HealthyLife Articles

Category: Men’s Health

Facts And Fallacies About Vasectomies

Men’s Health

Sterilization is the ultimate method of birth control. Vasectomies are safe and can be performed in about 30 minutes under local anesthesia. (The procedure involves surgical removal of part of the vas deferens or sperm duct.) You don’t even have to go to the hospital.

Some common misconceptions make many men reluctant to consider a vasectomy. Having a vasectomy does not lower your sex drive, leave you impotent, or cause hardening of the arteries. And a vasectomy won’t reduce pleasurable sensations during sex.

If you’re considering a vasectomy:

* Consult a urologist who specializes in genitourinary surgery.

* Make sure all your questions are answered satisfactorily.

* Think the matter over carefully before you take action.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Alternatives To Baldness

Men’s Health

A lot of men worry about going bald, especially if their fathers and grandfathers went bald. Worry builds when men hit their thirties and they notice their hair is thinning.

Don’t be taken in by fraudulent claims for vitamin formulas, massage oils, lotions, or ointments that promise to cure baldness. No existing potion or ointment will produce a full head of hair. Medications can help some cases of baldness. Examples are the prescribed drug finasteride (brand name Propecia) and minoxidil (brand name Rogaine), which can be prescribed or obtained over-the-counter.

Another option is hair replacement surgery. This involves using your existing hair. Techniques in hair replacement surgery include punch grafts; mini-grafts; micro-grafts; slit-grafts, and strip grafts. Other transplant techniques are flap surgery, tissue expansion; and scalp reduction. Talk to your doctor about these options.

If you choose to wear a hairpiece, be sure it matches your natural hair and fits properly. And remember to keep your hairpiece as clean and well- groomed as your own hair.

See your doctor if you suffer sudden hair loss-you may have a medical problem.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Don’T Be Too Macho For Your Own Good

Men’s Health

Men typically suffer more serious illnesses and die at a younger age than women. You wouldn’t know it by looking at the average doctor’s waiting room, though. Men don’t report as many symptoms as women do, and they let a problem go further before they seek medical help.

If you have a tendency to ignore or downplay physical or emotional problems, or exhibit other kinds of self-destructive, “macho” behavior, make a conscious effort to change. Here’s how:

* Pay attention to pain and discomfort. If you’re sick or injured, see a doctor.

* Take safety precautions at work, home, or when you drive.

* Balance work and play.

* Don’t stifle feelings of compassion and sensitivity.

* Learn to express your feelings without losing your temper. Don’t feel compelled to compete all the time.

* If you experience emotional problems, consult a professional counselor.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Erectile Dysfunction

Men’s Health

With, erectile dysfunction (ED), a male can’t get or keep an erection firm enough for sex in 25% or more of attempts. Sometimes, ED is called impotence. Impotence can be ED, but can also mean a lack of sexual desire and problems with orgasm.

Signs & Symptoms

* Not being able to get an erection at all.

* An erection is too brief, weak, or painful for satisfying sex.

* An erection loses strength with penetration.

Causes

Blood vessel diseases, diabetes, and other physical problems are the usual cause of ED. Other causes are smoking and a side effect of some medicines, such as beta-blockers and water pills. Only 10% to 20% of ED cases are due to emotional factors, such as stress and fear of not being able to perform. Suspect this cause if erections occur during sleep or when waking up.

Treatment

* Treatment for conditions that cause ED.

* Medication.

* A vacuum erection device.

* Self-injection therapy or a penile implant.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

* Take medicine for ED as prescribed.

* Check with your doctor before you take herbs, etc. sold for ED. These include Actra- Rx, ginko biloba, yohimbe, Siberian ginseng, and Yilishen.

* If you have diabetes, follow your treatment plan.

* Don’t smoke. Don’t use street drugs.

* Don’t have more than 2 alcoholic drinks a day.

* Relax. Manage stress. Get plenty of rest.

* Share your fears, needs, etc. with your partner.

* Don’t focus just on performance. Find pleasure when you hug, kiss, and caress your partner.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Jock Itch

Men’s Health

Jock itch is an infection of the skin on the groin and upper inner thigh areas.

Signs & Symptoms

* Redness.

* Itching.

* Raised red rash with borders. Center areas of the rash are dry with small scales.

Causes

Jock itch is usually caused by a fungus. It can also result from garments that irritate the skin. Jock itch is more likely to occur after taking antibiotics or steroids, or in persons who have diabetes or a weakened immune system.

Treatment

Over-the-counter antifungal creams treat most cases of jock itch. Stronger creams or an oral medicine can be prescribed, if needed.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

To Treat Jock Itch

* Use over-the-counter antifungal cream, powder, or lotion for jock itch. Follow package directions.

To Prevent Jock Itch

* Don’t wear tight, close-fitting clothing. Wear boxer shorts, not briefs. Put socks on before underwear. Fungus on the feet, such as from athlete’s foot can transfer to the groin. Change underwear often, especially after tasks that leave you hot and sweaty.

* Bathe or shower right after a workout. Don’t use antibacterial soaps. Dry the groin area well.

