Men’s Wellness

What is men’s wellness?


Men’s wellness focuses on men's physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Unfortunately, the welfare of men is at times understated, and therefore, most men neglect their overall health, including their mental state, sexual health and disease prevention.



What do we screen for?

Prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is one of the biggest concerns for men. Prostate cancer is an unnatural cellular division that begins in the prostate gland, a gland about the size of a walnut that performs two essential functions: (i) secreting 20-30 per cent of semen (ii) and enhancing its quality. The prostatic fluid contains essential enzymes, citric acid and zinc that allow sperm cells to thrive. One particular enzyme is prostate-specific antigen (PSA), which thins out semen and produces more fluid. A prostate-specific antigen blood test measures the PSA level in the blood by nanograms per millimetre. The higher the PSA level, the more likely prostate cancer is present. A reading of 4 ng/mL and above suggests further testing may need to be carried out.

A digital rectal exam is another hands-on approach when checking the prostate for signs of cancer. Your doctor uses a single gloved finger to insert into the rectal area to feel for hard lumps near the prostate. A PSA blood test is the most reliable way to screen for prostate cancer. However, a digital rectal exam can be used to detect cancer in men with normal PSA levels. 


Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Testing

A sexually transmitted disease can spread through sexual contact via the mixing of bodily fluids. When screening for gonorrhoea and chlamydia, doctors conduct a urine test or swab on the penis. The sample is taken to the lab to be studied in detail.

For hepatitis, your doctor will carry out a blood test that will be transferred to the laboratory. Testing for syphilis involves taking a sample of blood or swabbing genital sores.

HIV testing

HIV is an incurable autoimmune disease that spreads through contaminated blood or bodily fluid contact. There are different ways to test for HIV, including taking a nucleic acid test (NAT) or an antigen and antibody test. A NAT traces the virus present in the blood and measures the viral load. An antibody test measures the number of antibodies present in response to HIV. Antibody tests can be carried out at the laboratory or at home. Most of the time, these types of tests can be done in the privacy of a clinic. However, the information from the test will always remain confidential because the health practitioner conducting the test will never disclose the data to any third party.


REQUEST CONSULTATION

1. How often should I screen for a sexually transmitted infection (STI)?
Screening for STIs depends on your age, sexual history and risk factors such as your sexual appetite and safety precautions when practising safe sex.
2. When should I test for HIV?
At twelve weeks or three months, most people develop antibodies against HIV. Most people test after four weeks from exposure which is still accurate. However, after three months, you can test again to be sure.
3. What do high PSA levels indicate?
An enlarged prostate is a harmless condition that causes a man's PSA levels to rise. Also, as a man ages, his PSA levels increase naturally. Prostatitis occurs when the prostate gland becomes irritated, and therefore PSA levels increase even more. After ejaculation, the PSA can increase, so you should refrain from doing this two days before the test. Taking hormone therapy (testosterone) can also increase the PSA.