Five signs you may have low testosterone — guest post by Dr. Larry Lipschultz

Low testosterone, also referred to as hypogonadism, may result in significant side effects, such as male infertility. Because low testosterone symptoms may mimic the effects of other disorders, and because patients may feel embarrassed to discuss their experiences with a medical practitioner, individuals may fail to recognize symptoms of low testosterone. However, men should pay attention to their bodies if common signs of low testosterone occur. By contacting a trusted men’s health practice, you may be able to improve testosterone levels and prevent potential risks.

Decreased Sex Drive

Noticing a dip or significant drop in your sex drive does not necessarily point to an emotional issue or something you can take care of on your own. This may point to a low testosterone level. While your sex drive may decrease naturally as you age, an apparent testosterone issue may contribute to a lack of desire to have sex, as well as a decreased ability to reach orgasm.

Infertility

If you find you have been having conception problems with your significant other, your infertility may be the result of low testosterone. This hormone plays an important role in sperm production. As testosterone drops, so does sperm count and your ability to conceive. Your men’s health doctor will test your blood to determine whether your infertility rests solely on low testosterone levels, which may affect a more comprehensive hormonal imbalance.

Erectile Dysfunction

Low testosterone may result in erectile dysfunction. The relationship here is twofold. First, low levels of testosterone often result in a loss of genital sensation. When your sensation drops, your ability to receive stimulation and achieve an erection decreases. In addition, testosterone supports a subsequent process involving the release of nitric oxide, which acts as a vasodilator, or widening of blood cells. When this reaction fails to occur, achieving or sustaining an erection becomes difficult or impossible.

Fatigue

When you experience feelings of decreased energy and fatigue, consider whether you have done anything to alter your usual routine. If you have not overexerted yourself, changed your diet significantly, or experienced sleeping problems, you may look to low testosterone as the underlying cause. Particularly when experienced in combination with mood swings, weight gain, and loss of muscle mass, fatigue may be your red flag that your hormones need a rebalance.

Changes in Mood

If you notice that you have been feeling depressed lately, but no major changes have occurred in your life, low testosterone is a possible culprit. Hormones play a key role in your mental and emotional balance. If it isn’t depression, in which you experience feelings of guilt and extreme sadness , you may notice you become irritable. Or, you may find you feel fine but the people surrounding you in your life begin to complain that you have become quite moody.

About Dr. Larry Lipschultz

Larry Lipschultz, M.D. is one of the leading experts on male reproductive medicine and microsurgery, and contributes to education as a professor at Baylor College of Medicine. He has trained an extensive number of urologists and heads a urology practice that offers comprehensive services for men’s health. His practice is located in Houston, and offers services that focus on infertility, erectile dysfunction, nutrition, and other men’s health issues.

Website: http://www.larrylipshultz.com/

Boosting your libido naturally — guest post by HealthLine.com

English: Figs in Georgia (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

If you feel that your libido isn’t what it used to be, you are not alone. Thousands of people suffer from a low libido but luckily there are a variety of things you can do to naturally boost your system. It’s not always easy to get excited about sex after working a nine-hour day, especially if you have children too. 

There are many people in the same situation that has to deal with this frustration. In some cases, a decrease in your libido may be due to a medical issue but, for many people, the situation may be remedied without medication, the natural way.

•Aphrodisiacs: This could be fun! Certain foods like figs are supposed to give you a boost in the bedroom, almost like a love potion while others like bananas and avocados have a suggestive appearance.

 

•Reduce your alcohol intake: one drink can reduce anxiety and help get you in the mood but because alcohol is a depressant, you can end up with the opposite effect.

 

•Relieve stress: Women are particularly susceptible to the effects stress can have on one’s sex life, but men on the other hand, can sometimes use sex as a way to relieve stress, which can cause conflict.

 

•Self-confidence: Nothing reduces your interest in sex more than low self-esteem. The way you feel about your body affects the way you feel about sex. Focus on your attributes rather than your flaws. This will give your self-esteem a boost.

 

•Yohimbine: Yohimbine is an alkaloid found in the bark of the West African evergreen. This functions like a natural Viagra. Yohimbine bark can help you obtain and maintain an erection and enhances the quality of an erection.

