Peyronie’s Disease: Symptoms And Treatment For The Curved Penis Condition Explained

Men who have Peyronie’s disease – where the penis curves dramatically – could have an increased risk of developing cancer, according to a new study.

The study of 1.5 million men by researchers from Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, suggested men with the condition have a 40% increased risk of developing testicular cancer, a 40% increased risk of developing stomach cancer and a 29% increased risk of developing skin cancer (melanoma), according to The Telegraph.

But Dr Helen Webberley, who runs the online healthcare service My Web Doctor, said “we need to be very careful that this [research] is fully evaluated before people start to worry”. She added: “We also need to be careful that very ‘normal’ men with a slight bend do not get swept up in this association.”

Off the back of the study, we looked into the symptoms and causes of Peyronie’s disease, as well as how to get treated.

What is Peyronie’s disease?

“Many men have a bend or a mild curvature of the penis,” Dr Webberley explained. “Peyronie’s disease is a different thing altogether. It is a rare condition where there is true fibrosis in the shaft of the penis leading to a marked bend and difficulties with urination and sex.”

If you have any of the following symptoms, you should see your GP:

:: a thickened area or hard lump (plaque) in the shaft of the penis 

:: a curve in the penis when it’s erect

:: pain in the penis, usually during an erection 

:: the penis looking misshapen, like an hour glass

:: loss of length or girth of the penis.

According to the British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS), Peyronie’s disease affects approximately one in every 16 men (6%), however many urologists believe it’s under-reported, possibly affecting as many as one in 10 men (10%). Most men affected are over the age of 40.

As previously mentioned, the condition causes the penis to curve. When a plaque grows on the top of the penis, for example, it can cause the penis to bend upward and when it grows on the underside, it causes a downward bend. In some cases, the plaque develops centrally, which can lead to indentation and shortening of the penis.

There are often two stages to the disease, according to BAUS: a painful, inflammatory phase which usually lasts for three to six months and a chronic or stable phase, which usually happens at least six months after the pain has stopped. During the latter stage, no new changes occur to the shape or curvature of the penis.

Causes

Peyronie’s disease is sometimes caused by injury to the penis, however in a lot of cases there’s no obvious reason as to why it develops. 

Treatment

The disease usually changes the shape of the penis permanently, meaning it won’t go back to the way it was before. That said, it won’t always affect men to the point where they need treatment, according to the NHS.

If Peyronie’s disease is affecting your sexual function or causing pain, you might be offered non-surgical treatment such as steroids which are injected into the affected area or medicines. Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) is also an option, where soundwaves target the plaque. Although there is not much evidence to suggest any of the aforementioned treatments are effective. 

In severe cases, Peyronie’s can be treated with surgery. According to the NHS, this might involve: removing or cutting away the plaque and attaching a patch of skin or a vein to straighten the penis, removing an area of the penis opposite the plaque to cancel out the bend or implanting a device to straighten the penis.

www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/peyronies-disease-symptoms-causes-and-treatment-for-curved-penis-condition_uk_59fb24e5e4b0b0c7fa3878a9

#AM_Equality Tipsheet: November 2, 2017

HRC URGES SENATE TO REJECT ANTI-LGBTQ EXPORT-IMPORT BANK NOMINEE: Scott Garrett, Trump’s nominee to lead the Export-Import Bank, had his hearing yesterday before the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. “Scott Garrett is not qualified to be the President of the Export-Import Bank of the United States. It makes no sense to appoint someone to lead an institution he does not believe should exist,” said HRC Government Affairs Director David Stacy. “Even among the many House members with anti-LGBTQ records, Scott Garrett managed to stand out for his extreme positions on the inclusion of LGBTQ people in our country. The Trump-Pence administration continues to dispatch anti-LGBTQ officials to all levels of government and Garrett is simply another disgraceful agent in their crusade against equality. We urge the Senate to reject his nomination.” Garrett’s stance and hateful remarks led HRC to call for his removal as subcommittee chair in the House Financial Services Committee. More from HRC.

COURT PREVENTS LOUISIANA GOV FROM PROTECTING LGBTQ STATE WORKERS: Yesterday, a three-judge panel of Louisiana’s First Circuit Court of Appeal upheld an earlier District Court decision striking down Governor John Bel Edwards’ executive order protecting LGBTQ state workers and contractors from discrimination. “This decision is a setback with serious consequences for LGBTQ state employees and contractors throughout Louisiana,” said HRC Legal Director Sarah Warbelow. “Governor John Bel Edwards’ common sense protections are similar to executive orders issued by governors around the country.” Bel Edwards issued the executive order last April, protecting state employees and contractors from discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.  Attorney General Jeff Landry sued the governor, asking the court to throw out those explicit protections that do not exist under state law. More from The Associated Press.

