Male Genital Disorders

Men may be less body conscious than women, but they have their own share of problems too

Any mention of the dreaded word bersunat (circumcision) is likely to set a Muslim boy quaking with dread in his pants. 

Trauma and fear aside, however, the Muslims are one-up on their brothers of other faiths for having gone under the knife. The ceremony, usually carried out at the onset of puberty or younger, involves surgical removal of the foreskin of the penis. Besides serving as a sanitary measure (less accumulation of secretions), this procedure apparently confers sexual health benefits as well. 

 A wise Islamic custom

Circumcision is the usual treatment for some forms of male genital disorders in older men. Circumcision, or slitting the foreskin, relieves phimosis and paraphimosis. These are conditions where the foreskin is tight and either cannot be retracted, or pulled over the glans penis. This tightened foreskin can interfere with sexual activity and urination, and may increase the risk of urinary tract infections.

Long-standing irritation of the penis under the foreskin may also cause a disorder named Erythroplasia of Queyrat. Usually occurring in uncircumcised men, the disorder produces a discrete, reddish, velvety area on the penis, usually at the base of the glans penis. Erythroplasia of Queyrat can be treated with medication.

In uncircumcised men, especially below the foreskin, sexually transmitted papillomaviruses can cause growths – referred to as Condylomata acuminata – around the penis. This genital wart (in
the form of swellings, bumps or cauliflower-like clusters) can be treated with drugs, or removed by laser or surgery.  Circumcision may help prevent its recurrence in uncircumcised men.

There is one more strong reason in support of bersunat. According to the Singapore Urological Association, men who were never circumcised have a three times greater risk of penile cancer than circumcised men.

 Varicose veins in men

It is not only pregnant women who complain about varicose veins (Read more about varicose veins on page 53). Men too can suffer from varicocele on their scrotum – a condition in which the blood supply of the testis develops varicose veins. The Merck Manual Of Medical Information says that the varicocele can feel “like a bag of worms when the man is standing”. If the worm-like symptoms are severe, do see a doctor as soon as possible.

Another disorder of the penis is penile inflammation. Balanitis is inflammation of the glans penis while posthitis is inflammation of the foreskin commonly due to a yeast or bacterial infection beneath. Antibacterial or anti-inflammatory creams may relieve the pain, itch and swelling.

A syphilis infection can also cause flat pink or gray growths on the penis.

 Difficulty in the gents

Infections of the male genitals can lead to a urethral stricture. Mild strictures usually result in a less forceful urinary stream or a double stream whereas severe strictures may completely block the stream. As the frequency or completeness of urination decreases, urinary tract infections can occur •

 Glossary

Glans Gland-like part at the cone-shaped end of the penis

Groin Area where the abdomen and thighs join

Penis Also called phallus. External reproductive organ containing the uretha through which urine and semen pass

Scrotum Pouch of skin containing the testes and holding them away from the abdomen

Testes (singular, testis) Also testicles. Sex glands that produce sperm and secrete androgens (male hormones, e.g. testosterone). These male gonads (the female gonad is the ovary) are about 4cm long, oval and suspended in the scrotum

Urologist A doctor who specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of genito-urinary disorders