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

Everything that goes up must come down&mdash;or so the saying goes. That&rsquo;s certainly true of the stock market, Arnold Schwarzenegger&rsquo;s popularity, and the winner&rsquo;s weight on The Biggest Loser. But sometimes the opposite is true.

When it comes to elevated levels of lousy LDL cholesterol, more than 32 percent of men in the U.S. can&rsquo;t get their number down below 100mg/dL. And at the same time, 30 percent of guys ages 40-70 have <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/erectile-dysfunction" target="_blank">erectile dysfunction (ED)</a>.&nbsp;Coincidence? Nope. High levels of LDL can clog any blood vessel, not just those in your heart, and make it difficult to achieve an erection. Unless the LDL comes down&hellip;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Well it turns out there&rsquo;s good news. <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/high-cholesterol/what-are-statins" target="_blank">Statins</a>, the anti-cholesterol, anti-inflammation medications taken by 15 percent of men in the U.S. ages 45-64 and the 50 percent of those 65+, don&rsquo;t just help prevent cardiovascular disease, dementia, and peripheral artery disease, they restore blood flow throughout the body and that eases ED.&nbsp;&nbsp;

While it&rsquo;s too soon to prescribe statins as ED therapy (not all ED is caused by circulatory problems; psychosocial issues need to be addressed through therapy), it&rsquo;s one more reason why we say statins are life-changing medications.

Other good news about potential benefits of statins: They may help prevent blood clots and reduce your risk of developing and dying from all cancers, plus they slash colon cancer chances by 47 percent. And combining a statin with a daily low-dose aspirin (warm water before and after, but check with your doc first) may reduce a woman&rsquo;s risk of breast cancer.

Statins May Help Men with ED 

Track your health with these screening tests.

Essential Health Tests for Men at Any Age

When you hear the word &quot;testosterone&quot;, you probably picture a strong, tough, manly man, right? But in the fight against the flu, it turns out the hormone actually makes men weaker.

Researchers at Stanford University analyzed blood samples from nearly 90 adults who had just received the seasonal flu shot. What they found would make men all over the world want to quarantine themselves until the end of flu season. It turns out that men, specifically those with the highest testosterone levels, had a weaker response to the flu vaccine than women. Men with low testosterone levels, on the other hand, had an antibody response similar to that of women. The study was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Why Testosterone Hinders the Flu Shot 
Researchers founds that testosterone -- the hormone that fuels men&rsquo;s sex drive, beard growth and muscle development -- causes genes in the immune system to produce fewer antibodies in response to the flu shot. And the higher testosterone a guy has, the lower his antibodies (and immune protection) are. That makes the vaccine less effective, thus increasing a guy&rsquo;s chance of coming down with the flu.

And it gets worse, fellas: It&rsquo;s known that men also don&rsquo;t respond as well as women to several other vaccines, such as hepatitis and measles, and their overall weaker immune systems make them more susceptible to all types of infections.

How to Stay Flu-Free 
Experts are divided about what the findings mean for your annual flu shot. It&rsquo;s possible that men could receive a higher dosage in the future. To make sure you beat the flu this season, don&rsquo;t skip the shot&mdash;it&rsquo;s still your best defense&mdash;and follow these stay-healthy tips:

<ul>
	<li>Practice proper hygiene. Make sure you wash your hands frequently with soap and water (or hand sanitizer if you can&rsquo;t get to a sink). Keep your hands away from your eyes, mouth and nose, and steer clear of anyone who&rsquo;s sick.</li>
	<li>Hit the hay. Research has shown that not getting enough sleep impairs your immune system&rsquo;s ability to fight disease.</li>
	<li>Get an extra dose of D. If you live north of 32 degrees latitude, you could be low in vitamin D, which may make you more susceptible to colds and the flu. Some experts say you could cut your risk by taking 1,000 IUs of vitamin D3 a day or eating more of <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/vitamin-d/foods-good-sources-vitamin-d" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">these vitamin D-rich foods</a>.</li>
	<li>Stop stressing. Chronic stress releases cortisol, which <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/stress-reduction/how-stress-weaken-immune-system" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">suppresses your immune system</a> and decreases your ability to fight infection.</li>
	<li><a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/walking" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Take a walk</a>. Every step you take mobilizes immune-system warriors that patrol your nose, throat and lungs in order to take down invading cold and flu viruses.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Medically reviewed in December 2019.

