Diseases and Conditions of the Male Reproductive System

anorchia

congenital absence of one or both testes; can interfere with sperm production and secretion of testosterone; also called anorchism

azoospermia

absence of sperm in the semen, leading to infertility

balanitis

inflammation of the glans penis characterized by redness, pain, and unusual penile discharge; often associated with phimosis

phimosis

narrowing of the opening of the prepuce

benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

abnormal enlargement of the prostate gland; characterized by frequent or difficult urination; also called prostatomegaly or benign prostatic hypertrophy

cryptorchidism

developmental condition in which one or both testes do not descend into the scrotum; if left untreated, may increase risks for testicular cancer and infertility

epididymitis

inflammation of the epididymis; characterized by testalgia, hematuria, an inflamed scrotum, dysuria, and unusual penile discharge

erectile dysfunction (ED)

inability to achieve or maintain a penile erection; also called impotence

gynecomastia

condition of abnormal breast enlargement in a male; may be due to a hormonal imbalance, but can also be caused by certain types of hormone therapy

hydrocele

condition of a fluid-filled sac in or around a testis; characterized by swelling of the scrotum or testes

infertility

condition in which a couple is unable to achieve pregnancy after one year or more of unprotected sexual intercourse; may be due to a number of reproductive diseases or conditions in males or femals

oligospermia

condition of an abnormally low number of sperm in the semen; can affect fertility

phimosis

condition in which the opening of the foreskin of the penis is so narrow that it cannot be retracted to expose the glans penis; can lead to inflammation and cancer

prostate cancer

malignant tumor of the prostate; characterized by dysuria, pain, and blood in the semen; is one of the most common cancers in males over the age of 50

prostatitis

inflammation of the prostate; characterized by dysuria, polyuria, and pelvic pain

prostatorrhea

condition in which the urethra discharges an abnormal flow of prostatic fluid

sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

infections transmitted through sexual intercourse or other genital contact; also called venereal diseases; many STIs are asymptomatic; if left untreated, can lead to female infertility

chlamydia

common bacterial infection that often does not cause symptoms; when symptoms are present , they may include pain in the genital area and discharge from the penis (or the vagina in a female)

gonorrhea

bacterial infection of the genital tract, causing dysuria and pyorrhea; infection may spread to other body parts, such as the eye, oral mucosa, rectum, and joints

hepatitis B

blood borne virus that attacks the liver; is considered an STI if transmitted through sexual activity

herpes genitalis

infection of the skin and mucosa of the genitals; caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV); characterized by small, fluid-filled blisters and ulcers

human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

blood borne virus that interferes with the immune system, decreasing the body’s ability to fight infection; can develop into acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or AIDS, in which the body is unable to fight the infection

human paillomavirus (HPV)

the most common STI; this viral infection may cause genital warts and can cause oropharyngeal cancer, as well as cervical cancer in females

pubic lice

infestation of lice on or around the genitals

syphilis

chronic bacterial infection that can affect any organ in the body; has four stages

primary syphilis

one or more painless sores appear on the body; the sores heal without treatment, but the patient must be treated to prevent the disease from moving into the second stage

secondary syphilis

sores appear on the mucous membranes in the mouth or anus, and the patient may have a rash on the hands and feet; other symptoms may include fever, sore throat, fatigue, aches and pains, and hair loss

latent syphilis stage

follows secondary syphilis; no symptoms are present

late syphilis stage

it becomes severe and can cause blindness, neurological disorders, paralysis, and death

trichomoniasis

infection caused by a parasite; in males, it may not cause any symptoms; when symptoms are present, they may include a penile discharge and pain; in females, symptoms may include foul-smelling vaginal discharge, genital itching, and painful urination

testicular cancer

cancer involving one or both testes; is most commonly found in males between the ages of 15 and 40

testicular torsion

twisting of the spermatic cord, which can cut off the blood supply to the testes; occurs suddenly and is an emergency requiring surgery

testitis

inflammation of one or both testes; characterized by pain or swelling in the testes; also called orchitis

varicocele

a varicose veins in the spermatic cord; may result in a lump or mass in the scrotum; also may cause infertility