As a man, you may experience certain health issues that are very different than what a woman would experience. As such, doctors who have specialized training and experience in men’s health regularly diagnose and treat issues that are specific to men.
Five of the main reasons why you’d want to see a doctor who specializes in men’s health include the following:
Reason #1: You Experience Frequent Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction (ED) occurs when you cannot achieve and maintain a firm-enough erection for sexual intercourse on a regular basis. You may experience this problem from time to time, which is common – but for men who continue having this issue, ED should be diagnosed and treated.
Reason #2: You Have a Decreased Sex Drive
If you have little to no sex drive, and it’s recurring, this may be due to low testosterone levels (low-T). Other signs of low testosterone include a reduction in your body hair and increased fatigue.
A decreased sex drive may also be due to a condition such as Peyronie’s disease, which creates a curve in your penis when it is erect. Peyronie’s may also affect the ability of your penis to stay erect long enough for sexual relations. And that is the perfect segue to Reason number 3:
Reason #3: Your Penis Is Curved or Bent
Take notice if your penis starts to have an irregular bend in it. The change in shape may happen gradually or suddenly. It may also develop along with other symptoms like pain during sex or erectile dysfunction. This issue generally indicates Peyronie’s disease, which can be treated by a men’s health specialist.
Researchers believe this condition stems from injury to your penis. Scar tissue builds up underneath the skin, which pulls on the skin and causes your penis to bend.
Reason #4: You Have Difficulty Urinating or You Urinate Too Frequently
Pain or a burning sensation when urinating, or a weak stream, could indicate that you have BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia, or enlarged prostate). A man’s prostate can become enlarged as you get older, but this can press against the bladder and the urethra, causing problems urinating. Your men’s health specialist knows how to help you address this issue.
Reason #5: You Want to Prevent Prostate Cancer
Just like women have an OB/GYN (obstetrician/gynecologist) they visit for an annual Pap smear or to have a prescription for a mammogram – which check for cervical cancer and breast cancer, respectively – men need to have a doctor to check their PSA (prostate-specific antigen) levels in order to detect prostate cancer.
Men who catch prostate cancer early have a 5-year survival rate of over 99%. That is why this simple, blood-based test is so important for a man’s overall health.
Men’s Health Specialist in Edmonds, WA
Our doctors and our entire staff are men, so you will always feel at ease during your visit at Affirm Clinic. Our practitioners realize the sensitivity associated with sexual issues and men’s health issues, and we strive to make you feel as comfortable as possible during your checkups, tests, diagnoses, and treatments.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, contact us today by calling (206) 231-6000 or by filling out our online appointment request form now. We look forward to being your healthcare partner.