Male Urinary Tract Health and Erectile Function
At Living Wellness Medical Center, we’re proud to work with highly trained naturopathic doctors who are experienced in treating both men and women. We also understand men’s health issues and concerns, especially as you age.
If you have concerns about your prostate health, schedule a free brief meet and greet with one of our naturopathic doctors to find out how we can help you by calling 480-588-6856.
Special Concerns for Male Urinary Tract Health
Men have a nearly four-fold higher risk of urinary bladder cancer than do women, making this an area of focus for disease prevention in men. It ranks number 4 in male cancers, behind colorectal, lung, and prostate cancers. Men over age 55 are most likely to be diagnosed with bladder cancer, and Caucasian males are almost twice as likely to be diagnosed as Black or Hispanic males.
The reasons men are more likely to experience bladder cancer is yet unknown, but some environmental risk factors are understood. These include toxin exposure, such as certain types of paint, dyes, metals, and petroleum products. But the most well-linked toxin exposure that leads to bladder cancer in males is tobacco, either in cigarettes or other products.
The best bladder cancer prevention is to not use tobacco products and to avoid exposure to harmful chemicals. Symptoms of bladder cancer include blood in the urine (most common), and frequent, urgent, or painful urination. If you experience any of these, consult with your doctor without delay.
While men don’t experience urinary tract infection (UTI) at nearly the same rates as women, due to having a longer urethra through which bacteria need to travel to infect the bladder, prevention is important for men as well. This includes drinking plenty of water each day, following a healthy diet, and keeping the immune system strong by supporting healthy gut bacteria, exercising regularly, and getting restorative sleep.
Erectile Dysfunction
The inability to achieve or sustain an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse is known as Erectile Dysfunction or ED. This condition can be difficult for men to discuss, but it’s an important topic, and discussing it is necessary to help evaluate a man’s overall health.
Factors that contribute to ED can include:
- low testosterone (common after age 40)
- cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol, diabetes
- prescription drugs for high blood pressure or depression
- tobacco use, recreational drug use
- mental/emotional stress, anxiety, depression
- neurodegenerative disorders (such as Parkinson’s or MS)
- surgery or radiation of the pelvis or prostate gland
- scarring resulting from trauma to the penis or Peyronie’s Disease
Successful treatment of ED relies on diagnosing the underlying condition and treating it adequately. This may be uncovered through discussion alone, or it may require various exams tests such as blood tests, urine tests, or ultrasound.
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