TRUMP JUDICIAL NOMINEE FAILS TO DENOUNCE DANGEROUS PRACTICE OF SO-CALLED ‘CONVERSION THERAPY’: When asked by Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) about his connection to the anti-LGBTQ Nebraska Family Alliance, L. Steven Grasz — Trump’s nominee to the U.S. Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals — failed to denounce the group’s support of the debunked practice. Additionally, Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) asked Grasz about referring to marriage equality as a “grave danger,” he claimed he would follow the Obergefell decision as the law of the land. More from Newsweek and Mother Jones.

• The American Bar Association yesterday deemed Grasz “not qualified” for this seat. More from The Omaha World-Herald.
• Grasz joins a growing list of anti-LGBTQ judicial nominees being advanced by the Trump-Pence Administration, including Jeff Mateer, Damien Schiff, Stephen Schwartz and Mark Norris.

THANKFUL THURSDAY — WATCH THIS 104-YEAR-OLD AUSTRALIAN EXPLAIN WHY HE SUPPORTS MARRIAGE EQUALITY: Alex was married for 45 years to his wife, and now wants the same rights for his gay grandson. Results in Australia’s non-binding postal vote on marriage equality are expected November 15. More from Metro.

MORNING MUST READ FROM REUTERS, “OUT FOR VOTES: BATTLE OVER RIGHTS INSPIRES MORE U.S. TRANSGENDER CANDIDATES”: Reporter Letitia Stein (@LetitiaStein) writes, “[Virginia Delegate candidate Danica Roem’s] candidacy comes as more transgender men and women are vying for voices in the political arena where they have been targeted by conservative lawmakers seeking to limit their rights, most notably by restricting bathroom access… Nearly 30 races in the 2017-18 election cycle already have a transgender candidate, up from 13 in 2015-16… The community’s electoral push comes as Republican President Donald Trump’s administration has reversed guidance to public schools on allowing transgender students’ bathroom choice and wants to ban transgender people from military service.” More from Reuters.

With LGBTQ rights under attack, more transgender Americans are running for office. That’s good for the country. t.co/QSQKxEwjox

— Chad Griffin (@ChadHGriffin) November 1, 2017

RUSSIAN OFFICIAL SUPPORTS CRIMINAL CASE OVER CHECHNYA’S ANTI-LGBTQ HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES: Russian Human Rights Ombudsperson Tatayana Moskalkova told reporters yesterday that a criminal case could be made concerning anti-LGBTQ torture against Chechen man Maksim Lapunov. Since early this year, Chechen authorities have rounded up and detained more than 100 men in secret prisons, under suspicion that they are gay or bisexual. Chechen leaders have denied these accusations, going so far as to deny the very existence of LGBTQ people in Chechnya. Nonetheless, there have been numerous verified reports of torture and at least three and possibly as many as 20 men have been killed. More from Tass Russian News Agency.

• While the U.S. Congress has passed resolutions condemning the violence and persecution by Chechen authorities, President Trump and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson have thus far failed to publicly condemn the attacks. More from Upworthy.

EGYPT AND RUSSIA BLOCKED FROM REMOVING INCLUSIVE LANGUAGE IN  UN’S OLYMPICS RESOLUTION: In advance of the Olympics, the United Nations General Assembly passes an “Olympic Truce Resolution,” which includes a commitment that the Olympics will not discriminate — including on the basis of sexual orientation. This year, however, Egypt and Russia attempted to remove the language on non-discrimination, because of the reference to sexual orientation. The U.S. and other nations blocked them. More from HRC and The Washington Blade.  

COUNTY JUDGE TELLS PHOENIX WEDDING SHOP OWNERS THEY MUST SERVE SAME-SEX COUPLES: Judge Karen Mullins of the Maricopa County Superior Court rejected Joanna Duka and Breanna Koski’s challenge to the city’s LGBTQ-inclusive non-discrimination ordinance in their quest to discriminate against same-sex couples. More from The Arizona Republic.

HEARING SET IN ETHICS CASE AGAINST ANTI-LGBTQ JUDGE: The Judicial Conduct Commission asserts that Judge W. Mitchell Nance, a family court judge in Kentucky, violated several ethics provisions when he refused to hear adoption cases involving same-sex parents. His outrageous reasoning was that he does not believe same-sex parents are in the “best interests” of a child. Nance has announced he would resign effective December 16. More from The Associated Press.

