Andrology

Andrology is a branch of urology that studies, diagnoses and treats diseases of the male genitourinary system. She specializes mainly in solving the problems of sexual disorders and infertility in men, for which both surgical and non-surgical methods of treatment can be involved (cell therapy, hormone therapy, rectal suppositories, etc.). In particular, it is about the following conditions and problems in andrology:

• diseases of the genitourinary system (adenoma of the prostate gland, urethritis, prostatitis, cystitis, orchitis, varicocele, as well as those transmitted sexually);
• urolithiasis;
• hypogonadism (decrease in testosterone, male menopause);
• sexual dysfunction in men (erectile dysfunction, ejaculation disorder, anejaculation, dysorgasmia);
• male infertility;
• aging problems in men;
• adiposity.

Solving these problems should begin with a consultation with an andrologist, in Odesa, our Institute, which has a department of andrology, offers such a service.

Opportunities of the andrology department of the VIRTUS clinic

Our department of andrology has all the necessary means for the effective treatment of male diseases of the genitourinary and reproductive systems. Treatment of sexual dysfunction, infertility and other andrological diseases is carried out according to modern European standards of therapy, which have proven their safety and effectiveness in practice.
The know-how of the VIRTUS Institute is the application of cell therapy for the treatment of a considerable number of diseases, and andrology is no exception. With the help of cell therapy, primary hypogonadism and erectile dysfunction are successfully treated, in particular, and in these cases we are not eliminating the consequence of the disease, but influencing its cause.

Treatment of diseases of men's health

Inflammatory processes in the genitourinary system, infections, hormonal disorders or hereditary diseases do not go away by themselves, but bad habits, high levels of stress, excess weight and low physical activity lead to the fact that the symptoms of these diseases only increase. So you should not ignore the problem, you should consult a male doctor in the following cases:

• blood and pus in semen;
• discomfort in the external genitalia;
• pain during sex and/or urination;
• significant discharge from the urinary tract;
• problems with erection and libido;
• tumors on or around the genitals.

As with other diseases, diagnosing the problem at an early stage will contribute to more successful and short-term treatment. Therefore, we recommend visiting an andrologist at the VIRTUS Institute 1-2 times a year for the purpose of prevention. By the way, the treatment of infertility and consultation on contraceptive methods is also a specialty of an andrologist.

Services and procedures of the andrology department of the VIRTUS Institute

Consultations of an andrologist at our Institute are conducted by a top category urologist-surgeon, candidate of medical sciences Oleksandr Chaika. VIRTUS offers a number of different services and procedures, including the following surgical operations:

• circumcision (circumcision) of the foreskin (not only for religious reasons, but also for phimosis, chronic balanoposthitis, etc.);
• operations for varicocele (Marmara, Ivanisevych, Palomo, etc.);
• operations for hydrocele (Bergman, Winkelman);
• removal of epididymal cysts;
• testicular biopsy (incisional, TESE, microTESE);
• vasectomy (male sterilization);
• vasovasoanastomosis (after sterilization);
• epididymovasoanastomosis (restoration of the patency of the vas deferens);
• orchiectomy (removal of testicles);
• epididyectomy (removal of the epididymis);
• atheroma removal of the scrotum;
• removal of Fordyce granules;
• removal of genital warts (laser, chemical, electric);
• correction of deviation (curvature) of the penis: mainly using methods that slightly shorten the penis or lengthen it (with grafting);
• operations for Peyronie’s disease: removal of plaques, replacing them with a special material, with or without penile prosthesis;
• endophaloprosthesis (semi-rigid, plastic or hydraulic prostheses);
  prosthetic testicles;
• enlarging plasty of the urethra with strictures of the urethra (buccal plasty);
• operations for hypospadias (formation of a part of the urethra from local tissues or with the help of buccal flaps);
• operations for cryptorchidism (undescended testicle);
• partial denervation of the head of the penis (with premature ejaculation);
• penoscrotal anastomosis plastic surgery (excision of the skin in the penoscrotal corner);
• operations for fracture or dislocation of the penis or other injuries;
• operations for corporal venoocclusive dysfunction (erectile dysfunction with venous insufficiency);
• treatment of acute priapism (implantation of proximal and distal spongiocavernous shunts);
• penis enlargement (thickening and lengthening);
• enlargement of the head of the penis.

