Some itches are just too embarrassing to scratch. But if you&#39;ve ever been, or currently are, bothered by an irritating itch &quot;down there,&quot; you know how urgent the need to scratch can be.

Quite often, the culprit in this embarrassing pelvic itch is fungus. Wherever moisture and heat get trapped on the body, fungus can grow and cause uncomfortable itching. One of the most common types of intimate fungal infections in men is<a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/fungal-infections/what-is-jock-itch"> jock itch</a>.

What&#39;s Going On Down There? 
The human body is home to many different microorganisms, including fungi. Having a certain number of fungi living on the human body is normal. But when conditions favor fungi growth, such as warmth and moisture, the organisms can multiply rapidly, upsetting the natural balance.

It is typical for <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/fungal-infections/what-are-fungal-skin-infections">fungal infections</a> to occur in the genital area, where ideal growing conditions exist. However, fungal infections can also be found on the feet, the underarms, or the fold of skin below the breast.

Jock Itch 
Consisting of a red and flat itchy rash that appears on the inner thighs, tinea cruris, or jock itch, spreads outward in a circular pattern and clears in the center. The border of the ring is usually bright red and raised, and it can spread to both the genital and anal regions. It is very contagious and can be passed by direct skin contact or contact with contaminated items, such as a shared towel.

If you have jock itch, you&#39;re not alone&mdash;jock itch is second only to acne as the most commonly reported skin condition, and it&#39;s estimated that 10% to 20% of people will get a tinea infection sometime in their lives. It is usually fairly simple to cure, although symptoms may last for weeks. Your doctor will usually prescribe a topical antifungal cream that should be applied once or twice a day for 2 weeks. It is also important to keep the area clean and dry and avoid any clothing that might irritate the infected area. Infections that last more than 2 weeks or recur may require stronger antifungal treatment in either topical or oral form. Antibiotics also may be needed to treat secondary infections that can sometimes be caused by scratching.

Preventive Measures 
Follow these steps to prevent jock itch altogether, which is especially important if your infection tends to recur:

<ul>
	<li>Bathe or shower right away after a workout. Avoid using antibacterial and deodorant soaps. Dry your genital area well and apply powder, such as talc, to the skin between your leg and groin.</li>
	<li>Wear loose-fitting underwear, such as boxer shorts, instead of briefs. Avoid nylon underwear. Change your underwear frequently, especially after activities that leave you hot and sweaty.</li>
	<li>Maintain a healthy body weight. Heavier people suffer more with perspiration buildup in their groin area than people of lower body weight.</li>
	<li>If you have a fungal infection on your feet or hands, treat it promptly before it has an opportunity to spread to the groin or other skin areas.</li>
</ul>

Other Causes of Itch 
A yeast infection is another type of fungal infection that can cause itching. That&#39;s right, men can get yeast infections, usually following sexual contact with a woman who has a yeast infection. And if both partners are not treated, they can keep reinfecting each other. Not every man exposed to a yeast infection will get one, but men who have diabetes or are uncircumcised are at increased risk.

Fungal infections aren&#39;t the only possible cause of pelvic itching. Your skin could be irritated by sweat and tight clothing, or you could be having an allergic reaction to soaps and detergents. It could also be the result of a skin condition such as eczema or psoriasis, or it could even be a symptom of a <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/stds-sexually-transmitted-diseases">sexually transmitted disease</a>, such as chlamydia or genital herpes. Be sure to see your doctor for a proper diagnosis.

Medically reviewed in November 2019.

Stop Jock Itch

Most men associate virility with youth, so it&#39;s no wonder that the idea of eventually experiencing diminished virility or erectile dysfunction (ED) can be a dismal thought for a man. No one wants to feel old before his time or have age interfere with his ability to fully enjoy a sexual relationship with a partner. Understanding the causes of erectile dysfunction, how to prevent it, and how to cure erectile dysfunction without pills may help you feel more in control of your sex life through the years.

What&#39;s Happening with Erectile Dysfunction? 
Certain conditions or medications can interfere with a man&#39;s ability to achieve an erection. When this happens repeatedly, it is called erectile dysfunction. A fairly common condition, ED affects an estimated 15 to 30 million American men.

The causes of erectile dysfunction are varied. Countless muscles, tissues, veins, nerves, and arteries are involved in the natural processes that lead to an erection, so anytime this complex sequence of events is interrupted, ED can result.

Certain surgeries and injuries can cause erectile dysfunction. It can also be caused by diseases that affect the tissues, nerves, or arteries involved in erections. These diseases include diabetes, kidney disease, vascular disease, and neurological disease. Some medications, such as blood pressure medication, antihistamines, and antidepressants, may have ED-related side effects. For 10% to 20% of men, the culprits are psychological factors such as stress, depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. Sometimes a combination of physical and psychological factors cause erectile dysfunction.

