Men's Health. Discover daily stories on the latest in men's health from Dr. David Samadi. Learn about top global and national health issues related to men's health such as common cancers, prostate cancer, exercise tips, male body issues, male health screenings and prevention methods. Explore healthy solutions for men's health.
Anxiety has not always been given much importance in mental health research. Much of the focus has been on depression, which is an important issue, but anxiety is also equally important.
Read MoreThat’s why asking dad about health conditions or diseases he has or did have at one time, can empower you to make decision about your health.
Read MoreIn fact, more than 25 million men annually in the U.S. seek treatment for this condition and worldwide, it affects more than 408 million men.
Read MoreAnorgasmia is the inability to reach an orgasm or climax during sexual activity.
Read MoreMore than 30 million American men who have the condition of ED,
Read MoreFortunately, thanks to the American Heart Association getting the message out on heart health, fewer Americans are dying of heart disease than ever.
Read MoreIt’s common for men to “man it up” when it comes to their health. They often ignore symptoms and delay getting them checked out.
Read MoreAccording to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, here are some stats that don’t quite add up to men always taking good care of themselves:
Read MoreOctober is the month to raise recognition of breast cancer as it is designated as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Read MoreIncontinence, bladder infections, blood in urine are all issues commonly associated with women.
Read MoreErectile dysfunction linked to opioid use in men
(Author – Cheryl Mussatto MS, RD, LD for use by Dr. David Samadi)
Men with chronic pain using opioids to deal with the discomfort should reconsider that decision. Pain-killing medications known as opioids may relieve the pain, but they also can shut down your sex life. This fact is not necessarily well-known among the medical community but should be discussed with men before automatically prescribing these drugs.
A study back in 2013 which was published in the journal Spine found that men who were prescribed medications for erectile dysfunction (ED) or low testosterone levels were more likely to be taking an opioid medication for chronic back pain. Men with persistent pain should be informed of this potential side effect of long-term opioid use. Since the study was an observational study, it limits the ability to make a cause-and-effect inference. While opioid use and ED seem to go together, it can’t be said that one causes the other.
Around 11,000 men were included in this study that all had back pain. Out of this group, more than 900 men received medications for ED (Viagra, Cialis, or Levitra), or testosterone replacement. Generally, those men were older than those who did not have a prescription for ED. These same men were also more likely to have depression and other health conditions.
Commonly used prescribed opioids include hydrocodone, oxycodone, and morphine. For this study, men who used an opioid for more than 120 days, or more than 90 days if more than 10 prescriptions were filled for the drug, as long-term use.
The most significant factor for the men in getting a prescription for ED was their age. Men between ages of 60 and 69 were 14 times more likely to receive a prescription for ED than men who were between 18 and 29.
When the data was adjusted for other possible factors, including age, the researchers found that men who took opioid pain medications for long periods, were about 50 percent more likely to have ED medications or testosterone replacement therapy. Again limitations with the study do not prove that opioid use causes ED as ED could be related to the pain the men were experiencing. However, there is evidence that men who stop taking opioids after using them for a short time will see an improvement in erectile dysfunction but it’s not clear if the same is true after long-term use.
In recent years, there has been growing evidence and much concern on long-term use of opioids on overall health of anyone taking them for pain. The body compensates for taking long-term pain medications, due to changes in the brain and spinal cord making people more sensitive to them.
There can be other contributing factors to ED besides possibly opioid medication use such as diabetes, heart disease, peripheral vascular disease, and alcohol use. In the meantime, all doctors treating any man for chronic pain should discuss with them if they are also experiencing ED.
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Besides seeking help from their doctor to treat the physical condition of their disease, many men rarely open up with other men to discuss prostate cancer’s side effects and how they are dealing with it.
Read MoreFor men plagued and frustrated with symptoms of an enlarged prostate or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
Read MoreWomen who live with these men are also affected as they are tired of being woken up in the middle of the night by their husband’s trips to the bathroom.
Read MoreThis condition is estimated to affect between 1 to 23 percent of men from ages 40 to 70. It is rare in young men and is more likely to appear as a man ages.
It would not be unusual if the word “anorgasmia” is unfamiliar to you. Doctors rarely ask about the problem and most men will choose instead to suffer in silence as they themselves are reluctant or embarrassed to bring it up to their doctor.
Eating disorders are thought of as a predominately female illness, well-known to afflict girls and women in varying degrees from anorexia to bulimia to binge eating.
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 MoreThe good news is most men’s health screenings are easy, quick, and can be done in their doctor’s office. Here are 8 men’s health screening tests all men should add to their preventative healthcare:
