Conditions

What is Circumcision? Circumcision is the surgical removal of foreskin. Foreskin covers the head of a flaccid penis. When the penis is erect, the foreskin pulls back to reveal the penis. During a circumcision, a doctor cuts away a portion of the foreskin and reattaches the section that remains to create a shorter section of skin. […]

What are Epididymitis and Orchitis? Epididymitis is inflammation of the epididymis, which is part of the male reproductive system and is responsible for the storage and transport of sperm. When this structure becomes inflamed, it can cause significant discomfort, pain, and swelling. Orchitis is the inflammation of one or both testicles. Both conditions can happen

What is Kidney Cancer? Cancer is when cells in the body grow out of control. These cells can form a tumor or damaged tissue. If cancer cells grow in the kidney, it is called kidney cancer. The most common kidney cancer in adults is renal cell carcinoma. It forms in the lining of very small

What Is Peyronie’s Disease? Peyronie’s disease is an abnormal curvature of the penis. It’s a relatively common condition that happens when plaque or scar tissue builds up in the penis and creates a curve in the penis during an erection. The plaque can also lead to painful erections or cause difficulty with sexual intercourse. Causes

What is Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer? Muscle invasive bladder cancer is a type of bladder cancer that has penetrated the bladder wall’s muscle layer. The medical abbreviation is MIBC. This differs from superficial or non-muscle-invasive forms of bladder cancer, which stay in the bladder’s inner lining. The bladder primarily serves to store urine produced by the

What is Erectile Dysfunction? Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a condition where a man has trouble getting or maintaining an erection firm enough for intercourse. You may have heard ED called impotence in the past, but that term isn’t used as often as it used to be. It’s not unusual to have occasional ED. It can

What are Kidney Stones? Kidney stones are clumps of minerals and salts that form in your kidneys. When there are excessive amounts of minerals and salts, your body can’t clear them and they stick together (crystallize) to become a stone. They can range in size from a grain of sand to a golf ball. Kidney

What is Nocturia? If you wake up multiple times at night to urinate, you may suffer from a condition called nocturia. This condition can significantly impact a person’s quality of life, as frequent sleep disruptions can lead to fatigue, irritability, and decreased productivity during the day. While there are many causes of this condition, there

What is bladder cancer? Cancer occurs when cells in the bladder start to grow out of control. Most tumors develop on the inner layer of the bladder. Some can grow into the deeper bladder layers. As cancer grows through these layers into the wall, it becomes harder to treat. The lining, where tumors initiate, is also

What is a Vasectomy? A vasectomy is a minor surgical procedure that prevents the release of sperm in semen. Semen is still produced, but it no longer contains sperm. The testes do continue to produce sperm, but they are absorbed by the body. A vasectomy is a popular form of birth control, with over 500,000

What are Varicoceles? Varicoceles is a medical condition that affects the veins within the scrotum, which is the pouch of skin containing the testicles. Veins normally have one-way valves that help blood flow in the correct direction. In the case of varicoceles, these valves become weak or damaged. As a result, blood can pool in

What is Testicular Torsion? Testicular torsion is when the spermatic cord twists. The spermatic cord provides blood flow to the testicles. This twisting can lead to a reduction or even a complete blockage of blood flow to the affected testicle. It is considered a medical emergency because, without prompt treatment, the lack of blood flow

What is Testicular Cancer? Testicular cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the testicles, which are the male reproductive glands responsible for producing sperm and hormones. It is relatively rare but can occur in men of any age, but it happens most frequently in aged 15 to 35. This type of cancer usually

What is Male Infertility? When a male struggles to impregnate his female partner, he may suffer from infertility. Male infertility is a health issue related to problems with sperm count, the health of the sperm, or if the sperm are being successfully delivered to the egg. Though not discussed as openly as female infertility, male

Prostate Cancer Prostate cancer is a common form of cancer that affects the prostate, a walnut-sized gland that sits near the urethra and is part of the male reproductive tract. The prostate’s primary function is to produce seminal fluid, an important component of semen. Prostate cancer occurs when abnormal cells develop in the prostate gland

What is Advanced Prostate Cancer? Advanced prostate cancer, also known as metastatic prostate cancer, is when cancer has spread beyond the prostate gland to other areas of the body, such as the bones, lymph nodes, or distant organs. This spreading is called metastasis, a crucial factor determining the prognosis and treatment options for the patient.

Important Message About the BCG Shortage Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is a standard treatment option for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. Merck & Co., the only maker and supplier of BCG to the United States, has informed the Urology Care Foundation that they are now experiencing a global shortage of BCG due the growing use and need

What is Hematuria? If you have blood in your urine, you’re experiencing hematuria. Taking a closer look at the word, we see that “hemat” means blood and “uria” means urine. This is not a disease, but rather, it’s a symptom of other diseases or conditions. Sometimes, blood in the urine is visible to the naked