Men's Sexual & Reproductive Health

Recently Answered

• QIs it better for the penis to be circumcised?

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  A Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answered

  

  Studies show that circumcised penises are less likely to cause bacterial infections in women. To learn more about the pros and cons of circumcision in men, watch this video with Dr. Oz, urologist Dr. Harry Fisch, and sex therapist Dr. Laura Berman.

  
  

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• QIs circumcision medically necessary?

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  A Intermountain Healthcare answered

  Circumcision is no longer considered medically necessary. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Medical Association, there is not enough medical evidence to support routine circumcision. Studies do show some potential medical benefits of circumcision, but there are also potential risks. Since circumcision is not essential to the child’s current well-being, parents should determine what is in the best interest of their child.

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• QWhat are the risks of circumcision?

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  A Swedish answered

  As with any surgical procedure, there are possible risks. With circumcision, the risks are typically small (ranging between 0.2 percent and 0.6 percent) but can include:

  • Bleeding
  • Infection
  • Injury to the penis or urethra
  • Removal of excess foreskin

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• QWhat happens to a man’s erections as he ages?

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  A Dr. Kevin J. Soden, MD , Family Medicine, answered

  Men get erections because of what they think (called psychogenic erections) and because of physical stimulation of the penis. As men age, they will notice that they have fewer psychogenic erections and that it takes more physical stimulation to get and maintain an erection. Men will also notice that their orgasms may not be as strong and that it takes longer to have an erection once they have ejaculated. All these changes are a normal part of aging.
  According to the International Journal of Impotence Research, studies indicate that up to 20 percent of men between ages forty and seventy will have some erectile problems. It’s one reason we see so many ads for erectile dysfunction (ED) drugs on television today. These drugs can help, but consult your doctor so that he or she can determine what your particular problem is and what the best treatment is for you.
• QWhat can I do to optimize my sperm count?

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  A Dr. Monica M. Diaz, MD , OBGYN (Obstetrics & Gynecology), answered on behalf of Medical City Dallas

  To optimize your sperm count, follow these tips:

  • Don't wear anything constricting, like tight underwear. Boxer briefs are great; stay away from the proverbial "tighty whities."
  • Avoid heat exposure and hot temperatures. Hot temperatures can kill sperm.
  • Do not get into saunas, steam rooms or hot tubs.
  • Do not put your laptop on your lap. Your laptop generates heat and can contribute to a low sperm count.

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• QHow can radiation therapy affect a man's sexual health?

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  A Dr. Madeleine M. Castellanos, MD , Psychiatry, answered on behalf of Good In Bed

  Radiation therapy may damage nerves, impair blood flow, or decrease testosterone levels. Depending on a man's individual situation, he may be eligible for newer types of nerve-sparing surgery or more targeted or lower doses of radiation. It is also extremely important to follow all of the post-surgery recommendations for therapy to increase blood flow and increases the chances of preserving erectile functioning.
• QWhat is circumcision?

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  A Riverside Women's Health answered

  If you have a baby boy, you likely will be asked whether you want him to be circumcised. Circumcision is the removal of the foreskin, which is the skin that covers the tip of the penis. It is a good idea to think about this before going into labor because it is often offered before a new baby leaves the hospital.

  The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) does not recommend routine circumcision because the medical benefits do not outweigh the risks. But parents also need to consider their religious, cultural, and personal preferences when making the choice to circumcise their son.

  This answer is based on source information from National Women's Health Information Center.

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• QWhat is a sperm bank?

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  A RealAge answered

  A sperm bank is a place where a fertile man can store a sample of his sperm for future use in inseminating an egg through in vitro fertilization or other artificial insemination method. Until it is used, the sperm is kept frozen in liquid nitrogen. Men who are about to undergo treatment that may cause infertility, as for some forms of cancer, may wish to bank their sperm for future use.
  
  When choosing a sperm bank to find a sperm donor, Resolve/The National Infertility Association, recommends asking questions, including:

  • What is the minimum and maximum age of the donors?
  • What information about the donor's background does the sperm bank keep in records and what information will I be provided about the donor?
  • Does the sperm bank keep a medical history of the donor? How long do they keep a donor's medical records?
  • Are donors screened or tested for diseases and what is the sperm bank's policy if sexually transmitted diseases or certain inheritable diseases are detected?
  • Does the sperm bank screen donors for drug use?
  • Does the sperm bank offer a service for adult children conceived with the donated sperm to gain access to the donor's medical records, if necessary?
  • Will the sperm bank continue to store a donor's frozen sperm so that a couple can use the same donor for a second child?
• QHow do chemicals in our environment affect reproductive health?

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  A Dr. Philip J. Landrigan, MD , Pediatrics, answered on behalf of The Mount Sinai Health System

  A few years ago, we reached the 20th anniversary of a landmark paper that reported a 50% decline in sperm concentration in western countries. This study generated enormous interest and controversy resulting in the publication of many studies that have demonstrated large and significant geographic differences in semen quality and other reproductive outcomes. Establishing links between these differences and chemicals in the environment is challenging, but a growing body of evidence has found links between a range of male reproductive endpoints and environmental chemicals including some pesticides, phthalates and other endocrine disrupting chemicals. This is a research area of growing importance and concern.
• QWhat lifestyle changes can men make for healthier sperm?

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  A HealthyWomen answered

  Men can make the following lifestyle changes for healthier sperm:

  • Stop smoking. Nicotine reduces the amount of antioxidants in your semen.
  • Have frequent intercourse. Contrary to popular belief, abstaining from intercourse doesn't increase the amount of sperm. Instead, intercourse every three to four days is ideal.
  • Reduce your alcohol consumption. Alcohol may suppress sperm production.
  • Avoid extended time in hot showers, hot tubs or saunas. Chronic exposure of the genitals to elevated temperatures can diminish sperm counts, but occasional brief visits to the sauna or hot tub will have no effect.
  • Avoid pesticides, herbicides, heat and radiation at work. All can affect sperm production.