Pill-Free Alternatives 
Instead of relying on medication for sexual satisfaction, there may be a medication-free way to cure erectile dysfunction: <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/weight-loss">losing weight</a>. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association demonstrated a strong connection between weight loss and sexual function. In the study, of the 55 obese men with erectile dysfunction who lost at least 10% of their body weight through diet and exercise, about one-third reported improvement in their sexual function.

Another way to restore sexual vigor is to <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/walking">start walking</a>. Research shows that physical activity -- even without a dramatic shift in weight -- may positively affect sexual function. In a study, men who were physically active had a lower risk of ED, whereas men who were sedentary had a higher risk of ED. Even when other health conditions were taken into account, men who lived a healthy lifestyle -- one including regular exercise -- were more likely to maintain their erectile function as they aged. It&#39;s never too late to begin these healthy habits; even men who increased their physical activity in midlife had a lower risk of developing ED compared with their inactive peers.

Not surprisingly, men with ED also have a higher risk of coronary artery disease. That&#39;s because unhealthy lifestyles contribute not only to the aging of blood vessels in the penis but also to the aging of blood vessels related to cardiovascular function. The bottom line: When you improve your ability to enjoy sex, you are adding years to your life as well.

Overwhelming Benefits 
Increasing physical activity may make the most sense for men whose erectile dysfunction is the result of obesity, obesity-related disease, or psychological problems. Not only is increased physical activity a great recipe for weight loss, but research also has shown it can help alleviate stress, anxiety, and mild feelings of depression -- all common psychological causes of ED.

There is one catch: Physical activity and weight loss may not improve sexual function if ED is caused by an underlying disease or by certain medications.

However, maintaining a healthy lifestyle by eating a healthful diet and getting regular exercise can reduce your risk of developing additional medical conditions that may negatively affect your sex life. And some of the physiological effects of exercise -- increased blood flow to all parts of the body and improved circulation -- may have an effect on sexual function.

<a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/quit-smoking">If you smoke, quit! </a>Smoking is a major contributor to erectile problems, even in younger men. After only one day of quitting, you may begin to see improvement.

If you worry about losing your sexual function later in life, taking preventive measures now can lessen your chance of losing sexual ability later. Erectile dysfunction is a common problem that doesn&#39;t have to be. Talk with your doctor to see if you are at your ideal weight and whether weight loss might be an effective means of restoring -- or preserving -- your sexual health.

If weight loss isn&#39;t the answer to your personal situation, remember there are many other effective solutions for treating and managing erectile dysfunction. Engaging in an open and honest dialogue with your doctor about your sexual health will help you find the best solution for your specific condition.

Medically reviewed in July 2018.

Causes of Erectile Dysfunction & Cures for ED

The land that brings us giant pandas, the Great Wall, and amazing cuisine also serves up a mean cup of prostate protection.

Green tea has long been touted by the Chinese for its medicinal value. And, the green tea health benefits could include cutting a man&#39;s risk of advanced prostate cancer by half. How much do you need to drink?

More Protection 
In a study, men who drank 5 or more cups of green tea per day had half the risk of advanced prostate cancer compared with men who sipped less than a cup a day. Another way to ensure a healthy prostate: Avoid a diet high in saturated fat and include plenty of fruits and veggies in your diet. <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/prostate/what-diet-prostate-health" target="_blank">(Does your diet measure up?)</a>

Check Your Risk 
For a rundown of key prostate cancer risk factors, <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/prostate-cancer/prostrate-cancer-risk-factors" target="_blank">go here.</a>

More Great News on Green Tea Health Benefits 
In addition to a healthy prostate, green tea can also help:

<ul>
	<li>Revive aging skin cells. <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/tea-health/is-tea-good-for-skin">Here&#39;s how.</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/anti-aging-skin-care/article/boost-memory-and-attention-with-green-tea">Boost your brain power</a>.</li>
	<li>Battle creaky knees. <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/tea-health/can-green-tea-relieve-arthritis" target="_blank">Here&#39;s the reason why.</a></li>
	<li>Keep your heart healthy. <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/diet-nutrition/article/tea-leaf-reading-you-can-trust">Here&#39;s how much you need in order to protect your ticker</a>.</li>
</ul>

Basically, we can&#39;t say enough about green tea. So grab yourself a cuppa!

Follow This Eastern Beverage Wisdom for Your Prostate

You&#39;re tired and cranky, and your sex drive ain&#39;t what it used to be. You may even have some issues with erectile dysfunction. Could you be going through &quot;the change?&quot; Turns out, midlife hormonal fluctuations aren&#39;t just a &quot;woman thing.&quot; Men can experience menopause, too&mdash;in the form of low testosterone (low T).

Though the phrase male menopause&mdash;also known as andropause or, as some have dubbed it, &quot;men-opause&quot;&mdash;is a bit of a misnomer, the condition is real, says Robert Brannigan, a urologist at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and associate professor of urology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

What is low T? 
Whereas women experience a sudden drop in hormones that signals a change in their ability to reproduce, with male menopause the result is a gradual decline in testosterone. Because it happens slowly (over a period of years), the symptoms of male menopause (e.g., fatigue, sluggish sex drive, irritability, depression, muscle loss and erectile dysfunction) may be subtle and hard to detect.

