MEN’S HEALTH DOCTOR
DR RICHARD BEATTY
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MEN’S HEALTH CLINIC

Dr Beatty is qualified as both a GP (FRACG) & as a Physician (MRCP Lond). His specialist interest in men’s health in The UK was demonstrated by regular teaching of GP Trainees about ED, PED & prostate issues.

Men are less likely than women to seek help from a doctor. He feels that his main strengths as a men’s heath doctor are:

Experience & Current knowledge of both health issues specific to men
Being on the lookout for general health issues that men may not seek help for.
The ability to put you at ease.
Helping you to understand the problem – sometimes in a different way than you had anticipated.

In 2012, he opened a men’s health clinic in Manly West, and relocated his practice to Cleveland, Brisbane Bayside, in October 2018.

HEALTH ISSUES SPECIFIC TO MEN

What type of problems does Dr Beatty commonly see at The Men’s Health clinic?

Erectile Dysfunction (ED) for which there are various treatment options including tablets & lozenges. A urethral gel or injection are the next step up.
Premature ejaculation (PED) for which there are a variety of good treatment options.
Delayed ejaculation

There is an important clinical role for testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) in accordance to national and international clinical guidelines. Unlike the so-called ‘testosterone clinics’ of the past, treatment should be monitored with a view to continuing TRT only after there is a demonstrable improvement of symptoms. Dr Beatty does regularly see guys for second opinions regarding the need to start or stop TRT.

There are a number of issues that may affect the male genital organ including:

Hydrococele (fluid collection in the scrotum)
Infection of the testicle (Orchitis) or, more common, the epididymis (epididymitis)
Epididymal Cyst (very common, and can usually be diagnosed clinically without a scan)

There are a number of normal variations of men’s genitalia. The skin or head of the penis (the glans) may also have small pink bumps which have a variety of names. The doctor will let you know the name of any normal variation that might be present.

PPP’s (Penile Pearly Papules) are what doctors call a ‘normal variation.’ Men often don’t see it this way. Small numbers of PPPs may be treated on demand by Dr Beatty or require a referral to a dermatologist.

Dermatological conditions of the male genitalia include Psoriasis, Dermatitis, Scabies, Balanitis (foreskin infection), molluscum, genital warts. Lichen Sclerosus and Lichen planus are important conditions to diagnose and treat. Around three quarters of these issues may be managed in-house whilst around a quarter require a referral to a sub-specialist.

Gynaecomastia is enlargement of the male breast tissue caused by excessive glandular tissue (True Gynaecomastia).

More common is Pseudo-Gynaeomastia which is caused by excessive fatty non-glandular tissue. The doctor distinguishes these two by a careful examination. True gynaecomastia is fairly common between the ages of 10 and 17, and in men age 50 to 70. The two questions that need answer are:

Is there an underlying medical problem,
Is it a cosmetic issue?

STD testing. Chlamydia in Australia is now more common in males than females.

Prostate Cancer Testing is a very common issue at the men’s health clinic. Guys who read around PSA blood testing are often surprised by the controversies. Thankfully, a raised PSA is usually caused by Benign enlargement of the prostate rather than prostate cancer.

PROSTATE ENLARGEMENT

The prostate gland encircles the urethral at the base of the bladder. The urethra channels urine from the bladder through to the tip of the penis.

The age-old description goes that the prostate is about the size of a walnut.

Now think of an egg or Peach and you get the idea. The flow of urine is partially blocked, leading to poor urinary flow and other symptoms of benign prostate enlargement.

Expert examination and often and ultrasound will determine if the prostate is enlarged.

NORMAL PROSTATE

ENLARGED PROSTATE

GENERAL HEALTH ISSUES IN MEN

The men’s health doctor is mindful of the paradox that that:

Men are likely to seek medical help than women.
Yet many conditions occur more commonly in men

Suicide tragically exemplifies this paradox. In Queensland, 75.7% of suicides occur in men. Nearly 12 men every week die by suicide in Queensland. Male suicide is 27% higher in Queensland than the national average.

The following conditions are also more common in men than women:

Sleep Apnoea: 2-3 times more commonly in men than women.
Cardiovascular disease occurs on average around 10 years earlier in men.
High Blood Pressure is more common in men than women before the age of around 45.
Haemochromatosis occurs many years earlier in men.
Kidney Stones: 70% occur in men

Many cancers occur more frequently in men than women, for example:

Skin Cancer
Bowel Cancer. About 1 in 21 men and 1 in 30 women will develop bowel cancer before the age of 75, yet Men are less likely to return the ‘poo’ sample than women.
Lung Cancer
Bladder Cancer

MEN’S HEALTH CLINIC FAQs

FAQ – Dr Richard Beatty

How much of his practice is men’s health?

Over 70%

Does he see guys with things like ED and PE?

At least 50% of his men’s health consultations related to ED or PE.

Does he treat testosterone deficiency?

Absolutely but he does of course need to stick to the regulations and only treat genuine testosterone deficiency.

Do I need a referral letter?

We welcome referral letters but these are not required. Please bring along any blood tests that you might have.

Guys will often come direct to Dr Richard Beatty for one of these reasons:

The topic feels too embarrassing to discuss with their usual GP.
You want to see a doctor with expertise in men’s health.
The range of therapies is outside what their normal GP would offer.

What are the limits to his practice?

A referral to a sub-specialist will be required for:

Biopsy of the head of the penis (The glans)
Prostate Cancer
A ‘large prostate’ that may require surgery
Guys with lichen sclerosus
Further consideration of a penile implant
Consideration of Vascular interventions for ED

FAQ – The Men’s Health Clinic

Where can I see him?

He has relocated from Manly West to South East Medical, Cleveland.

Many of his patients travel from Central Brisbane and The Gold Coast, but he does follow up on the phone where possible.

He does take your travel into account and will often:

Follow up over the phone
Arrange a second blood test request form ie. you leave with two in case one needs repeating

You may also book online which saves some of the hassle – and there are no intrusive questions from reception.

How long are the men’s health appointments?

You first appointment should be a ‘long appointment.’

How do I make a men’s health appointment?

For your first men’s health appointment, please follow this specific booking link to ensure that you get the correct length of appointment.

Can you arrange a Consult via video link?

We often get asked this question but unfortunately Dr Richard Beatty does not offer remote consulting. Why is this?

There is no medicare rebate for remote consulting.
Honestly, it’s just not possible to clinically assess a guy via a video-link.
The implication is that a script is wanted rather than an opinion, and this type of medical practice would generally be frowned upon by other doctors & regulators.

Of course some guys will leave in remote areas, and it is completely understandable that remote consulting is wanted. The best place to start is your local GP, and it is possible you will find a doctor with an interest in men’s health.