Why Manly Men are More Susceptible to the Flu

Young men might not give a second thought to their prostate, since it rarely causes health problems early on. But by the time middle age rolls around, it&rsquo;s a different story.&nbsp;

As men hit their 40s, 50s and 60s, many experience symptoms linked to an enlarged prostate, like trouble urinating. Others develop pain and swelling related to prostate inflammation. And some men are diagnosed with prostate cancer, the odds of which increase with age.

&ldquo;The problem with the prostate is it&rsquo;s an organ that&rsquo;s very deep in the body with a lot of important structures around it,&rdquo; says Jason Wolf, MD, a urologist affiliated with <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/group/kendall-regional-medical-center">Kendall Regional Medical Center</a> in Miami, Florida. &ldquo;Most guys don&rsquo;t even think about it until it becomes a problem.&rdquo;

So, what prostate issues should men be most concerned about? What are the biggest risk factors for problems? And most importantly, what can you do to promote good prostate health?

Common prostate problems 
Located right under the bladder, the prostate is a walnut-sized gland that produces fluid to protect sperm during ejaculation. Though men can be affected by a number of different troubles with their prostate, some occur more frequently than others. These include:

<ul>
	<li>Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH): A non-cancerous <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/mens-health/article/could-it-be-enlarged-prostate">enlargement of the prostate</a>, BPH is believed to affect up to 14 million men in the U.S. It&rsquo;s the most common prostate problem in those older than 50, and the odds of developing it increase with age. BPH is a major cause of bathroom issues in older men, since the prostate increasingly compresses the urethra as it grows, interfering with urination. 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Prostatitis: This inflammation and swelling of the prostate gland can be acute or chronic, and is sometimes triggered by bacteria, though it usually has another cause. It&rsquo;s the most widespread prostate issue for men younger than 50, but can strike older men, too. Pelvic pain and urinary troubles are common symptoms. 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Prostate cancer: About 1 in 9 American men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point. Many more will develop it and never be aware. Though the American Cancer Society estimates more than 31,000 men will die of the disease in 2019, it&rsquo;s typically slow-growing and treatable when it&rsquo;s caught early.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

As for who&rsquo;s most at risk for prostate problems, &ldquo;a lot of it just comes down to genetics and age,&rdquo; says Dr. Wolf. &ldquo;If you live long enough, you may experience prostate issues at some point in your life.&rdquo;

While you can&rsquo;t change your genes or stop growing older, there are some lifestyle habits that may contribute to a healthy prostate, easing symptoms and lowering your odds of disease.&nbsp;

Consider your diet 
Though eating habits don&rsquo;t appear to play into the risk of BPH and prostatitis, there&rsquo;s some evidence that overdoing high-fat foods&mdash;especially red meat&mdash;may increase your odds of prostate cancer. Skimping on vegetables may also raise the chances that you&rsquo;ll develop the disease.

Experts often recommend sticking to a heart-healthy diet, which can help protect your prostate. This means focusing on produce, whole grains, fish and good-for-you fats like those found in avocados and nuts, and limiting added sugars, saturated fats, and <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/cancer-causes-and-risk-factors/article/eating-red-processed-meats-cause-cancer">red and processed meats</a>. Men already experiencing urinary symptoms may want to cut back on other items, as well, suggests Wolf, &ldquo;things like caffeine, alcohol, spicy food and acidic food.&rdquo;

Some men swear by supplements to boost prostate health, he adds, &ldquo;but really no one has come up with solid evidence.&rdquo; In fact, going overboard with calcium or certain vitamins may actually contribute to prostate cancer risk. Speak with a healthcare provider (HCP) about whether supplementation is right for you.

Stay active 
Studies suggest that men who exercise regularly have a lower risk of prostate problems. Among other perks, physical activity may help prevent BPH, reduce symptoms of chronic prostatitis and lower the risk of prostate cancer. In fact, in a large study from the UK published in the International Journal of Epidemiology in 2019, researchers found that participants with a genetic variation that increased their likelihood of being active had about half the prostate cancer risk of those who didn&rsquo;t have the variation.

