Some people have a testicle on only one side. On the other side, the testicle is completely missing or it…

It is important that all lumps within your scrotum, on or alongside your testicle are examined by a doctor. Even…

Often, the scrotum or testicle is not swollen, but there is a dull, throbbing pain or discomfort on one side…

If your testicles feel itchy, it is probably the scrotum that is itching – the bag of skin that contains…

The testicles (testes) are factories for making sperm, and the scrotum is like an air-cooled radiator that keeps the testicles…

It is a good idea to examine your testicles (testes) regularly, so that you become familiar with your own anatomy….

Sometimes we look at our bodies in a new light, and notice things that we have never seen before, and…

The penis contains three long cylinders of erectile tissue. Two of the cylinders lie side by side, while the third…

In the UK, only men with certain conditions (prostate cancer, spinal cord injury, kidney failure, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, spina bifida,…

According to Men’s Health magazine, “on the Richter scale of embarrassment, impotence comes near the top”. The Viagra publicity has…

Is it really an erection problem? Or is the actual problem premature ejaculation or a lack of sexual desire? Can…

Ejaculation is the peak of male orgasm, when the semen squirts out. In premature ejaculation, the point of no return…

Sperm are made in the testicles. To reach the penis, they travel along the narrow tube of the epididymis (which…

If your semen goes backwards into your bladder at orgasm, instead of shooting out of the hole at the end…

Semen is usually a thick, creamy-white liquid. Blood in the semen (haematospermia) is common and looks like red streaks in…

Delayed orgasm and anorgasmia are defined as the persistent or recurrent difficulty, delay in, or absence of attaining orgasm after…

Most men do not think rationally about penis size. Research has shown that men do not have a clear idea…

The foreskin is the hood of skin that covers the head of the penis. If you have been circumcised, you…

If you look carefully at the stream of urine as it leaves the penis you will notice that it comes…

It is quite common to notice an area of skin on the penis that looks different from the surrounding skin….

The hole at the end of the penis is the opening of the urethra (the tube for urine and semen…

An absolutely straight penis is unusual – most have a slight curve when erect. But this should not be more…

The penis is the major male reproductive organ. It also forms part of the male urinary tract system since it…

The main lump in the vagina is the cervix (neck of the womb). This projects into the far end of…

To be wholly accurate, the vaginal lips should be called ‘vulval lips’. The outer lips are usually fleshy, and the…

The natural moistness of the vagina prevents its sides from rubbing against each other as you move about during the…

The vulva is usually slightly darker than the rest of your skin – dusky pink or brownish. There are two…

It is normal to have some vaginal discharge, because the vagina stays moist as part of its self-cleansing mechanism. The…

If your vulva smells fishy, you may have bacterial vaginosis (also known as anaerobic vaginosis). This is an imbalance in…

Any of the causes of vulval itching may cause actual pain if they are severe (see section on vulval itching)….

Itchiness of the vulva is almost never caused by a sexually transmitted infection, but is usually a result of thrush…

The vagina is a tube connecting the uterus (womb) to the outside. At the top is the cervix, which is…

Smear tests are important and can save your life. You should get yours regularly when invited even if you are…

The female genital tract includes the vulva, vagina, cervix, uterus (womb), fallopian tubes and ovaries. The vulva is the area…

Vaginal diaphragms and cervical caps are both types of barrier contraception that fit inside the vagina. The physical barrier prevents…

Progestogen-only pills (POPs) contain a single hormone There are different types of the hormone progestogen in different pills Older or…

An injection that contains a hormone to prevent pregnancy 94% effective Lasts for 13 weeks Can be given in a…

Sterilisation can be performed on those with a penis (vasectomy) and those with a uterus and Fallopian tubes (tubal ligation)….

There is a possibility of pregnancy when eggs, tubes and sperm are healthy In any one cycle, if all factors…

An intrauterine system (IUS) is a small, plastic, T-shaped device that sits inside the womb Also known as the ‘hormonal…

An intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD) is a small, T-shaped, plastic device with copper on the stem and sometimes also the…

There are three different ways to take combined hormonal contraception (CHC): A pill A patch A vaginal ring It prevents…

Condoms are the only contraceptive method that can protect against both pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), if used correctly….

Candidiasis or ‘thrush’ is a yeast infection It can affect both women and men Usually easily treated with a short…

Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) TV is less common in the UK than other STIs It…

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Syphilis is caused by infection with a bacterium called Treponema pallidum. There are…

Pubic lice are common in the UK. Anyone can get pubic lice; they have nothing to do with poor bodily…

Candidiasis or ‘thrush’ is a yeast infection It can affect both men and women It is usually easily treated with…

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of the womb, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. Any or all of these parts…

Molluscum contagiosum is a common poxvirus infection that causes spots on the skin of both children and adults. It is…

HIV is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a virus which damages the immune system It is possible to…

Gonorrhoea is a bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI) Cases of gonorrhoea are increasing in the UK and often co-exist with…

Genital herpes is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) Herpes can also affect the face and cause ‘cold sores’ Herpes…

Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the UK There are often no symptoms of chlamydia infection;…

Balanitis is a condition which can cause inflammation of the end of the penis The penis may appear red and…

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common cause of vaginal discharge. BV is not a sexually transmitted infection (STI). You cannot…

Anogenital warts are a sexually transmitted infection (STI) They are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV) They are small…

Menopause signifies the end of reproductive life, as a result of ovarian failure (ovaries have a predicted lifespan of approximately…

Most women of reproductive age (with a hormone cycle) experience some degree of premenstrual irritability. 5–8% of women have a…

Female urogenital problems are common in association with lack of the hormone estrogen. This is most commonly due to the…

Genitourinary medicine clinics deal with sexually transmitted infections and many other genital and sexual problems. These clinics are sometimes called…