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.

Medically reviewed in November 2018.

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>.)

Medically reviewed in November 2018.

Male Menopause Isn’t Just About Low T

A fresh, healthy mouth plays well in your favor each time you lean in for a kiss. And it may have a surprising benefit in the bedroom: helping prevent erectile dysfunction (ED).

<a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/dental-emergency/dental-danger-signs">Related: Dental danger signs you shouldn&#39;t ignore.</a>

A study in the Journal of Sexual Medicine indicates that men with severe <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/periodontal-diseases/gum-disease-causes">gum disease</a> (also called periodontal disease) were three times more likely to suffer from ED than those whose oral hygiene was good. Turkish researchers surveyed 80 men with ED and 82 men without it and gave them periodontal exams. All the men were between age 30 and 40, a young age for ED. After adjusting the data for things like body mass index (BMI), health history, income and education, the researchers found that 53% of the men who suffered from ED had gum disease, compared with 23% whose gums were healthy.

<a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/dental-oral-health-teeth/article/open-wide-healthy-mouth-healthy-body">Related: 5 tips for a healthier smile.</a>

Inflammation may be to blame 
Gum disease is an infection in your gums caused by the bacteria in plaque. Red, swollen gums that bleed when you brush or floss are the usual signs, <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/dental-oral-health-teeth/can-gum-disease-not-know">but you can also have gum disease and not know it.</a> That infection causes inflammation -- an immune response in the body -- that may spread from your mouth to damage blood vessels throughout your body. Experts think that&rsquo;s why gum disease has been linked to heart disease, strokes and diabetes&mdash;and now ED. &ldquo;A healthy mouth is a healthy life. There is a direct relationship between the health of your mouth and your overall physical health,&rdquo; says Sharecare expert and dentist Dr. Rita Medwid.

Brush up on the basics 
The study doesn&rsquo;t prove a cause-and-effect relationship between gum disease and ED. More research is needed. But there&rsquo;s no reason to wait to take better care of your mouth.

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 each one.

Thread those spaces. Just like brushing, flossing once a day should be automatic (<a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/dental-oral-health-teeth/article/how-flossing-is-linked-to-overall-health/">and it may be linked to your total health in more ways than you think</a>).

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

<a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/dental-oral-health-teeth/article/eat-drink-and-chew-your-way-to-a-great-smile">Related: Here&#39;s how to eat for a nicer smile. </a>

Medically reviewed in April 2019.

Severe Gum Disease May Lead to Impotence

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

Are you a man with a never-satisfied boss, cranky clients, and a mile-long to-do list? It&rsquo;s time to make friends at work.

Constant job strain is a major blood pressure booster in men (less so in women, for some reason). But having a few hang-in-there friends helps offset the effect of work stress. Time for a group hug (or at least lunch with your office favorites).

In a study of white-collar workers, work stress had a major impact on men&#39;s health, including blood pressure. Nevertheless, the effect of job stress on blood pressure was negligible when there were commiserating coworkers around.

Tame the Tension 
Just like the daily grind of the office can wear down men&#39;s health, the constant force of high blood pressure against the walls of the arteries can wear out their elasticity. The more pressure, the faster the elastic goes. Not what you want, because flexible arteries are less vulnerable to nicks, tears, and other signs of wear that come with aging.

Beat Work Stress on the Cheap 
Just breathe right. <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/breathing-exercises/can-deep-breathing-reduce-stress">Here&#39;s how.</a>

All About Men: Easy Way to Relieve Work Stress

Give your favorite dishes a healthy makeover to prevent heart disease.

7 Worst Junk Foods for Your Heart

Does cancer or any other disease run in your family? Then get with this 3-step program.

Research suggests that -- in as little as 3 months -- you could actually change the way your genes behave for the better. If you do the right things.

Step 1: Eat right. <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/diet-nutrition/article/meatless-recipes">That means a plant-based diet like this.</a>

Step 2: Walk on. Clock at least 30 minutes a day. <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/weight-loss/article/walking-off-fat-fast">Here&#39;s an easy way to get started.</a>

Step 3: Decompress. Spend 60 minutes a day destressing. And weekly talk therapy may be key, too. <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/stress-reduction">Here&#39;s how to decompress</a>.

