Men’s Health

Self testicular exam

For more information on how to examine your testicles please click on the link below;

Checking your testicles

Healthy lifestyle changes to improve chances of becoming a dad:

• Ideal temperature for sperm production is around 34.5C, which is slightly below body temperature (around 37C).
• Smoking can reduce fertility
• Drinking alcohol excessively can affect the quality of sperm
• Some recreational drugs are known to damage sperm quality and reduce male fertility. These include: cannabis, cocaine, anabolic steroids, amphetamines, opiates such as heroin and methadone
• Eating a healthy balanced diet and maintaining a healthy weight is essential for keeping your sperm in good condition.
• Stress can affect your relationship. It can also lower your or your partner’s sex drive (libido), which may reduce how often you have sex. Severe stress may also limit sperm production

Paternity Tests:

Paternity Tests are not free on the NHS but your GP will be able to refer you to the correct laboratory where a paid test can be performed.

Peyronie's disease

Peyronie’s disease causes the penis to become curved when it’s erect. The condition mostly affects men over 40, although it can happen at any age. Many men don’t need treatment, as they don’t have pain or the condition doesn’t affect their sexual function. Men can be referred for Surgical intervention if moderate to severe and causing erectile dysfunction

Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile Dysfunction (ED) when a man can regularly not get an erection

• Common causes are Stress, Anxiety, Tiredness and drinking too much Alcohol.
• ED can also indicate underlying conditions such as Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disease and High Blood Pressure
• Counselling can help
• Attend Sexual Health or GP to discuss and see if you need treatment. Medication can be offered on NHS.

Gynaecomastia

Gynaecomastia (“man boobs”) is a common condition that causes male breasts to swell and become larger than normal. This can be caused by:

• Obesity
• hormonal imbalance between the sex hormones testosterone and oestrogen. Most prevalent in new-borns, In teenage boys when hormones vary and in older men with the reduction of the testosterone triggering an increase in oestrogen.
• Other causes can be anti-ulcer drugs, taking cannabis or anabolic steroids, too much alcohol, lumps or infections in the testicles, health conditions such as kidney or liver disease or Klinefelter Syndrome (a rare genetic disorder)

If concerned seek advice from your GP who may recommend surgery to remove the excess breast tissue or medication to adjust a hormone imbalance.