Men’s Health

As soon as his bottom hit the mattress, Oge reached for him, putting her soft, warm hands on the back of his neck as she lowered her lips to his. They kissed, slowly at first, then more urgently with his tongue caressing hers. Daniel and Oge barely came up for air as her hips tilted against his, her breasts against his chest. Her whole body sent a message that was as undeniable as the verbal affirmation she made moments before. He felt her slip down the bed, Oge unfastened his jeans, eased his briefs over his hips and in a single motion, slid down his covered shaft. Daniel sighed, eyes shut, thinking about how unbelievably good it felt each time she slides down his length. They only changed positions for a few seconds when Daniel suddenly stopped. “O gini?” Oge said on all fours. The only response he could muster was the sound of air being sucked through clenched teeth as he lay on his side at the foot of the bed. The yard light shone through the window just enough to see the damage, like a beached whale, his solider rested helplessly on the sheets. “Daniel, what happened!”. She had no clue! Oge finally rolled unto her back, as she carefully scoots off the bed to flick on the light. Daniel looked her in the eye and delivered the news: “I think you broke my penis”. Those were the actual words he said in the most matter-of-fact way any man could. The situation continued to swell until it had this weird shape; like if you took your index finger and pointed straight ahead and then bent it a little to the left like a hook, that’s a loose idea of what Daniel’s penis now looked like. Crooked. Now hold up! “can a penis break?” The answer, unfortunately, is a definite yes. A broken Penis A penile fracture isn’t the same as a break in a bone, instead, it’s a tear in either or both of the two spongy tissues of the penis responsible for erections. The penile sheath and the erectile tissues below it. In severe cases, the fracture could also injure the urethra- the channel within the penis that urine flows through. A penile fracture happens when a sudden blow or bending of the penis tears the spongy sheath of tissue below the skin and sometimes the erectile tissues beneath the penile sheath, together. These tissues fill with blood during sexual excitement to produce a firm erection. The circumstances that lead to a penile injury are more exciting than usual as it may involve more adventurous sexual activity. Although a penile fracture can occur from injury during any sex position, certain practices increase the odds. The “woman-on-top” position increases the risk of a penile injury when the penis is momentarily blocked at the opening to the vagina. The woman’s full weight can forcefully bend the erection or she may also rock too far forward or backwards bending the shaft of the penis. The “rear-entry” position is also associated with penile injuries. For Daniel, it was “the rear-entry position” which did him in. Dr Ira Sharlip, a spokesman for the American Urological Association, said that penile fractures are usually accompanied by a “popping sound” and then an immediate loss of erection. And like Daniel’s, the penis will also be swollen and very painful, often deformed into a “Hook” or “Boomerang”. There is usually no blood on the surface, only underneath the skin as a lump appears where blood is forced from erectile tissues and through the torn tissues. How to treat a broken penis Men have to understand that a penile fracture isn’t fixed with an ice-pack or Paracetamol. If Dan’s injuries are left untreated, he is likely to suffer long-time erectile dysfunction, chronic pain and problems passing urine if the urethra is affected. It’s important to have a doctor evaluate any penile injuries even if the fracture is mild and not very painful. A doctor will confirm Daniel’s fractured penis based on a physical exam and discussion about the events that led to his penile fracture. He may also require medical imaging (scans) and special urinary tests to rule-out urethral damage. Penile fractures usually require surgery; where the surgeon will stitch the torn penile tissues. The aim of surgery is to revive or maintain Daniel’s ability to have an erection and preserve urinary function. Recovery Following surgery, Daniel will stay in the hospital, for 3-5 days. His doctor will send him home with antibiotics and pain medication. It may take several months for the fracture to heal fully, so, Daniel and Oge would have to wait the prescribed time after his follow-up exam before they resume intercourse. Moving forward Daniel and Oge can avoid penile injury by using adequate lubrication during sex. They have to be careful during vigorous or “hard” penetrative sex. Ultimately, Dan should avoid blows or pressure to his penis shaft when erect. Penile fractures could cause long-lasting damage to a man’s sexual and urinary function; hence it’s necessary to seek emergency medical attention. You can find similar content in our January Magazine (Sexual and Reproductive Health Focus, 1000 naira), Download here Pharm. Ezinwanne Udeogalanya    

