Andrology

Premature ejaculation is one of the most common sexual dysfunctions among men. At the Ejaculatory Disorder and Male Genital Pain Unit, we assess the possible causes that may lead the patient to suffer from it and we try to treat both such causes and symptoms. Furthermore, as with other sexual disorders, we work together with a sexologist from the Clinical Psychology Service, so that we can carry out an appropriate follow-up, if necessary, whether at an individual, couple or group level.

Head of the Clinical Psychology Service:

Francesc Maestre Loren

Erectile dysfunction is the persistent inability to attain and/or maintain an erection sufficient to permit satisfactory sexual activity for at least 3 months. This time lapse is not considered in cases of trauma or surgery-induced erectile dysfunction. Male sexual dysfunction greatly affects a man's quality of life.

At the Erectile Dysfunction Unit, we assess the possible causes that may lead the patient to suffer from it and we try to treat both such causes and symptoms. Furthermore, we suggest a comprehensive treatment that includes assessment by the Clinical Psychology Service as well as changing one's lifestyle or cardiovascular risk factors that may have an impact on the quality of erection.

The Andrology Department plays a significant role in the whole process, as this is where we perform the tests and educate the patient on how to apply the pharmacological treatments and how penile prostheses work.

The groundbreaking Female Sexual Dysfunction Unit of Fundació Puigvert is in charge of the diagnosis and treatment of all disorders that may alter female and couple sexual relations.

We diagnose these disorders by means of an in-depth clinical interview about the patient's sexual and couple life and we perform tests, such as hormone analyses, vaginal cultures or examinations, depending on the case. The origin of this type of dysfunction can be organic, i.e. due to a physical problem, such as dyspareunia secondary to a vaginal infection, or psychosocial, such as anorgasmia due to a poor learning process or a bad relationship with a partner.

We offer a combined treatment of female sexual dysfunctions through sex therapy and pharmacological treatment, wherever necessary.

Testosterone, the so-called male sex hormone, not only fulfils its sexual tasks, but is also involved in many other functions within the male body.

The clinical signs and symptoms experienced by patients depend on the age at onset of hypogonadism. These range from delayed or non-development of secondary sexual characteristics in prepubertal boys to osteoporosis, metabolic disorders, decreased muscle mass, increased fat mass, mood changes, depression, anxiety, irritability and insomnia, etc., when hypogonadism appears in adulthood.

The Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) Unit deals with the diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases through full check-ups, including clinical history, clinical examination, urine and blood tests, as well as follow-up. Fundació Puigvert is committed to raising public awareness of male sexual, urogenital and reproductive health at all stages of life by promoting awareness campaigns, and participating in other informative and educational initiatives for different sectors of the population.

It has been carrying out a vaccination programme against Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) for children from the age of 12, young people and adults since 2022, which consists of an andrological check-up and the administration of 2 doses (children and young people up to the age of 15) or 3 doses (from the age of 15) of the HPV virus vaccine.

Head of the Emergency Department:

Jaume Borràs

The Male Infertility Unit tackles treatable causes, such as varicocele, increased DNA fragmentation or secondary hypogonadism. In cases of absence of sperm in the ejaculate (azoospermia), we try to recover testicular/epididymal sperm through macro or microscopic techniques. In the event of obstructive azoospermia, we can sometimes treat them with surgery.

It is important to study the causes of infertility, because they can sometimes be identified and treated. During the study of infertility, we can find diseases that affect the quality and prognosis of a man's life (testicular cancer, cystic fibrosis, Klinefelter Syndrome, hypogonadism, etc.).

When studying the male patient, we always include his partner, thanks to the close relationship we maintain with the team of gynaecologists at the centre.

Head of the Seminology Laboratory:

Lluís Bassas

Our diagnostic approach is based on the massive sequencing of a large gene panel of our own design, which has proven to have the best diagnostic performance, as per the scientific literature published. We feature a huge clinical and genomic database of patients with these disorders, which is key to correctly interpret genomic data. 

Genetic diagnosis of inherited kidney diseases and male infertility allows for a final aetiological diagnosis by identifying their molecular cause. This guides us in assessing the patient's clinical manifestations, in their management and therapeutic options, which is the basis of predictive and customised medicine. Another key point of genetic diagnosis is that it allows us to offer accurate genetic counselling for both the patient and their relatives.