Most of the surgical interventions we perform are minimally invasive, thanks to which the recovery is practically painless and in a short time.

Treatment of sexual disorders in men

The problem with sexual dysfunction can occur at different levels: libido, erection, ejaculation or orgasm disorders. Erectile dysfunction, that is, the inability to achieve or maintain an erection, is one of the most common conditions, and the causes of its occurrence can be conditionally divided into organic (local vascular pathologies, diabetes, chronic prostatitis, high blood pressure, low testosterone, etc.) and psychogenic (high stress level, anxiety or depressive disorder). Therefore, the coordinated work of several specialists (andrologist, urologist, endocrinologist, psychiatrist, cardiologist, and others) may be necessary to solve these problems.
Premature ejaculation is also a common problem. It can be primary and secondary. Primary is not always considered a disease, because premature ejaculation is normal at the beginning of sexual life, due to increased excitability, and usually passes with time, especially with regular sex. However, the secondary can be provoked by inflammatory processes in the reproductive organs or chronic prostatitis, so it needs treatment.

Surgical treatment of diseases of the male genitourinary system

Urological operations at our Institute are performed using modern equipment, often under X-ray or ultrasound control. Thanks to this, greater accuracy and quality of surgical interventions are achieved.
Consider, for example, an operation to enlarge the penis. One of the options for lengthening while preserving one’s own erection is a ligamentotomy (dissection of the supporting ligament of the penis, which is attached to the pelvic bone, followed by the use of an extender that stretches the inner part of the penis (5-8 cm)), but it is ineffective as a separate operation. Another method is the involvement of penile implants: when installing a prosthesis, the length of the corpora cavernosa is increased due to artificial material. Thickening is carried out with the help of several layers of a mesh implant, which not only increases the circumference of the member, but also lengthens it in a relaxed state, because it does not allow it to shrink from the cold and in stressful situations. The optimal method of penis enlargement is a combination of mesh thickening and ligamentotomy with subsequent wearing of an extender.
Enlargement of the head of the penis is carried out with the help of hyaluronic acid. Its purpose is not only to increase the size, but also to improve blood flow in the head, as well as (optionally) to reduce sensitivity during accelerated ejaculation.

Consultation of an andrologist

A visit to an andrologist does not require special preparation, apart from standard hygiene procedures. Only in the case of suspected inflammation of the prostate gland, which requires a rectal examination, it is worth having an empty rectum and a full bladder.
During the consultation, the specialist surveys the patient, gets acquainted with his complaints and medical history. A visual examination of the genitals helps to determine pathological changes in the size of various parts of the scrotum, inflammation, tumors, diseases of the penis, urethra and internal genital organs. Palpation is also a mandatory method of diagnosis, which helps to detect not only inflammation of the prostate gland and seminal vesicles, but also the testicles and penis. In the future, the andrologist may need the following tests for an accurate diagnosis:

• general analysis of urine and blood;
• spermogram;
• smear from the urethra;
• analysis of prostate secretion;
• urogenital bakposov;
• blood tests for hormones (testosterone, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, prolactin);
• prostate cancer tumor marker;
• Ultrasound of the prostate gland with elastography;
• Ultrasound of the urinary system;
• Ultrasound of the penis with dopplerometry.

After a comprehensive andrological examination, consultation with other specialists (if necessary) and diagnosis, the doctor prescribes a treatment regimen. But one should not forget about changes in lifestyle – weight control, healthy eating, individual physical activity and sufficient amount of sleep, which are effective prevention of male diseases.