 

•Massage: Massage techniques can do wonders for sexual arousal particularly if you’re stressed, worried or angry. A little TLC may lead to something else…

 

•Stay fit: In men body fat inhibits testosterone production. Belly fat also absorbs testosterone therefore it is very important to keep the weight down. You will have more stamina and the workouts will increase blood flow to the sex organs.

HealthLine.com is a popular resource that offers expert health advice from qualified professionals and experienced contributors. Find out more about heart health on Healthline.com.

 

 

 

Ask for seconds: Foods that promote male sexual health — guest post by Alexandria Webb

What we consume and how much we consume impacts just about every aspect of our lives. That saying “you are what you eat” is not far from the truth. This includes male sexual health which can be improved by certain foods. As a man, which foods get your body and brain bedroom ready? Well, here are just a few:

Oily Fish – Fish like salmon, mackerel, and herring are packed with omega 3. Omega 3 increases blood flow throughout the body – including the genitals. According to Dr. Yvonne K. Fulbright, it also helps raise dopamine levels in the brain which trigger arousal.

Shellfish – Shellfish, including oysters, clams, scallops, and lobster, are great fuel for the brain and body. You probably thought oysters being the “food of love” was just a saying; however, they’re rich in zinc which is a key nutrient in the production of testosterone and healthy sperm.

Pistachios – Pistachios are full of micro-nutrients that can help improve a man’s sexual health including fighting erectile dysfunction. This may be partially due to the fact that pistachios are relatively high in arginine (an amino acid) which appears to boost the effects of nitric oxide which maintains flexible arteries and enhances circulation.

Spinach – Spinach is a great source of magnesium which aids in the dilation of blood vessels allowing better circulation to all parts of the body. In addition, it’s rich in antioxidants.

Tea – Tea, especially green tea, contains catechin, an antioxidant that promotes blood flow. Catechin also enhances memory, mood, and focus which are sure to make for a better experience in the bedroom.

Fruit – Fruits rich in vitamin C such as grapefruit, oranges, and peaches are great for male sexual health. Research from the University of Texas Medical Branch shows that men who consume a minimum of 200 milligrams of vitamin C a day improve their sperm count and motility.

Seeds and Nuts – Seeds and nuts contain monounsaturated fats. You’re probably recoiling in horror because fats are bad right? Well your body needs monounsaturated fats to create cholesterol and your sex hormones need cholesterol to function properly. In addition, some nuts and seeds, contain important antioxidants.

Oatmeal – Oatmeal is a great way to naturally boost testosterone. In addition, Oats contain an amino acid known as L-arginine which (by enhancing the effects of nitric oxide) helps reduce blood vessel stiffness; in fact, this amino acid has been used to treat erectile dysfunction.

Sex is an important aspect of a healthy relationship. However, it is only one aspect of a healthy relationship. Eating the foods in this article won’t just improve the health of your bedroom activities; they will improve the health of both your body and mind which are pretty important whether you’re in a sexual relationship or not.

Article contributed by Alex Webb on behalf of http://theurologygroup.net/urology-cincinnati/. Alex is interested in the various health benefits of both foods and physical activity. Follow her on Twitter @alexandriakwebb.

How to deal with impotence naturally — guest post by Catherine Howarth

Male impotence is a very difficult and often debilitating condition that not only affects the general well being of a person, but may also affect his attitude towards relationships and close personal bonds. This condition is typically characterized by a man’s inability to maintain an erection for any reasonable length of time, and in some severe cases, even the inability to have an erection despite arousal. Many men don’t realize that erection problems can be caused by a number of different factors ranging from physical debilities, underlying disease, stress, anxiety or even psychological troubles. One of the most common causes of erection problems found in men is an underlying case of heart disease, or diabetes.
Treating the problem 
Treating erectile dysfunction as an attempt to bolster self-confidence and allow a man to fully enjoy his special bond with a life-partner or significant other is usually done with the help of synthetic drugs such as Viagra. Unfortunately though, depending on synthetic drugs to help treat erectile dysfunction is not a permanent solution and can have detrimental side effects. Opting to treat erection problems naturally is a much better option and should be considered first.
Natural remedies
There are many herbs and herbal extracts that can greatly help to increase circulation to the penis or can bolster testosterone production, which can increase libido are usually employed to treat erection problems. Herbs such as gingko biloba, ashwaganda, horny goat’s weed, yohimbe, and of course, ginseng can prove to be beneficial for people suffering from embarrassing erection problems. These herbs contain natural compounds that are known to encourage the increased production of testosterone or an increase in circulatory efficiency, which makes it helpful for the management and eventual treatment of an erectile dysfunction.

