass).
In Singapore, diagnosis in a men’s health clinic would involve a physical examination and looking through the symptoms of the male patient, a blood test, semen analysis, hormone testing, MRI examination of the pituitary region, and testicular biopsy. Treatment for this condition will vary depending on the male’s age. The standard treatment for an adult male is testosterone therapy (TT) where medications or injections are used.
- Premature Ejaculation
Men who have premature ejaculation encounter the semen (the fluid or substance produced by the male reproductive organs) leaving the body during sexual activity earlier than is desired. Being unable to delay ejaculation for more than three minutes after penetration is the main sign of premature ejaculation. This is the most common sexual complaint in men and is a cause of concern if occurring frequently. According to statistics, one in three Singaporean males will prematurely ejaculate at some point in their lives. Despite not being harmful to one’s health, this condition can make men feel frustrated or embarrassed during sexual activity and may endanger their bond with their partner.
Physical, psychological, and biological factors can all contribute to premature ejaculation. Physical factors include eating habits, alcohol and tobacco use, as well as having an irritated prostate gland (prostatitis). Psychological aspects include early sexual abuse or trauma, having a negative body image, being depressed or anxious, erectile dysfunction, and interpersonal issues that go unresolved. Family history, hereditary characteristics, imbalanced hormone levels, and genetics are all biological influences.
Diagnosis for premature ejaculation would involve a review of the male patient’s sex habits and sex life, and health history. Furthermore, men’s health clinics would prompt a physical exam to check for medical issues and some blood tests as well to check hormone levels to be able to make a proper diagnosis and provide suitable treatment.
Treatment options for premature ejaculation include learning self-help practices such as techniques to relax or distract to delay ejaculation. Smokers or heavy alcohol drinkers will be advised to make changes in their habits (i.e. cut down smoking or drinking) to make improvements in controlling premature ejaculation. By determining what causes early ejaculation through particular tactics or sex positions, men can engage their partner in trying to delay ejaculation. The use of a condom can aid to lessen the sensation, which can help to improve early ejaculation. The doctor may also prescribe medications such as gels and creams. For psychological causes, counseling or therapy can be sought to address anxiety or depression related to premature ejaculation.
● Delayed Ejaculation
Delayed ejaculation (also called impaired ejaculation) is a condition where men experience prolonged periods of sexual stimulation before reaching sexual climax and ejaculate (release semen). Some men with delayed ejaculation are completely incapable of ejaculating. Thankfully, most men who experience delayed ejaculation only experience a brief issue that eventually goes away. Delay in ejaculation, however, may be caused by ongoing medical issues, operations, or drugs if it is a lifetime issue.
Many types of delayed ejaculation exist, including:
- Lifelong – a persistent issue
- Acquired – takes place following a period of regular ejaculation
- Generalized – not specific to particular sex partners or circumstances
- Situational – only happens in certain settings and under certain conditions
A diagnosis may take into account psychological factors like stress, depression, and anxiety; physical factors such birth abnormalities, injuries, or infections; hormone levels; and other factors including the use of certain antidepressants, antipsychotic medications, certain diuretics, or excessive alcohol. Together with providing information to assess medical history and mental health status, diagnosis will require the patient to divulge sexual habits and history, lifestyle behaviors, and other issues.
Men’s health clinics would advise a number of approaches to treat delayed ejaculation such as recommending to the patient to seek treatment for an underlying medical condition to resolve delayed ejaculation and counseling or therapy for those who experience delayed ejaculation due to psychological reasons.
Aside from those listed above, men should also seek men’s health clinics to properly screen for other health concerns such as:
- Heart Disease-generally encompasses a variety of heart disorders, such as coronary artery disease and heart attacks.
- Cancer-Prostate, lung, colorectal, and skin cancers are the most common cancers in men. Males are more likely than females to develop cancer and die from it, according to several statistics.
- Diabetes-a condition in which the body’s blood sugar levels are excessively high as a result of pancreatic malfunctions or when the body does not react to insulin (the hormone that regulates blood sugar). Diabetes, particularly type 2, affects men more frequently than women.
- HPV and other STIs-Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the common form of Sexually transmitted infection (STI), which of course can be contracted from sexual intercourse with an infected partner.
- Depression-a major depressive disorder that affects people’s feelings, thoughts, and behaviors. Depression in men is considered a serious medical condition.
Artisan Health Clinic
Paragon
290 Orchard Road #07-01,
Paragon Medical Suites,
Singapore 238859
https://www.artisanhealthclinic.sg/
Phone / Whatsapp
(65) 8129 8877