A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure in which a female’s uterus is removed. In the United States, hysterectomies are very common, with 1 in 3 women undergoing the procedure by age 60.1 It is the second most common surgical procedure in reproductive-aged women.1 Hysterectomy rates vary in other countries, but the United States contains the…
Category: Health
Orchiectomy
An orchiectomy is a surgical treatment that consists of the removal of one or both testicles (bilateral orchiectomy). The testicles are the male sex organ which produce sperm and testosterone.1 Multiple reasons exist for undergoing an orchiectomy. Contrary to popular belief, removing one testicle does not decrease a male’s sexual drive. A single testicle is sufficient for both fertility and proper…
Mastectomy
Mastectomy is the surgical removal of all or some of a patient’s breast tissue, usually performed in order to treat or prevent breast cancer. Mastectomy is not to be confused with lumpectomy, which is the removal of only the cancerous mass from the breast along with a minimal amount of surrounding healthy tissue.1 Mastectomy is…
Epididymal Hypertension (Blue Balls)
What is Epididymal Hypertension? Epididymal hypertension, or “blue balls” refers to testicular aching that occurs when the blood in the male’s genitals is retained after prolonged sexual arousal and is not dissipated by an orgasm. What Causes Epididymal Hypertension? When a man becomes sexually aroused, the arteries that carry blood to his genitals enlarge, while the…
Importance of a Positive Self-Image
In today’s world it can be difficult to build and maintain a positive self-image – however, it is both possible and important to do so. Unfortunately, studies have shown that significant populations of women, as well as some men, are dissatisfied with their bodies and/or suffer from low self-confidence and self-esteem, which can have extremely…
Penile and Anal Cancers
Cancer is a condition in which mutated cells in the body grow and multiply out of control. Penile cancer is when the mutated cells occur in the tissue of the penis. Anal cancer occurs when the mutated cells occur in the tissue of the anus.For anal cancer, there is an estimated 8,080 new cases in…
Male Genital Self-Exam
The major regions of the male genitalia include the penis, scrotum, and urethra. A genital self-examination consists of physically and visually investigating for abnormalities. Maintenance of sexual health includes regular self-examination of the external genitalia. Individuals should perform self-examinations as often as possible to identify abnormal masses and avoid complications that may arise from conditions…
Improving Your Body Image
Being unhappy with your own body is challenging. Many people go through periods of time where they struggle with body-image issues. Struggling with insecurities related to one’s body can sometimes feel inescapable. However, there are many ways to work on body insecurities that can help alleviate the burden of fixating on one’s appearance. External Forces…