Lifestyle changes
It should be noted however, that there is not any guarantees of instantaneous results from consuming any of these herbs and herbal supplements mentioned, although studies have been conducted as to their trace efficacy. Likewise, abiding by a good and healthy diet as well as avoiding stress, the over-consumption of synthetic, fatty and sugary foods as well as a moderate, if not total avoidance of, alcohol and tobacco have also been shown to contribute largely to the effective natural management of erectile dysfunction.

Being open to your significant other about your erection problems, along with keeping a positive attitude with regards to its eventual cure, will help to break away at the walls of insecurity. Such walls have been known to eat away at relationships and can help to surmount the often debilitating effects that erectile dysfunction can have over yourself and your significant other.

Catherine is a freelance writer and writes about male and female medical problems, such as erectile dysfunction and beauty. Catherine’s email is catherinehowarthwriter@gmail.com

Happy Valentine’s Day: Webmd has a slide show revealing 18 secrets guys wish you knew

Image via Wikipedia

It’s Valentine’s Day, so it’s time for the old Guy Thing blog to have a little fun… and figure out some of the mysteries involved in a relationship.

Men can be hard to read at times.  We may be guilty of hiding our emotions. Or perhaps we don’t show affection on a regular basis. Relationships are complicated, but a slide show provided by Webmd.com helps answers some of the mysteries.

The slide show examines 18 relationship secrets gathered from psychologists. You may wonder why men have a hard time saying, “I love you.” Is your guy really listening to you? Are men good at sharing thoughts and feelings?

You’ll learn a lot in this slide show. You’ll discover men like women to initiate sex. On the flip-side, guys aren’t always in the mood: too much stress and libido suffers.

Hope you enjoy this slide show. I hope it answers a lot of your questions. Happy Valentine’s Day.

Book review: “Penis Power: The Ultimate Guide to Male Sexual Health”

By Dr. Dudley Seth Danoff

Review by Scott Keith

At one time, if you heard the word “penis” uttered in conversation, you would hear a few nervous giggles. It seems these days, especially with more television ads touting the benefits of erectile dysfunction pills, the word “penis” is not quite as shunned.

The president and founder of the Cedars-Sinai Tower Urology Medical Group in Los Angeles, Dr. Dudley Seth Danoff, has written a book that removes quite a bit of the mystery surrounding this vital reproductive organ. Penis Power: The Ultimate Guide to Male Sexual Health provides practical advice for partners, a candid discussion of erectile dysfunction and potency, and tips for a healthy, active sex life, no matter how old you are.

Danoff, in an interview with Men and Health: It’s a Guy Thing, says he’s a mainstream urologist who has spent 70 percent of his time doing urologic oncology. He realized there’s a problem with a man’s image of his penis, “what we call penis weakness, obsession about size, obsession about performance, obsession about erectile dysfunction,” says Danoff, noting that a patient suggested Penis Power as the name for a book.

Danoff wrote the book, blending together his many years as a urologist. The idea behind the book, says Danoff, is to teach men about male genital health and to answer questions that some men have a hard time asking.  “I try to do it in an insightful, lighthearted and (medically accurate) funny way,” according to Danoff.

A theme throughout this informative, easy-to-read guide on male sexual health is that the penis is tied to a man’s identity. Danoff says, “I sort of say the Penis is the soul of a man. You can tell more about a man’s character when he has an erection than almost any other time, except, maybe, on the golf course.”

Danoff writes, at length, about erectile dysfunction and the huge percentage of men (in a certain age group) who experience the condition. “The facts are, between 15 and 30 million men, between the ages of 40 and 60, suffer from some sort of erectile dysfunction. 99 percent of that is between the ears and about 1 percent between the legs, with some exceptions,” says Danoff, who is a diplomat of the American Board of Urology and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.

An even more revealing statistic, according to Danoff, is that “fairly close to 100 percent of men, at one time in their life, will suffer from what I call penis weakness.” He says it could be performance anxiety, anger, or the fact the penis will not behave the way you want it to behave.

What we see and hear in the media can have an impact on a man and his relationship with his penis. Danoff says, “I think the epidemic is aggravated by what we see on the media: the perfect specimen, the availability of pornographic material (with trick lighting and magnification)…Everybody thinks that they have to live up to this sort of image.”

