Men’s Health Conditions We Assess
Men’s health covers more than sexual health alone. Symptoms can sometimes have several possible causes, which may include physical, psychological, hormonal, lifestyle or medication-related factors.
Depending on your symptoms and medical history, your doctor may recommend a physical examination, blood tests or other investigations before discussing appropriate management.
Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction (ED) refers to persistent difficulty getting or maintaining an erection sufficient for sexual activity.
Occasional erection difficulties can happen to many men. However, persistent or recurring erectile dysfunction may be associated with factors such as:
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Cardiovascular disease
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Certain medications
- Hormonal conditions
- Stress or anxiety
- Relationship or psychological factors
Because erectile dysfunction can sometimes occur alongside other health conditions, medical assessment may involve more than addressing the sexual symptoms alone.
Your doctor can review your medical history, symptoms and risk factors and discuss whether further investigation or treatment is appropriate.
Premature Ejaculation
Premature ejaculation is a common male sexual health concern involving ejaculation that occurs sooner than desired, together with difficulty controlling ejaculation and associated distress or dissatisfaction.
There is no single cause of premature ejaculation. Possible contributing factors can include psychological factors, sensitivity, relationship factors and certain underlying medical conditions.
Assessment usually begins with a discussion about symptoms, sexual history, general health and medications. Further investigations may be recommended where clinically appropriate.
Management depends on the individual and may include behavioural approaches, counselling strategies and medical treatment where suitable.
Low Libido and Reduced Sexual Interest
Changes in sexual desire can occur for many reasons.
Reduced libido may sometimes be associated with:
- Stress
- Fatigue or insufficient sleep
- Anxiety or depression
- Relationship difficulties
- Certain medications
- Chronic medical conditions
- Hormonal changes
- Low testosterone levels
A consultation can help determine whether there are identifiable medical, hormonal, psychological or lifestyle factors contributing to the change.
Where appropriate, blood tests or other investigations may be recommended.
Low Testosterone and Male Hormone Health
Testosterone is an important male sex hormone involved in sexual function, muscle and bone health, red blood cell production and other physiological functions.
Testosterone levels can change with age and may also be affected by certain medical conditions.
Symptoms sometimes associated with testosterone deficiency include:
- Reduced libido
- Erectile difficulties
- Reduced energy
- Changes in mood
- Reduced muscle mass
- Increased body fat
- Difficulty concentrating
However, these symptoms are not specific to testosterone deficiency and can occur for many other reasons.
A diagnosis should therefore not be based on symptoms alone. Your doctor may recommend blood tests and further assessment if testosterone deficiency is suspected.
Treatment, where appropriate, depends on the underlying cause, test results, symptoms, medical history and individual circumstances.