Testosterone levels fall naturally as we age&mdash;on average, about 1&nbsp;percent&nbsp;a year after age 30. That means that by the time you reach 70, your testosterone level may have dropped by half from its peak. Though aging is the main cause of low T, other conditions and medications, such as testicular cancer, a scrotum injury, chemotherapy, radiation treatment and mumps, are all possible culprits.

Is male menopause common? 
According to a study in the New England Journal of Medicine, male menopause is relatively rare, affecting only 2&nbsp;percent&nbsp;of men over 40. Other stats show that 5&nbsp;percent&nbsp;of all men (and nearly 20 percent after age 70) suffer from low T. However, urologists, such as Steven Kaplan, director of the Iris Cantor Men&#39;s Health Center at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, argue that numbers don&#39;t tell the whole story.

&quot;To some degree, most men experience some manifestation of [male menopause] in the sense that, as we age, we&#39;re not the same in our 50s or 60s as we were in our 20s,&quot; Kaplan says. &quot;There are a lot of different reasons for that, but hormonal balance is a piece of that. Some men are bothered by it and experience symptoms, and others are not.&quot;

While the New England Journal of Medicine study defined male menopause as low testosterone plus at least three sexual symptoms (e.g., erectile dysfunction, poor morning erection, low desire), Brannigan says symptoms can manifest themselves differently depending on the patient. &quot;At the end of the day, every patient is individual and unique,&quot; he says. &quot;If his testosterone level is low and he has symptoms, we treat it. We don&#39;t insist that he have ED.&quot;

If your sex drive has taken a nosedive, your apparatus isn&#39;t working the way it used to, your muscles have gone flabby, or you have no energy, you may want to have your testosterone levels checked with a blood test. Normal testosterone levels range between 300 to 1,200 ng/dl. Brannigan recommends testosterone replacement therapy for men with levels below 300.

&quot;It&#39;s not a panacea, and I don&#39;t believe in wholesale screening of everyone, but I do believe there is a place for it,&quot; Brannigan says. &quot;It&#39;s not the fountain of youth, but if you&#39;re suffering from low T, hormone replacement therapy may restore some of the pep that you&#39;re accustomed to.

Is Male Menopause Real?

When you think about health problems that can affect your life the most as you age, what comes to mind? Heart issues or prostate problems? Low testosterone? One study points out it&rsquo;s actually a spare tire that gives men the most trouble.

Researchers from Odense University Hospital in Denmark polled 598 Danish men between the ages of 60-74, using a questionnaire that asked about quality-of-life factors such as physical ability, vitality, and social and emotional health. The researchers also measured the men&rsquo;s body composition and testosterone levels. The study found that a big belly had the biggest impact on a man&rsquo;s general health, and that as men&rsquo;s waistlines grew, their quality of life and sense of well-being tumbled. Low testosterone, by comparison, had little effect on the men&rsquo;s lives.

Obesity is not an option 
While low testosterone can impact everything from a man&#39;s bone and muscle mass to sex drive and hair loss, for instance, guys are more likely to feel the harmful health effects of being overweight. Some of those health risks include:

High blood pressure

<ul>
	<li>High LDL (&ldquo;bad&rdquo;) cholesterol</li>
	<li>Low HDL (&ldquo;good&rdquo;) cholesterol</li>
	<li>Heart disease</li>
	<li>Diabetes</li>
	<li>Stroke</li>
	<li>Cancer</li>
</ul>

The study is a reminder that keeping your gut from growing is one of the most important things you can do to protect your health and well-being as you get older. And a bonus: Shedding those extra pounds may even raise your testosterone levels. That, friends, is called a win-win!

C&#39;mon men, fight back 
If you&#39;re a guy whose day-to-day is more sedentary&mdash;and you&#39;ve been watching your belly get bigger in the process&mdash;it&#39;s time to kick things into gear and start moving. Some studies even show that adding more exercise to your day can help fight cancer. Plus, your ticker benefits from it, too! And if you find yourself falling to temptation in the foods you eat, remake your diet the right way.&nbsp;

Remember, there&#39;s nothing manly about a big belly. Lose it for good and reap the benefits of better health.

Medically reviewed in December 2019.

Belly Fat Is Worst for Well-Being in Older Men

You&rsquo;re feeling tired and weak, your sex drive is on the downswing, and you&rsquo;re gaining weight. These so-called male menopause symptoms &ndash; also known as andropause &ndash; could be the result of a decline in your testosterone and estrogen levels (yes, the female hormone). True, testosterone is the main male sex hormone, but a small amount of testosterone men produce is also converted to estrogen. And as testosterone levels decrease, estrogen levels do as well. &nbsp;

<a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/mens-health/health-guide/mens-health-guide/low-testosterone-causes-male-menopause">Could You Have Low T?</a>

To that point, male menopause is more complicated than advertisements about low T and testosterone supplements lead you to believe. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine describes how researchers recruited 400 healthy men between the ages of 20 and 50. All of them were given a drug that suppresses natural testosterone and estrogen production. They were then given various doses of testosterone gel or a dummy gel for 16 weeks. Half of the men were also given another drug to prevent testosterone from converting into estrogen. The results: Testosterone loss affected men&rsquo;s muscle mass and strength, while testosterone and estrogen loss both affected men&rsquo;s libido and erectile function. But it was the loss of estrogen, in particular, that appeared to promote a gain in body fat.

