Ras Al Khaimah: To create awareness regarding andrology and men’s health issues, RAK Hospital is launching a Complete Men’s Health Clinic starting this month.
The first-of its-kind campaign focused on providing guidance, help and treatment options for male problems will be held for three days from March 25 to 27 at the facility in Ras Al Khaimah. This will be the first in the series of regular monthly awareness campaigns planned by the clinic. Dr. Anup Dhir, a famous andrologist, men health consultant and surgeon will provide pre & post marital counselling, psychosexual and couple counselling alongside helping patients dealing with adolescence, andropause (male menopause), hormonal issues and diseases that may affect sexual function or fertility.
Dr. Dhir will also conduct an exclusive session for other doctors that include internal medicine, GPs and urologists to help them identify cases which should be dealt in special andrology clinics.
Andrologists specialise in men’s health, specifically reproductive health and treat conditions in men that affect the genitalia, such as undescended testes and any diseases or injuries that may affect sexual function or fertility. This speciality is comparable to a gynecologist for women.
“The aim of this clinic is to help male patients with their unique male problems, most of which are reproductive or urological in nature. Men are statistically much less likely than women to seek medical care when facing issues and we want them to come out and consult us for their specific issues and seek proper treatment. Many a time they don’t even understand that there is a problem and it can be corrected,” said Dr. Raza Siddiqui, executive director of RAK Hospital.
Male menopause is a real problem and happens due to moderate to severe deficiency in the levels of testosterone in a man’s body. Testosterone is the male hormone which gives a man special male characteristics and is also important for general well-being. Some men develop depression, loss of sex drive, erectile dysfunction and other physical and emotional symptoms when they reach their late 40s to early 50s. Other symptoms common in men this age are: mood swings and irritability, loss of muscle mass and reduced ability to exercise, fat redistribution, such as developing a large belly or “man boobs” (gynaecomastia), a general lack of enthusiasm or energy, difficulty sleeping (insomnia) or increased tiredness, poor concentration and short-term memory among others. These symptoms can interfere with everyday life and happiness, so it’s important to find the underlying cause and work out what can be done to resolve it.
“Testosterone levels naturally decrease as part of the ageing process. An average 70-year-old male has half the level of testosterone as a 30-year-old. Male menopause is also closely linked to cardiovascular diseases, as well as lowered bone density that is indicative of osteoporosis. In one in five men these levels fall below the normal range bringing about the onset of male menopause and in UAE the numbers could be higher as we have a diabetic and hypertensive population”, commented Dr. Anup Dhir.
“Most of the male sexual problems can be helped by recognising and treating the underlying medical or psychological problems. The treatment strategies include investigations, medicine treatment including hormonal treatment, psychological therapy, education and counselling”, added Dr. Dhir.
