Amid overtime at work and family needs at home, the to-do list piles up: Family outing, big shopping, bike repair, and the dripping faucet ... No question, life as a man can often be stressful.
Health plays a subordinate role for many men. They often disregard physical warning signals and going to the doctor is seen as an admission of weakness. Serious illnesses are therefore often diagnosed late.
Men in the Western world die on average six to seven years earlier than women, are more likely to develop cancer, have an unhealthier diet and go to the doctor less often. The World Health Organization (WHO) therefore concludes that gender-specific treatment and prophylaxis will become increasingly important in the future in order to bring men's health and life expectancy into line with women's in the 21st century. At alta uro, we want to inform, break down inhibitions and motivate men to take responsibility for their own health. For us, men's health includes the aspects of prevention and early detection as well as the treatment of urological complaints and diseases of men.
Our experts on men's health
"We know that men don't like going to the doctor. We therefore respond empathetically to your needs and take plenty of time to address your concerns."
Precaution
Preventive health care is an essential aspect of well-being that is often neglected, especially by men. Yet it is just as important for men as it is for women to pay attention to their health and identify potential risks at an early stage. Regular preventive care can help to prevent potentially serious diseases or treat them at an early stage, which can significantly improve quality of life.
An important step in preventive care is the regular medical examination. Men should not only visit the doctor in the event of acute complaints, but also take advantage of preventive check-ups. These include, for example, blood pressure and blood sugar measurements, cholesterol levels, and an examination of the prostate and sex organs. Such examinations can reveal potential risks and diseases at an early stage and enable timely treatment, if necessary.
In addition to medical examinations, a healthy lifestyle is also of great importance. A balanced diet, regular exercise and refraining from harmful habits such as smoking or excessive alcohol consumption help to reduce the risk of many health problems. Men often tend to neglect their own health while taking care of others. However, it is important to realize that you can only be there for others if you take good care of yourself.
In addition, mental health should not be disregarded. Stress management, relaxation techniques and the sharing of worries and anxieties are just as important as physical examinations. Mental health is closely linked to physical health and can affect well-being in many ways.
Another aspect of preventive care concerns the early detection of diseases that run in the family. It is important to know one's family history and discuss it with the doctor. This is because some diseases may have a genetic component and if you are informed about this, you can take appropriate precautions.
Pension provision ... An investment in your own future
Overall, preventive care for men should be seen as an investment in their own future. It's about responding to potential health risks in time to lead a healthy and fulfilling life in the long term. Preventive care may require time and attention, but the long-term benefits far outweigh the short-term inconveniences. Knowing that their own health is the most valuable asset, men should pay due attention to themselves and their preventive care.
Male menopause and testosterone
With increasing age, many men notice physical, psychological and sexual changes. These complaints are often attributed to a hormone deficiency (e.g. testosterone). Whether menopause in men really exists is disputed even among experts. What is undisputed, however, is a decrease in sex hormones (androgens), especially testosterone, with increasing age.
Not every man is affected by symptoms of hormone deficiency as he ages. And even men with symptoms of hormone deficiency do not always have a hormone deficiency. Often, those affected go through a life crisis, the so-called midlife crisis. The reasons for this include fundamental changes in family and career, the first signs of aging, and the consequences of a lack of physical activity.
Unlike women, symptoms of hormone deficiency do not appear suddenly in men. Similarly, sex hormones decrease slowly and continuously in men, unlike in women. For example, testosterone levels in men begin to decline as early as age 30, but only by an average of about one percent per year. The decline varies greatly from individual to individual. With increasing age, sperm production also declines. However, most men remain fertile at an older age.
The reported frequency of andropause in men over 45 shows an extreme range. The reason for this is that there is no clear definition of this age-related hormonal change. Therefore, the reported frequencies range from two percent (European Male Study) to six percent (Boston Area Community Health Study) to 40 percent (HIM Study) of men over 45 with symptomatic hormone deficiency.
How often is found andropause
The reported frequency of andropause in men over 45 years of age shows an extreme range. The reason for this is that there is no clear definition of this age-related hormone change. Therefore, the reported frequencies range from two percent (European Male Study) to six percent (Boston Area Community Health Study) to 40 percent (HIM Study) of men over 45 with symptomatic hormone deficiency.
Symptoms
While menopause becomes obvious in women with the cessation of menstruation, such an event is absent in men. The process of andropause (stage of life in men characterized by a decline in hormone production) in men and its hormonal changes is slower - more or less insidious - and is therefore often not recognized.
Decrease in sexual desire, loss of libido).
