A low sperm count doesn't cause any symptoms; it's usually found in fertility investigations when a couple finds it difficult to conceive naturally. A semen analysis reveals a low sperm count, which is classed as fewer than 15 million sperm per milliliter of semen. It's found in one in three couples who are struggling to conceive. Depending on any other results from fertility tests, it may guide potential fertility treatments.

Libido refers to your sex drive. Normal levels of libido and sex drive are different for each person, there is no standard that anyone should be compared to. Loss of libido is a type of sexual dysfunction and means a drop in your normal sex drive (not just lower than another person's). It is a common thing for people to experience. It can be due to many different things, such as fatigue, stress, symptoms of mental health conditions like depression, difficult personal circumstances, relationship difficulties, physical health conditions, or side effects of certain medications.

Prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate gland. The prostate is a walnut-sized gland that lies between the penis and the bladder and produces a fluid that nourishes sperm to create semen. Prostatitis usually occurs in people between the ages of 30 and 50 years. It can be very painful but rest assured, it does get better with time and treatment if needed.

Prostate specific antigen (PSA) is a protein that is produced by the prostate gland, a walnut-sized gland located near the bladder in men. It’s normal to have some PSA in your blood. As you get older your prostate gets bigger and the amount of PSA released – measurable in a blood test – can slowly rise. Prostate cancer can be one cause of a high PSA level, and early detection and treatment of this is beneficial. But it can also occur in other conditions. Therefore, results are interpreted with caution, rather than giving a clear-cut answer. If you have been diagnosed with prostate cancer, it may also be used to monitor your condition over time, and the success of any treatment. Some prostate cancers do not cause a high PSA level, you may get a normal PSA, so it’s not always a good test for cancer or it’s treatment.

The prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test relates to a man's risk of prostate cancer but unlike other cancers like breast and bowel, there is no routine screening program for prostate cancer in the US. This is because it’s not as straightforward as having a blood test and getting a black-and-white answer: it doesn’t tell you if you have prostate cancer or not. Instead, men over the age of 50 can ask their doctor for a test (or tests every so often) after discussion about how difficult the result is to interpret. A PSA result can be normal and you can still have prostate cancer, or it can be abnormal but you don’t have prostate cancer. A positive test, however, does usually mean you need further investigations, and these can be uncomfortable and carry risks. Let’s talk you through what makes a good screening test, and how this can be applied to PSA screening.

Testosterone is a male sex hormone made in the testicles. Testosterone plays a key role in male sexual development, from puberty to fertility. Some men can experience low testosterone levels, which can lead to a number of symptoms that may be bothersome. Over time, testosterone hormones do generally decline with age.

Testicular lumps are more common than you would think and can be caused by a variety of things. The majority of these are nothing serious, but they should always be checked out by your doctor. This is because a small number of cases may be cancerous. The good news is the survival rate for testicular cancer is high, especially when caught early and treated. Healthwords advises that anyone with testicles should remember to check them at least once a month. This is different from prostate cancer.

Tinea cruris (jock itch) is a common fungal skin infection of the groin. Sometimes doctors call it the medical term tinea cruris or ringworm - we should be clear it has nothing to do with worms! This fungal infection usually occurs in warm, moist areas such as the groin or in the armpit area or feet (where it is called tinea pedis or athletes foot). It produces symptoms of a rash that is usually red, sore and itchy and has clear edges that can form a ring-like pattern. It is commonly found in athletes and the elderly but can affect anyone. It is often found in the crease of the groin and can spread a short way down the upper thigh. The majority of cases are mild and can be treated easily with over the counter antifungal creams available from your pharmacist. If the medication is for a child you will be asked to see the doctor first rather than getting an over the counter cream. There are a number of different antifungal creams available (you will see names such as terbinafine, clotrimazole, and miconazole) so check the directions that come with each cream as it will tell you how often and how long to use it. Apply the cream to the affected area and to the non-affected skin that is up to 2 inches around the affected area.

Gonorrhea is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a bacteria called Neisseria gonorrhoeae. This can easily pass from person to person via unprotected vaginal, anal, and oral sex or sharing of sex toys. Condoms help to prevent catching gonorrhea. This may cause no noticeable symptoms, or it can cause a yellow/green, watery, or pus-like discharge from the penis, vagina, or rectum. It may cause pain on peeing; for women, pain during sex, bleeding after sex, or bleeding between periods, and for men, pain in the testicles. It can cause joint inflammation (reactive arthritis) and eye symptoms (conjunctivitis) and, if left untreated, can cause infertility. Given the high stakes and the fact that you may have no symptoms, it’s important to get tested regularly. This is especially important if you are 16 to 25, as this is the highest-risk age group. Get an STI test at the change of any partner (use condoms until you both get the all-clear) and at least once a year.

Chlamydia is a very common sexually transmitted infection (STI). It is a bacterium that can spread in semen or vaginal fluid and infect the vagina, uterus (womb), urethra (tube for the passage of urine, plus semen in men), the penis, rectum and, less commonly, the throat and eyes. It may cause no symptoms at all but if it does, signs to look out for are a vaginal, penile or rectal discharge. This is usually watery and white or cloudy, and there may also be pain or stinging when peeing. In the longer term, men may get pain in the testicles and women develop pain in the pelvis, especially when having sex, and bleeding after sex or between periods. Ultimately it can cause infertility if left untreated. It may also cause joint inflammation (reactive arthritis) and irritated red eyes (conjunctivitis). Given the high stakes and the fact that you may have no symptoms at all, it’s important to get tested regularly. This is especially important if you are aged 16 to 25, as this is the highest risk age group. If you're a woman, sexually active and under 25, it's recommended that you have a chlamydia test once a year, and when you have sex with new or casual partners. If you're a man, sexually active and under 25 it's recommended that you have a chlamydia test once a year if you’re not using condoms with new or casual partners. Get an STI test at the change of any partner (use condoms until you both get the all-clear) and if you’re changing partners regularly or have multiple partners, get tested every three months.

Warts are small fleshy growths or bumps with a hardened dry top, most often flesh-colored, but can appear red if irritated. Several can appear in a cluster. Genital warts are sexually transmitted infections caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and spread by vaginal, anal, digital, and oral sex or sharing sex toys. They are not harmful and can disappear within a few months, but they can become irritated and sore if they rub or catch on clothing, and some people are bothered by their appearance. You also put your partner or partners at risk of contracting them if left untreated. Depending on their size or location, they may catch on clothes or feel a bit sore and sometimes itch or bleed. They may not cause you any bother. Or you may be bothered by your appearance, which can affect your confidence and, inevitably, intimate relationships.

You are never far from sexual health services in the US. Dedicated clinics are there for phone consultations or visits, online services can mail out testing kits for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and your doctor is also a source of advice, testing, and prescriptions. Needs can vary widely, but most people request access to STI tests such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV and hepatitis, emergency contraception, and regular contraception. Clinics may offer hepatitis B vaccination if you are at risk or emergency HIV treatment if you think you’ve been exposed. They can also advise on safe sex, high-risk behavior, sexual assault or rape, and anonymous contact tracing for a sexual partner or partners if you have tested positive for an STI.