Enlarged Prostate

An enlarged prostate or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is common in older men. Fifty percent of all men over the age of 60 and as many as 90% in their 70s have some symptoms of BPH.
TALK WITH YOUR DOCTOR IF YOU HAVE:

• An urgency, discomfort or difficulty urinating
• A weak urine stream
• To urinate frequently
• A feeling as though your bladder has not emptied
• Frequent nighttime visits to the bathroom
• An inability to urinate

Varicose Veins

While women get varicose veins more often than men, as many as 45% of all men will get them at some point in their lives. However, because men are not as concerned about how varicose veins look, they typically don’t see a doctor until they have advanced disease. The reality is, varicose veins won’t go away by themselves. Left untreated, they may cause ulcers or potentially life-threatening blood clots.

Varicoceles

A varicocele is a type of varicose vein that affects only men. It occurs when a varicose vein develops in the testicles or scrotum. Left untreated, they can cause testicular atrophy (shrinkage of the testicles). There is also a strong association between varicoceles and male infertility. Varicoceles have been linked with decreases in sperm count and motility and increases in the number of deformed and ineffective sperm. Many experts believe the infertility appears because the blocked and swollen varicoceles raise the temperature in the scrotum, reducing sperm production. 

What causes varicoceles?

In healthy veins there are one-way valves that allow blood to flow back to the heart. Patients with a varicocele may have malfunctioning valves which causes blood to flow backwards and pool in the veins in the scrotum.

What are the symptoms?

A lumpy mass in one of your testicles
Visibly enlarged or twisted veins in the scrotum (often described as looking like a “bag of worms”)
Swelling of the scrotal area
Dull, recurring pain in the testicles, which may decrease when you lie on your back

Call our office if you:

Experience pain or swelling in the scrotal area
Notice that your testicles are different sizes
Discover a mass in your testicles

The procedures used to diagnose varicoceles are simple and painless, so don’t hesitate to seek medical advice. The advances made in recent years mean that varicoceles can be easily treated with minimally invasive procedures.