[Rehabilitation for intravaginal ejaculatory dysfunction with using a masturbation aid].

OBJECTIVES: Recently the incidence of intravaginal ejaculatory dysfunction is increasing among infertile couples in Japan. Some unusual ways of masturbation and psychogenic issues were reported to cause this disorder. Patients, who had done masturbation in an unusual way for long time since their adolescence, were difficult to gain normal intravaginal ejaculation by the behavior therapy which was used for erectile dysfunction. We, therefore, used a masturbation aid (TENGA) for rehabilitation of ejaculation to overcome this condition. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January, 2010 through March, 2011, a total of 16 patients with intravaginal ejaculatory dysfunction underwent rehabilitation of ejaculation using TENGA. Patients' satisfaction and achievement of intravaginal ejaculation were evaluated by the questionnaire. RESULTS: Twelve patients (75%) could ejaculate in the masturbation aid (TENGA). Five patients (31%) succeeded to ejaculate in the partner's vagina after rehabilitation. CONCLUSIONS: A masturbation aid (TENGA) was a useful tool to correct the way of masturbation and achieve normal intravaginal ejaculation. This masturbation aid can be one of the effective options for the treatment of intravaginal ejaculatory dysfunction.

Combined inhibitory effects of soy isoflavones and curcumin on the production of prostate-specific antigen.

BACKGROUND: Sustained chronic inflammation in the prostate promotes prostate carcinogenesis. Since an elevated level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) per se reflects the presence of inflammation in the prostate, intervention to improve the PSA value might potentially have beneficial effects for the prevention of the development of prostate cancer. Isoflavones and curcumin have anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. We examined the biological effects of soy isoflavones and curcumin on LNCaP cells. After that, we conducted a clinical trial for men who received prostate biopsies, but were not found to have prostate cancer, to evaluate the effects of soy isoflavones and curcumin on serum PSA levels. METHODS: The expression of androgen receptor and PSA were examined in LNCaP cells before and after treatment of isoflavones and/or curcumin. Eighty-five participants were randomized to take a supplement containing isoflavones and curcumin or placebo daily in a double-blind study. Subjects were subdivided by the cut-off of their baseline PSA value at 10 microg/ml. We evaluated values of PSA before and 6 months after treatment. RESULTS: The production of PSA were markedly decreased by the combined treatment of isoflavones and curcumin in prostate cancer cell line, LNCaP. The expression of the androgen receptor was also suppressed by the treatment. In clinical trials, PSA levels decreased in the patients group with PSA >or= 10 treated with supplement containing isoflavones and curcumin (P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicated that isoflavones and curcumin could modulate serum PSA levels. Curcumin presumably synergizes with isoflavones to suppress PSA production in prostate cells through the anti-androgen effects.

Clinical efficacy of proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) in the diagnosis of localized prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) in the detection of prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The experimental group consisted of 20 patients with localized prostate cancer who underwent radical prostatectomy. The sensitivity, positive predictive value and accuracy of the detection of prostate cancer in the 12 sections of the peripheral zone were calculated for prostate biopsy alone, 1H-MRS alone and the combination of these methods, respectively. RESULTS: The sensitivity, the positive predictive value, and the accuracy of the preoperative diagnosis of prostate cancer were 43.7%, 68.9% and 54.6%, respectively, with prostate biopsy alone; 60.6%, 87.8% and 71.4% with 1H-MRS alone; and 88.7%, 88.7% and 87.4% with the combination of biopsy and 1H-MRS, respectively. Combined use of biopsy and 1H-MRS significantly improved the sensitivity, positive predictive value and accuracy of the diagnosis. CONCLUSION: 1H-MRS together with biopsy might improve the diagnostic accuracy in prostate cancer.