HRC MOURNS CANDACE TOWNS, TRANS WOMAN OF COLOR MURDERED IN GEORGIA: HRC was horrified to learn of the death of Candace Towns, a 30-year-old woman shot to death in Macon, Georgia. Towns is at least the 25th reported killing of a transgender person in the U.S. this year. Nearly every person killed has been a woman of color — and overwhelmingly Black women. More from NewNowNext.

THOUSANDS CALL FOR REMOVAL OF CATHOLIC OFFICIAL OVER SHAMEFUL “TIPS” FOR SHUTTING LGBTQ FAITHFUL OUT OF FUNERAL RITES: In a newsletter to area priests, Bishop Morlino of the Catholic Diocese of Madison (Wis.) urges preventing same-sex partners of the deceased to play a “prominent role” in funerals, and forbidding Mass at funerals where the LGBTQ deceased didn’t give “any signs of repentance before death.” More from The Associated Press.

HBCUs ARE FIGHTING FOR THEIR LGBTQ STUDENTS: Across the country, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are making strides for LGBTQ students. More from NBC and Blavity.

MANDY MOORE TALKS ABOUT HER LGBTQ MOM & TWO BROTHERS: The singer and actress says that “nothing makes me happier than seeing anybody live their authentic self, and to choose love. If anyone can find love, I support it, I salute you and I celebrate that.” More from NewNowNext.

NOVEMBER IS NATIONAL ADOPTION MONTH: There are more than 400,000 children and youth waiting for a permanent family. Check out some ways you can mark National Adoption Month with HRC’s All Children – All Families Project at HRC.

REFLECTING ON PROTESTANT CHRISTIANS EMBRACING LGBTQ DIVERSITY, 500 YEARS AFTER MARTIN LUTHER: There are more than 5,000 Protestant churches in the U.S. that are welcoming and affirming of LGBTQ people. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the largest Lutheran church body in the U.S. consecrated an openly gay bishop in 2013 and allows clergy to perform same-sex marriages. Other major mainline protestant denominations, including the United Church of Christ and the Presbyterian Church (USA), have also opened their doors to LGBTQ people and advocate for LGBTQ equality. More from HRC.

WORLDWIDE SURVEY FINDS MAJORITY SUPPORT EQUALITY FOR LGB PEOPLE: The ILGA-RIWI survey found that 55 percent of respondents agree that “equal rights and protections should be applied to everyone, including people who are romantically or sexually attracted to people of the same sex.” The question did not include gender identity. More from PinkNews.

HONG KONG FINANCIAL SECTOR PUSHES CITY ON LGBTQ EQUALITY: In light of this week’s announcement that Hong Kong will host the 2022 Gay Games, companies including Goldman Sachs Group Inc. are pushing for pro-equality policy. More from Bloomberg.

READING RAINBOW

NBC reports that an Alabama drag queen will donate the outfit she wore while advocating against the anti-LGBTQ then-state Supreme Court Justice Roy Moore; Broadway World announces Cyndi Lauper’s True Colors Fund ‘Home for the Holidays’ benefit concert; Arizona PBS reports that the state legislature has formed an LGBT Caucus;

Have news? Send us your news and tips at [email protected]. Click here to subscribe to #AM_Equality and follow @HRC for all the latest news. Thanks for reading!

www.hrc.org/blog/am-equality-tipsheet-november-2-2017?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

LGBTQ acceptance front and center in new P&G ‘Love Over Bias’ Olympics video

www.glaad.org/blog/lgbtq-acceptance-front-and-center-new-pg-love-over-bias-olympics-video

Trump Demands Death Penalty for ISIS Loyalist Behind NYC Terror Truck Attack

Donald Trump said in a series of tweets that 29 year-old Sayfullo Saipov should face the death penalty for the truck attack that killed 8 people in lower Manhattan on Tuesday.

Tweeted Trump:

“NYC terrorist was happy as he asked to hang ISIS flag in his hospital room. He killed 8 people, badly injured 12. SHOULD GET DEATH PENALTY! Would love to send the NYC terrorist to Guantanamo but statistically that process takes much longer than going through the Federal system……There is also something appropriate about keeping him in the home of the horrible crime he committed. Should move fast. DEATH PENALTY!”

NYC terrorist was happy as he asked to hang ISIS flag in his hospital room. He killed 8 people, badly injured 12. SHOULD GET DEATH PENALTY!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 2, 2017

Would love to send the NYC terrorist to Guantanamo but statistically that process takes much longer than going through the Federal system…

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 2, 2017

…There is also something appropriate about keeping him in the home of the horrible crime he committed. Should move fast. DEATH PENALTY!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 2, 2017

A few reactions on Twitter:

Advocating the death penalty before trial isn’t justice, it’s a lynching. I despise what this man did to our city, but Trump is wrong here. t.co/YM80cFj7B6

— Shaun King (@ShaunKing) November 2, 2017

The President of the United States screaming for the DEATH PENALTY is the modern-day equivalent of a monarch yelling “off with his head!”