Exercise is also excellent for relieving stress, which can aggravate BPH and prostatitis symptoms and may be linked to the development of chronic prostatitis. The general recommendation for overall health is to shoot for at least 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/types-exercise/article/health-experts-urge-move-more-sit-less">physical activity</a> each week.&nbsp;

Maintain a healthy weight 
Obesity doesn&rsquo;t appear to raise your risk of prostate cancer, but in some studies, it&rsquo;s associated with higher odds of developing advanced prostate cancer, as well as dying of the disease.

Being obese may play a role in BPH, too. &ldquo;The simplified thought process about people with obesity is that they have increased abdominal pressure,&rdquo; says Wolf. &ldquo;That pressure is sitting on your bladder and prostate and can lead to some of that bladder irritability over the years.&rdquo; Obesity may also contribute to BPH by increasing inflammation.

Kick the habit 
Smoking can exacerbate urinary symptoms and may influence prostatitis inflammation, but its relationship to prostate cancer is unclear. Many studies suggest it isn&rsquo;t a significant risk factor for the disease. &ldquo;Smoking for sure is a risk factor for other urologic malignancies, specifically in the bladder and the kidney, but not as much for the prostate,&rdquo; says Wolf.

That said, tobacco may present problems in other ways. For one thing, it&rsquo;s been linked to higher mortality in men with prostate cancer. One 2015 review published in European Urology Focus found that the more cigarettes patients smoked, the more likely they were to die of their condition. Another review published in JAMA Oncology in 2018 found that current smokers with prostate cancer had higher recurrence and mortality risks than former smokers.

Smoking may also hinder treatment for conditions of the prostate, as it does for many other diseases. &ldquo;If people are having issues with their prostate and need certain medical therapies or surgical therapies, the smoking then may become an issue as far as ease of the treatment options and recovery,&rdquo; says Wolf.&nbsp;

For these reasons&mdash;and due to its well-known impact on overall health&mdash;it&rsquo;s often recommended that men with prostate problems quit smoking or better yet, never start.

Consider sex or masturbation 
No, really. Though much more investigation is needed, some research suggests that ejaculation frequency may be linked to a lower risk of prostate cancer. For example, in a pair of Harvard studies&mdash;one published in 2004, and a follow-up published in 2016&mdash;researchers looked at the ejaculation frequency of more than 30,000 adult men over many years. They found that those who reported ejaculating more often were less likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer than those who ejaculated less often.

It&rsquo;s important to note, however: In terms of the prostate, safe sex should always be a priority. Certain sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can cause prostatitis and may lead to other problems, as well.

Be a good patient 
In relation to the prostate, says Wolf, &ldquo;keeping up with <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/managing-your-health-care/article/be-an-expert-patient">your overall health</a> is important.&rdquo; Attending regular well visits can help you manage existing conditions and detect new problems early, including prostate cancer.&nbsp;

The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has found that men at average risk are most likely to benefit from prostate cancer screening between ages 55 and 69.&nbsp;

&ldquo;African American and Caribbean men have a higher risk of prostate cancer, so we usually start screening earlier,&rdquo; says Wolf. The same goes for men with a history of prostate cancer in their family: &ldquo;We may start sooner and we may do it every year.&rdquo;&nbsp;

The benefits and risks of screening for prostate cancer aren&rsquo;t clear-cut, however, and it&rsquo;s generally recommended that men discuss it with their HCP between ages 40 and 50, depending on their risk.

Between checkups, talk to an HCP about any new or unusual symptoms that could indicate prostate troubles, like:

<ul>
	<li>Difficulties with urine flow</li>
	<li>Pain or blood when you urinate or ejaculate</li>
	<li>Persistent or severe pain around your genitals, abdomen or lower back</li>
</ul>

Seek medical help right away for signs that may point to more serious problems, such as a constant and urgent need to pee or a total inability to pee.

Ultimately, your prostate health depends largely on factors you can&rsquo;t control, but adopting a few good habits can only lower your odds of problems.&nbsp;

Medically reviewed in December 2019.