This book will answer your questions about erections, ejaculation, penis size and medical conditions that can affect your penis power. The book also examines prostate and other urologic diseases. A light-hearted section toward the end of the book explores your penis personality. Yes, you can match up your very own penis with the various illustrated penis personalities.

Danoff says sex “is not an Olympic event, it’s not a marathon, it’s between two loving people, who care about one another. That’s my message more than anything else.”

The book is $15.95 and is available from any bookstore, as well as http://www.amazon.com and http://www.barnesandnoble.com

Visit Dr. Danoff at http://www.penispowerbook.com

Peyronie’s Disease: A centuries-old condition also known as penile curvature — article by Scott Keith

Peyronie’s Disease is hard to spell but easier to pronounce (Pay-Row-knees). It’s a disease that strikes men and can lead to painful erections.

The condition, which can cause stress in a sexual relationship, is also known as penile curvature. Peyronie’s Disease is a buildup of plaque within a section of the penis. The plaque, starting out as inflammation, can turn into hardened scar tissue. The end result can be a painful, curved penis, which can make it extremely difficult to engage in sex.

The disease has been around for centuries. Dr. L. Dean Knoll says it was first described in 1743 by Francois de la Peyronie, who was King Louis XV’s court physician. The condition, which can create erectile dysfunction, can produce varied penile configurations, including that of an hourglass.

Knoll, Medical Director for both the Center for Urological Treatment and Medical Research Associates of Nashville, says, “the erectile dysfunction, that can come with this, has been reported to affect anywhere from 20 to 54 percent of men with Peyronie’s.” He adds that about 60 to 70 percent of men with Peyronie’s Disease will have an associated vascular abnormality, “such that the scar tissue doesn’t allow for the trapping of blood in the penis. Patients don’t obtain or maintain good quality erections.”

Peyronie’s disease affects more men than originally thought. Knoll, in an interview with Men and Health: It’s a Guy Thing, says it’s estimated that up to seven to ten percent of patients may be affected with Peyronie’s. “The reason the incidence is higher than it originally was thought to be is that more men are seeking therapy for it (thanks, in part, to the growth of E.D.commercials on television).”

The painful condition, thought to be related to penile trauma, according to Knoll, mostly affects the age group of 45 to 59. Knoll says, “They tend to have similar sexual activities, as far as how they have their intercourse, but in that age group, the erection is not quite as rigid as it was when they were 20 or 30 years old. Subsequently, the penis seems to bend more and that sets up the inflammation in the blood vessels to the covering of the erection body. That’s why they end up  having Peyronie’s Disease more frequently.”

If you’re diagnosed with Peyronie’s by your primary care physician, you need to be referred to  a urologist.

Catching Peyronie’s early is important, according to Knoll. If you catch it early, “you have a better chance of truncating the inflammatory process.” The problem, says Knoll, is doctors don’t have the best medical therapy (oral or injectable drugs) to stop Peyronie’s.  “We’ve tried all kinds of therapies in the past (such as ultrasound therapy). They’ve all showed limited and unpredictable success,” notes Knoll.

Knoll says there’s an investigational drug being looked at. Xiaflex (in phase three clinical trials) could be injected into the scar and it would diminish the deposition of the scar tissue. If approved by the FDA in a few years, this drug, according to Knoll, could help straighten the penis, avoiding surgical treatment.

Surgical treatment options include penile straightening. Another procedure involves removing tissue on the opposite side of the curvature, thereby straightening the penis. The down side of this procedure is patients can lose further penile length. “Most of us are doing an incision and a partial excision of the scar. We’re laying in some bio material grafting. These bio materials get absorbed and becomes pliable..the penis is straight when they attempt intercourse,” says Knoll.

If you suspect any changes with your penis, see medical help. “Don’t sit and live with the condition and think it will go away. It won’t. Obviously, the sooner they see a urologist the better off these patients are,” says Knoll.

Visit Dr. Knoll at http://www.cutonline.net

The top 3 tips for online dating after 50 — guest post by Amy Reynolds

So you are over 50 and thinking about saddling up for the dating game again?  Well the good news is that it’s never too late to get back on the horse.  However, the process might be a little bit different than you last remembered.  Nowadays, you don’t need to worry about cleaning up and throwing on your best after-shave to head to the bar in hopes of finding that special lady…all you have to do is grab a beer, kick back in your favorite recliner and pull out your laptop.

