Men's Health

vessel

vas(o)

bladder

vesic(o)

kidneys

pyel(o)

kidneys

ren(o)

urine

uria

bladder

cyst(o)

kidney

nephr(o)

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) Infection

A viral infection that progressively destroys certain white blood cells and causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)

CD4+ Count

A count of your CD4 cells gives a general measure of the health of your immune system. A normal CD4 cell count is more than 500 cells per cubic millimeter (mm3) of blood. If you have a CD4 count of fewer than 200/mm3, you will be diagnosed as having AIDS.

Viral Load

This test measures the amount of HIV in your blood. The goals of HIV treatment are to keep your viral load at undetectable levels and to keep your CD4 count high. Offers a good indicator of how well your treatment is working to achieve those goals.

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)

The most severe form of HIV infection. HIV infection is considered to be AIDS when at least one serious complicating illness develops or the number (count) of CD4+ lymphocytes decreases substantially.

Gonorrhea

A sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae, which infect the lining of the urethra, cervix, rectum. People usually have a discharge from the penis or vagina and may need to urinate more frequently and urgently.

Chlamydia

Includes sexually transmitted diseases of the urethra, cervix, and rectum that are caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis. Symptoms include a discharge from the penis or vagina and painful or more frequent urination.

Trichomonas

A sexually transmitted disease of the vagina or urethra that is caused by the protozoa Trichomonas vaginalis and that causes vaginal irritation and discharge and sometimes urinary symptoms.

Syphilis

A sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacteria Treponema pallidum. Three stages of symptoms

gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, Trichomonas, and HIV.

Most common STIs/STDs

Urinary catheterization

Latex, polyurethane, or silicone tube, known as a urinary catheter, is inserted into a patient's bladder via his or her urethra.

Urinary tract infection

An infection of the urinary tract.

Kidney stone

Stones (calculi) that form anywhere in the urinary tract and may cause pain, bleeding, obstruction of the flow of urine, or an infection

Testicular Cancer

Out-of-control growth of cells of the testicle. The best screening test is testicular self-exam

Testicular torsion

Testes becomes twisted and loses its blood supply

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

A noncancerous (benign) enlargement of the prostate gland that can make urination difficult.

Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA)

A blood test used to help diagnose prostate cancer

Vasectomy

The vas deferens (tubes that carry sperm from the testes) are cut and tied off so that sperm cannot be ejaculated. Ejaculation still occurs normally. However, sperm are not a product of the ejaculate. Therefore, fertilization will not occur.

Circumcision

Surgical removal of the foreskin. Helps prevent sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV. Also prevents foreskin cancer.

Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)

A surgical procedure in which a doctor passes an endoscope (a flexible viewing tube) up the urethra. Attached to the endoscope is a surgical instrument that is used to remove part of the prostate.

Renal (kidney) Failure

The inability of the kidneys to adequately filter metabolic waste products from the blood

Dialysis

An artificial process of removing waste products and excess fluid from the body in patients with renal failure.

Hemodialysis

A dialysis machine and a special filter called an artificial kidney, or a dialyzer, are used to clean your blood. To get your blood into the dialyzer, the doctor needs to make an access, or entrance, into your blood vessels

Peritoneal dialysis

A way to remove waste products from your blood when your kidneys can no longer do the job adequately. A cleansing fluid flows through a tube (catheter) into part of your abdomen and filters waste products from your blood.

Nephrologist

Internal medical physicians who specialize in patients who are in renal failure

Urologist

A surgeon who has specialized expertise regarding problems of the male and female urinary tract and the male reproductive organs.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)

The taking of an antiretroviral drug before being exposed to HIV can reduce the risk of HIV infection. Recommended for individuals at high risk of contracting the infection.

Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)

Taking of antiretroviral drugs for 4 weeks in individuals who have been exposed to HIV from a blood splash, needle stick, or sexual contact.

It is 100% effective and is minor surgery

Advantage of male sterilization

Arteriovenous (AV) Fistula

An artificial connection between an artery and a vein that is usually surgically created to make long-term access easier for dialysis. In this procedure, typically the radial artery in the forearm is joined with the cephalic vein in the forearm