Issues and conditions, and what to watch out for
Firstly and most importantly, this blog about men’s sexual health is written for informative purposes only and is no
written by a doctor or medical practitioner.
Should you feel unwell or have any health concerns or issues, please contact your doctor or health physician immediately.
All health issues are better dealt with immediately rather than putting them off and they become more
of an issue. At Schlong.com.au, we promote good sex, safe sex and good health for everyone.
Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction also known as impotence can happen to anyone for a multitude of
reasons.
It is reported that 1 in every 5 men over the age of 40 can experience some form of erectile dysfunction, whether it be intermittent or more long term.
It is also reported that 1 in 10 men are unable to achieve erections and is more common in older men.
Some of the causes of erectile dysfunction are:
- Ageing
- Medical conditions that affect the nervous system such as spinal injuries, Parkinson’s
- disease and Alzheimer’s disease
- Blood pressure issues which can reduce blood flow to the penis, high cholesterol and
- a load of other heart conditions
- Being over-weight
- Smoking, alcohol consumption and other substance abuse
- Prostate disease including enlargement of the prostate and also prostate cancer
- Mental health conditions whether mild or severe can also impact on erectile function – this includes depression and anxiety
- Stresses from day to day life, finances, work and others
- Relationship issues, conflicts and other emotional issues
Treatment of erectile dysfunction
Once you doctor identifies any health conditions you may have, treats that condition, then
they can assist in helping with the erection problem.
They may recommend some lifestyle changes including regular and safe exercise, changes to your diet, relaxation techniques including such activities as yoga, meditation etc.
Some men may only need treatment for physical causes, whilst other men may require a combination of treatments to help with both physical and psychological causes.
There are medications that your doctor may prescribe if suitable in treating an individual’s erection problem. It is imperative to consult your GP before taking any erection medications as the can dangerous to combine with other medications.
Erection medications should only be prescribed by a doctor and not purchased over the internet, as they may be poor quality and may contain other harmful ingredients that may be unsafe for the individual, particularly if taking other medications.
Other types of treatments for erection problems can include, physical devices such as penile rings, penis pumps which assist in increasing the blood flow into you penis, and in more extreme situations, surgery may be required for a penis implant.
There is also psychological treatments such as counselling, sex therapy and cognitive therapy. All of which she be undertaken with an expert in that field.
STI’s – Sexually Transmitted Infections
Genital herpes
Genital herpes is the same virus that causes cold sores. It can cause sores and blisters onyour genitals and anus. It is sexually transmitted and once infected, you may experience outbreaks for the rest of your life.
It is estimated that 1 in 8 sexually active adults has genital herpes. Consult your doctor if you think you have any symptoms of herpes, and they can do tests to confirm whether you have it or not, and if confirmed, there are treatments available.
Some of the symptom’s are:
- Stinging and tingling sensations anywhere on your genitals and anus
- Blisters or painful and inflamed sores
- Sometimes it may look like a rash or cracked or chaffed skin
- Sometimes, when first infected, some people can also suffer with fevers, headaches and swollen glands
After the first outbreak has been treated, the virus remains in your body for the rest of your life. It can remain dormant or asleep and can re-assert itself and cause an outbreak at any time, generally when you are run down and your immune system is weak, or if you are feeling ill, tired or stressed.
There are 2 types of the herpes virus. HSV1 which refers to the common cold sores on your lips or face. HSV2 is the cause of most genital herpes.
Genital herpes is spread by skin to skin contact with another person who has the virus and is generally transmitted whilst have sex and oral sex. It can be transmitted from mouth to genitals and vice versa.
Doctors test for herpes virus by taking a swab of the effected area, ie: the site where blisters are, or where there is redness or rash looking areas of the genitals. It is better to be tested at the first sign of an outbreak and less than 4 days since the outbreak.
Gonorrhoea
Gonorrhoea also commonly known as “the clap”, is another sexually transmitted disease and is caused by bacteria and is transmitted by having unprotected sex with an infected person and can be passed from contact with the genitals, anus, having oral sex and can also be passed from fingers, hands and from the genitals to the eyes.
