Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) / Enlarged prostate Archive

Men's Health

Prostate cancer and your diet

Published October 1, 2021

Ongoing research suggests that heart-healthy diets like the Mediterranean and DASH diets that emphasize plant-based foods also can lower a man’s risk of prostate cancer and even help slow its spread. Researchers point to the diets high amounts of antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids as possible reasons.

Men's Health

Cardiovascular safety from prostate cancer drugs remains uncertain

Published September 24, 2021

Worldwide, over one million men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year, and half will be given androgen deprivation therapy at some point. Whether certain types of this therapy are safer for the heart than others is an important question that is being studied, but the results from the first such trial were inconclusive and disappointing.

Should I worry about finasteride side effects even after stopping the drug?

Updated September 11, 2021

Some men who took finasteride for urinary problems (Proscar) or balding (Propecia) have reported permanent sexual side effects such as low sex drive or ejaculation problems. It is not established for certain that the side effects are caused by the drug.

Men's Health

You don't say? Hair today, gone tomorrow

Published September 1, 2021

Men’s hair turns gray and falls out because of genes, declining hormones, and advancing age. The speed and severity this happens varies per person, but there is little that men can do about these hair changes.

Men's Health

New ways to think about sex

Published September 1, 2021

Older couples face many natural changes in their bodies that can interfere with their sex life. For men it’s falling testosterone levels and erectile dysfunction, while for women it’s often effects from menopause. Couples should see this new phase as an opportunity to explore different ways to stay intimate and satisfy each other’s needs without relying on traditional intercourse.

Men's Health

Who needs hormone therapy for prostate cancer?

Published September 1, 2021

Depending on the stage of localized prostate cancer, a man’s doctor might recommend radiation therapy or hormonal therapy, also known as androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), or a combination of both. Hormone therapy decreases androgens, the male sex hormones that fuel prostate cancer cell growth. When used with radiation, hormone therapy helps to improve radiation’s effectiveness. The side effects are common, but can be managed with diet, exercise, supplements, and other lifestyle habits.

Women's Health

A different nonhormonal birth control option

Published August 30, 2021

Last year the FDA approved a hormone-free birth control option called Phexxi. It's a contraceptive gel that changes the pH of the vagina to help immobilize sperm, rather than a spermicide. How effective is it, what are the possible side effects, and which other available birth control options could you consider?

Men's Health

Level of health literacy affects treatment choice for slow-growing prostate cancer

Published August 24, 2021

A genetic test that provides an assessment of how aggressive a man's prostate cancer is and how likely it is to spread within his body. A new study has investigated for the first time how results of this test are impacting treatment decisions — with surprising results.