Male Menopause Symptoms Aren&rsquo;t Created Equal 
The study also found that male menopause symptoms crop up at different testosterone thresholds. Researchers identified that increases in body fat and waning interest in sex emerged at mild levels of testosterone deficiency. But muscle loss and erectile dysfunction didn&rsquo;t begin until testosterone levels continued to drop -- around 200 ng/dL or below. Generally testosterone is considered low when levels are below 300 ng/dL, and it&rsquo;s a sort of one-size-fits-all definition. But this study proves there&rsquo;s variability in the amount of testosterone needed in relation to overall men&rsquo;s health.

How Safe Is Testosterone Hormone Therapy? 
The verdict is still out on whether or not testosterone supplements actually do more harm than good. And that&rsquo;s a major issue since millions of men each year are prescribed testosterone gel, patches or shots for male menopause symptoms. Testosterone supplements also have potential side effects, including acne and enlarged prostate, but maybe the biggest worry is that the long-range health effects are unknown. (<a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/mens-health/health-guide/mens-health-guide/hormone-therapy-to-treat-low-testosterone" style="line-height: 1.6em;">Find out more about the benefits and risks of testosterone hormone therapy</a>.)

Male Menopause Isn’t Just About Low T

Having a fresh, healthy mouth not only looks and feels good. It may also have a surprising benefit for sexual well-being. Research suggests that maintaining good oral hygiene might help prevent erectile dysfunction (ED).

A limited number of studies have indicated an association between ED and chronic gum disease, also known as periodontitis. A meta-analysis of nine such studies published in March 2018 in the American Journal of Men&#39;s Health found that the two conditions may be linked. More comprehensive studies are needed to confirm the relationship, but the authors suggested that men with ED should be referred to a dentist for a full oral evaluation and treatment to try to address this potential contributing risk factor.

Inflammation may be to blame 
Gum disease is an infection in your gums caused by bacteria. The bacteria congregate and multiply in plaque, the deposits that form on and between teeth. Red, swollen gums that bleed when you brush or floss are the usual signs of gum disease, but in some cases, you may have gum disease without knowing it.

An infection in your gums causes inflammation, which is your immune system&rsquo;s typical response when it comes to fighting invaders. The problem is, when the underlying infection that triggers inflammation isn&rsquo;t addressed, the bacteria and resulting inflammation may spread beyond your mouth and throughout the rest of the body.

Blood vessels are particularly vulnerable to the scourge of inflammation. This can contribute to a narrowing or blocking of blood vessels, as well as the transfer of bacteria to other parts of the body.

Inflammation appears to play a role in the hardening of blood vessels. According to the American Heart Association, a pair of studies published in 2020 linked gum disease to a higher rate of strokes caused by hardening of the blood vessels in the brain. Gum disease was also linked to blood vessel blockages in the brain that hadn&rsquo;t yet caused any symptoms. The studies suggested that treating gum disease, along with other risk factors for stroke, could reduce narrowing of blood vessels in the brain.

&ldquo;A healthy mouth is a healthy life,&rdquo; says Rita Medwid, a dentist based in Stuart, Florida. &ldquo;There is a direct relationship between the health of your mouth and your overall physical health.&rdquo;

Brush up on the basics 
Although there is not yet an established cause-and-effect relationship between gum disease and ED, there&rsquo;s no reason to wait to take better care of your mouth. Follow these tips for healthier teeth and gums:

Practice the 2-minute drill. Be sure to brush for at least two minutes, twice a day. Think of your teeth as a set of four quadrants. Spend 30 seconds brushing the outside and inside of the teeth in each quadrant.

Toss your brush quarterly. The American Dental Association recommends replacing your toothbrush every three to four months. That&rsquo;s because a brush that is frayed or worn can&rsquo;t effectively clean your teeth and gums.

Thread those spaces. Just like brushing, flossing once a day should be automatic, and it may help boost your overall health.

Activate your saliva. Your body&#39;s best defense against cavities is saliva. Drink plenty of water to keep it flowing and skip sodas and sugary drinks.

Check in with your dentist regularly. Visit your dentist twice a year&mdash;or more often, as advised&mdash;to help prevent problems and treat them when they arise.

Not only will you enjoy a clean and healthy mouth, but maintaining your teeth and gums in this way may pay dividends for your sexual health and your overall well-being.

