Men are more likely to suffer from conditions such as high blood pressure and cardiac disease yet are far less likely to seek medical advice. We are happy to provide detailed review and treatment planning of any conditions which may affect you. Some of the services we offer include:
Blood pressure and Cholesterol monitoring
Heart and blood vessel disease is much more common in men than women. This means that we need to be even more careful in monitoring blood pressure and cholesterol. High blood pressure and high cholesterol have no symptoms so the only way to know if you have them is to have it checked. Blood pressure is checked in the surgery and cholesterol is done with a fasting blood test. By fasting we mean that you would have nothing to eat and only water to drink for 8-12 hours before the blood is taken. Here are some good resources with information on Cholesterol and High blood pressure.
Prostate exam
The prostate is a small gland that surrounds the tube which brings urine from the bladder to the penis. This can become enlarged in men and cause symptoms such as difficulty starting or stopping when passing urine or having to pee very frequently. You can also develop prostate cancer particularly if there is a family history of prostate cancer or if you smoke. If you require any further information please see the Irish Cancer Society website by clicking here.
Erectile dysfunction
Difficulties with achieving or maintaining erections is a common problem with over 50% of men experiencing it in their lifetime. This can be embarrassing to talk about but we deal with it on a very frequent basis. This may require some tests or medication but can often be fixed with some advice. The important thing is if this is causing you concern to talk to your GP about it
Testicular examination
It is a good idea for men to be familiar with their testicles. I would recommend you check the testicles on a regular basis every few months. The easiest time to do this is in the shower. The reason to do this is to ensure that you know what normal feels like and can bring it to your GPs attention if anything changes. Particularly we need to see you if there are any hard lumps or any new lumps or bumps. Here is a useful resource to help.
Sexual Health and Family planning including discussion regarding vasectomy
We now offer full STI screening test in Washington street medical centre. These are done by Dr. Phillip Kieran and cost the same as a regular consultation. This will involve discussing your sexual history and then some test depending on the discussion. Results usually only take a week to come back. There is a reduced fee for medical card holders as this service is not covered by the scheme.