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Urology

Expert answers from Urology physicians on health concerns and treatment options

Questions & Answers

564 articles

Q

What people get wrong about right testicle and lower abdomen pain

People often assume this pain is a pulled muscle or a simple infection, but it can also signal emergencies like testicular torsion or appendicitis, as well as hernias, kidney stones, prostatitis, or a right sided varicocele that may need imaging. There are several factors to consider and overlapping nerve pathways can blur where the pain starts; see the full list of causes, myths, and what doctors check below. Seek urgent care for sudden severe testicular pain with nausea, fever, blood in urine or stool, inability to pass urine or stool, a groin bulge that will not reduce, or rapidly increasing abdominal size, and review the detailed red flags and next steps below.

Q

The truth about erectile dysfunction in teens

Erectile dysfunction can happen in teens, but it is uncommon and usually related to stress, anxiety, or lifestyle habits rather than serious illness; ongoing problems for 3 months or more deserve a medical check. There are several factors to consider, including mental health, expectations shaped by pornography, medications, hormones, weight and metabolic health, and substance use, plus when to seek urgent care and evidence-based treatments. See below for the complete answer and how these details can guide your next steps.

Q

5 important things to know about micro penis

Micro penis is a rare condition defined as a stretched penile length more than 2.5 standard deviations below the age norm, typically under about 2.5 cm at birth or 7 cm in adults, and it must be measured accurately by a clinician to distinguish it from other conditions. There are several factors to consider, including hormonal or genetic causes, early diagnostic testing and hormone treatment options, psychological support and realistic expectations for sexual function with many men having normal erections and sensation, and when to seek specialist care; see below for the complete details that could shape your next steps.

Q

Baking Soda and Apple Cider Vinegar: Benefits and Risks for men

Baking soda and apple cider vinegar may offer modest benefits for men, including occasional heartburn relief, small improvements in post-meal blood sugar with ACV, and possible exercise buffering with baking soda that can indirectly support weight and vascular health relevant to erections. There are several factors to consider, including risks like enamel erosion, digestive irritation, electrolyte and blood pressure changes, drug interactions, and no proof either directly improves ED; see below for safe doses, how to time or separate them, red flags that warrant medical care, and other lifestyle steps that matter more.

Q

Baking Soda for ED: Should You Try It?

There is no credible evidence that baking soda improves erections, and mixing it with apple cider vinegar neutralizes the vinegar’s active acid; while ACV may modestly aid weight and blood sugar, it has not been shown to help ED. There are several factors to consider. See below for important risks, who should avoid these remedies, and proven treatments that are safer and more effective; if your ED is persistent or sudden, seek a medical evaluation for possible cardiovascular or metabolic causes.

Q

Considering the baking soda vinegar trick for ED; Is the problem all in your head?

No, the baking soda plus apple cider vinegar trick does not cure ED, and it can pose health risks; blood pH is tightly regulated and there is no clinical evidence this improves erections. ED is not simply in your head, as most cases involve physical factors along with stress or anxiety. There are several factors to consider and proven treatments that can help; see below for how to tell physical from psychological causes, safer evidence-based options, and key risks to avoid and when to seek care.

Q

Do penis pumps really work?

Penis pumps (vacuum erection devices) can help many men get and keep an erection, with studies showing about 60 to 80 percent effectiveness and mostly mild side effects. They are often most useful for mild to moderate ED, for men who cannot take pills, and after prostate surgery. There are several factors to consider, like underlying causes, medication interactions, proper technique and ring time limits, and when to combine treatments or see a clinician; see the complete details below to choose the right next steps.

Q

Does medicare cover erectile dysfunction treatment?

Medicare may cover erectile dysfunction treatment, but coverage depends on the specific therapy and medical necessity, with oral drugs typically under Part D if on your plan formulary, injections and vacuum devices often under Part B, and penile implant surgery under Part A or B. There are several factors to consider, including prior authorization, step therapy, cost sharing, Medicare Advantage plan rules, and exclusions like over the counter supplements; see the complete details below to understand what applies to you and which next steps to take with your doctor and plan.

Q

Does radiation treatment for prostate cancer cause erectile dysfunction?

Radiation for prostate cancer can cause erectile dysfunction, often developing gradually as nerves and blood vessels are affected, with about 40 to 60 percent of men experiencing some degree within two years, depending on treatment type, age, baseline function, health conditions, and whether hormone therapy is used. There are several factors to consider, and many treatments can help, from lifestyle changes and pills to devices and implants; early conversation with your care team matters. See below for key timelines, risk factors, and practical next steps that can influence your decisions.

Q

How does penis enlargement surgery work?

Penis enlargement surgery increases length or girth by either cutting the suspensory ligament so more of the shaft hangs outside the body, or by adding volume with fat transfer, dermal or synthetic grafts, or temporary hyaluronic acid fillers; some people combine procedures, and post-op traction or an extender is critical because gains are usually modest. There are several factors to consider, including recovery time, risks like infection, scarring, asymmetry or sensation changes, variable fat reabsorption, costs, and choosing an experienced surgeon. See complete details below to guide your next steps.