Gonorrhoea can be transmitted when there are no symptoms visually present. Generally if symptoms present, it will be within 1- 3 days from transmission or infection.
The symptoms in men can present as:
- This white or yellowish discharge from the penis
- There can be pain or discomfort when urinating
- Pain or aching in your testicles
- Redness around the opening of your penis
- Discharge from your anus
- Dry and sometimes, sore throat
- Discharge from the anus and sometime discomfort as well
- Sore, dry throat
Gonorrhoea will not go away by itself and it can have some serious complications.
If you think you may have gonorrhoea, or a sexual partner finds out they have it, it is best to go and get tested as soon as possible. Testing for men will require a swab sample from the urethra (the swap is put down the eye of the penis), and also a urine sample may be taken. Your GP may also take a swab from your throat or anus.
Gonorrhoea is treated with antibiotics. Once the course of antibiotics has been taken, it is recommended to be tested again to make sure the treatment has worked, and some doctors will recommend another test 3 months later just to make sure that it hasn’t come back. It is very important to avoid having sex whilst being treated for gonorrhoea, even
having protected sex with a condom is still not safe when it comes to transmitting gonorrhoea. Doctors advise not to engage in sex until you have been given the all clear after treatment and follow-up tests.
Gonorrhoea if not treated has serious complication’s that can lead to, and can cause damage to the eyes, heart, brain and joints and in men, can cause infertility due to damage that it can cause to the tubes that carry the sperm when ejaculating.
Chlamydia
Chlamydia is yet another sexually transmitted infection you can get from having unprotected sex.
It is reported that nearly 97,000 men are diagnosed with Chlamydia each year in Australia. Men under the age of 30 are reported to be at the most risk of contracting Chlamydia.
In men, the symptoms, if they present, tend to be in a time frame of 7-14 days of transmission and the symptoms of Chlamydia are:
- A clear or milky discharge from the penis
- Redness around the eye of your penis
- A tingling or burning sensation when you pee
- Pain and sometimes swelling of your testicles
It is reported that 1 out 2 men don’t show any symptoms of infection and can be infected for months without knowing it. Chlamydia in men infects the urethra (the tube that you pee and ejaculate from) and can also infects the testicles, anus, throat and eyes.
Chlamydia is transmitted during unprotected sex with someone who is already infected. It can be transmitted during all kinds of sex with another person, ie: penetrative sex, oral sex and anal sex when you don’t wear a condom. It is transmitted by a bacteria that lives and grows in the fluids that are secreted whilst having sex. If a person has chlamydia, there is a 30-50% chance that they will pass it on each time they have unprotected sex.
Chlamydia quite often does not present with any symptoms, so you may not be aware that you or your sexual partner has it. Regular STI screening is a great idea to have on a regular basis, so that you can get on top of any infections that you may have contracted, and have them treated so you can move on with your sexual life with confidence that you are not passing on anything to your sexual partner/s.
We always encourage safe sex practices, so everyone can enjoy all the pleasures that sex offers in a safe way so that no one has to compromise their health.
The tests for chlamydia is a simple one, your doctor will just take a sample from your penis, throat or anus, and possibly a urine sample and send it off to the lab for testing. Results are generally back within a week and if positive, treatment can be commenced.
Chlamydia is treated with a course of antibiotics and generally one course of antibiotics is sufficient to get rid of it. Doctors generally advise not to have sex with anyone during the treatment and for 1 week after treatment. Doctors also recommend to have another test after you finish the course of antibiotics and again 3 months later, just to confirm that you clear of it and no longer able to transmit it to anyone else.
You do not become immune to Chlamydia once you have had it. If you have been positive to Chlamydia, get treated and re-tested and are clear, you can always be reinfected again. Once again, safe sex is the best practice to avoid STI’s.
Chlamydia can have some serious complications if it not diagnosed or treated quickly and correctly. It can result in such conditions as arthritis, skin rashes and inflammation of the eyes and anus.
