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is the inability to get or keep an erection firm enough to have sexual intercourse. Sometimes referred to as impotence, it is caused by a number of factors which include stress, anxiety, tiredness, psychological problems, chronic illness, and too much alcohol intake. Other reasons include the narrowing of penis blood vessels, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, hormone problems, and side effects from prescribed medications (National Health Service [NHS], 2020).
also known as “oligospermia,” is a condition wherein a man’s sperm count is lower than normal number of 15 million sperm per milliliter of semen (the fluid ejaculated during an orgasm). It is considered as a major cause of male infertility because having a low sperm count decreases the chances of a man’s sperm fertilizing his partner's egg, which also implies decreased possibility of pregnancy. Nonetheless, many men with this condition are still able to father a child (NHS, 2019).
also known as “hypogonadism,” is a condition in which a man's testes (testicles, the male reproductive glands) do not produce sufficient testosterone — the primary male sex hormone responsible for developing and maintaining male characteristics, as well as sexual function (Cleveland Clinic, n. d.).
or Peyronie’s disease is a condition where a scar tissue called plaque forms under the skin of the penis (the male organ used for urination and sex). The plaque builds up inside the penis in the tunica albuginea (the thick elastic membrane covering of the testis). As the plaque forms and develops, it pulls the surrounding tissues and causes the penis to curve or bend, thus making erections and sexual intercourse painful, difficult, or impossible (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, n.d.).
is a disease where cancerous cells develop in the tissue of a testicle. Though it can affect male individuals at any age, it is most often found in men aged 15 to 44 years. Testicular cancer is rare and curable with early diagnosis (Cleveland Clinic, 2019).
Consult your doctor as soon as possible if you have any of the following signs or symptoms:
References
Cleveland Clinic. (n. d.). Low testosterone (low T): Causes, symptoms, diagnosis &treatment. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15603-low-testosterone-male-hypogonadism.
Cleveland Clinic. (2019, April 9). Testicular cancer: Symptoms, causes, diagnosis &treatment. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12183-testicular-cancer.
National Health Service. (2020, August 26). Erectile dysfunction (impotence). https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/erection-problems-erectile-dysfunction/.
National Health Service. (2019, August 7). Low sperm count. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/low-sperm-count/.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (n. d.). Penile curvature (Peyronie's Disease). https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/penile-curvature-peyronies-disease.