The medical specialty of andrology deals with sexual dysfunctions in men. This includes hormonal disorders, erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation and infertility.
Find information and experienced andrologists here.
Andrology is a medical specialty that deals with sexual dysfunctions in men. Andrology can therefore be seen as a counterpart to gynecology.
Urologists deal with the urine-forming and urinary organs as well as diseases of the male sexual organs. It therefore stands to reason that this branch of medicine also deals with andrology.
Due to its complexity, however, it is fundamentally an interdisciplinary field. Depending on the problem, various specialists such as
work together.
Erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation are very frustrating for men © VadimGuzhva | AdobeStock
Andrologists treat
in men.
Hormonal imbalance can affect men of any age. Hormonal disorders can
and trigger illnesses. In adolescents, a delayed onset of puberty often indicates a hormonal disorder. In ageing men, the menopause(climacterium virile) can be responsible for hormonal imbalances.
The most common form of male hormone disorder is testosterone deficiency. The hormone influences sexual functions, but is also responsible for
of importance.
The natural process of testosterone decline in the male body begins from around the age of 35. Combined with risk factors such as
the testosterone level can drop so much that symptoms occur.
Sexual problems such as erectile dysfunction, ejaculation and libido disorders or impairments in everyday life such as a reduction in performance ultimately lead to a doctor. The lack of testosterone becomes apparent during a blood test.
The doctor then prescribes medication to regulate the hormone balance.
Another area of andrology is erectile dysfunction (ED). Studies show that around 30 percent of all men struggle with impaired erectile function at some point in their lives.
The disorder affects all age groups, but the symptoms become more frequent with increasing age. ED can have many causes:
To cure erectile dysfunction, the cause must be found and eliminated. This process is not always easy. In the meantime, aids such as the vacuum pump or erectile tissue autoinjection therapy can provide relief.
With the vacuum pump, the stiffening of the penis is brought about mechanically. With auto-injection therapy, an erection-inducing medication helps. The medication is injected into the erectile tissue of the penis immediately before sexual intercourse.
Ejaculatio praecox is one of the most common disorders of male sexual function and affects men of all ages.
Doctors speak of premature ejaculation when ejaculation occurs before or within the first minute of penetration. The resulting frustration for both the man and his partner usually exacerbates the disorder.
The andrologist offers support in this difficult situation. They can diagnose or rule out organic disorders and suggest treatment options.
Sexologists advocate combined therapy. Sexual therapy with psychological support and medication is usually a good way of dealing with the problem.
An unfulfilled desire to have children can put a heavy strain on the relationship. While the woman contacts her trusted gynecologist, the man goes to an andrologist.
The initial examination often provides information about the causes of possible infertility.
can be just as responsible as congenital causes.
A spermiogram provides certainty. This involves microscopically examining and analyzing a semen sample (ideally after a few days of abstinence from sex). Important parameters are
If the results actually indicate that the man is infertile, this is treated under the supervision of an andrologist. The following are available
If these measures are unsuccessful, artificial insemination in the clinic can still lead to the desired child.
In addition to congenital penile malformations, trauma can also lead to malformations of the male genitalia. A complex reconstruction of the male genitalia may have to be considered as a therapy.
One of the most common malformations of the penis is a curvature of the penis. Depending on the degree of development of penile curvature, this can lead to psychosexual problems as well as functional problems when attempting penetration.
Penile curvatures are divided into an acquired form (induratio penis plastica) and a congenital (congenital) penile curvature. Induratio penis plastica is more common and is estimated to affect around 10 percent of all men. Congenital penile curvature is much rarer and affects around 0.4-2 percent of all men.
In many cases, surgical straightening of the penis is the only valid treatment option if there is a medical indication for therapy.
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