Sources:

Kellesarian SV, Kellesarian TV, Ros Malignaggi V, et al. Association between periodontal disease and erectile dysfunction: A systematic review. Am J Mens Health. 2018;12(2):338-346. 
Paloma de Oliveira B, C&acirc;mara AC, Aguiar CM. Prevalence of Asymptomatic Apical Periodontitis and its Association with Coronary Artery Disease in a Brazilian Subpopulation. Acta Stomatol Croat. 2017;51(2):106-112. 
National Institutes of Health. Periodontal (Gum) Disease. 2021. Accessed December 5, 2021. 
American Heart Association. Gum disease, inflammation, hardened arteries may be linked to stroke risk. February 12, 2020. 
American Dental Association. Brushing Your Teeth. Accessed December 5, 2021. 
American Dental Association. 5 Steps to a Flawless Floss. Accessed December 5, 2021. 
American Dental Association. Saliva. Accessed December 5, 2021.&nbsp;

Gum Disease and Erectile Dysfunction: What’s the Connection?

Here&#39;s an important tip if you&#39;re a man with chronic back pain. In this Health Smarts video, Dr. Mehmet Oz reveals a surprising source of back pain, especially in men: your wallet, guys!

Millions of guys drive with their wallet in their back pocket, but they can&#39;t figure out why they moan whenever they get out of the car. But sitting on your wallet while you drive is a recipe for lower back pain and - if you do it often enough&mdash;nerve pain that shoots down your leg. Riding with one cheek higher than other can trigger chronic pain in your back, hips, and shoulders. It can even set off foot cramps.

Sitting on your wallet throws off your alignment and compresses the sciatic nerve, which runs from each side of the spine down through the back of each thigh to the foot. A compressed sciatic nerve causes searing leg pain and numbness called sciatica.

But the fix is simple: Get that wallet out of your back pocket!

Next, do gentle stretching to restore alignment and relax tense muscles.

Then adjust your car seat, headrest, steering wheel and mirrors for maximum comfort.

And drive safely!

Is Your Wallet Causing Back Pain?

Is it getting harder to remember the key points of that big meeting you had at the office last week? If so, maybe it&#39;s time to check your alcohol consumption. Research shows that midlife drinking speeds up aging of the brain.

Drinking dangers 
In a British study published in the journal Neurology, researchers surveyed more than 7,500 middle-aged men and women several times about their alcohol use over a 10-year period. Then the researchers gave the participants three rounds of mental tests covering memory, attention and reasoning skills when the participants were between 55 and 80 years old. The results showed that men who drank about 2.5 or more drinks a day suffered faster declines in all these areas compared to men who drank less or not at all. In fact, the heavy drinkers started showed mental decline up to six years sooner than nondrinkers&mdash;some as early as age 55.

There was good news for light or moderate drinkers: In the study, enjoying up to two drinks per day didn&rsquo;t appear to have any effect on thinking skills. And women who had one drink per day actually showed less cognitive decline than women who abstained from alcohol.

Stay middle of the road 
You&#39;ve heard the term, &quot;Everything in moderation,&quot; right? It&#39;s okay to de-stress and enjoy a drink or two after a long day. But like anything else, there&#39;s more risk involved when you overdo it. So, if you&#39;re going to drink, make the choice to do it responsibly. And keep this in mind: There&#39;s increasing evidence that moderate alcohol consumption may come with certain health benefits. And those benefits may also improve your heart health, too. Raise a glass to that one!

Mid-Life Boozing Speeds Up Brain Aging

Don&#39;t like tests? Too busy? Embarrassed? Go anyway. It could save your life.

5 Reasons Men Avoid the Doctor, But Shouldn't

Boost Dad's health and make him feel extra special at the same time.

4 Ways to Celebrate Dad on Father’s Day

I travel for work just about every week. You might have the healthiest of intentions when you&#39;re at home, but if you&#39;re like me, once you hit the road, sometimes maintaining a healthy lifestyle can be challenging. You might be entertaining clients, working longer hours, sitting on an airplane&mdash;I&#39;ve heard (and used) all those excuses before.&nbsp;But if you&#39;re not careful about your habits, you might have to buy yourself a bigger suit for your next big meeting.

But you can take control. Here are a few tips I put together to try to tip the scales in the right direction while I&#39;m on the road.

Bring your running shoes 
Throw your kicks into your suitcase and you can be off and running wherever you are. Skip the treadmill and go for a run outside; it&rsquo;s a great way to see a new place in a completely different way.

You can make it more fun by turning it into a game and&nbsp;challenging yourself to try to&nbsp;run more miles&nbsp;in other cities than you do at home. (Keep tabs on your progress by using the steps tracker on the Sharecare app, available for <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sharecare/id964313779?mt=8" style="color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">iOS</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sharecare.realgreen&amp;hl=en" style="color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">Android</a>.) If you don&#39;t know where to go, just ask the hotel concierge; they often have maps for routes of varying distances to share.

You can also look up local running club to see if you can join a group run. Having something organized can help you get off the hotel couch and stay motivated.

