Men's Health Archive

Men with low-risk prostate cancer continue to choose active surveillance as their course of action, meaning they monitor their cancer and don’t seek treatment unless it becomes worse. While this wait-and-see approach may appear passive in nature, it’s an opportunity for men to take charge of their health and make lifestyle changes that could improve their cancer outcome and offer protection against other health risks, like heart disease.

Low libido can include both less desire for and less satisfaction with sex. A variety of medications can dampen sex drive by altering hormone levels or nerve signals, dulling sensation in the genitals, or triggering fatigue or mood changes. They include some antidepressants, cardiovascular drugs, antihistamines, antiseizure drugs, opioids, chemotherapy, hormone blockers, oral contraceptives, and fertility drugs. People whose medications affect their libido can ask their doctor to adjust the dose or timing or substitute another drug without sexual side effects.

A new, tender lump in a man’s breast doesn't necessarily mean cancer. But it should not be ignored. Gynecomastia is one possible cause, but there are others.

Prostate cancer often develops quietly, with few or no early warning signs, and can resemble normal age‑related prostate changes. When symptoms arise, they usually involve subtle changes in urination. Doctors combine careful questioning, physical examination, blood tests, and modern scans to distinguish harmless enlargement from serious disease.

Low libido, erectile dysfunction, fatigue, reduced muscle mass, hot flashes, and more may be symptoms of testosterone deficiency. Testing can help determine the diagnosis, and testosterone replacement therapy may help counter the decline in the hormone.

For men, night sweats can signal anything from room temperature issues to infections, sleep apnea, medications, hormonal problems, or something else.

Charts offer BMI ranges and waist targets, but they aren't the whole story. Learn how height, belly fat, diet, and activity shape "healthy" weight.

Vaginal infections are highly common and often involve symptoms such as vaginal itching, burning, irritation, discharge, and odor. The most prevalent vaginal infections include bacterial vaginosis, yeast infection, trichomoniasis, herpes simplex virus 2, gonorrhea, and chlamydia.

Saw palmetto is a popular "natural" choice for urinary symptoms from an enlarged prostate, but high-quality studies show little or no real benefit. Men are urged to talk with a doctor first, both to rule out serious causes and avoid misplaced hope.

With advances beyond blood tests to screen for prostate cancer, men and their doctors now have additional-and better-information to guide diagnosis and potential treatment. Examples include MRI scans and also urine tests that look for biological markers of cancer.