— Eugene Gu, MD (@eugenegu) November 2, 2017

I miss normal. I miss having a leader who knew we have a functioning justice system, not a dictator in charge. t.co/4MeuZY6Jqw

— Amy Siskind (@Amy_Siskind) November 2, 2017

Remember when Trump called for the death penalty for the Charlottesville terrorist?

Or was he not brown enough? pic.twitter.com/olarY1XObj

— Stock Photo Trump (@StockPhotoTrump) November 2, 2017

“Our president” keeps insisting we give the terrorist who attacked NY the death penalty without due process. I forgot we’re an autocracy now

— SCROTUS (@_NotFakeNews_) November 2, 2017

The post Trump Demands Death Penalty for ISIS Loyalist Behind NYC Terror Truck Attack appeared first on Towleroad.

www.towleroad.com/2017/11/trump-execution/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+towleroad%2Ffeed+%28Towleroad+Gay+News+%29

Preparing Your Body For IVF
This week is National Fertility Awareness Week, a week which aims to raise awareness and change perceptions of fertility issues, as well as raising funds to help provide much-needed support for the 1 in 6 couples, and others, in the UK who struggle with infertility.

This year celebrates the 40th anniversary of IVF, a technique which has seen more than five million babies born worldwide since its introduction. Typically performed in women aged between 30-39, there are many myths surrounding various techniques that will help to aid your conception.

If you’re trying to conceive through IVF, you’ll most likely hear a range of facts and myths about what you can do to boost your chances. It’s important that you know what will and won’t help you so that you can increase your chances, as well as enjoy the time as much as possible.

The most common question I get asked is around diet. It goes without saying that having a healthy body weight and ensuring that food intake is balanced with your physical activity level is an important factor for fertility. Being both underweight and overweight can affect a woman’s chance of conceiving and delivering a healthy, normal weight baby.

Studies have found that women with high “fertility diet” scores emphasised by a higher monounsaturated to trans-fat ratio, vegetable over animal protein, high-fat over low-fat dairy, a decreased glycemic load, and an increased intake of iron and multivitamins had lower rates of infertility due to ovulation disorders.

Similarly, exercise plays an important role in fertility, specifically, over-exercise and studies show that women who reported regular exercise had a similar live birth rate compared to women who did not exercise. However, women who exercised four or more hours per week for 1-9 years were 40% less likely to have a live birth, three times more likely to experience cycle cancellation, twice as likely to have an implantation failure or pregnancy loss compared to women who did not report exercise. However, compared to women who did not exercise, women who exercised regularly for 1-5 years were at greater risk for failure of cycle stimulation, implantation failure, and failure to develop a live birth after a chemical pregnancy.

This can be easily prevented though with the incorporation of active recovery into training and the gradual varying of intensity and volume of training.

Another area which receives a lot of attention relating to fertility issues is acupuncture. Some studies suggest that acupuncture may have a beneficial effect in female infertility as an adjuvant therapy, but unfortunately evidence is not conclusive and more studies are needed to clarify the clinical efficacy of acupuncture and its biological mechanism in female infertility. It’s important to know that there are many factors affecting your fertility and chances of successful IVF. Your doctor should discuss your individual needs with you and advise on what steps you can personally take to improve your chances.

To better understand your chances of conceiving, learn more about your personal diagnosis and receive general guidance on the various factors affecting fertility, you can visit fertilitypedia.org/.

www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/mr-daniel-hlinka/preparing-your-body-for-i_b_18445712.html

Zanele Muholi Captures the Beauty of Trans Goddesses

www.advocate.com/photography/2017/11/02/zanele-muholi-captures-beauty-trans-goddesses

Family Tied Up By Armed Gang In £100k Bothwell Jewellery Raid
A family has been left shaken after an armed gang broke into their home and carried out a terrifying jewellery raid.

A 59-year-old man, a 56-year-old woman and an 11-year-old boy were threatened with weapons and a knife before they were tied up in Bothwell, South Lanarkshire, on Tuesday evening.

The gang of four men then searched the house, making off with jewellery and watches worth more than £100,000.

After the gang left, one of the family members was able to contact the police.