The Results 
When men with early-stage prostate cancer did all these steps as part of a study, the results were impressive. Gene activity associated with prostate-tumor growth decreased, while gene activity involved with disease protection increased. While more research is needed to confirm the results, there&#39;s little question that healthy habits like these have other benefits, too -- like better weight control, a better cholesterol profile, and healthier blood pressure.

Change Your Genes in 3 Steps

We bet you&#39;ve heard the news linking high LDL cholesterol and saturated fat intake (for example, greasy cheeseburgers and premium ice cream) to low sperm counts, whereas good-fat foods, such as fish and walnuts, are associated with a bigger, better, baby-making squad. Our favorite headline (kudos to Maine&#39;s Bangor Daily News) says it all: &quot;Sperm goes limp with fatty foods, while fish perks them up.&quot; But don&rsquo;t stop there. If you&#39;re a man concerned about fertility (or a spouse hoping for a baby soon), we have a do-it-yourself male fertility improvement plan to increase sperm production.

Healthy sperm and a robust sperm count improve your odds that a single sperm will survive its ultra-marathon journey and meet an eligible egg. Sperm have different functions. Some act like blockers to stop other sperm, which makes &quot;survival of the fittest&quot; sense for animals with multiple mates during rutting season, while others are sprinters designed to beat a path to the egg. More than half of a guy&#39;s sperm are the sprinter/swimmer type, and those oval heads need to be strong enough to break through an egg&#39;s tough outer layer.

Giving your sperm a healthy makeover makes sense for every couple trying to have a baby. If you are younger than 34 and have been trying but haven&rsquo;t conceived in 12 months, or if you&#39;re 35 or older, talk with your doctor. Also take these steps&mdash;starting today&mdash;for super-swimmer sperm:

<ul>
	<li>Eat little to no bad fats and more good fats. Eating lots of saturated fat (found in red meats, processed meats, full-fat dairy products, and many snack foods and desserts) can reduce sperm counts by 38% and slow the swimming ability of the remaining 62%. Getting more omega-3 fatty acids (from fish such as salmon and wild trout), however, means higher sperm counts.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Hang out at the farm stand. Filling up on fruit and vegetables protects sperm quality and quantity by revving up your body&#39;s defenses that keep &#39;em healthy.</li>
	<li>Get that laptop off your lap and your phone out of your pocket. Surfing the Web or checking e-mail with a Wi-Fi-connected laptop in your lap is bad news for male fertility since it thwarts sperms&rsquo; swimming skills and the precious DNA (yours!) cargo they carry. Phones may hamper male fertility, too.</li>
	<li>Keep cool where it counts. Sperm production needs temperatures cooler than the rest of your body, which is why hot tubs, a fever, and even a desk job can decrease your sperm count. Take stand-up breaks at work, let &#39;em breathe, and make the switch from briefs to boxers. Tight underwear can reduce sperm count by up to 50%. Cyclists, mix up your exercise routine, too.</li>
	<li>Skip the drinks and smokes. Smoking tobacco is harmful to male fertility. It can cut your sperm count by 13% to 17% and increases the risk of genetic abnormalities, so it&#39;s best to quit smoking. There&#39;s evidence that marijuana is also bad news. More than one beer, glass of wine, or cocktail a day also messes with sperm quality. After two drinks, sperm get mixed up and travel in weird directions.</li>
	<li>Stay trim for your swimmers. Being overweight subtracts from your sperm count and ups the number of abnormal sperm in your arsenal. Why? Obesity may alter hormone levels and heat up your testicles. Losing weight can also cure <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/erectile-dysfunction/article/erectile-dysfunction">erectile dysfunction</a> if you&#39;re unable to achieve an erection.</li>
	<li>Don&#39;t hold back in the bedroom. Daily fun between the sheets improves sperm quality dramatically. Compared to several days of abstinence, daily intimacy reduces DNA damage in sperm by about 30%.</li>
</ul>

<a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/sex-and-relationships/article/never-too-old-great-sex">Discover why you&#39;re never too old for great sex.</a>

Try This Male Fertility Improvement Plan to Increase Sperm Production

Popeye the Sailor reached for a can of spinach whenever he wanted to be &ldquo;strong to da finich.&rdquo; Similarly, men who want to boost their strength and sexual vitality may reach for &ldquo;natural&rdquo; testosterone-boosting supplements. But research shows these over-the-counter (OTC) products containing vitamins such as B5, B6, B12 and niacin&mdash;along with zinc and magnesium&mdash;aren&rsquo;t any more effective than a healthy dose of spinach.

