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Male reproductive system diseases

Hypospadias - literally below the fleshy spike. A condition in which the

external urinary meatus (opening) opens anywhere below the tip of the penis

rather than at the tip.

Hydrocele - a fluid filled sac partially surrounding the testis. Manifests itself as

a swelling on the side of the scrotum. May cause discomfort. Can be surgically

corrected. And, who would most likely be doing the surgery? A urologist!

Varicocele - dilated and twisted veins of the testis, sort of hemorrhoids of the

scrotum! Manifests itself as a swelling on the side of the scrotum which may

look and feel like a bag of worms. May be surgically corrected if causing

discomfort. This condition may also cause reduced sperm count and male

sterility due to sluggish blood flow elevating testicular temperature.

Cryptorchidism - literally hidden testicle. A condition of lack of descent of one

or both testes into the scrotum. If not corrected, usually by surgery, before

puberty, can lead to sterility and increased risk of testicular cancer.

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Benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) - swelling of the prostate gland which

surrounds the base of the male bladder and urethra causing difficulty urinating,

dribbling, and nocturia .BPH becomes more common as men age.

Priapism

Priapism refers to a painful and prolonged erection, says the Mayo Clinic. Itstates that priapism is common in boys between five and 10 years old and inmen between 20 and 50 years old.

Priapism may be due to such diseases as sickle cell anemia and leukemia. Itmay also be due to such prescription medications as sildenafil, fluoxetine,diazepam and warfarin. Blood clots, spinal cord injury and cocaine are someother causes of priapism.

Treating priapism involves draining the penis with a needle (aspiration) andtaking medications such as phenylephrine. Surgery may be necessary to placea shunt into the penis.

Penile Cancer

Penile cancer is a type of cancer that starts at the penis. MedlinePlus indicatesthat specific symptoms of penile cancer include a painless sore on the penis,genital lesions and pain or bleeding from the penis.

At this time, the cause for penile cancer is unknown. Risk factors for developingpenile cancer include smegma, a foul and cheese-like substance found belowthe penis' foreskin.

Treating penile cancer also involves chemotherapy, radiation and surgery toeliminate the penile cancer cells.

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Female reproductive system diseases

Endometriosis - a condition involving colonization of the abdominal/pelvic

cavity with islands of endometrial tissue. Endometrium is the lining layer of the

uterus which sloughs off with each menstruation. If endometrial tissue flushes

up the uterine tube and spills into the abdomen (peritoneal cavity), the clots ofendometrial tissue can attach to abdominal organs such as the bladder,

rectum, intestinal loops and then cycle along with the uterus in response to

monthly changes in ovarian hormones. Bleeding into the abdomen irritates the

lining membrane, the peritoneum, and causes abdominal pain.

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) although males have a closed abdominal

cavity, the female abdominal cavity has a direct anatomical path from the

outside world via the female reproductive tract. Bacteria can make their way

up the vagina, through the uterus, and traverse the uterine tubes which open

into the abdominal cavity. Inflammation of the lining of the abdominal cavity,

the peritoneum, causes abdominal pain. Although there are many potential

causes of PID, gonorrheal infection is one of them. Chronic Inflammation of the

uterine tubes can occlude them resulting in infertility.

Prolapsed uterus the uterus is almost directly above the vagina. In fact, the

cervix, the neck region, of the uterus extends into the upper vagina. Ligaments

hold the uterus in proper position so that it does not prolapse or herniate into

the vagina. Severe prolapse can result in the uterine cervix protruding from the

vaginal opening. Surgical repair is typically required to restore the uterus to its

proper anatomical position.

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