Benefits of Male Hormone Replacement Therapy
Dear Healthy Men: A recent news release suggested that men with low testosterone levels may have improvement in sexual function and quality of life. How can I determine whether I can benefit and what questions should I ask my doctor? A: Before we get into the details...
Health Disparities: Why Do Girls Live Longer Than Boys?
Dear Healthy Men: A few weeks ago, you wrote about why women live longer than women. When does the gender gap start? In other words, do girls live longer than boys? A: The disparity between male and female death rates exists in every age group, from infants through...
Absence May Make the Heart Grow Fonder, but Marriage Makes It Beat Longer—Especially for Men
Dear Health Men: I’ve heard that being married improves one’s health. Sounds good, but is it really true? A: Regardless of your feelings about marriage, you may want to give it a try—especially if you’re concerned about your health. Researchers at New York University...
Why Men Don’t Care About the Healthcare Debate
Dear Health Men: You’ve complained about how the Affordable Care Act discriminates against men and boys. Where’s your proof? A: The ACA (Obamacare) very clearly prohibits discrimination “on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.” However,...
Beards: The Secret to Success or the Kiss of Death?
Dear Healthy Men: Do women really find men with beards more attractive than clean-shaven guys? A: According to the old story, in 1860, Abraham Lincoln grew a beard in response to a suggestion from an 11-year-old girl who said it would make him a more attractive...
The Epidemic—and Consequences—of Male Loneliness
Loneliness kills. According to former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, isolation and weak social connections “are associated with a reduction in lifespan similar to that caused by smoking fifteen cigarettes a day and even greater than that associated with obesity.”...
When It Comes to Stereotypes, Words Matter. A Lot.
A few days ago, I heard a young father telling his son—who was probably around 10 or 11—to “man up.” I started thinking about that phrase and wondered about all the gender stereotyping we do without even realizing it. Are expressions like “man up” harmless parts of or...
How to Save Your Husband’s Life
Dear Healthy Men: I love my family, but I’m very frustrated about having to manage almost everyone’s health. While my daughter and I schedule our own doctor visits and mammograms, my husband and two teenage sons never do. In fact, I just spent half the morning making...
Will Having More Sex Make Me Happier?
Dear Healthy Men: What’s the right amount of sex for a couple to have to ensure a happy relationship? A: Most of us would agree that a heathy sex life is an important component of any romantic relationship. So it seems logical to assume that there would be a positive...