Q

Is micro penis real?

Micropenis is real and medically defined as a stretched penile length more than 2.5 standard deviations below average, roughly under 2.5 inches in adults, with age specific cutoffs for infants and children. There are several factors to consider, including distinguishing it from a buried penis, possible hormonal or genetic causes, how it is diagnosed, treatment options like early testosterone therapy, and when to see a specialist; see below for details that could impact your next steps and support resources.

Q

Is penis enlargement worth considering as a senior?

There are several factors to consider. For most seniors, enlargement offers modest, sometimes temporary size gains but carries real risks and higher complication rates as you age, so it is usually only worth considering if you are healthy, have realistic expectations, and choose an experienced, board-certified specialist. Many people achieve better confidence and sexual satisfaction using non-surgical options like vacuum devices, traction, pelvic floor work, and counseling, often with fewer risks and lower cost. For specific methods, expected results, safety considerations, and deciding next steps with your doctor, see the complete details below.

Q

Is penis enlargement worth considering as a teen?

Generally not recommended for teens, since most are still developing into their early 20s, most fall within normal size ranges, and there are no safe, proven enlargement methods for minors; many advertised options carry real risks like tissue injury, reduced sensitivity, and emotional distress. There are several factors to consider. See below for details on normal development, common myths, the evidence and risks for pumps, extenders, creams, and surgery, mental health considerations, and when to seek professional guidance.

Q

Is penis enlargement worth considering as gay man?

There are several factors to consider. See below for the key numbers, risks, and decision points that might change your next steps. Expect modest gains overall: extenders average 1 to 1.6 cm of length over months, HA fillers add about 1.5 to 2 cm of girth for 9 to 12 months, and surgery brings higher risk for limited improvement; weigh partner preferences, confidence goals, costs, potential complications, and the reality that technique and connection often matter more than size, and consider a consult with a board-certified urologist or a sex therapist.

Q

Life after 60: Do penis pumps really work for seniors?

Yes, penis pumps can work for many men over 60, often producing erections suitable for intercourse with few systemic side effects; clinical trials and international guidelines support them as an effective, safe, and cost-effective option, especially when pills are not ideal. There are several factors to consider. See below for details on candidacy, safe use and ring timing, common side effects and red flags, the need to address underlying heart or hormonal issues, and how pumps compare or combine with other ED treatments, which could influence your next steps.

Q

The difference between true erectile dysfunction and nerves

True, organic ED usually develops gradually, is consistent whether you’re with a partner or alone, and often comes with reduced or absent nocturnal or morning erections, while psychogenic or “nerves” ED tends to be sudden or situational, with normal nocturnal erections and variable performance. There are several factors to consider, including mixed causes, red flags, and how doctors confirm the difference using history, labs, nocturnal penile tumescence testing, and penile Doppler. See below for complete details that can guide the right next steps and treatment options.

Q

What are the risks and watch-outs for penis pumps?

There are several risks and watch-outs to consider, including bruising or petechiae, pain, numbness or coldness from the constriction band, skin irritation or discoloration, difficulty ejaculating, device problems, psychological stress, and rarely priapism if the band stays on too long; be especially cautious if you use blood thinners, have bleeding or blood-cell disorders, penile infection or severe curvature, or a spinal cord injury. Reduce risk by using gentle suction with lubrication, following time limits of 10 to 15 minutes for the band and 20 to 30 minutes total, inspecting and cleaning the device, and seeking urgent care for an erection over 4 hours or persistent severe symptoms. Many more safety tips, red flags, and next-step guidance are detailed below.

Q

What does a penis pump do?

A penis pump creates a vacuum around the penis that draws blood into the erectile chambers to produce an erection, and a constriction ring can then help maintain it for up to about 30 minutes. It is a drug-free option used for erectile dysfunction, post-surgery penile rehabilitation, and temporary enhancement, but technique, device choice, and safety considerations matter. There are several factors to consider; see below for key benefits, risks, contraindications, and usage tips that could guide your next steps.

Q

What does BDSM mean, and what are the risks?

BDSM is a consensual set of practices that include bondage and discipline, dominance and submission, and sadism and masochism, guided by consent-focused frameworks like Safe, Sane, and Consensual and Risk-Aware Consensual Kink. Risks include physical harm such as bruises, nerve or breathing complications, and infection, as well as emotional triggers, boundary violations, and social or legal consequences; these can be reduced with clear negotiation, safewords, education, proper gear, and aftercare, and medical or mental health support may be needed if injuries or distress occur. There are several factors to consider, and important details that could shape your next steps are summarized below.

Q

What is a micro penis?

A micro penis is a medically defined diagnosis for a penis measuring more than 2.5 standard deviations below the age based average, typically under 2.5 cm in newborns and about 7 cm stretched length in adults. It can reflect hormonal, genetic, or developmental issues and has specific evaluations and treatments that may be time sensitive; there are several factors to consider, so see below to understand measurement details, causes, tests, treatment choices, and when to seek care.

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