Create a hotel room workout 
If you don&#39;t want to run or you need to cross-train, use the hotel gym. But if you don&#39;t need weights or machines and prefer to avoid a crowd, you can build your own workout. Blast through a few sets of jumping jacks, push-ups, sit-ups, burpees, or squats.

If you&#39;re feeling extra motivated, locate a personal trainer in your destination to meet for a quick sweat session, whether in a city park or studio.

Use a food log 
When you&#39;re entertaining clients or partners at dinners, it can be easy to lose track of what and how much you&#39;re eating. Just bear in mind that the road is often when you&#39;ll need your&nbsp;food log&nbsp;the most.&nbsp;(Once again, the Sharecare app&rsquo;s diet tracker can help.)

Keep a close eye on everything you&#39;re consuming&nbsp;to make sure you stay within your calorie ranges. That doesn&#39;t mean you have to be overly strict on your trip, but you do want to try to avoid going overboard. You&#39;ll feel better the next morning when you&#39;re working out in your hotel room.

An easy way to make progress is to&nbsp;never skip breakfast.&nbsp;It will help you get the day started off right. Just try to avoid the jumbo breakfast buffet and stick to a lean and filling meal like oatmeal with fruit.

Broadcast your intentions (and stick to them) 
When it comes to exercising and eating right on the road, you can keep yourself honest by making it social.&nbsp;Tell your friends on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram what you are up to.

You can also recruit a buddy&mdash;either on the road or back home&mdash;to keep you on track. They can act like your own personal coach and you can push each other to exercise and eat right even if you&#39;re not together.

Another fun way to hold yourself accountable is to make friends with the hotel concierge or the front desk clerk. Tell them that you plan to go for a run. When you walk by them later, you won&rsquo;t want to break the bad news that you skipped your workout. &nbsp;

4 Tips for Staying Healthy When You Travel

When it comes to staying on top of their health and getting regular check-ups, women win it hands down. It&rsquo;s no secret that guys are great at passing on doctor&rsquo;s appointments &ndash; whether it&rsquo;s for a routine physical or they develop a symptom that really needs medical attention. &ldquo;Guys like to pretend like they know more than they do, that they&rsquo;re men of the world,&rdquo; says <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/doctor/dr-kevin-soden">Kevin Soden, MD</a>. &ldquo;Women are more likely to say &lsquo;I don&rsquo;t know&rsquo; or admit they need help.&rdquo;

As a man, there are some things you just don&rsquo;t talk about with your buddies, but that can&rsquo;t be true between you and your doctor. No matter how embarrassing the question, when it comes to your health, you need to ask it. &ldquo;It really isn&rsquo;t the questions asked, it&rsquo;s the ones that don&rsquo;t get asked that are the issue,&rdquo; says Dr. Soden.

Here are some of the questions you&rsquo;re too afraid to ask, but you have to anyway.

