A Breakthrough Testing for Testicular Cancer
/A new study has brought science closer to offering a simple genetic test for healthy men to determine if they are at risk of the dread disease.
Read MoreA new study has brought science closer to offering a simple genetic test for healthy men to determine if they are at risk of the dread disease.
Read MoreThe reason it is important for a man to be honest in his use of these drugs is that erectile dysfunction medications contain nitric oxide, which opens blood vessels and relaxes muscles. When they are combined with anesthesia and other medications used during surgery, there is the risk of a man’s blood pressure becoming dangerously low.
Read MoreLoss of libido in men puts more strain on a marriage than just about any other sexual dysfunction. Around 31 percent of men and up to 43 percent of women will experience some sort of sexual problem with low sex drive being one of the trickier ones to solve.
Read MoreHere are some of the more common causes of groin pain that are the usual contributors which include:
Read MoreMen who take the time and initiative to be proactive with their wellbeing, can avoid the top 5 dangers to their health or at the very least, catch them at an early stage when they are more treatable.
Read MorePremature ejaculation occurs when a man ejaculates sooner during sexual intercourse than he or his partner would like. It is estimated as many as one out of every three men experiences it at some time in their lives.
Read MoreThere are certain factors that can increase the chance of testicular torsion:
Read MoreHere are herbal supplements that have been used to treat ED – some have been used for centuries. As with any herbal supplement, a man should always consult with his doctor before taking these as some do have negative interactions with other medications.
Read MoreA significant number of men suffering from erectile dysfunction (ED) have been found to have low levels of vitamin D pointing the finger at one possible reason for this condition.
Read MoreThink in terms of his health and to gift him with something that can make him feel better, either physically or mentally.
Read MoreThose nagging headaches, insomnia, or your reduced productivity at work may actually be due to the buildup of stress rearing its ugly head.
Read MoreMen are often thought of as the stronger sex. But are they really? When figures and statistics on men’s overall health and well-being are crunched, the reality looks radically different.
Read MoreGynecomastia is the medical term for man boobs which refers to swollen breast tissue which is usually caused by issues of reduced testosterone and higher levels of estrogen.
Read MoreSince prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men after skin cancer, men would be wise to know certain facts about prostate specific antigen or the PSA test. PSA is a protein produced by the prostate gland and is found in the blood. The blood sample taken is used to monitor the level of PSA being produced by the prostate.
Read MoreAny man will tell you sex is important to them and primarily because of the overwhelmingly pleasurable feeling at the end. But, what a man may not realize is how every time he engages in hanky-panky, the incredible favor it is doing for his health.
Read MoreA diagnosis of prostate cancer is not only upsetting for a man but if his knowledge of prostate cancer is limited, this can possibly set him on the wrong track of knowing how best to fight it.
Read MoreA new study indicates that a full two-thirds of us who think we know what we are doing are actually getting quietly cooked. (Perhaps that's why 3.5 million cases of basel and squamous skin are diagnosed in the U.S. each year.)
Read MoreAn enlarged prostate also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), has been treated in various ways with one of them being the use of the dietary supplement saw palmetto. Saw palmetto is one of the most commonly used supplements by men with prostate cancer and BPH. In 2011, over $18 million of saw palmetto was sold in the United States, ranking it third among herbal dietary supplements.
Saw palmetto is a palm-like plant that grows like a tree or shrub in warm climates and can reach heights of up to 10 feet with clusters of leaves spreading out to 2 feet or more. Once a staple food of Native Americans living along coastal regions of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, saw palmetto has been used as early as the 1900s by men to treat urinary tract issues and to increase sperm production and sex drive.
Whether saw palmetto is truly an effective use for treating BPH or not is still up for debate. More long-term studies are needed to say for sure if this alternative supplement is a viable option for BPH.
All men with an enlarged prostate should thoroughly discuss with their doctor first before using saw palmetto to treat BPH. It is generally thought of as safe when used under the guidance of a physician and may be a suitable alternative method of treatment for BPH.
Composition of saw palmetto
Saw palmetto has white flowers that produce yellow berries that turn brownish black when ripe and then are dried for medicinal use.
The active ingredients that make up the composition of saw palmetto are fatty acids, plant sterols, and flavonoids. There is also a saw palmetto extract which is an extract of the berry that is rich in fatty acids and phytosterols.
How does saw palmetto possibly help BPH?
Saw palmetto like many herbs, contains plant-chemicals that may be effective for BPH. What is not known is how saw palmetto works to do this. Research suggests that saw palmetto has an effect on the level of testosterone in the body and may possibly reduce the amount of an enzyme that promotes the growth of prostate cells.
It also appears saw palmetto has anti-inflammatory properties having a positive influence on the prostate gland. One study has showed that combining saw palmetto with the phytochemical lycopene and the mineral selenium produces an even greater anti-inflammatory effect.
Studies using animals have shown that saw palmetto inhibits the growth of tumor cells. This may demonstrate its possible usefulness in treating prostate cancer. Studies have also shown saw palmetto’s ability to improve urinary tract symptoms related to BPH but more research is necessary to definitively confirm this.
Here are some of the possible ways studies have shown on how saw palmetto may be effective for BPH:
· May reduce urinary frequency particularly during the night
· May reduce a man having trouble starting or maintaining urination
· May reduce the loss of libido
· May shrink the size of the prostate gland
The studies showing these results were short-term lasting no more than 3 months making it more difficult to say for certain if saw palmetto actually is effective for preventing BPH complications.
In what form does saw palmetto come in?
The supplement comes in a variety of forms and can be bought as dried berries, powdered capsules, tablets, liquid tinctures, and as an extract. Make sure the product label states that the contents contain 85-95% fatty acids and sterols. Purchase saw palmetto only from reputable companies.
Precautions
· Saw palmetto should not be given to children
· It may take up to 8 weeks to see any effects
· Saw palmetto is generally seen as safe but pay attention to any side effects it may produce – headache, nausea, diarrhea, and dizziness
· A man should always seek his doctor’s advice first on appropriate treatment methods before self-treating with saw palmetto
· Pregnant or nursing women should not use saw palmetto as it may have similar effects to some hormones
· It may interfere with the absorption of iron
· It may have interactions with certain medications – always inform your doctor if using saw palmetto. Medications it may interfere with are Proscar, Warfarin, Plavix, Aspirin, oral contraceptives, and hormone replacement therapy.
Recently, the USPSTF published a draft of suggested updates on the prostate cancer screening guideline. “In the new guideline, PSA screening is considered as grade C in men between 55 and 69. This change in grading from grade D to grade C means that men in this age group should be consulted about the PSA test, benefits and harms and decide if they like to perform the test” said urologic oncologist, Dr. Samadi.
Read MoreIt is likely few of us know of any man who has been diagnosed with penile cancer. Penile cancer is considered a rare cancer for men in the North America and Europe as less than 1 man in 100,000 each year is diagnosed accounting for less than 1% of cancers of men in the United States. For the year 2017, the American Cancer Society estimates 2,120 new cases of penile cancer will be diagnosed with about 360 deaths from it. Early detection and understanding how to spot the symptoms of it is critical to overcoming this cancer.
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