Recent comments in /f/IAmA

ramasamymd OP t1_j8p7ncg wrote

Horseshoe kidney is a rare condition where the two kidneys are fused together at the lower end forming a U-shape. People with horseshoe kidney are more prone to developing various conditions including vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction, and hydronephrosis, which makes the kidneys swell. Children with horseshoe kidneys may have symptoms such as belly pain, nausea, urinary tract infections, and kidney stones.

As for surgery to move the urinary tract, there is no information in the provided search results about such surgery for horseshoe kidney. Treatment for horseshoe kidney depends on the symptoms and complications. In some cases, surgery may be needed to correct complications such as obstruction or reflux. Surgery for horseshoe kidney may be challenging and involves a high risk of complications. Therefore, the decision to undergo surgery should be based on careful consideration of the risks and benefits. It is important to consult a medical professional with expertise (that I do not possess) for individualized advice regarding the management of horseshoe kidney.

References: [1] https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21745-horseshoe-kidney-renal-fusion [2] https://www.massgeneral.org/children/horseshoe-kidney [3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK431105/

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ramasamymd OP t1_j8p76g8 wrote

There does appear to be an upsurge of interest in getting vasectomies in the United States following the reversal of Roe vs. Wade in my practice. News sources report that interest in vasectomies has spiked since the Supreme Court's ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade. The news also suggests that the procedure is becoming increasingly popular as a form of permanent sterilization, and that more men are seeking vasectomies in response to the current political climate.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36420253/

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ramasamymd OP t1_j8p6xha wrote

When a vasectomy is performed, the vas deferens, the tubes that carry sperm from the testicles to the urethra, are cut, tied, or blocked [1]. After this procedure, the testes continue to produce sperm, but the sperm cannot reach the semen or be ejaculated out of the body. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, the sperm that are produced after a vasectomy die and are absorbed by the body. The ends of the vas deferens that have been cut are sealed off, and the sperm cannot leak into the surrounding cavity. The absorption of the sperm by the body is a natural process that happens over time, and it does not pose any harm to the body. Therefore, there is no need to worry about the presence of excess sperm in the body after a vasectomy.

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ramasamymd OP t1_j8p6rje wrote

As for the frequency of fertility testing to verify a successful vasectomy, there is no clear consensus on this matter. It is generally recommended to wait three months after the vasectomy before undergoing a semen analysis to allow all sperm to clear the system. Depending on the results, a repeat test may be needed to ensure that the sperm count has remained at zero. After this initial test, your doctor can advise on when you should undergo subsequent testing to ensure that the vasectomy remains effective. If you have any concerns or questions, it is best to speak with your doctor, who can provide personalized recommendations based on your individual circumstances.

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fairygodmotherfckr t1_j8p58cy wrote

I read that there was an upsurge of interest in getting vasectomies in the United States following the reversal of Roe vs. Wade.

I wondered if you could give some comment on that. Have you noticed more interest or procedures since the reversal?

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ramasamymd OP t1_j8p4lh5 wrote

Choosing the right doctor is important when it comes to the success, technique, and pain for vasectomy. It is recommended to ask family, friends, and healthcare providers for recommendations when searching for the right doctor. In addition, some experts suggest that starting with a good old-fashioned word of mouth can be helpful. When choosing a doctor for vasectomy, patients should consider factors such as the doctor's experience with the procedure, their approach to pain management, and their success rates with the procedure. Patients should also feel comfortable asking their doctor about their experience and training, and how they manage pain during and after the procedure. A well-informed patient who chooses the right doctor is more likely to have a successful and comfortable vasectomy procedure.

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ramasamymd OP t1_j8p3fl1 wrote

  1. Check with your insurance provider to determine whether vasectomy is covered and what expenses are included. Most insurance companies cover vasectomy
  2. Consider low-cost providers: Planned Parenthood may offer vasectomy for low cost. It may be worth checking with low-cost providers in your area to find the best option.
  3. Negotiate with providers: If the cost of vasectomy is prohibitive, some providers may be open to negotiation. Discuss the cost with the provider and explore whether there are any options to reduce the price.
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ramasamymd OP t1_j8p35hi wrote

Oral contraception for men, also known as a male contraceptive pill, is still in the experimental stage and not yet widely available. There have been many efforts to develop male oral contraceptive pills that can suppress sperm production, but they are often met with an undesirable, yet prevailing, problem: testis shrinkage. While there have been reports of a potential hormonal oral pill for men, they still come with many side effects such as weight gain and loss of sex drive. A study published yesterday was proven in animals https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-36119-6 but unsure how effective it will be in humans since it is short-acting

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sooshimon t1_j8p2xs7 wrote

Hi Lucille! Thanks so much for doing this, I was unfamiliar with IFS until today, but after reading through this AMA I think I might be doing something similar with my own methods.

A quick summary of what I've done for the past decade or so: Early on, right after graduating from high school, I identified a part (I didn't consider them one at the time). Having been interested in Jungian psychology, I tried to bring them out and classify them in a way that I understood. I'm also very affected (and enthralled) by color psychology, so I attempted to combine this part with the color I felt best represented it both conceptually and emotionally, and Green was reified. After a bit of struggle, I found a way (by wearing a green beanie) to express Green comfortably, and I decided a schedule (the beginnings of my color calendar) would be best to structure and familiarize myself with Green. I got to know and feel Green quite well, with all of their habits and coping mechanisms, but they didn't encompass everything that I was, and I knew that. So I forged onward. Today I have seven Colors (each with their own hat) that each correspond to a unique persona. Most of them (besides the two extremes - Red and Violet - or exiles, as they might be called in IFS) I can express easily wherever I am, and I've developed my schedule into something a bit more complex, but something that I'm comfortable with.

I've had trouble trying to identify what exactly it is that I'm doing and why it makes me feel better, and I feel like IFS is the most similar in theory that I've found. However, to me, my parts are more than just a way to cope, I cherish them and thinking about integrating them all into my Self makes me uncomfortable. They help me function and maybe, once they all get along, I can meld them together, but I'm not sure how to go about getting them all to agree, since they can have drastically different ideologies that each serve their utility in different situations.

So after all that and this recent revelation regarding IFS, I'm wondering: Is total integration with the Self really the true end goal? Am I supposed to say goodbye to these parts of me I wholly identify with that are each so unique? I don't want to be alone in my head, I enjoy the growing camaraderie and rapport from my Colors and I feel that if I brought everything together, attributes would cancel out and I would simply feel Grey.

PS - sorry about the wall of text, this can be difficult for me to talk about with others but I got really excited with the similarities to IFS, and I'd be grateful to hear a professional's thoughts on the matter.

Maybe I should just book a session.

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