<ol>
	<li>Why do I have so much trouble getting physically aroused? It was never a problem before. 
	Diabetes, poor blood flow because of heart disease and certain medications are just a few reasons a man may have <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/erectile-dysfunction/what-is-erectile-dysfunction">trouble getting or maintaining an erection</a>. And once a man worries that he won&rsquo;t be able to get an erection, his anxiety and embarrassment may cause him to lose interest in sex. For some men, there&rsquo;s no cause other than age. &ldquo;As men get older, it can take a great deal of stimulation to get an erection. It&rsquo;s not like when you&rsquo;re younger,&rdquo; Soden says. 
	If you&rsquo;re having trouble getting excited, there are several solutions. &ldquo;The first thing people reach for is medication like Viagra and Cialis,&rdquo; according to Soden. If you don&rsquo;t like the idea of drugs, you can get injections of drugs directly into the penis, or use a vacuum device. &ldquo;But people like the idea of drugs because it&rsquo;s easier,&rdquo; Soden adds.</li>
	<li>Do I really need that digital rectal exam? 
	If you&rsquo;re over 40, yes, you do. A&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/colonoscopy-diagnosis-colon-cancer/what-is-a-colonoscopy">colonoscopy</a>&nbsp;is also a good idea, says Soden. These uncomfortable but vital procedures can catch&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/prostate-cancer/article/what-to-know-about-prostate-cancer">prostate</a>&nbsp;or colon cancer early enough to treat them. Official guidelines say to talk to your doctor about prostate cancer screening at age 50 or 55, and to start colon cancer screening at 45 or 50. However, if you have an increased risk, you may need to start earlier. 
	Soden also recommends that men over 40 check their baseline prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a substance made in the prostate that tends to increase with the presence of prostate cancer. While prostate cancer screening has become controversial and many medical groups question the value of routine screening, Soden does recommend getting it done early so you know if it changes. 
	Once you&rsquo;re approaching 45, get the exams more regularly, suggests Soden. One problem is that doctors often won&rsquo;t often push for the digital exam. &ldquo;They&rsquo;ll say, &lsquo;Do you want the exam?&rsquo; If the patient says no, they won&rsquo;t do it,&rdquo; says Soden. &ldquo;That&rsquo;s not fair to the patient. That&rsquo;s something you should do whether the patient likes it or not, because it&rsquo;s the easiest way to discover a nodule.&rdquo; If your doctor asks to do a digital exam, say yes.</li>
	<li>Why can&rsquo;t I remember where I put my keys/how to get to the grocery store/why I walked into this room? 
	Men get embarrassed when they can&rsquo;t do something as well as they used to, and that includes <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/memory-loss/what-causes-memory-loss">remembering things they used to know</a>. &ldquo;Men will sometimes ask why they forget things more often,&rdquo; Soden says. &ldquo;That&rsquo;s a normal thing, even for younger people. One reason is we&rsquo;re so overwhelmed with all the things we have to do. Your brain gets overloaded.&rdquo; 
	It&rsquo;s not a problem if it happens every once in a while, says Soden, but if it starts to become a common occurrence, it might be time to get checked out. Same thing if it&rsquo;s something dangerous, like forgetting to turn off the stove. Otherwise, says Soden, &ldquo;Write notes and reminders to yourself and use your GPS.&rdquo;</li>
	<li>What can I do to stop feeling down? 
	<a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/mental-health-therapies/when-doctor-mental-health-therapy">Mental health</a> still carries a certain stigma, especially for men. No man wants to be perceived as weak, which is what they&rsquo;re afraid will happen when they admit they&rsquo;re depressed. &ldquo;Stress and depression are two issues that men don&rsquo;t want to admit they have. We&rsquo;re all overwhelmed with life at times,&rdquo; says Soden. A job loss or struggle, the death of a loved one, and even your kids leaving for college can all trigger bouts of depression. 
	Convincing a man to see a therapist can be like&hellip;well, getting him to ask directions. But a therapist can help, and you don&rsquo;t need to see one forever. &ldquo;When you look at who&rsquo;s willing to go to a psychiatrist, psychologist or counselor, women are usually willing to go but it&rsquo;s difficult to get the men there,&rdquo; says Soden. &ldquo;But men in some situations may need short-term antidepressants.&rdquo;</li>
</ol>

4 Embarrassing Men's Health Questions, Answered

Summer&#39;s favorite fruit has more going for it than a good excuse for a picnic. Turns out this sweet and juicy treat is loaded with a come-hither compound that turbocharges blood flow in much the same way &quot;performance&quot; drugs do.

The compound is citrulline, which your body converts into l-arginine, a blood vessel relaxer that enhances circulation to all your vital parts. In a <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21195829/" target="_blank">new Italian study</a>, 24 lucky middle-aged guys with &quot;mild&quot; erection problems took a citrulline supplement for a month; half said their difficulties cleared up and they had sex more often. <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17352962/" target="_blank">American experts</a> have found that knocking back a couple of glasses of watermelon juice a day raises blood levels of l-arginine significantly. (And, yes, you can buy 100% watermelon juice; if your local health-food store doesn&#39;t have it, Amazon does.)

There are many other sources of citrulline -- almonds, cantaloupe, chickpeas, cocoa, cucumber, dark chocolate, peanuts, red meat, salmon, soy, and walnuts -- but none come close to delivering the amount in watermelon&#39;s pretty pink flesh and crunchy rind. Don&#39;t care for pickled watermelon rind? Then scrape out those little close-to-the-rind bits that are so full of citrulline.

Watermelon is easier on your stomach than l-arginine supplements, experts say, because taking the pills can cause nausea and diarrhea. Citrulline has another advantage: It turns into l-arginine in your artery walls, so you get the benefits right where you need them. Some of the l-arginine in supplements may be lost in digestion.

Watermelon alone may not be enough to&nbsp;keep naughty bits behaving perfectly, but keeping blood flowing freely to all the right places can&#39;t hurt. Other helpers include staying physically active, getting plenty of sleep, and spending time with friends -- including your significant other.

Medically reviewed in July 2019.

Nature's Performance Drug? Watermelon Juice

Got some vacation time built up? Forget whatever excuses you&#39;ve been using for not taking it, and plan a mini holiday. Right now! Research shows that <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/video/health-topics-a-z/stress/why-you-shouldnt-skip-your-vacation">regular getaways</a> may increase longevity by preventing heart disease. In fact, men in a nine-year study who took at least one vacation per year were almost 30% less likely to die from a heart-related cause compared with the men who kept their noses to the grindstone.

Holiday for Your Heart 
The study tracked the health of 12,000 middle-aged men who were at high risk for heart disease and surveyed them to see how many vacations they took each year. Regardless of the men&#39;s overall health and income, their risk of dying from heart disease was clearly connected to their willingness to <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/mens-health/article/for-healthy-heart-dont-skip-vacation">take a break</a>. Researchers suspect that vacation-takers may have better heart health because time off helps reduce stress -- one of the biggest contributors to heart disease. Vacation time also provides opportunities to do other good-for-your-health things, like reconnecting with family and friends, and pursuing fulfilling interests.

