Men’s Health

The iRWA team specialise in several procedures that treat conditions specific to men. These procedures target conditions that affect the reproductive and urinary systems. These minimally invasive alternatives to traditional surgeries, often allow for faster recovery times and fewer complications.

iRWA’s Interventional Radiologists work closely with urologists and other specialists to manage these men's health conditions.

Here is a list of male-specific procedures commonly performed by iRWA:

Procedures

  • Prostate Artery Embolisation (PAE) is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a condition that affects many aging men and causes bothersome lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). PAE is a modern alternative to traditional surgical treatments like transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), offering symptom relief with fewer risks.

    PAE is particularly beneficial for men who prefer a non-surgical option with fewer risks, those with larger prostates, those on anticoagulants and those with other medical conditions which make surgical options riskier.

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  • A varicocele is an enlarged vein in your scrotum with reversed or stagnant blood flow.

    Varicocele Embolisation is an image-guided procedure that uses a catheter (thin, plastic tube) to insert tiny coils and/or a liquid substance into a vein in the abdomen, which drains blood away from the scrotum. This helps to reduce blood pressure in the vein and alleviate symptoms.

    Varicocele Embolisation is a non-surgical treatment performed by an Interventional Radiologist. It is as effective as surgery, but less invasive.

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    MANAGING VARICOCELE TREATMENT AND FERTILITY

  • Hydrocele Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat a hydrocele, which is a collection of fluid around the testicle that causes swelling of the scrotum. During the procedure, the fluid is drained via a small plastic tube, and a sclerosing agent is then injected into the space to help seal it and prevent the fluid from reaccumulating. Hydrocele sclerotherapy can be performed under local or general anaesthetic, requires little downtime, and may be an alternative to surgery for selected patients.

Conditions

Here is a list of male-specific conditions commonly treated by Interventional Radiologists:

  • Condition: An enlarged prostate can cause urinary problems, such as difficulty urinating, frequent urination, and incomplete emptying of the bladder.

    Procedure: Prostate Artery Embolisation (PAE) reduces blood flow to the prostate, shrinking it and alleviating symptoms of BPH. This procedure uses pin-hole surgery, reducing operation and recovery time. It also means patients can walk within minutes of the procedure and are usually discharged the same day.

  • Condition: Enlarged veins in the scrotum, typically affecting the left side, and can cause pain, swelling, or infertility due to reduced sperm quality.

    Procedure: Varicocele Embolisation involves using endovascular coils or other embolic agents to block the abnormal veins, improving symptoms and fertility.

  • Condition: Infertility in men has multiple causes and contributors. In patients with infertility and a varicocele, treating the varicocele may improve infertility.

    ProcedureVaricocele Embolisation of the testicular vain has been shown to improve fertility outcomes.

  • Condition: A fluid-filled sac around a testicle, leading to swelling in the scrotum. It is typically benign but can cause discomfort or cosmetic concerns.

    Procedure: Hydrocele Aspiration and Sclerotherapy involves draining the fluid and injecting a sclerosing agent to prevent recurrence.

  • Condition: Chronic pelvic and testicular pain in men has multiple causes. When it is caused by varicocele, it may be treated with embolisation.

    ProcedureVaricocele Embolisation can improve venous drainage to the testis, improving pain and fertility outcomes.