Genital Warts
Genital warts in men are cause by sexually transmitted infections that result in bumps on the penis, scrotum and anus.
They are usually painless but may sometimes become itchy. They can appear as bumps, flat or in clusters. Genital warts in men can also result in a difference in your urine stream.
Genital warts are caused by the human papillomavirus or known as HPV and is transmitted via skin to skin contact during regular sex, anal sex and oral sex. It is reported that approximately 2 out of 3 people who have sex with someone who already has genital warts may contract them too. An infected person can pass on HPV even if they have no symptoms.
Generally genital warts are diagnosed by your doctor by checking the bumps on the skin and may require some testing for other STI’s at the same time. Genital warts may clear up over time and without treatment, however if you suffer
being painful, being irritated, itchy or something you don’t like the sight of, there is treatment available. Whilst they can be treated, treatment will not get rid of the virus itself, just the warts. Your own immune system may clear up the warts or they may persist, everyone is different.
Treatment of genital warts are:
- Wart paint, that is applied specifically to wart and designed for genital warts
- Cryotherapy or freezing of the warts
- Laser treatment
- Topical creams that can assist in boosting one’s immune system and help to fight the virus
- Surgery to remove the warts
It is always best to seek advice from your GP to discuss treatment options for genital warts.
There are HPV vaccines that can prevent you from getting genital warts, however the vaccines do not protect against all types of the virus. Practising safe sex can reduce your risk of getting HPV but does not completely stop the transmission of the virus.
HIV and AIDS
The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is the virus that causes Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). The late stage of HIV infection is called AIDS. Not all people with HIV have AIDS.
Back in the day when HIV and AIDS become known in society, it was considered a death sentence. Now with massive advancements in the medical world, and with far more knowledge and treatment options, people who are HIV positive can live normal and healthy lives and not develop AIDS.
If someone was to become HIV positive and not seek treatment, they put themselves at risk of developing severe immune deficiency within 10 years. If untreated, HIV can then lead to AIDS, where the body is unable to fight other infections because the immune system is so compromised.
If you ever feel that you have been exposed to HIV or develop symptoms, it is most important to see your doctor and get tested as soon as possible, Early detection and treatment is paramount to improve your long-term health and life.
HIV is a sexually transmitted disease and is transmitted via blood, semen, vaginal fluid and even breast milk.
It can be transmitted through unsafe sex, sharing drug injecting equipment, getting tattoos and piercings without using sterile equipment, oral sex and can even be passed from a HIV positive mother to her baby through breast milk
HIV is diagnosed via a blood test through your GP or hospital. Results can take up to 24 days, sometimes longer following exposure. Rapid test results can be done in 30 minutes, however, further tests will be required as the virus can show up after a much longer period.
It is important, if you are being tested for HIV or think that you may have contracted the virus, to avoid having sex with anyone else. There is a window period when getting tested, where initial test results may come back as Negative, however, further tests done over a longer period of time may return a positive result. Therefore, it is recommended that you refrain from sexual activity for the entire duration of testing.
There is no cure for HIV, but there is a range of effective treatments available that can prevent HIV progressing further and help people live out a normal and healthy life.
There are medications available today that can prevent HIV from infecting a person who has been exposed. The treatment is called PEP, or Post Exposure Prophylaxis. It is recommended to commence PEP within 72 hours of exposure. So if you have had unsafe sex with someone who you think may have HIV, then get to your GP to
discuss the option of PEP.
If you are unable to see your GP, you can also contact the following numbers for advice.
- Australian Capital Territory — 1800 022 222 (healthdirect helpline)
- New South Wales — 1800 737 669
- Northern Territory — 1800 022 222 (healthdirect helpline)
- Queensland — 13 43 25 84
- South Australia — 1800 022 226
- Tasmania — 1800 675 859
- Victoria — 1800 889 887
- Western Australia — 1300 767 161
From all of us at Schlong.com.au, we want you to have good sex, safe sex and be happy and healthy!
