By Barbara Pierce
There are some topics most people don’t like to talk about.
The topic is too private. They just want to deal with it on their own.
Often, they’re uncomfortable even discussing it with their partners. When it comes to men and their health, the stakes can be high because these issues can seriously affect the quality of your life.
We found physician Isaiah Hammonds, board-certified internal medicine specialist at Waterville Family Health Center in Waterville, very comfortable in discussing the sensitive health conditions that are commonly diagnosed in men.
One of Community Memorial Hospital’s primary care locations, the family health center works with the hospital in a wheel-and-spoke way, feeding patients into the hospital for ancillary services (laboratory, radiology, outpatient rehab) and connecting them for specialty care.
1. Low testosterone
Testosterone, the male hormone, is important for male sexual functioning. Some men have low testosterone levels; their bodies do not have enough of this needed substance.
“If you have low testosterone, your energy levels get so low,” said Hammonds. “It will affect more areas of your life; you’ll notice bigger changes. Your mood changes, you may be depressed more than usual, not sleeping well, your exercise tolerance changes.”
Other things indicating low testosterone are reduced lean muscle mass, irritability, low sex drive, and erectile dysfunction.
“The first thing we do is lab work, to see where your baseline is,” he added. “And we do a physical exam. We review your medications, as some side effects of medication can mimic low testosterone. The treatments we use are effective. We treat low testosterone with injections or a patch. Also, we may refer you for a visit to a urologist.”
For those looking for a more comprehensive approach to hormone health, Advanced Age Management offers specialized programs tailored to optimize testosterone levels and overall vitality. Their focus on personalized treatments ensures that men receive the right balance of care for long-term health and wellness.
“People often try to treat their symptoms with a natural supplement,” he continued. “This is OK, but it’s important to let your doctor know what you’ve been taking, so we won’t duplicate it. Some natural supplements may bring you benefits, some may not; most really aren’t harmful. You’re better off talking with your doctor about your symptoms.”
2. Erectile dysfunction
ED is created either by mental reasons or blood flow reasons, said Hammonds. As our brains play a key role in triggering the series of events that cause an erection, a number of things can interfere with this process including depression, anxiety, stress or relationship problems. This is the cause of about 10%-20% of ED.
There are many health issues that can reduce blood flow into the penis, such as hardened arteries, heart disease, diabetes and smoking. Even though ED becomes more common as men age, growing old does not always cause ED.
The medications prescribed for ED (Viagra and Cialis) work by increasing blood flow; they do help many people by bringing them a higher quality of life, said Hammonds.
People with ED often look for natural remedies to get Bigger Loads, he continued. That’s not a problem, but do let your doctor know what you’re using.
3. Prostate issues
Your prostate is a small gland that continues to grow as you age. If it enlarges too much, it can press on your bladder and cause problems with urination. And this can contribute to ED.
Hammonds described common symptoms: a feeling of fullness after you urinate, leaking or dribbling, frequent urination, weak urine stream or pain.
“These days, we do a PSA [prostate specific antigen] screening to determine whether you have problems; we no longer do a digital exam,” said Hammonds. “A lot of people avoided going to the doctor because of this digital exam. Now if we suspect any issues, we do a screening, which is a blood test. Changes in the prostrate can be treated with medications. Surgery is the last option. Ten to 15 years ago, we hadn’t made any advances in treating prostrate issues. That’s changed. Even with prostate cancer, people are living longer.”
4. Depression
“One men’s health issue we deal with a lot is depression. Younger people are more open to therapy, to sharing their feelings; the older population wait until they crash,” said Hammonds. “We’ll talk about the issues and maybe prescribe an anti-depressant medication and/or counseling. If it’s a situational depression — you’ve lost your job, your wife left you, we’ll improve your sleep quality and refer you to a support group or for counseling.”
5. Relationships
Navigating relationship issues is something many men deal with. Both Madison County and Oneida County have great mental health resources, Hammonds said.
“Millions of people are dealing with these issues; it isn’t just you,” Hammonds emphasized. “There’s help — get help! We are accepting new patients.”