A study, published in the World Journal of Men&rsquo;s Health, looked at the info on labels of the first 50 OTC products in a Google search for &ldquo;testosterone booster.&rdquo; Roughly 90 percent claimed to naturally increase testosterone levels; around 50 percent said they&rsquo;d boost <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/mens-health/slideshow/how-testosterone-affects-mens-health">libido and strength</a>.

When researchers cross-checked the ingredients (there were 109 unique components) with published studies on their efficacy, only 25 percent were backed by research supporting manliness-boosting claims. Ten percent of the research showed some ingredients reduced <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/low-testosterone/article/telltale-signs-low-testosterone">testosterone levels</a>. And 13 products exceeded FDA upper limits for zinc, niacin and magnesium&mdash;upping your risk for toxicity, especially if you also take a multivitamin.

Guys, if you&rsquo;re dealing with a low sex drive, get your T level checked (between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m.). If you have diagnosable low-T, Rx testosterone may be helpful. But it&rsquo;s important to explore other factors that may contribute to a flagging sex drive, such as an unhealthy diet, inactivity, poor sleep, depression or cardiovascular disease. Remember: Your most powerful sex organ is between your ears&mdash;use it to motivate yourself to become healthier and your libido will likely increase.

Natural Testosterone Boosters Are Boosting Your Wallet

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

The 9 Worst Health Mistakes Men Make

Beards have come in and out of fashion for centuries. Over the years, they&rsquo;ve symbolized everything from masculinity to wisdom. Some men temporarily forgo shaving to raise awareness about cancer and other causes. Others may just like how they look with a beard, goatee, or even a well-manicured five o&rsquo;clock shadow.

But beards are like sponges, picking up dust, debris, and food throughout the day. They may require some maintenance to avoid irritating issues and skin complications, like acne and ingrown hairs, according to Vinod Nambudiri, MD, an internist and skin specialist affiliated with <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/group/grand-strand-medical-center">Grand Strand Regional Medical Center</a> in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

&ldquo;The beard area is similar to the scalp, with several hair-bearing follicles in close proximity to one another, so sometimes conditions that affect the scalp hair can also affect the beard hair,&rdquo; says Dr. Nambudiri. &ldquo;Similarly, the beard area is very much continuous with the skin of the face.&rdquo; Certain dermatological conditions that can affect the face could extend to the skin beneath your beard, he explains.

Facial hair pitfalls, explained 
If you&rsquo;ve got facial hair, you may confront some of the following common issues:

Dandruff is a mild form of seborrheic dermatitis, a skin condition that tends to affect the scalp. It may cause itching and white skin flakes to accumulate in your beard.

While there are many theories about what causes dandruff, experts don&rsquo;t have a firm grasp on the root cause. But stress, hormonal changes, forgoing regular shampoos, certain weather changes, or some health conditions like Parkinson&rsquo;s and the <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/hiv-aids/article/breaking-stigma-essential-facts-hiv">human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)</a> may increase your risk. Sensitivity to hair dyes and other ingredients found in hair care products may also increase your chances of having dandruff.

Acne can develop when pores become clogged with oil and dead skin cells. Bacteria can then make their way inside, causing pores to become inflamed and pimples to form. If you have a beard, you may not shed dead skin cells as easily, which could lead to breakouts.

Ingrown hairs are those red, raised bumps that often appear after shaving or tweezing. They appear when hair emerges from the follicles, but curls back into the skin. Also known as pseudofolliculitis barbae, ingrown hairs may be common when you&rsquo;re first growing out your beard. They can also occur when you shave your neck or around your beard as part of your trimming routine.

