Have you ever done an andrological visit?
It looks like a medical difficult term, actually it is a simple and painless check done by a specialist in the prevention and diagnosis of male genital diseases, which if ignored, may impair fertility.
The first andrological visit consists of a collection of information on past and current health status of the patient, his sex life and about any symptoms. Later, during the examination, the specialist analyzes the urogenital system by palpation of penis, glands and testicles. He also assesses the genital nerve reflexes and verify if there are inflammation (infections typically cause secretions, redness, sores or rashes).
Get an andrological visit if you have these symptoms:
- if there is a important delay in pubertal development, in the body modifications typical of adolescence (hair, height, genitals);
- if genitals are too small for your age;
- if you have noticed some breast increase;
- if you have noticed abnormal penis (curvature), difficulties in the sliding of the skin that covers it, or the opening of the foreskin to release the glans (phimosis);
- If you think you have a varicocele (enlarged vein in the scrotum that is the “bag” that contains testicles);
- if a testicle or both are not descended into scrotum. In this case must be “lowered” surgically to prevent infertility.
Regardless of these symptoms, remember that all adolescents should get andrological visit, especially if you have sex. Physician can also give tips on contraception and how to avoid sexually transmitted infections.
If you are afraid and/or ashamed to talk about such private and intimate topics note that all doctors are bound by professional secret.
WHO – Department of Reproductive Health and Research (RHR)
http://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/topics/en/