Treatments for Men's health in Dallas-Fort Worth

Guys, Are Your Factory Settings Out of Whack?

Don’t ignore it. Do something about it. We know most men aren’t crazy about going to the doctor, but every man needs a little help at some point. Maybe your sex drive has taken a nosedive. Or you’re having trouble rising to the occasion. Maybe you don’t see more kids in your future. Maybe you’re eager to become a dad but it’s just not happening. We can help.

Man UP!

Take care of those nagging health issues. At UPNT, we’re in your corner, ready to help you enjoy the healthy life you deserve. We specialize in the treatment of conditions that can cause havoc in your life—low testosterone, erectile dysfunction and more.

Not feeling quite like yourself?

You may be suffering from hypogonadism—commonly known as low testosterone or Low T. Testosterone is an important male sex hormone secreted by the testes. During puberty, testosterone triggers the growth of the penis, testes, facial and pubic hair. It deepens the voice and sparks growth in height, as well as muscle mass. In grown men, testosterone helps produce sperm, fuels the sex drive, and keeps muscles and bones strong.

What causes Low T?

After the age of 30, the average man’s testosterone level drops one percent each year. Nearly four out of 10 men have low testosterone by age 45. By the time a man is 60, his testosterone level may have dropped 30 percent. Symptoms of Low T can include fatigue, lower libido, erectile dysfunction, irritability, difficulty concentrating, depression, loss of muscle mass and body hair and osteoporosis. Fortunately, testosterone therapy is a very effective treatment for many men.

Worried about your erections?

You’ve probably seen commercials for Viagra and Cialis—two of the most popular treatments for erectile dysfunction (ED). Good-looking actors, “when the time is right” scenarios, and the implied promise of a satisfying intimate encounter make these medications seem like they’re magic. While it’s true that Viagra and Cialis (known as oral phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors or PDE-5 inhibitors) have successfully helped millions of men afflicted with ED, they aren’t right for everyone. In fact, they don’t work in approximately 30 percent of ED cases.

What causes ED?

Erectile dysfunction can be related to aging, but it can also be brought on by other health issues such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, depression, stress or low testosterone. ED can also be a side effect following a surgical procedure or caused by certain medications you may be taking. That’s why it’s important to talk with your UP urologist. Nearly every man can be successfully treated for ED.

You don’t have to live with ED. Today, there are many treatments designed to help men achieve erections firm enough for intimacy. They include oral phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, vacuum erection devices, the urethral suppository alprostadil, penile injections and penile implants. Your physician will determine the cause of your ED and prescribe the best treatment for you.

Looking for permanent birth control?

Men currently have two types of birth control available to them: condoms and vasectomy. For those looking for a long-term, permanent form of birth control, vasectomy offers a safe solution. Nearly 500,000 U.S. men have the relatively painless procedure every year. News outlets even report that more vasectomies are performed around March Madness when men use the time they spend glued to the NCAA Tournament to recover from the outpatient surgery.

How effective is vasectomy?

While vasectomies are 99 percent effective against pregnancy, they don’t affect a man’s libido, sexual function or semen production. Men still experience normal orgasms. A vasectomy simply prevents sperm from being transported to mix with other seminal fluids.

Although it is possible to reverse a vasectomy, it’s important to keep in mind that reversal has between a 40 to 90 percent success rate.

We're Here To Help

With an experienced team of specialists in men’s health issues, UP offers a variety of effective treatment options for Low T, erectile dysfunction and permanent birth control.

For countless men who struggle with Low T, testosterone therapy has been a game changer—beating back the symptoms caused by a natural drop in testosterone. Today, there are good options to boost testosterone.

Testosterone gelspatchesinjections and pellets all deliver a controlled dose of testosterone. Talk with your UP physician to see which may be right for you.

Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) is an enzyme that is naturally produced by the body. When the body produces too much PDE-5, it interferes with signals that tell smooth muscle cells lining blood vessels in the penis to relax during sexual arousal. When the muscle cells can’t relax, blood flow to the penis is restricted—preventing erections. Oral PDE-5 inhibitor medications such as Viagra, Cialis and Levitra reduce the amount of PDE-5 so blood can flow into the penis. Oral PDE-5 may be prescribed for use every day or several times per week. It is not recommended for men who take nitrates, alpha blocker medications or those who have serious liver, kidney or heart conditions.