* Apply talc or other powder to the groin area to help keep it dry. If you sweat a lot or are very overweight, use a drying powder with miconazole nitrate.

* Wash workout clothes after each wearing. Don’t store damp clothing in a locker or gym bag.

* Sleep in the nude or in a nightshirt.

* Don’t share towels or clothes that have come in contact with the rash.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Reversing Male Infertility

Men’s Health

If a man has been unsuccessful at fathering a child, he’ll probably be checked for two kinds of problems: low sperm count (too few sperm per given volume of semen) and poor sperm motility (sperm that are poor swimmers and have trouble fertilizing an egg).

Factors that can reduce fertility in men include:

* Extreme overweight.

* Heavy smoking. (Smoking has been associated with low sperm count and poor sperm motility.)

* Drug and alcohol use. (Marijuana and alcohol lower production of testosterone, a hormone produced by the testicles.)

* Wearing tight, restrictive underwear. (Clothing that holds the testicles too close to the body heats them up and thus interferes with sperm production, which is temperature sensitive.)

* Work that requires you to sit for long periods of time (for reasons similar to those above).

* Frequent use of saunas or hot tubs.

* Prolonged occupational exposure to lead, zinc, copper, or radiation. (Pollutants can disrupt the production, quality, and transportation of sperm.)

* Prolonged abstinence from sex.

* Use of lubricants, such as petroleum jelly and K-Y brand jelly, which can kill or immobilize sperm.

* Infection or other illness. (These hamper the testicles’ ability to do their job.)

* A varicocele (a congenital defect in the blood vessels to the testes).

For many men, restoring fertility is simply a matter of switching to boxer shorts, quitting smoking, losing weight, or making other adjustments. Be patient, though. It may take two or three months to restore fertility. If your partner still doesn’t conceive, see a doctor who specializes in treating infertility.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Managing Male Menopause

Men’s Health

You never heard of male menopause? It’s a term used to describe the emotional reactions men sometimes have in response to mid-life transitions. Between the ages of 40 and 60, some men begin to feel edgy and dissatisfied, overwhelmed by their obligations, and pessimistic about their futures.

Typical symptoms include:

* Insomnia.

* Sexual problems.

* Increased dissatisfaction with work, marriage, and family life.

* Preoccupation with the past, or worries about illness and death.

* Abuse of alcohol, drugs, or both.

* Impulsive behavior, or taking unnecessary or dangerous risks.

These feelings and behaviors are often triggered by changes, such as children moving away from home or other typical mid-life events.

To cope with mid-life change:

* Don’t make radical or impulsive changes, like trading in an economical sedan for a luxury European sports car, or suddenly deciding you want a divorce.

* Don’t use alcohol, drugs, or casual sex to escape or lessen the impact of change.

* Do share your fears and concerns with your family, and seek professional counseling if your troubles seem to be more than you can handle.

* Do cultivate skills and interests you’d enjoy but never took the time to pursue.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Men Need Calcium, Too

Men’s Health

Much has been written about the importance of calcium for women’s health, but men need calcium, too. Although osteoporosis is more prevalent in women, it can strike men. And studies have suggested that calcium may play some role in controlling blood pressure for some people-something worth asking your physician about.

In addition to eating foods high in calcium-like fat-free or low-fat milk, cheese, and yogurt-you can protect your bones by performing a weight- bearing exercise like walking regularly, by avoiding over-consumption of alcohol, and by getting adequate vitamin D (from either fortified milk or sunshine).

Medications like corticosteroids or Dilantin can interfere with calcium absorption, so if you’re taking these medications, find out if you should also take a calcium supplement.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Men S Health

Men’s Health

Erectile Dysfunction

Jock Itch

Prostate Health

Testicle Problems

Men’s Health

Know About Prostate Cancer

The Condition Men Don’t Talk About

Important Health Screenings for Men

Understanding Enlarged Prostate

Alternatives to Baldness

Don’t Be Too Macho for Your Own Good

Facts and Fallacies about Vasectomies

Reversing Male Infertility

Men Need Calcium, Too

Managing Male Menopause

Erectile Dysfunction

Men’s Health

Medical Conditions

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Men’S Health

Men’s Health

Common reasons men give for not seeing a doctor or getting health screenings are, “I feel fine” and “I’m afraid of what the doctor will find.”

Don’t wait until you get sick to find a doctor. It is better to prevent a health problem than to get it. The next best thing is to detect and treat an illness early.

Testicular cancer is very curable, especially when it is found and treated in its early stages. Do a testicular self-exam monthly.

Erectile dysfunction is usually caused by blood vessel diseases, diabetes, and other physical problems.

An enlarged prostate gland is common. Signs of this are the need to pass urine more often, especially at night and delay in onset and/or slow stream of urine flow. If you have these signs, see your doctor. They can also be signs of a prostate infection or prostate cancer.

Discuss prostate cancer screening with your doctor if you are a male aged 50 to 69; starting at 45 if you are an African American male; 40 and older if you have a family history of prostate cancer.

Though rare, men can get breast cancer.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026