Overview
Male urology encompasses a range of conditions affecting a man's urinary and reproductive systems. As a result, men are likely to suffer from several related conditions, such as erectile dysfunction, urinary obstruction, urinary tract infections, bladder cancer and prostate cancer. An array of urology conditions affecting men target the bladder, kidneys, prostate and other genital regions.
Fortunately, with medical technology advancing and revolutionising over the years, urologists are able to provide patients with cutting-edge treatments, offering a much faster recovery than standardised treatments.
What types of male urological conditions does Dr Padayachee treat?
Generally, Dr Padayachee addresses several male Urology concerns, such as:
1Benign Lesions
Hirsuties coronae glandis (pearly penile papules) are tiny lesions found on the penis. A benign lesion is an ulcer, open sore, or spot on the penis. Most benign lesions appear scaly or red, leading to itchiness or pain.
2Prostatitis
Prostatitis results in an inflamed or swollen prostate gland. The prostate is a tiny, flexible gland found inside the groin between the rectum and the penis. The prostate is an essential gland that plays a crucial role in reproduction. For example, the prostate contributes to the supply of seminal fluid, a type of liquid that enables sperm to travel and flourish. However, prostatitis is inflammation of the gland, causing pain and discomfort when urinating.
3Enlarged Prostate Gland
An enlarged prostate gland occurs due to Age, Chronic infection or Cancer. One can assess and monitor this with a simple examination and blood test from the age of 45. Symptoms include the following:
- Increased need to urinate in the evening
- Unable to empty the bladder completely >
4Lower Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) target specific regions of the male urinary tract, such as the urethra, bladder, ureter and kidneys. These are specific structures that transport urine out of the body. However, an infection in the urinary tract can affect the transportation of urine from the body. Lower tract infections can be divided into two types: cystitis, a bladder infection, and urethritis, an infection that develops in the urethra.
5Urethral Stricture Disease
A urethral stricture is a condition that arises from the formation of scar tissue, causing the urethra, a sturdy tube that allows urine to leave the body, to close in. As a result, a stricture within this specific region prevents the steady flow of urine, which leads to inflammation and infection.
6Neuro-Urology
Neuro-urology focuses on the treatment of conditions affecting the lower urinary tract. Neuro-urology is a subspecialty of urology that diagnoses and treats conditions such as functional disorders affecting the bladder and sphincter and erectile dysfunction, ejaculatory disorders and defecation disorders.
1Kidney Stones
Kidney stones (renal calculi) are salt and mineral deposits that accumulate in the kidneys. Typically, people turn to renal specialists, such as Urologist, who can surgically help break up or remove large stones. Kidney stones cause a sudden or chronic lower back pain radiating to the groin. Dr Padayachee can treat kidney stones with multiple surgical and non-surgical options available. Depending on the size and severity of the kidney stones, a urologist like Dr Padayachee can break up the stones into much smaller pieces using shock wave lithotripsy or consider other surgical methods such as cystoscopy and ureteroscopy.
2Vasectomy (Male Sterilisation)
Male sterilisation (vasectomy) is generally an irreversible form of birth control. Usually, when a man decides he has had too many children or chooses not to have any, he considers a vasectomy. Typically, Dr Padayachee blocks the tiny tubes (vas deferens) found in the scrotum through which sperm travel. Two primary forms of vasectomy exist a no-scalpel vasectomy and the incision method. As a result, Dr Padayachee may decide to sever or obstruct the vas deferens, causing sperm to remain in the testicles for it to be reabsorbed into the body.
3Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is a lethal form of cancer that begins in the cells of the glandular tissue of the prostate. Typically, prostate cancer develops when prostate cells divide uncontrollably. As a result, a mutation occurs, causing cancer. The risk of the spread of prostate cancer increases when the affected cells break free from the prostate tumour and migrate to different regions such as the rectum or bladder. These malignant cells can also spread through the lymph nodes and blood vessels, therefore metastasising to the bone. Depending on the stage of your cancer multiple surgical and non-surgical options for treatment are available in South Africa.
4Alternative Forms of Prostate Cancer Treatment
Brachytherapy for prostate cancer is a form of targeted radiation therapy to destroy cancer cells in the prostate gland. By means of an ultrasound probe, Dr Padayachee places radioactive seeds into the prostate via the rectum. Depending on your diagnosis, radiation can be administered in low or high doses.
Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is a form of hormone therapy used to treat an advanced form of prostatic cancer. ADT is administered to stop the production of testosterone or prevent the hormone from affecting cancer cells within the prostate.
5Bladder Cancer
Bladder cancer is a prevalent form of cancer that develops in the bladder initially. The signs of bladder cancer include blood in urine, also known as haematuria, inability to urinate, one-sided lower back pain, tiredness, weight loss and pain deep within the bone. Fortunately, early-formed tumours in the bladder can be removed. For example, Transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT) is surgery to treat an early stage of bladder cancer. TURBT is done by inserting a stiff instrument (resectoscope) through your bladder into your urethra, which means Dr Padayachee does not need to create an incision along the abdomen. The resectoscope is equipped with a looped wire to remove abnormal tissue or unusual growths. Afterwards, the samples are sent to the laboratory for further analysis.
A radial cystectomy is the removal of the bladder in its entirety. However, surgery for bladder cancer depends on the stage of the disease and how far along the condition has progressed.
Male reproductive Urology
is an area of medicine that resolves issues affecting a man’s reproductive health. Dr Padayachee treats the following reproductive urologic conditions in men:
1Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction is a sexual disorder affecting men, preventing them from getting or maintaining an erection. Dr Padayachee first determines the cause of erectile dysfunction and treats the underlying condition accordingly. For example, Dr Padayachee prescribes medication to reduce high blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels. Alternatively, he may prescribe hormone replacement to increase the production of testosterone or manage thyroid function.
Mental health issues contribute to erectile dysfunction significantly. For this reason, Dr Padayachee refers his patients for psychotherapy should he not detect physical concerns that contribute to the disorder.
2Ejaculatory Disorders
Ejaculatory disorders can occur as early as birth or may arise much later in life. Ejaculation is described as the release of semen from the penis. However, an ejaculatory disorder affects this delicate process. For example, late-onset hypogonadism (LOH), an ejaculatory disorder known as testosterone deficiency syndrome (TDS), develops due to low testosterone levels. Dr Padayachee treats TDS by prescribing testosterone replacement therapy, a form of treatment that can be delivered through topical ointments, gels, patches, tablets or injections.
1Male Reconstructive Urology
Reconstructive urology for men incorporates several types of reconstructive procedures to treat abnormalities affecting the genital region or repair regions that have been damaged due to trauma and resolve urinary incontinence. Common reconstructive urologic procedures include bladder control treatments such as nerve rerouting, urethroplasty, a commonly performed procedure to repair the urethra and Ileal neobladder, a procedure to recreate the bladder. A newly formed bladder must be recreated after removing it or if it no longer functions optimally.
2Undescended Testis
An undescended testicle arises when one or both testicles have not dropped into the scrotum. While all men can develop an undescended testicle, the condition is likely to develop in infants or baby boys born prematurely.
Surgery to correct undescended testis for adult males is referred to as orchiopexy. This procedure involves shifting the testicles to their correct position within the scrotum and using stitches to secure both testicles.
Suppose the undescended testicle does not shift deeper into the scrotum over a few months in a newborn boy. In that case, Dr Padayachee will decide to perform surgery to facilitate the position of the testicle. The corrective surgery is called an orchidopexy, which involves incising into the groin and feeling for the undescended testicle. Then, a second incision is made to reposition the testicle in the correct place within the scrotum.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is there a way to test for prostate cancer?
A prostate-specific antigen blood test, a PSA test, is a reliable way to screen for prostate cancer. A blood test measures your PSA levels. Only the prostate and cancer affecting the prostate can create the protein PSA. Therefore, a high level of PSA may indicate cancer.
2. Is chemotherapy applied for a cystectomy?
A cystectomy is a procedure involving removing parts of the bladder or the bladder as a whole. However, chemotherapy is delivered before the procedure.
3. What are the most common signs of UTIs in men?
- Spots of blood in the urine
- Need to urinate
- Burning sensation while urinating
- Hazy urine with a pungent odour
4. What causes lumps on the penis?
Fordyce spots look like tiny white or yellow spots on the penis shaft. Similarly, pearly penile papules are similar to the colour of your skin and appear as small lumps on the tip of the penis. Generally, lumps on the penis can occur for several reasons. Some of these lumps could indicate a sexually transmitted disease or the human papillomavirus (HPV).
DR PADAYACHEE’S
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