Dear Healthy Men: My wife and I are planning to start a family and her doctor suggested that she start taking prenatal vitamins to prepare her body for pregnancy. When I asked the doctor whether there was anything I should be doing to increase the chances of a healthy pregnancy and baby, she just laughed—which...Continue reading
Why Guys Need to Man Up to Flu-22
Dear Healthy Men: I’ve already had my COVID shot and two boosters, but my wife is bugging me to get a flu vaccine. I say that the COVID shots will protect me. She disagrees. Who’s right? A: In two words, she is. Many people, particularly guys, are trying to decide whether to get a flu...Continue reading
Dreaming About More Sex, Dad? Don’t Get Your Hopes Up
Dear Mr. Dad: I’m going to cut straight to the chase. Our baby was born more than six months ago, and we’ve had sex a grand total of twice since then. Right after the birth—which was normal in every way—my wife’s OB told us that we’d be able to resume our regular sex life after...Continue reading
You OK, Bro?
Dear Healthy Men: How are all the crazy things going on in the world—the economy, gun control, the continuing pandemic, and political upheaval—affecting men’s mental health? A: A few days ago, a friend asked me, “You OK, Bro?”—a question that took me completely by surprise. I instinctively answered, “Fine”—doesn’t everybody? Because I didn’t elaborate, my friend...Continue reading
Talking to Your Stepson About His Dad
Dear Mr. Dad: My parents divorced when I was a teen, and I had a difficult relationship with my alcoholic father, which impacted my self-worth and adult relationships for years. Now, as a stepfather, I see my young-adult stepson dealing with similar issues—especially feelings of disappointment and anger—around his deceased birth father, who was also...Continue reading
How Nurses Can Engage Men In Preventive Care
Men and women tend to take very different approaches to their health care. Women generally seek routine care for gynecology issues and childbearing. On the other hand, most men don’t typically have a pressing need for regular health care once they leave the pediatrician. But self-awareness and preventive action are essential in detecting many diseases...Continue reading
Miscarriage Grief: Not For Women Only
Dear Mr. Dad: Just after our first trimester, my wife and I lost our baby. I’ve been focusing on being there for her and supporting her every way I can. But this miscarriage has hit me pretty hard too and I’m having a tough time coping. Part of the problem is that I feel guilty...Continue reading
A New Problem: Popular Male Fertility Procedure Can Lower Testosterone Levels
Testosterone has been top of mind in medicine over the last decade. And for good reason: It is now clear that testosterone in men is essential for normal growth, maturation, health, and well-being. In the brain, “vitamin T” influences sex drive, assertiveness, mood, energy, thinking and verbal memory. It increases muscle strength and maintains normal...Continue reading
Men Are Four Times as Likely to Die From Suicide. Why?
In 2020, according to the CDC, suicide took the lives of over 45,979 men, women, and children. That’s one death every 11 minutes. Not only is suicide an epidemic for the general population, but it’s also the third leading cause of death for boys and the 9th leading cause of death for all males. Women...Continue reading
A Chore by any Other Name Still Stinks (but Has to Be Done)
Dear Mr. Dad: I’m sure this makes me sound old, but when I was a kid, my siblings and I had chores that we had to do around the house. My wife, though, grew up in a house with full-time staff who did all the cleaning and meal prep. Naturally, that’s led to some arguments...Continue reading