The many things that men don’t want to talk about

If you’re going to get squeamish talking about men’s body parts, you might want to skip over to the comics. Experts think that women live longer because we’re 100 percent more inclined to seek medical care. They also say that men are often intimidated or too macho to talk openly about the private goings-on in their private parts.

Let’s start today talking about male infertility. Trying to pinpoint the cause for not conceiving can be time-consuming and emotional. Mayo Clinic tells us the reasons for male infertility include abnormal sperm production or function due to undescended testicles, genetic defects, health problems such as diabetes, or infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, mumps or HIV. Enlarged veins in the testes (varicocele) also can affect the quality of sperm.

It is also caused by “problems with the delivery of sperm due to sexual problems, such as premature ejaculation; certain genetic diseases, such as cystic fibrosis; structural problems, such as a blockage in the testicle; or damage or injury to the reproductive organs,” Mayo says.

En- viron- mental factors like pesticides, some chemicals, and radiation can play a part. Cigarette smoking, alcohol, marijuana, anabolic steroids, and taking medications to treat bacterial infections, high blood pressure, and depression also can affect fertility. Frequent exposure to heat (saunas, hot tubs) can raise body temperature and may affect sperm production. And, treatment for cancer can impair sperm production, sometimes severely.

And then there’s erectile dysfunction. Mayo describes ED as the inability to get and keep an erection firm enough for sex. They also say that it’s common to have it occur from time to time.

“Sometimes, treating an underlying condition is enough to reverse erectile dysfunction,” Mayo Clinic says. “In other cases, medications or other direct treatments might be needed.”

Physical causes can include heart disease, clogged blood vessels, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. Metabolic what? Metabolic syndrome involves increased blood pressure, high insulin levels, body fat around the waist, and high cholesterol. Other causes include certain prescription medicines, tobacco use, alcoholism, and other substance abuse, sleep disorders, low testosterone.

Mayo also tells us that the “brain plays a key role in triggering the series of physical events that cause an erection, starting with feelings of sexual excitement.” Things that can interfere with that process are depression, anxiety, or other mental health conditions, stress, and problems in the relationship.

Now let’s talk about the prostate gland. The walnut-sized gland is located between the bladder and the penis in front of the rectum. The urethra runs through the center of the prostate, letting urine flow out of the body.

“The prostate secretes fluid that nourishes and protects sperm. During ejaculation, the prostate squeezes this fluid into the urethra, and it’s expelled with sperm as semen,” Webmd explains. The vasa deferentia brings sperm from the testes to the seminal vesicles. The seminal vesicles contribute fluid to semen during ejaculation.”

Several conditions can cause pain when urinating, and it’s essential to figure out what’s going on since one of those conditions might be prostate cancer.

Prostatitis is the inflammation of the prostate gland. It’s relatively common, particularly for men under 50 or those who’ve had a urinary tract infection. Besides burning, painful urination symptoms include hesitation when urinating or having difficulty starting the stream or maintaining it; frequent and urgent need to urinate; painful ejaculation; pain in the testicles, penis or perineum; pain in the lower back or abdomen; cloudy or bloody urine and flu-like symptoms.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia, aka prostate gland enlargement, most commonly affects older men. An enlarged prostate gland can cause uncomfortable urinary symptoms, such as blocking the flow of urine out of the bladder. It can also cause bladder, urinary tract, or kidney problems. Symptoms are quite similar to prostatitis without the pain and may include dribbling at the end of urination and inability to empty the bladder.

Modern medicine can do wonders for you if you’ll seek help. If you’re uncomfortable talking to your healthcare provider about these personal issues, feel free to circle the symptoms on this article to hand over at your next appointment.

Kathy Hubbard is a member of Bonner General Health Foundation Advisory Council. She can be reached at kathyleehubbard@yahoo.com.