HealthyLife Articles

Tag: Men’s Health Issues

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
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

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
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
Men’S Health 2

MEDICAL NEWS

Increasing awareness of health problems that can be prevented among men and encourage men and boys to get early detection and treatment of disease and injury.

6 health tests men need

Here are 6 essential screening tests all men should receive during their lifetime, according to pathologist and men’s health expert Dr. Thomas Wheeler, Baylor College of Medicine.

1.Prostate cancer:The prostate specific antigen (PSA) test was developed to help detect prostate cancer in men, but experts now disagree about treating the cancer if detected. Men, starting at age 50, should speak with their docs about the pros and cons of screening. For those in high-risk categories, this conversation should begin at age 45 or earlier.

2.Blood pressure:It’s a simple and painless test for the “silent killer.” Why? Because high blood pressure has no symptoms. Often, simple diet changes and regular exercise can lower blood pressure. If not, the medications to control blood pressure are well tolerated and do not cost a lot.

3.Cholesterol:A cholesterol test also is a simple screening test and is advised for men at least every 5 years, or yearly if abnormal.

4.Colon cancer:This is the third most common cancer in Americans. Beginning at age 50, men should be screened for precancerous polyps and colon cancer. Screening tests include the fecal occult blood test, flexible sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy.

5.Skin cancer:Limiting sun exposure and receiving regular check-ups can help men avoid this common cancer including melanoma – a potentially deadly form.

6.Diabetes:Men 45 years and older should be tested for type 2 diabetes every 3 years. Common screening blood tests are fasting glucose and hemoglobin A1c. Diabetes can be detected early before complications of more advanced disease set in.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026