The new reality for relationships today is leaning more and more towards online dating.  Especially when you are over the age of 50.  In 2011, online dating is seen as the most popular method for older men seeking love or companionship.  By simply signing up to a few dating websites that cater to your specific needs, you will gain access to thousands of singles like yourself who are looking for love by modern means.  To get the most out of your online experience and maximize your chances for success, follow these simple online dating tips:

#1:  Honesty is the best policy.  This will probably be the most important lesson you learn in your online dating journey.  When filling out your online dating profile and connecting with other singles, be sure to be truthful about the information you disclose about yourself.  If the truth is stretched on anything from a few extra pounds you’ve gained recently, to what kind of car your drive, or even your income…it can create a world of trouble for you down the road.  The truth will come out eventually and a sure start to a doomed relationship is a lie…no matter how big or small. Just remember that to attract someone who is right for you, your best bet is to be yourself and stay true to your values.  If a potential partner doesn’t accept that then she can pack it up and hit the bricks.

#2:  Showcase yourself.  You know you’re a catch and any woman would be lucky to have you.  But does your online dating profile highlight how smart, funny and charming (the list goes on, of course) you are?  This is your opportunity to market yourself to women who have hundreds of other men available to them with the click of a mouse—be original and set yourself apart by highlighting your specific qualities, characteristics and hobbies. After you’ve set up your online profile that is guaranteed to capture the hearts of women worldwide and line up dates for you to keep you booked through the New Year, revisit your information on your page from time to time.  Make updates as you see fit and try to look at your profile as another person viewing it for the first time.

#3:  Stay positive.  When interacting with fellow singles across the World Wide Web, keep in mind that if you come across as despondent, bitter or desperate, you may miss out on a number of quality women because you have turned them away with your negativity.  In your first communications with an online friend, it is also important not to dwell on serious topics like politics, religion or any serious issues regarding your past—there will be plenty of time for that later.  Instead, focus on light-hearted subjects and reflect on the parts of life that you enjoy.  Remember that positive people attract positive relationships.

If you don’t find love right away, that’s okay…don’t rush!  Know that every day, hundreds of people over the age of 50 are finding love and companionship online and you can too.  Relax and bask in the fun you are having on this new adventure in your life!

Guest poster, Amy Reynolds, brings to us the above article on senior dating and also writes about other issues surrounding online relationships for Best Black Dating Sites.  You may contact Amy at amy.reynolds@wufsd.org

Erectile Dysfunction: Always an awkward subject to talk about

OK, we giggle when see those erectile dysfunction medication commercials. An erection lasting more than four hours? What do we do? Do we brag or call the doctor? Actually, ED is an embarrassing problem that can lead to a break-down in marital communications.

Webmd has an article by Peter Jaret that provides valuable advice for men and women facing this threat to intimacy:

http://www.webmd.com/erectile-dysfunction/features/getting-intimate-talking-together-about-ed

The article quotes Brian Zamboni, a clinical psychologist at the University of Minnesota and California sex therapist Louanne Cole Weston. Before you get into panic mode, consider some of the great pieces of advice in this article, such as the need to find a comfortable way to approach the subject and, in some cases, taking a break from sex to focus on emotional intimacy.

The best piece of advice is to bring up the subject with your doctor. There are physical causes of ED, such as heart disease and diabetes. There’s also a great many treatment choices,  including medication and, in more challenging cases, penile implants.

While it’s way too easy to chuckle at Viagra, Cialis and Levitra ads, ED is a terribly frustrating condition. But there’s never a need to push the panic button. If the problem is not caused by stress, anger or anxiety, your doctor can offer treatment suggestions and start you on the road to a much more fulfilling sex life.

11 tips to help a baby boomer guy’s sex life

This blog tries to focus on health issues that affect baby boomer men. Whether you like it or not, the subject eventually comes back to ED, better known as erectile dysfunction. It’s a condition that strikes middle-aged men.

We’ve all heard of the miracle drugs that can treat ED. We see the commercials and wonder if we’ll ever get an erection that lasts more than four hours.  Despite some outstanding medical developments over the last several years, ED sufferers can benefit from some common sense health tips. David Freeman has the latest at Webmd.com.

As embarrassing a subject as ED can be, it’s always a good idea to bring up the subject with your doctor.