Preamble: In recent times there has being significant push back from women about being left to carry the burden of most family planning methods including shouldering the impact some of these procedures have on their bodies such as weight gain. Some men have become open minded about other options (such as vasectomy) while others see it as a part of a grand plan by hardcore feminists to “emasculate” them (remove what makes them men) A vasectomy seems to be dreaded procedure among men, at least the result of our online twitter poll shows that almost 4 out of 10 men completely ruled it out as an option and about 3 in ten were open to considering it only after having all the kids they wanted. Pharmacist Ucheoma Ezinne (Our sexual and reproductive health expert) talks about the science here Meanwhile, you can download our January magazine to read her piece, The Other Room: Toys, Food, and Condoms What is a Vasectomy? It is a form of birth control for men and involves a minor surgical procedure. This procedure involves the cutting and/or tying or sealing of the vas deferens (this tube transports mature sperms from where they are stored to the urethra in preparation for ejaculation). This way, sperms don’t get to the urethra and there can be no fertilization during intercourse There are 4 types of vasectomies and they include: Traditional vasectomy It involves the making of an incision on the scrotum, allowing access to the vas deferens, which is then cut and tied or sealed off permanently. No-scalpel vasectomy It involves the making of a tiny hole on the scrotum and the vas deferens is reached through it. Clip vasectomy Small clamps are used to block the vas deferens as opposed to cutting and tying it. Laser vasectomy This involves the use of surgical laser method to cut and seal off the vas deferens.                         Some Quick Facts It is a simple procedure and can be done in the doctor’s office or clinic. It requires local anesthetic; this means it’s only the area of the procedure that will be made dumb. It is a short procedure and takes about 15 to 30 minutes. Food and water can be taken prior to the procedure. It can be carried out by a urologist, trained family medicine doctor. It does not result in immediate sterility, as some viable sperms can be found several weeks after the procedure. (So please do well to use other forms of birth control, to avoid stories that touch). It can be reversed if the vas deferens was cut and tied, although the procedure is not considered to be 100% effective. This means that it is possible the man may never get a woman pregnant. (Yeah, I know; good and bad, yeah?). The longer the length of time, the more difficult the reversal procedure. It does not stop a man from transmitting or contracting diseases or infections, if unprotected sex is practiced. It does not affect sexual stamina or libido at all. Major side effects include swelling and bruising at the site of incision; and a pain relief can go a long way in relieving any pains. It is best to give it a week and some days before resuming bedmatics; this is to avoid causing more pain which may delay proper healing. (We wouldn’t want that now, would we?) Within a day or two, normal activities can be resumed In conclusion, I would advise that this decision not be taken alone but with your partner. This is because it is a huge and lifelong decision and you might need to ask yourselves these questions: Are we ready to give up having kids? What if we get separated, would I want kids with another person? What if we lose our kids? Follow us @healthy_naija on twitter

Once issues about the semen are mentioned, you will notice one of two reactions; some people become embarrassed while another set of people become worried. Watery semen as its sometimes called is not a good way to express it though since it cannot be watery in that sense. This is one of those issues that raises eyebrows and many people do not understand it and have lived with hearsay rather than fact. Well here are the important things you should know about the semen. Semen is the liquid that is released through the penis during sex, it carries sperm and other fluids from the prostate and various parts of the male reproductive organs. Normally, semen is thick and whitish but it has been observed that sometimes it can vary in consistency. Mostly it doesn’t get thicker, rather it becomes less viscous. Causes The main culprit is low sperm count, and this is a term many men dread. However, there are other causes of watery semen and  all will be discussed briefly in the coming paragraphs. There are mainly 4 possible causes and thankfully, they are treatable and preventable. Low Sperm Count: Low sperm count has been indicated to be the major cause of watery semen. It’s medical name is oligospermia. It simply means that the semen contains fewer sperm cells than normal. By definition, if you have less than 15million sperms in one millilitre of your semen; you have a low sperm count). Low sperm count doesn’t just happen? certain factors lead to low sperm count and they include: Varicocele This is when the veins from the testicles in the scrotum are swollen. It is treatable. Infections Mainly sexually transmitted diseases like gonorrhea can lead to low sperm count as it causes the inflammation of the male reproductive organ. Tumors Both malignant (those that spread as cancers) and benign tumors (less dangerous and don’t spread) in the testicles can reduce sperm production. Hormonal imbalances Changes in male sex hormones can affect sperm production. Retrograde ejaculation This is when semen travels backward into the bladder and it can be due to injuries to the tubes that carry semen. Frequent Ejaculation Another cause of watery sperm is frequent ejaculation. This is seen in men that masturbate excessively several times per day or those who engage in intercourse multiple times in a day. This happens because the body requires ample time to produce the right amount of semen after the first ejaculation. Therefore if you keep going after the first one, the quality just keeps dropping and it will surely become less viscous. Zinc Deficiency The body sometimes produces a certain group of antibodies known as anti-sperm antibodies. This group of antibodies see sperm as a foreign body and attack it to destroy. It thereby leading to low sperm count and invariably watery semen. However, research has shown that if a man has an adequate level of zinc in the body then he can fight off the effect of this group of antibodies. They thrive in men with zinc deficiency and this can be corrected using zinc sulfate supplements. Pre-ejaculation If you notice that your semen is watery, check if it is clear or whitish. If it is clear then it is likely pre-ejaculation fluid which is released usually during foreplay and it is not semen although it contains few sperm cells. Can watery semen affect fertility? Watery semen is most times a temporary condition and it resolves on its own without having to make any intervention or take medications. However, if it becomes persistent then it is a pointer to indicate another condition such as low sperm count. Low sperm count does not mean that the man is infertile it just means that it will be more difficult for him to get a woman pregnant. So watery semen can simply be due to some lifestyle changes, nutrient deficiencies or other underlying medical condition and the only way to know is to visit the hospital and get checked. So if you notice that your semen is consistently watery then you should visit the hospital so that the underlying problem can be discovered and handled. Watery semen is not something to panic about, it is something that every man will experience sometime. Pharm. Chukwuekem Chijioke Pharmacist, Author and Life Coach.

