8 Sexual Health Conditions Millennial Men Aren’t Talking About (But Should Be)
Updated: Jul. 16, 2019
Sexual health is not something men like to talk about, but it needs to be—especially with these common sexual health conditions looming.
Testicular cancer
Men are notorious for delaying doctor visits, an incredibly bad habit considering the average age of a testicular cancer diagnosis is 33, according to the American Cancer Society. About 7 percent of cases of this type of cancer occurs in children and teens. What’s worse, rates of testicular cancer are on the rise. “Men should have annual check-ups and their testes should be looked at during this exam,” says Dr. Jennifer Hirshfeld-Cytron,a fertility specialist at Fertility Centers of Illinois. “If something is enlarged or doesn’t feel right, make an appointment with your doctor, as this cancer can, and does, strike men in their 20s and 30s.” The good news is that testicular cancer is highly treatable and even curable when caught early. The bad news is that testicular cancer can affect men’s sexual health, and the removal of one testicle plus other treatments for the cancer can decrease fertility, she says. “You can bank sperm before treatment to preserve your chances of becoming a dad one day.”
Infertility
Fatherhood may not be too high on a young man’s priority list… yet. Even so, there are many things that young men may indulge in today that will affect their ability to sire children tomorrow. “Smoking marijuana is quite detrimental to sperm, and taking steroids to bulk up can also halt sperm production,” says Dr. Hirshfeld-Cytron. All of these things are reversible because sperm regenerates every three months, she says, but men may not be aware of how any of these behaviors affect their health unless they talk to a health care professional. Here’s what to eat to boost male fertility—and what to avoid. There are other surprising foods that reduce male fertility, too.
Depression
Depression looks and acts differently in men than women. Men are more likely to be tired, irritable and angry when depressed. Depression along with other mental health conditions can run in families, but many men are reticent to discuss these issues for fear of being judged or stigmatized. “A lot of men come in with low libido and when we screen them, we find components of depression or marital problems,” says Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, a urologist at Orlando Health. Luckily, sex can help reduce your risk of depression and it also comes with a lot of other health benefits.
Obesity
Like men of all ages, millennials who are overweight or obese run a higher risk for heart disease and certain types of cancer. But excess weight can also impair fertility and sex drive. Fat cells make estrogen, the female sex hormone, Dr. Hirshfeld-Cytron says. “This feeds back negatively to sperm which affects fertility.” It can also cause low sex drive. Your doctor will check your height, weight, and BMI at every exam and let you know where you stand—and what, if anything, you need to do more or less of to maintain a healthy weight and sex life. Eating a healthy diet replete with superfoods can make a difference. “We want men to make these lifestyle changes today so that they can lead a more sexually active life when they are older,” adds Dr. Brahmbhatt.
Sexually transmitted diseases
Every year, there are an estimated 20 million new STD infections diagnosed in the United States, according to the CDC. And syphilis, a STD that was once almost nonexistent in the U.S., is on the rise again and can have devastating consequences if not caught and treated early. “It’s never too early or too late to start talking about your sexual health,” says Dr. Brahmbhatt. When it comes to STDs, all adults and adolescents aged 13 to 64 should be tested at least once for HIV, the virus that causes AIDs. Other STD testing is based on lifestyle and medical history. “The whole idea is to start a discussion so that men are aware of STDs and their risk factors and encourage them to use protection because prevention is easier than treatment.” Correct use of a condom every time you have sex can help you avoid STDs, he says. Making a just few key health tweaks in your 30s (like regular condom use) will help you live longer.
Diabetes
Men who have type 2 diabetes are known to be at higher risk for erectile dysfunction (ED). Diabetes can cause nerve damage which affects the penis, and it may also damages blood vessels, especially the smallest blood vessels in the penis. Catching any blood sugar abnormalities early can reduce the risk of developing full-blown diabetes and its downstream consequences such as ED, says Dr. Sijo Parekattil, a urologist and co-director of the PUR clinic at South Lake Hospital, Clermont, Florida. “We want guys to get in the door so we can get them on the path toward good health and catch any risk factors for disease early,” says Dr. Parekattil, who conducted the Orlando Health survey with Dr. Brahmbhatt.
Low testosterone
Lower levels of the male sex hormone testosterone are linked to many health problems and conditions including reduced sexual desire, sleep loss, mood changes and more. “It also runs in families so it is a good idea to ask your relatives about low testosterone levels,” Dr. Parekattil says. While taking testosterone replacement therapy may seem enticing for many millennials looking to supercharge their vitality, there are risks associated with this practice including testicle shrinkage and reduced sperm production. “If there were a male birth control pill, it would be testosterone based.” Get your levels tested and talk to your doctor about whether the benefits of testosterone therapy outweigh the risks in your case.
This is why men sleep better than women.
Prostate cancer
Prostate cancer seems to run in some families, Dr. Brahmbhatt says. Talking to family members about their health and medical history can help determine your risk and develop an early detection and prevention strategy. “Even though you under 35, if your dad has prostate cancer, you should get screened earlier than men without a family history. If you catch prostate cancer early, there are nerve-sparing surgical approaches that can be done which help retain sexual function, but if you wait too long than the likelihood of sexual side effects are higher.”
Next, learn how to stop premature ejaculation.
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