Loss of pubic hair
Energy loss
Sadness and mood swings
Erectile dysfunction
Drowsiness occurring after eating
Memory deterioration
Decreasing performance at work
Testosterone
Testosterone is the most important sex hormone in men. The production of testosterone is controlled by a hormone formed in the pituitary gland and takes place mainly in the so-called Leydig's interstitial cells of the testes. Testosterone plays an important role during puberty in the development of the sex organs and the formation of the male appearance. It provides drive, stress management, mental balance and can increase sexual desire (libido). It is important in the context of sperm production and has a muscle-building effect.
How does testosterone work in the body?
A deficiency of testosterone has a variety of effects in men: Decline in performance, impulse disorders, tendency to depressive moods, chronic fatigue, sleep disorders, hot flashes, lack of concentration, decline in libido and erectile function, reduction in sperm production and reduction in testicular volume. A decrease in musculature, increased fat storage in the abdominal area and a reduction in body size and bone density are also typical.
Therapy for testosterone deficiency
If the body does not produce enough testosterone, a replacement therapy with natural testosterone can take place. In addition to monthly injections, tablets or patches, it is also possible to apply the natural testosterone in the form of a gel to the skin on a daily basis. This allows a very constant hormone level to be built up with a low dosage. Skin patches also show a good effect, but are hardly ever used anymore, as they often lead to skin irritations and are "visible". Supply via tablets is outdated because it does not correspond to natural substitution but rather to high-dose therapy.
What is the duration of intake?
The optimal duration of therapy is very individual and depends on the underlying cause and treatment goals. To achieve an optimal testosterone level, the blood hormone status should be checked regularly.
What are the side effects?
Under testosterone therapy, no undesirable side effects occur if the setting is accurate and the blood level is controlled. In individual cases, the following side effects may occur: Worsening of an existing prostate enlargement, gynecomastia (increase in breast tissue), polycythemia (increase in blood cells such as erythrocytes and platelets).
When should testosterone replacement not be done?
Testosterone treatment should be avoided for untreated prostate cancer. Testosterone treatment should also not be given in the extremely rare cases of male breast cancer.
Erectile dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction is a great burden for those affected and their partnership. A visit to the urologist is often associated with inhibition. At alta uro, we take your fears and concerns seriously and offer treatment tailored to your needs.
Erectile dysfunction is one of the most common sexual dysfunctions in men. Erectile dysfunction can be pronounced in different ways. Thus, one (s) must not always be able. However, if it is not possible to build up an erection over a longer period of time, further clarification should be made. Common causes of erectile dysfunction are cardiac or vascular disease, diabetes mellitus, pelvic surgery, neurological diseases or a lowered testosterone level.
Diagnosis
First of all, a detailed conversation is the basis of a diagnosis. We go into detail about the patient's medical and sexual history. This serves to accurately assess the severity of erectile dysfunction and to identify risk factors. In addition, a physical examination and blood analysis are performed. A further examination is the erectile tissue injection test, in which the flow rate of blood in the vessels of the penis is determined after an artificially induced erection.
Treatment methods
When treating erectile dysfunction, it is important to understand the causes and consequences of the condition. We include physical and psychological aspects of erectile dysfunction in the treatment. When it comes to treatment options, recommendations for improved lifestyle are at the top of the list. For example, stopping smoking or exercising regularly can already lead to a significant improvement in erection.
Medication
Drug therapy
An important role in drug therapy is played by the so-called phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE-5 inhibitors). This group of drugs leads to improved blood flow to the penis and an easier erection. Various active ingredients are available for this purpose, which differ in terms of the onset of the effect and the duration of action. Both on-demand and daily use of preparations are available.
Shockwave therapy
Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT)
Shock waves are delivered to different areas in the penis. The therapy can cause constricted or damaged blood vessels to recover permanently. The formation of new blood vessels in the corpus cavernosum can lead to better blood flow to the penis and improved erection. One treatment lasts about 15-20 minutes. Depending on the severity, between 6 and 10 therapy sessions are required. The therapy does not cause any pain and is performed on an outpatient basis in our practice.
MUSE Therapy
MUSE Therapy
Another form of therapy is the so-called MUSE therapy. Here, an applicator is used to apply an active ingredient pellet into the urethra, which leads to an erection.
Premature ejaculation
What is premature ejaculation?
What are the causes of premature ejaculation?
What treatment options does alta uro offer?
Why alta uro?
The team of alta uro consists of five experienced specialists in urology as well as a well-coordinated practice team, which always has an open ear for your concerns. We have expertise in all topics related to men's health.
Member of the Swiss Society of Urology Member of the Quality Register of the Swiss Society of Urology Certified cooperation partner of the German Cancer Society Certified medical advice center of the German Continence Society