Irritation and itchiness can arise when you&rsquo;re trimming or manicuring your facial hair. Dull razors or using products with irritating chemicals or fragrances may break down the outer layer of skin that&rsquo;s meant to provide protection.

Spotty hair growth may be genetic, says Nambudiri. But if you have a round patch of <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/healthy-hair-and-scalp/article/hair-falling-out-androgenetic-alopecia">hair loss</a>, it may be from an underlying autoimmune condition known as alopecia areata, a form of hair loss caused by inflammation, which is often manageable, he adds.

Skin infections can arise if you have a beard that&rsquo;s not routinely shampooed and your skin is irritated and itchy. Bacteria, like Staphylococcus aureus, are normally found on the skin. But if you&rsquo;re constantly scratching your beard, these germs can lead to folliculitis&mdash;an itchy and sometimes painful infection of the hair follicles&mdash;or boils, which are painful, pus-filled bumps caused by infected hair follicles. If not treated, folliculitis can lead to other more serious complications, like cellulitis, an infection that can potentially lead to other dangerous skin and blood infections.

Beware of barbershop trims: If your stylist fails to sanitize the razor, you may be more at risk for these infections.

How to avoid mishaps 
Neglecting your skin or not having a daily grooming practice is the biggest mistake you can make if you have facial hair, Nambudiri cautions. The good news is that a healthy beard maintenance routine doesn&rsquo;t have to be lengthy or complicated. Here are some of the ways to keep your beard in good shape:

<ol>
	<li>Wash your beard daily. In an ideal world, Nambudiri recommends washing your hair every day with a gentle beard shampoo. If you&rsquo;re experiencing dandruff, he suggests finding a dandruff-specific product that contains zinc pyrithione or selenium sulfide, which you should leave on your hair for 5 to 10 minutes before rinsing out. 
	 
	Try washing your beard in a circular motion with a cloth, sponge or even a toothbrush for a few minutes to help free ingrown hairs. If you&rsquo;re short on time and have to skip the shampoo, rinse your beard with water and make sure it dries thoroughly. Just avoid going more than several days without shampooing. 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Don&rsquo;t forget your skin. The skin beneath your beard shouldn&rsquo;t be neglected. If you&rsquo;re prone to breakouts use an over-the-counter anti-acne cream or cleanser than contains salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, or retinoids. 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Remember to moisturize. Using a daily lotion or oil specifically formulated for beards can help alleviate brittleness and help maintain the texture of your facial hair. After you trim your beard, condition it with a few drops of oil. Pat a few drops onto your beard then comb or brush it through. This can also be done after showering. If you&rsquo;re prone to acne, skip this step since excess oil could lead to breakouts. 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Comb your beard regularly. Just like brushing your teeth or combing your hair, your beard should be groomed daily to prevent itchiness and irritation. Use a comb designed specifically for beards, made of either wood or horn. Using a plastic comb can lead to split ends and static. 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Take note after eating. It&rsquo;s easy for food particles to get trapped in your facial hair, so be sure to give your face a once-over after each meal. Removing particles promptly will prevent buildup of oils and bacteria that can lead to acne, infections and irritation, says Nambudiri. 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Use caution when shaving and trimming. If you&rsquo;re trimming your beard or you&rsquo;re ready to lose it once and for all, practice <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/skin-and-beauty/slideshow/foolproof-tips-smooth-shaving">healthy shaving habits</a>, such as applying shave gel or cream or a warm compress to the skin to soften the hair before shaving. Opt for a single blade razor and avoid stretching the skin while shaving to help prevent ingrown hairs and irritation. 
	 
	Not sure when to trim or shave? A good rule of thumb is to evaluate how it&rsquo;s looking at the ends: If you notice split ends, it may be time to cut back or start over. Be sure to trim post-shower after your beard has dried.</li>
</ol>

If you&rsquo;ve taken steps to maintain a healthy beard but you&rsquo;re still having problems with issues like acne and dandruff, talk to your doctor or dermatologist. Some underlying conditions, such as alopecia areata, may be treated with creams, injections, or oral medication, Nambudiri explains.

If you notice any inflamed areas or tender spots (especially if you have a fever), it&rsquo;s also important to see your doctor to rule out or treat severe infections and other more serious concerns.