Most men aren’t thrilled by the thought of using a vacuum erection device (VED), but it provides important physical therapy for the penis after prostate cancer treatment. Patients are provided with a prescription for a VED—a plastic cylinder that is closed on one end and fitted with a seal around the open end. The penis is inserted into the cylinder through a hole in the seal.  When pressed against the body, the cylinder creates a vacuum using either a hand pump or small battery-operated pump. The vacuum draws blood into the penis causing an erection. This stretches the penis to help prevent the loss of penile length and the development of scar tissue. It also improves blood flow and oxygenation which are vital to sexual function. A retaining band can be transferred from the VED to the penis to maintain the erection after the VED is removed.  Nightly use of a VED can make a significant impact on the ability to develop erections sufficient for intimacy.

Unlike PDE-5 inhibitors which require functioning nerves to increase blood flow and oxygenation to the penis, the medicated urethral system for erections (MUSE) does not. It uses a small pellet containing alprostadil, a potent vasodilator that widens arteries so they can carry more blood. MUSE is very effective at producing erections, but because it is so potent, it must be administered directly into the penis. Patients use a tube-like applicator to deposit a small pellet directly into the urethra. The alprostadil is absorbed through the membrane that lines the urethra, promoting increased blood flow and oxygenation in the penis. An erection develops in about 10 minutes and lasts for about 30 minutes. Although some men report mild pain while the alprostadil is being absorbed, it decreases with each application. The number of MUSE treatments per week will vary depending on the individual and their prescribed rehab regimen. In some instances, MUSE may be used along with a PDE-5 inhibitor.

For patients who do not respond to oral PDE-5 inhibitors or other treatments, penile injection therapy can be a good option. As daunting as it may seem, this therapy has a very high efficacy rate because it doesn’t involve nerve stimulation. Studies show that 80 percent of men who have penile injections develop a natural feeling erection firm enough for intimacy. The injections are also fast-acting. Immediately prior to intimacy, the patient or their partner injects the medication into the side base of the penis. The proper dosage is determined by your UP physician. The injection causes blood vessels to dilate and the penis to become erect within five to 10 minutes. Erections typically last for approximately 30 minutes. Some men may experience mild pain, not from the needle insertion, but rather from the medication. For men who feel pain from the needle prick, a topical anesthetic can be applied before the injection. Because the injections are self-administered, you or your partner must physically be able to see the injection site and have the dexterity to safely administer the injection. Penile injections are not an option for men with a hypersensitivity to vasoactive medications or who suffer from sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma or leukemia.

Once cumbersome and awkward, penile implants have come a long way from the crude models introduced in the 1970s. Today, a state-of-the-art, three-piece inflatable implant can be totally concealed within the body. Most importantly, the implant can be discreetly inflated and deflated on demand via a squeezable pump that is placed in the scrotum. The pump channels fluid from a small reservoir implanted next to the bladder to a pair of inflatable cylinders in the penis, inflating the implant.

When the implant is inflated, the penis expands in length and girth, and has the rigidity and appearance of a natural erection. When it is deflated, the implant becomes soft and flaccid. Unlike oral medications, an implant lets the wearer decide when he wants to have an erection and how long he wants it to last. Implants allow wearers to be spontaneous with their partners and have sex when the mood strikes.

During the 15- to 20-minute outpatient procedure, small incisions are made in the scrotum to access and sever the vas deferens—the tube that transports sperm from the testicles to the ejaculatory ducts. After a vasectomy, a man will still ejaculate normally, but sperm will no longer be present in the ejaculatory fluid.

Following the procedure, some men have a small risk for bleeding, bruising and infection. Strenuous activity should be restricted for five to seven days while recovering.  Many men schedule their vasectomy for a Thursday or Friday so they can rest on Saturday and Sunday (a terrific excuse to watch sports all weekend).

Although a vasectomy can be reversed, we advise men and their partners to consider this a permanent measure. It is also extremely important to check with your UP physician before having unprotected sex following your vasectomy. A semen analysis a few months after your vasectomy can confirm that sperm are cleared. 

We Are Your Men’s Health Experts

Call for an Appointment

Schedule

Resume

Maximum file size: 134.22MB