Andrology: diseases — симптомы, диагностика и лечение

Pathospermia is a general name for changes in the spermogram: a decrease in the concentration of sperm, their motility or the proportion of normal forms. Having received a conclusion with incomprehensible terms, a man usually gets scared and starts looking for answers on the Internet. Meanwhile, the first thing you need to know: one bad analysis does not prove anything. Sperm counts fluctuate, and decisions are made on at least two tests at intervals of several weeks.

Klinefelter syndrome is a genetic condition in which a male has an extra X chromosome (karyotype 47,XXY). This is one of the most common chromosomal features in men and at the same time one of the most lately diagnosed: manifestations are often erased, and a significant part of men find out about their diagnosis only during an examination for infertility - or never find out. Meanwhile, early diagnosis makes it possible to start therapy on time and preserve the possibility of paternity.

Lichen sclerosus is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that affects the glans penis and foreskin in men. It begins with whitish spots and itching, and over time the tissues thicken and scar: phimosis develops, the external opening of the urethra narrows, and sometimes the urethra itself. This condition is considered precancerous, so it should not be left without observation and treatment.

Chronic scrotal pain is persistent or recurring discomfort in the testicular area that lasts three months or longer and interferes with normal life. This is one of the most difficult urological problems for a doctor and exhausting for a patient: in a significant proportion of men, a complete examination cannot find an obvious cause. Nevertheless, the approach exists, and most patients manage to significantly reduce pain.

Hemospermia is the appearance of blood in the seminal fluid. For a man, this is almost always a frightening find, causing thoughts about oncology. The reality is usually calmer: in men under forty, a one-time episode is most often associated with harmless reasons and goes away on its own. However, after forty, with repeated episodes and accompanying symptoms, the situation requires a full examination - and here you should not delay.

Testicular atrophy is a decrease in its volume with disruption of both functions: sperm production and testosterone. In itself, this is not a disease, but the result of damage suffered: inflammation, impaired blood supply, hormonal suppression or injury. The key practical question is always the same: is the process reversible? The answer depends on the cause and how much time has passed, so early attention is essential.

Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections, and at the same time one of the most “silent”: a significant proportion of those infected do not have any symptoms at all. That is why it is often detected already at the stage of examination for infertility or chronic inflammation. The good news is that if detected early, chlamydia can be reliably cured with a short course of antibiotics.

Gonorrhea is an infection caused by gonococcus, one of the most well-known sexually transmitted diseases. In men, it usually manifests itself clearly: profuse purulent discharge and pain when urinating a few days after contact. In women, on the contrary, it often occurs secretly. The main modern problem of gonorrhea is the growing resistance of the pathogen to antibiotics, due to which self-medication has become truly dangerous.

Trichomoniasis is caused not by a bacterium or a virus, but by a protozoan - Trichomonas. It is one of the most common curable sexually transmitted infections. Its peculiarity lies in the sharp difference in the picture between men and women: women usually notice profuse foamy discharge and itching, while in men the disease is often almost asymptomatic, which is why they become an invisible source of infection.

Mycoplasma and ureaplasma are the topic around which the most confusion and unnecessary treatment has accumulated. Having discovered them in the analysis, many receive long courses of antibiotics, although not all of these microorganisms are causative agents of the disease. The key to understanding is simple: among them there is one unconditional pathogen that always requires treatment, and several representatives of opportunistic flora that are treated only under certain conditions.