Sources: 
National Institute on Aging. &ldquo;Prostate Problems.&rdquo; 
Urology Care Foundation. &ldquo;How to Keep Your Prostate Happy,&rdquo; &ldquo;Prostate Health 101,&rdquo; &ldquo;Crucial Advice to Help Reduce the Risk and Growth of BPH.&rdquo; 
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. &ldquo;Prostate Problems,&rdquo; &ldquo;Prostate Enlargement (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia),&rdquo; &ldquo;Prostatitis: Inflammation of the Prostate.&rdquo; 
National Cancer Institute. &ldquo;Understanding Prostate Changes: A Health Guide for Men.&rdquo; 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. &ldquo;Men, It&rsquo;s Time for Real Talk about Prostate Health.&rdquo; 
American Cancer Society. &ldquo;Key Statistics for Prostate Cancer,&rdquo; &ldquo;Prostate Cancer Risk Factors.&rdquo; 
U.S. Preventative Services Task Force. &ldquo;Final Recommendation Statement. Prostate Cancer: Screening.&rdquo; 
UpToDate.com. &ldquo;Risk factors for prostate cancer.&rdquo; 
Mayo Clinic. &ldquo;Prostate cancer prevention: Ways to reduce your risk.&rdquo; 
Prostate Cancer Foundation. &ldquo;Prostate Cancer Prevention.&rdquo; 
Harvard Health Publishing. &ldquo;Stress and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH),&rdquo; &ldquo;Stress and prostatitis,&rdquo; &ldquo;10 diet &amp; exercise tips for prostate health,&rdquo; &ldquo;3 ways exercise helps the prostate (yes, the prostate),&rdquo; &ldquo;Ejaculation frequency and prostate cancer,&rdquo; 
Kazmi N, Haycock P, et al. &ldquo;Appraising causal relationships of dietary, nutritional and physical-activity exposures with overall and aggressive prostate cancer: two-sample Mendelian-randomization study based on 79&thinsp;148 prostate-cancer cases and 61&thinsp;106 controls.&rdquo; International Journal of Epidemiology. December 5, 2019. 
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. &ldquo;Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans.&rdquo; 
Moreira DM, Nickel JC, et al. &ldquo;Smoking Is Associated with Acute and Chronic Prostatic Inflammation: Results from the REDUCE Study.&rdquo; Cancer Prevention Research. April 2015. 
De Nunzio C, Andriole GL, et al. &ldquo;Smoking and Prostate Cancer: A Systematic Review.&rdquo; European Urology Focus. 2015 Aug;1(1):28-38. Epub 2015 May 11. 
Foerster B, Pozo C, Abufaraj M, et al. &ldquo;Association of Smoking Status With Recurrence, Metastasis, and Mortality Among Patients With Localized Prostate Cancer Undergoing Prostatectomy or Radiotherapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.&rdquo; JAMA Oncology. 2018;4(7):953&ndash;961. 
Rider JR, Wilson KM, et al. &ldquo;Ejaculation Frequency and Risk of Prostate Cancer: Updated Results with an Additional Decade of Follow-up.&rdquo; European Urology. 2016 Dec;70(6):974-982. 
Leitzmann MF, Platz EA, et al. Ejaculation Frequency and Subsequent Risk of Prostate Cancer. JAMA. 2004;291(13):1578&ndash;1586. 
UK National Health Service. &ldquo;Prostate cancer linked to common STI.&rdquo; 
MedlinePlus. &ldquo;Prostatitis &ndash; bacterial.&rdquo; 
Caini S, Gandini S, et al. &ldquo;Sexually transmitted infections and prostate cancer risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis.&rdquo; Cancer Epidemiology. 2014 Aug;38(4):329-38.

6 Ways to Protect Your Prostate

When Matt Damon prepared to star as Gardner Lodge in the George Clooney&ndash;directed movie Suburbicon, he destroyed his Jason Borne washboard abs and showed up on set weighing 200 pounds. He said he wanted a &ldquo;Dad Bod.&rdquo;

Unfortunately, the Dad Bod, defined by the Urban Dictionary as more mudslide than mountain, is ever-more common. Today, over 27 percent of men ages 20 to 39 are obese and many more are overweight&mdash;and 26 percent of guys 18 to 44 get no physical activity at all, while most fall short of what&rsquo;s recommended. Not good for guys and not good for their future children.

Research published in the journal Diabetes found that the athleticism of a dad may have an impact on the lifelong health and <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/nutrition-and-weight-loss/article/boost-metabolism-spicy-foods-for-weight-loss">metabolism</a> of his offspring. For the study, the researchers put future dad-mice on either a high-fat or low-fat diet and let some of the mice from the two diet groups get regular exercise. After three weeks, they mated the future dad-mice with normal mom-mice. The researchers then fed the dad-mice&rsquo;s offspring normal diets and monitored their health for a year. The results: dad-mice that exercised before becoming fathers (regardless of their diet) had changes in their sperm&rsquo;s DNA that boosted their offsprings&rsquo; metabolic health, so the kids had more efficient glucose metabolism and a lower body weight and BMI.

