Did you know that men suffer from male menopause too? That’s right, menopause is not just a woman’s condition. Men can also suffer the effects of changing hormones after a certain age. Many men experience some of the same symptoms that women experience in perimenopause (meaning around menopause) and menopause. This includes low sex drive, hot...Continue reading
Category: Depression
Gynecomastia: The Truth about “Man Boobs”
Gynecomastia is the benign enlargement of the mammary gland in men. This affliction is characterized by enlarged mammary tissue which gives these men what is colloquially referred to as “man boobs.” Contrary to popular assumptions, true gynecomastia often has little to do with being overweight. Rather, it is the enlargement of the actual mammary gland...Continue reading
Depression and the Strength of Asking for Help
Men suffering from depression often struggle to ask for help. Asking for help is widely perceived as a weakness among men, which prevents them from getting the care they need. While vulnerability may hurt a man’s self image, receiving effective treatment could dramatically improve his well-being. “More than 6 million men in the United States...Continue reading
Coping with Life: Warning Signs You Need to See a Therapist
At some point in life, we all run into trying times. Whether you’re overloaded with stress, suffering a trauma, or just dealing with the complexities of day-to-day existence, life isn’t always a bed of roses. And it’s easy to slip into feelings—and behaviors—that are outside your normal patterns. Sometimes, you can get past those bumps...Continue reading
Your Health After Divorce
It’s a startling fact that approximately 50% of all marriages in the United States end in divorce. That number has been on the rise for years and in all likelihood, will continue to grow. Being unhappy in your relationship can have numerous detrimental health effects and speaking from personal experience, I can tell you first...Continue reading
Buried Penis: When Your Penis Is the Prize
I was recently speaking with a urologist about “radical” circumcision, a procedure where pretty much all of the foreskin is removed from the penis. He told me that the removal of too much skin may lead to a condition called “buried penis.” I never heard of buried penis before, and I was intrigued, so I...Continue reading
Prostate and Breast Cancers Are More Similar Than You’d Think
It’s rare to find the words “prostate cancer” and “breast cancer” in the same sentence. After all, one (prostate cancer) affects only men. The other affects mostly women. But despite their differences, the two diseases actually have a lot in common, particularly in the way those diagnosed with either one evaluate their options and make...Continue reading
Drug Warnings Can Be a Double-Edged Sword
Back in 2003, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) required that a particular class of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) carry a “black box” warning that for children and teens, side effects may include an increased risk of suicidal thoughts. Sounds perfectly reasonable, doesn’t it? But then, along comes the Law of...Continue reading
Tomorrow’s Hope
May 24, the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend was a memorable day–the day that my friend, and health policy wonk, Adam Dougherty’s life changed forever. Arguably one of the most important days of his life, my good friend was crossing a major threshold, another chapter of adulthood; Saturday, May 24 was his wedding day. A...Continue reading
My Father’s Stay at God’s Hotel: A Slow-Medicine Approach to Healing Mental Illness
It’s been a long journey to come to peace with my father’s life and how it has impacted my own. I was born on December 21, 1943 in New York City. My parents had tried to conceive for many years, but had been unsuccessful. They finally were successful when my father was 37 and my...Continue reading