The suspects all spoke in what is described as broken English and the following descriptions have been provided:

5ft 10 inches in height and of stocky build with olive complexion.  Wearing dark coloured clothing including a jacket, scarf, hat, tracksuit trousers and black boots.  He was carrying a black and white rucksack.
5ft 10 inches in height and of medium build with olive complexion.  He was also wearing dark coloured clothing including a hooded jacket, tracksuit trousers, hat and woollen gloves. He wore black, beige and green camouflage print Adidas trainers.
5ft 10 inches in height and of medium build with fair complexion.  He was wearing a dark coloured hooded top with a scarf covering the lower part of his face.  He was wearing gloves, navy tracksuit trousers and black Nike trainers.
5ft 10 inches in height and of medium build with a fair complexion.  He was wearing a dark-coloured thin padded jacket with stitched squares.  He was wearing dark brown trainers with no socks.
Detective Inspector Susie Cairns of Cambuslang Police Office said: “This was a very traumatic experience for this family and I would like to reassure the public that we are doing everything possible to track down the four men responsible.

“Officers are currently carrying out enquiries into this robbery and gathering CCTV footage to gather more information on the four men responsible.  There are also additional police patrols in the area to provide public reassurance.

“We do however need the help of the local community and at this time we are urging anyone who may have seen these men in the area prior to the robbery taking place, or who may have seen them leaving afterwards to contact police immediately.”

Anyone with information that may assist this investigation should contact Cambuslang Police Office through 101, quoting reference number 3485 of 31st October.  Alternatively Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained.

www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/family-tied-up-by-armed-gang-in-ps100k-bothwell-jewellery-raid_uk_59fb0112e4b0415a4209bd3c

41 Photos Explore the Fragility of Beauty and Power

www.advocate.com/books/2017/11/02/41-photos-explore-fragility-beauty-and-power

EU Nurses And Midwives Continue To Leave The NHS After Brexit, ‘Worrying’ New Figures Show
The number of EU nurses and midwives wanting to work in the UK is continuing to fall, with new figures showing a 67% rise in the number leaving the register in the past year.

The overall number leaving the profession has risen by 13% in the last 12 months, the figures from the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) show.

Between October 2016 and September 2017, 35,363 left the register – up from 31,178 in the previous 12 months.

UK-born nurses make up the greatest proportion of those leaving, rising by 9% from 26,653 last year to 29,019 this year.

But EU nurses saw a much greater increase. A total of 4,067 EU of them left this year, compared to 2,435 between October 2015 and September 2016, the figures show.

The NMC described the data as “worrying”, prompting fears that the NHS is facing “major challenges” to retain staff.

NMC figures show that since last year’s Brexit vote, there has been a sharp drop in the numbers joining the profession from the continent.

Meanwhile, the numbers joining from the EU as Brexit looms has nosedived – down 89% from 10,178 last year to 1,107 this year, according to the NMC.

EU workers currently make up 5% of the NMC’s register.

Jackie Smith, chief executive and registrar of the Nursing and Midwifery Council, said: “It’s worrying that we are seeing a continuing rise in nurses and midwives leaving the register and our data is clear that this is being driven by both UK and EU registrants.

“These figures continue to highlight the major challenges faced by the UK’s health and care sectors around the recruitment and retention of staff. Nurses and midwives work incredibly hard in very difficult circumstances. Those responsible for workforce matters will no doubt respond to what these trends are showing.”

But the Government said it represented a minuscule decrease in overall staffing numbers.

The Department of Health pointed to figures showing that 357 more nurses are working on wards this year compared to last year and a further 52,000 are in training.

Attempting to ease concerns about the impact Brexit could have on staffing numbers, it added that 3,193 more EU nationals are working in the NHS than at the time of the referendum in June 2016.

A spokeswoman said: “These figures represent a mere 0.2% decrease in the 689, 738 nurses and midwives currently registered with the NMC and there are in fact more nurses on our wards since last year.

“We are fully committed to supporting hardworking NHS staff through helping them to balance work-life commitments and we are also ensuring the NHS has the staff it needs for the future through our 25% increase in nurse training places – the biggest in the history of the NHS.”

Unions responded to the findings by calling for a pay rise to encourage staff to stay.

Unite head of health Sarah Carpenter said: “The disturbing NMC findings are further evidence, if more were needed, that the NHS needs a massive cash injection, with a large tranche earmarked for a generous pay rise for staff.

“The NHS has been buffeted by austerity-driven cuts and services are at breaking point – since 2010 the majority of the NHS workforce has seen their pay packets eroded by at least 14% in real terms.

“This is not the time for the chancellor to indulge in clever accounting tricks linked to so-called ‘productivity’ savings. This is the final wake-up call on NHS pay to staunch the rapidly increasing exodus of highly skilled staff.”

www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/eu-nurses-midwives-leave-nhs_uk_59facc8ee4b0415a42097cfb