Things You Should Know About Men’s Genital Health

Male genitalia are located both outside and inside the body. This allows easy checks to ensure male genital health is achieved. Regular exterior genital checks can be done to feel if there is anything odd or irregular. Both the exterior and interior parts compose the male reproductive system.

Exterior male genitals include:

1. The penis – this is a spongy channeled tube that is filled with blood during erection. It also acts as an outlet for both urine and sperm deposition.
2. The scrotum – this is a skin covering that holds the testes. It regulates the temperature to favor production and maturity of sperms.
3. The testes – these are organs inside the scrotum that produce sperm.

Interior male genitals consist of:

1. The epididymis
2. Vas deference
3. Seminal vesicles
4. Ejaculatory ducts
5. Prostate
6. Bulbourethral glands

What do these individual parts of the male genitals do?

The epididymis is a structure within the scrotum which is connected to and attached to the testis. It is a coiled structure of the spermatic ducts and stores, matures and transports the sperm between the testis and the vas deference.

The vas deference is a duct which transports sperm form the epididymis to the ejaculatory duct and the urethra.

What is the seminal vesicle?… well, it contributes fluid to the ejaculate via a 5 centimeters (2 inches) structure which is located behind the bladder and above the prostate gland.

What are the ejaculatory ducts?…as the name already says, that is the tube in the male which connects the vas deferens and the duct from the seminal vesicle. This tube passes through the prostate and  at time of ejaculation passes semen through.

The Prostate…the prostate is actually not one but many glands within the male reproductive system located just behind the bladder. Chestnut shaped,  these 30-50 glands surrounded by tissue which contains many bundles of smooth muscle, it surrounds the beginning of the urethra, which empties the bladder. The milky fluid which is discharged into the urethra at the time of ejaculation is part of the secretion of the prostate.

Last but not least we have the two Bulbourethral Glands also called Cowper’s glands. These pea sized glands are located behind and to the side of the urethra and they discharge a component of seminal fluid to the urethra.

Each and every part above plays a role either in the storage of sperms or their transportation. Therefore, just like women do, men should also have their regular genital health checks around the penis the scrotum and the testicles. The external organ i.e.. the penis, scrotum and testes can be checked by the man during or after showering when most of these organs are relaxed and it is easy to detect any odd swelling or any kind of infection. 

Testicular cancer is most common in young adults. It has a fast ability to spread to other parts of the body thereby risking men’s lives if not detected and removed early through simple procedures.

Soreness, itching, the appearance of abnormal swelling, discharge and unexplained pains around the genitals are all reasons to see a doctor for a checkup. There is no need for embarrassment because this will not get rid of your problems and will only bar you from getting answers and solutions to your questions over your well being.

The following are factors that affect male genital health

Sexually transmitted diseases – STD’s are contracted through unprotected oral, vaginal and anal sex. However, most of these diseases are contracted through vaginal sexual activities i.e. genital contact.

It only takes one infected partner, who may have contracted STD through another partner, to infect you and depending on what they infect you with, to change your life forever. So take the appropriate precautions BEFORE embarking on any sexual activities.

Some of the STD’s include; HIV and Aids are caused by the human immunodeficiency virus. This disease weakens the body’s immune system.

Syphilis is caused by bacteria which causes sores when urinating.

Genital herpes and warts are caused by viruses that remain in one’s body for life and have no cure unless they disappear on their own.

Gonorrhea is caused by bacteria in the urethra which can be acquired from unprotected sex either vaginally, anal or orally and through sharing unwashed sex objects like vibrators.

Most of these STDs are treated through the use of antibiotics. However, they can be prevented by the using condoms, having one partner that you trust or simply abstaining from sexual activities.

Men’s genital health can also be affected by other factors like erectile dysfunction. This is a condition whereby you unable to develop or maintain an erection during sexual arousal. The commonly used drugs to correct this condition are Cialis and Viagra. They help in relaxing the muscles of the penis and increasing blood flow into the penis hence enabling you achieve and maintain an erection.