Mice are a pretty good model for human biology! So don&rsquo;t slide into mudslide-shape or your future kids may end up with a roster of health woes they were born (or Borne) with!

Medically reviewed in December 2019.

Why Men Should Ditch the Dad Bod

Did you know that what a man eats before a baby is conceived influences the child&rsquo;s health and development throughout life? Maggie Simpson has an IQ of 158 -- that&rsquo;s in the genius range &mdash; but year after year her growth seems as stunted as her vocabulary! Maybe her developmental delays are because Maggie&#39;s dad Homer is a beer-swilling, meat-loving, sweet-gobbling tubb-o.

<a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/sex-and-relationships/article/testosterone-supplements-could-lead-to-male-infertility" target="_blank">Related: This supplement could harm your chances of fatherhood.</a>

But seriously, how can a man&rsquo;s diet influence the health of his yet-to-be-conceived children? Genes within sperm can be turned on and off in response to environmental triggers (obesity, nutritional deficiencies, insulin resistance, chronic stress, etc.). And these altered genetic messages are passed along through sperm to an embryo at conception. After birth they influence the metabolism of his children, and may predispose the kids to a roster of diseases later in life, including diabetes and cancer.

We&rsquo;re thinking men of child-bearing age should follow the recommendations we suggest to all women who could become pregnant (since 50% of pregnancies are unplanned). They are: <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/vitamins-supplements/prenatal-vitamins-role-pregnancy" target="_blank">Take a prenatal multivitamin daily</a>, divided in half, and make sure you get 400mcg folate a day to avoid birth defects, such as spina bifida, as well as plenty of omega-3 DHA (900mg) for eye and brain development (it also increases the chance of conception). Plus, avoid red meat, trans and saturated fats; and <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/mens-health/article/young-men-biggest-consumers-of-added-sugar" target="_blank">added sugars or syrups</a> (you hear Homer yowling?) and eat only 100% whole grains. Dads, it&rsquo;s your turn to step up to the (nutritious) plate.

Medically reviewed in November 2019.

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If you&rsquo;re partial to pouring yourself a glass of wine after work, be extra careful. You might actually be drinking more than you think, which could result in an unexpected hangover the next morning -- or even certain health problems.

Most people think of a glass of wine as just one serving, but depending on the size, shape and location of your wine glass, it could be closer to two -- or even three! A small study of 73 participants published in the September 2013 edition of the journal of Substance Use and Misuse&nbsp;found that people tend to over-pour vino if their glass is wide, or if they are holding the glass in their hand instead of placing it on a table. The color of the wine matters, too. People filled a clear glass with a larger serving of white wine than red wine.

The reason is simple: People can&rsquo;t gauge volume very well. They tend to notice vertical measurements more than horizontal ones. And color contrast catches the eye, too. Pouring a dark wine into a narrow glass resting on a table makes the glass appear more full, and that means you drink less.

Pouring Over Proper Serving Size 
For men, moderate drinking is two drinks a day, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. That means two 5-ounce glasses of wine, or if you prefer the hard stuff, two 1.5-ounce glasses of 80 proof liquor.

Why Too Much Isn&rsquo;t a Good Thing 
The next time you uncork that bottle of Pinot, know this: While moderate drinking has been shown to provide numerous health benefits, overindulging has its drawbacks.

<ul>
	<li>It can short-circuit your sex life. As the amount of alcohol in the blood increases, it depresses the brain&rsquo;s ability to sense sexual stimulation. It can also suppress testosterone production.</li>
	<li>It can hurt your heart. Overdoing it will eventually lead to hardening of the arteries, high blood pressure and heart disease.</li>
	<li>It can make you fat. Don&rsquo;t forget: Alcohol is full of calories -- about 100 per serving of wine -- which in excess can lead to obesity and an increased risk for diabetes.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

So, the next time you pour yourself some wine, choose your glass wisely. Otherwise, you could end up with more alcohol than you wanted, and potentially a pretty painful headache the next morning.