UROLOGY - ANDROLOGY Flashcards
What is andrology?
medical specialty that deals with male health, particularly relating to the problems of the male reproductive system and urological problems that are unique to men
What are some common conditions that andrologists deal with>
Erectile dysfunction
Peyronie’s disease
Sub-fertility
What causes lack of libido?
In some instances this is due to low serum testosterone levels, but more commonly the testosterone is normal and reduced libido is attributed to psychological factors or lifestyle stresses
What is erectile dysfunction?
the persistent inability to attain and maintain an erection sufficient to permit satisfactory sexual performance
What causes erectile dysfunction?
Vascular, e.g. complicating peripheral vascular disease, especially in smokers and the obese; often associated with systemic cardiovascular disease
• Neurogenic, e.g. in diabetic neuropathy or spinal cord lesions
• Anatomical
• Hormonal, e.g. in hypogonadism or hyperprolactinaemia
• Drug-induced, e.g. beta-blockers
• Psychogenic
How is erectile dysfunction pharmacologically managed?
PDE5 inhibitors such as sildenafil
Topical and intra-urethral alprostadil application
What lifestyle changes can a person make to improve erectile dysfunction?
Regular exercise
Reduction in body mass index
Smoking cessation
Reducing alcohol consumption
How do PDE5 inhibitors work?
They competitively bind to PDE5 and inhibit cGMP hydrolysis, thus enhancing the effects of NO. This leads to lowered calcium levels in the cytoplasm which causes vasodilation and smooth muscle relaxation which increases penile arterial blood flow
What are the contraindications for PDE5 inhibitors?
If SBP is <90
Patients in whom vasodilation or sexual activity are in advisable
Recent unstable angina/MI/stroke/life-threatening arrythmia in past 6 months
Hypertension
Severe congestive HF
What non-pharmacological option is there first-line for managing erectile dysfunction?
Vacuum erectile device - provides passive engorgement of the corpora cavernosa
What are second line therapies for erectile dysfunction?
Intracavernous alprostadil injections (prostaglandin E1)
Surgical implantation of prenile prosthesis - third-line
What is phimosis?
a condition in which the contracted foreskin has a tight, narrow orifice and cannot be retracted over the glans of the penis
A physiological phimosis is present at birth, but through penile growth, erection and accumulation of smegma under the foreskin, separation occurs, enabling the foreskin to be retracted. By the age of 17, only 1% of boys will have a pathological phimosis.
What causes pathological phimosis?
Poor hygiene and recurrent episodes of balanitis or balanoposthitis
What is balanitis?
Pain and inflammation of the glans penis
What is balanoposthitis?
Inflammation of the glans penis and foreskin
How is phimosis treated?
Circumcision
Corticosteroid cream and antibiotics - treats underlying balanitis and softens the phimosis.
What is paraphimosis?
an inability to return the retracted foreskin to its resting position
Why is paraphimosis a medical emergency?
Prolonged retraction can cause venous congestion, oedema, arterial occlusion and eventually necrosis
How is paraphimosis managed?
Manual pressure to the glans
Application of dextrose-soaked gauze
The Dundee technique
Dorsal slit - incision
Emergency circumcision
Why can applying dextrose-soaked gauze treat paraphimosis?
It has an osmotic effect, drawing fluid out of the glans and reducing the oedema
What is the Dundee technique?
The use of needle punctures into the glans penis, squeezing the area to allow drainage of oedematous fluid, before attempting reduction of the glans using other methods
What is testicular torsion?
The lateral to medial twisting of the spermatic cord. This results in strangulation of the blood supply to the testis and the epididymis
What age is peak incidence for testicular torsion?
13-15
How does testicular torsion present?
a short history (less than 12 h) of severe, sudden-onset hemi-scrotal pain, which sometimes wakes them from sleep and can radiate to the groin, loin or epigastrium. The pain is associated with nausea and vomiting, and an altered, broad-based ‘cowboy’ gait
What is prehn’s sign?
A test where you lift Half of the scrotum and assess changes in pain levels
A negative Prehn’s sign, or exacerbation of pain upon elevation of the testicle, is one of the clinical features of testicular torsion.
A positive Prehn’s sign, or relief of pain upon elevation of the scrotum, is associated with acute or chronic epididymitis.
How can you diagnose testicular torsion?
Negative prehn’s sign
Cremasteric reflex absent