Men’s Health Week: Testosterone, healthy prostate, testicular atrophy, prostate inflammation

June 12th marks the beginning of International Men’s Health Week. It is the time of year to promote awareness of health and wellness issues affecting boys and men. To assist our male readers—and the women in their lives—we have gathered some of our most interesting articles dealing with men’s health.

Testosterone makes men more confident but may lead to more mistakes: Study

Testosterone is the male sex hormone that is responsible for masculine traits. It plays a role in the functioning of the male reproductive system, affecting the development of secondary characteristics, promoting growth of body hair, as well as increased muscle and bone mass. However, these may not be the only traits associated with the effects of testosterone in males, as a group of researchers from the California Institute of Technology, the Wharton School, Western University, and ZRT Laboratory found that increased levels of this hormone were linked to poor performance on tests measuring cognitive reflection, meaning that men were more likely to feel they were right despite the contrary. Continue reading…

This one thing will keep your prostate healthy…

If you’re an aging man, you should be concerned about your prostate health. It’s a sensitive topic, and to this day, many men prefer not to discuss it at all. Yes, it may take extra effort to make an appointment and speak frankly with your doctor about your “embarrassing” problems. But, an open conversation with your doctor can literally save your life.

Whenever we talk about our well-being and our chances of developing serious health conditions, there are two sides of the story. There are established risk factors that we cannot really alter, such as our age, our race, and our genetics. But there are also lifestyle factors that we can and should change. These commonly include switching to a wholesome diet, quitting smoking, and managing a healthy body weight. Continue reading…

What causes testicular atrophy and how is it treated?

Testicular atrophy is the medical term given to shrunken testicles. The testicles are organs involved in the male reproductive system that reside in a bag-like structure called the scrotum. They are involved in sperm production and the secretion of male sex hormones. The shrinkage of one or both testicles depends on the severity and duration of atrophy. Several causes exist for the condition, such as hormone imbalance and medication use. Continue reading…

Important information for every man over 50

Medicine has taken a huge leap forward over the last few decades, resulting in diagnostic tests that are more accurate and reliable, surgical technologies that are safer and less invasive, and treatment options that are individualized and diverse. It’s good to have a solid foundation upon which scientists are able to build new bodies of research, constantly exploring new aspects of diseases and exploring new approaches to tackling disease.

A great example of this is a recent experimental study on prostate health conducted by Dr. Samuel Denmeade, a professor of oncology and urology at Johns Hopkins University. His research into prostate health and disease activity of prostate cancer led him to overturn the conventional approach to treating tumors. Continue reading…

Prostate inflammation (prostatitis): Causes, symptoms, and treatment

Prostatitis (prostate inflammation) causes painful urination, and urinary tract infections (UTIs) increase the risk of developing the condition. Prostatitis can be referred to as an infection of the prostate, but inflammation often occurs without a known infection. Roughly five to ten percent of prostatitis cases are caused by a bacterial infection, but luckily, it does not lead to an increased risk of prostate cancer.

Although an enlarged prostate commonly affects older men, men of all ages are prone to prostatitis, with 25 percent of hospital visits being accounted for by younger and middle-aged men. Continue reading…