Planned Relaxation 
Keep in mind, vacations don&#39;t have to be extensive or expensive. Even a short weekend away -- or one night -- can be restorative. In fact, the study didn&#39;t measure the length of the participants&#39; vacations. And you don&#39;t have to wait for a vacation to start managing stress better. Start relaxing more right now with daily stress-reduction strategies, such as deep breathing, meditation, and positive visualization.

Vacations Lower Your Risk of Heart Disease

As you get older, it&rsquo;s important to replace bad habits with healthier ones.

The 9 Worst Health Mistakes Men Make

As men age, they experience symptoms like decreased muscle mass, reduced energy levels and weight or body fat fluctuations. But when are these symptoms considered normal signs of aging versus a more serious health condition like low testosterone? &nbsp;

Low T, or hypogonadism, occurs in 10 percent of men between ages 40 and 60, and 20 to 30 percent over 60, according to Christopher Starks, MD, a urologist and men&rsquo;s sexual health expert with StoneSprings&nbsp;Hospital Center in Dulles, Virginia.&nbsp;

When does testosterone drop?&nbsp; 
Dr. Starks says he begins thinking about treatment for low testosterone when a man&rsquo;s levels fall below 350 nanograms per millimeter (ng/ml), but beyond that, it&rsquo;s tough to tell when hypogonadism begins to take hold. &ldquo;One of the things that&rsquo;s very difficult when you&rsquo;re talking about low T is that there&rsquo;s no specific age range,&rdquo; says Starks. It may depend on your baseline levels, which are different for every man, he says.&nbsp;

Not only are everyone&rsquo;s base levels of testosterone different, but a number of factors can change levels in the same man, too. A 2012 study published in the Journal of Andrology of nearly 11,000 men found that their testosterone levels were, on average, at their highest in spring and lowest in fall. Daily fluctuations happen too&mdash;testosterone surges late at night and into the early morning hours.&nbsp;

Causes and onset&nbsp; 
Starks says there are a number of potential causes beyond age. Certain injuries to the testicles or testicle removal can cause a drop in testosterone. So can drug use&mdash;opioids, marijuana and alcohol can also cause hypogonadism, as can prescription medication like steroids and some antidepressants.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/type-2-diabetes/slideshow/what-you-need-to-know-type-2-diabetes">Diabetes</a>, depression and systemic illnesses like HIV are other possible causes. &ldquo;Obesity is certainly a risk factor,&rdquo; adds Starks.&nbsp;

When it comes to low testosterone, the signs&nbsp;rarely appear all at once, says Starks. &ldquo;I typically find a slower, more insidious onset,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s rare that libido goes from normal to low in a month.&rdquo;&nbsp;

Telltale signs of low T&nbsp; 
A change in libido is the most telling symptom, according to Starks. &ldquo;If someone says his libido has dropped and that is in concert with a lab value of lower testosterone, I take that seriously,&rdquo; he says. Other sexual symptoms of low T include fewer erections, a lower sperm count and changes in testicle size.&nbsp;

How you can tell if you have low testosterone&nbsp; 
Pay attention to your body. Have you gained a little flab last year despite sticking with a healthy diet? Do weights in the gym or objects around the house feel heavier? Fat gain and muscle and strength loss could be signs of low T, as can osteopenia and bone pain&mdash;so <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/bone-joint-muscle-health/article/5-exercises-to-strengthen-your-bones">take care of your bones</a>.&nbsp;

Other symptoms, like depression, fatigue and trouble sleeping or concentrating, are a little harder to spot. &ldquo;There are a number of conditions that can masquerade as low T,&rdquo; Starks says.&nbsp;

Treatment options&nbsp; 
Starks begins thinking about treatment when he finds both symptoms and low lab test levels. &ldquo;If the testosterone levels are, say, 305 ng/ml, but energy and libido are great, then that might be normal for that man,&rdquo; he says.&nbsp;

Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) may be right for men who don&rsquo;t want any&mdash;or any more&mdash;children. Taking an outside source of testosterone will get your levels up, but at the cost of sperm production. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) may be a better alternative for men who want to have children.&nbsp;

Beware of fitness magazine and website ads for supplements that claim to raise testosterone. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t think there are many foods or dietary supplements that will raise testosterone,&rdquo; says Starks. &ldquo;There&rsquo;s not much you can take orally that&rsquo;s going to significantly impact testosterone levels.&rdquo;&nbsp;

Eating right and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/fitness-exercise/slideshow/exercise-hacks-to-jumpstart-your-weight-loss">exercising</a>&nbsp;will help, according to Starks. It&rsquo;s important to keep your weight and fat levels down. &ldquo;Fat tissue really burns through testosterone,&rdquo; says Starks. &ldquo;It converts testosterone to estrogen and at a very high rate.&rdquo; Keep the weight off, says Starks, and you can add &ldquo;more testosterone&rdquo; to the list of benefits of a good diet and enough exercise.