Just as the name implies, itching is the most common symptom and can get really severe and even embarassing because of the areas affected. It’s a fungal infection that affects the skin around the genitials, inner thighs and buttocks… it’s also called Tinea cruris You will probably wonder why such areas? The major cause of Jock itch is tight fitting clothing that traps moisture thus allowing the fungi to survive. This is why sharing bathing or swimming suits is a possible source of infection. You will agree that the areas mentioned above are very prone to been starved of fresh air and are likely to be moist. Jock itch appears as a red ringed shaped rash which is very itchy. It is 3 times more common in men compared to women. It is transmitted via sharing clothes with an infected person, contaminated towels and bedsheets or from other body parts that have a fungal infection. Treatment is reading available and it can be completely cured with the following steps. Your Physician or dermatologist would recommend anti-fungal drugs which can be applied on the skin or used orally. The infected area will need to be kept as dry as possible at all times (a powder might be added for this purpose). Separate towels will have to be used on this affected parts to prevent infection of other body parts. Individual will need to avoid tight clothing and wear lighter underwears to prevent moisture build up. Clothes especially underwear, bedding and towels will need to be properly washed and dried before they are used again if not treatment will not be complete. It’s important to take note of the fabric material for underwears you buy. Nylon or other materials that don’t readily allow airflow and are capable of holding on to moisture are less preferable to light cotton. Personal hygiene remains very important in preventing Jockitch and many other skin infections. Do Leave a comment or question #Healthynaija

Prostate cancer is a disease that affects only men. The Prostate is a gland in men that produces a fluid that forms part of the semen which carries sperms. The Prostate gland is also involved with urine control since the urethra passes through it. Prostate Cancer is the second most prevalent cancer in men after lung cancer. It occurs when the cells of the prostate gland are continuously produced beyond control leading to prostate enlargement and this can produce several symptoms. At the early stage there are usually no symptom thus a routine check can help detect it and control it more effectively. Possible symptoms which can occur after progression of the disease include; 1. Frequent Urination (even at night) 2. Difficulty in starting urination 3. Blood in urine 4. Painful Urination 5. Erectile Dysfunction Prostate Cancer does not have a specific cause but certain risk factors can increase an individual’s chance of developing Prostate cancer, Some include; Age – As men get older more frequent checks are necessary. Genetics – If close relatives have had this disease then there could be an increased risk. Diet – Food/diet low in meat but high in vegetables can reduce risk. Regular exercise is also important. Certain Drugs –there is the need to always consult with the Physician or Pharmacist before taking drugs Obesity Certain sexually transmitted infections e.g. Gonorrhoea Treatment options for both early and advanced stages of Prostate Cancer ranges from drugs to radiation therapy or surgical removal of the prostate. Early detection remains the best bet to control and prevent further complications of Prostate cancer. Let’s keep our men around for longer. #LetMenKnow #Healthynaija