Men’s Health Care and Wellness

Men’s Health and Preventive Care

When you hear the term “men’s health,” what immediately comes to mind? Most of us think of things that affect men as they age, such as prostate issues and hypogonadism. However, there are many unique health threats that can affect men, no matter their age. The key to maximizing quality of life quality and mitigating risk as get older is to be proactive with a preventive health schedule and to seek medical attention early if you suspect a problem.

Waiting to see a doctor when a problem arises could mean missing early signs of an underlying health issue. For example, erectile dysfunction, or ED, is a common condition that brings men in to see their doctors. At the same time, this can be a symptom of a more serious health condition, like heart disease, diabetes, and blood pressure problems.

ED can be caused by:

It is imperative to stay on top of your health with regular screening and recommended preventive care. Organizations like the US Preventive Services Task Force, American Cancer Society, and Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices help set guidelines and recommendations for preventive wellness in men.

For example:

The Top Threats to Men’s Health

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention outlines the leading causes of death in both men and women.

Their 2017 data state that the leading three causes of death in men are:

In many ways, the leading causes of death in men are preventable – or at the very least, men can take actionable steps to mitigate the risks of these conditions. For example, the CDC reports over a third of men in the United States are obese and a third of men over the age of 20 have hypertension.

Fortunately, simple lifestyle modifications can help you mitigate risk and enhance your health.

For example, to maximize your health:

Men’s Sexual Health

It’s no secret that a man’s sexual health is of utmost important. When a man has good sexual health, he can enjoy and participate in sexual activity without issue.

Sexual desire is in part driven by testosterone but is also a combination of physical, psychological, and social/interpersonal factors.

A sexually transmitted infection, for example, can affect a man’s sexual and overall health. You can maximize your sexual health risks by using condoms, knowing your partner’s sexual history, and receiving recommended vaccinations for HPV in addition to receiving screenings for HIV.

Sexual Enhancement Drugs

The sexual enhancement drug market is worth billions of dollars, with the top three – Cialis, Viagra, and Levitra – netting over $4.3 billion in revenue alone in 2014. Several other non- FDA approved herbal supplements, like Enzyte and Extenze, have generated hundreds more million in revenue.

While some of these medications can help men, the pills given at most pharmacies can be problematic for a variety of reasons. If your doctor has prescribed a sexual enhancement medication, a compounding pharmacy can create it in a way that is specific to your needs and sensitivities. Be sure to discuss any supplements for sexual enhancements with your doctor; just because a label says it is all natural that doesn’t mean it’s completely safe.

Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction, or ED, is characterized by an inability to sustain or produce an erection for the enjoyment of sexual activity. While age is the most common factor contributing to ED – it most commonly affects those over the age of 40 – other risk factors include depression, stress, hypogonadism (low testosterone), and heart disease. Often, ED is a symptom of an underlying medical condition, not a condition in and of itself. If you’re suffering from ED, your first step is to talk with your doctor in the event that it’s something more serious.

Fertility

The ability to produce healthy sperm is an important aspect of reproduction and men’s sexual health. Certain supplements and drugs can affect fertility in men, most often by disturbing the testosterone production process. Men who wish to have sex but do not want to have children should use contraceptives like condoms, or a more permanent solution like a vasectomy.

Condoms

Condoms can help protect against unwanted pregnancy and STIs but it’s important to understand that they have a 10-16% fail rate. In other words, two people using condoms only during sexual activity still have up to a 16% chance of getting pregnant or becoming exposed to an STI within one year.

Vasectomies

Vasectomies, or sterilization, are much more effective for pregnancy prevention, with a fail rate of less than one percent. They do, however, require surgery. During the procedure, a urologist will close the path between the testes and urethra, so the sperm cannot leave the testes. Vasectomies are considered fully effective for about three months after the surgery and are reversible 95% of the time. Vasectomies are for men in a committed relationship who do not want children as the reversal can be quite difficult.

Tips for Men to Protect Your Health

Men can take several steps to protect their health and well-being.

In general:

Treatments and Medications for Common Men’s Health Issues

Men’s health medications are a multi-billion-dollar industry, especially when considering the herbal supplement and homeopathic industry in addition to FDA-approved medication.

According to a study from the IMS Health Institute, a few of the most prescribed medications (among both men and women) in the United States in 2011 included:

In addition, arguably one of the most famous men’s health medications – Viagra – posted over $2 billion in sales in 2017. With Pfizer’s patent set to expire in 2020, the ED industry will only likely increase as other companies look to get generic formulations to the market.

Some of the most commonly prescribed prescriptions vary from those that make the most money.

A 2015 study from IMS Health found that some of the highest grossing medications in the United States included:

Compounding Services for Men’s Health Conditions

Men, in general, are more likely to die of conditions related to risky behavior than women. They are far more likely to sustain a traumatic brain injury and die in car and motorcycle accidents. At the same time, they are also prone to diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and other conditions requiring specialized medication.

For men, optimization of health is a complex interaction of physical, emotional, social, environmental, and interpersonal factors. Each individual’s risk factors and solutions will be unique.

For example, some of the most commonly prescribed medications for men include:

Unfortunately, many of the conventionally available medications for common medical conditions are ineffective, especially over sustained periods. For example:

As such, it is essential for health-conscious men to be just as proactive when working with pharmacies for their medical needs. Men naturally produce less testosterone as they age and may require hormone therapy for medicine to improve prostate health, even when living a healthy lifestyle. It is important to discuss all health changes and concerns with your doctor as soon as they arise. Follow a preventive maintenance schedule and know when one medical condition – such as ED – may actually be a symptom of an underlying health issue.

Compounding Medications from our Trusted Pharmacists

If you do find yourself in need of a prescription to improve your sexual health, reduce pain, or improve your quality of life, consider compounding medication. Compounding Pharmacy of America can design custom doses and formulations that help you live your best life. We work directly with your prescribing physician to create medications that work for you.

We’ve been helping men with their health conditions for decades now. Contact us to learn more about our men’s health compounding services.