Men’s Health Research Analysis

Q: Why is men’s health important?

Low testosterone is associated with numerous adverse effects such as reduced energy, depressed mood, difficulty concentrating, and reduced sex drive, and benign-prostatic-hyperplasia and prostate-cancer often cause burdensome lower urinary tract symptoms. Additionally, prostate-cancer is the second most common cancer in men worldwide and is among the top five causes of cancer mortality in men.[3] Therefore, the maintenance of adequate testosterone levels and the management of men’s health conditions are important for both quality of life and lifespan.

Q: Can men’s health change over time?

The prevalence of men’s health conditions increases with advancing age. Evidence mainly sourced from populations in the United States suggests that about 40% of men are affected by erectile-dysfunction at age 40, which increases to roughly 70% by age 70.[4] About 50% of men over age 50 show evidence of benign-prostatic-hyperplasia, which increases to more than 80% in men over 70.[5] About 99% of all prostate cancers occur in men over age 50,[6] and testosterone levels decrease by as much as 0.4–2% annually after age 40.[7]

Q: Isn't soy protein bad for men?

Soy contains isoflavones, which are structurally similar to the main estrogen in men. This fact has raised the worry that consuming soy could have adverse effects on male sexual health; however, the best available evidence indicates that consuming soy does not affect male reproductive hormones.

Mike Murray

Men’s Health

•Last Updated: August 16, 2023

Men’s health pertains to the male reproductive system and testosterone (an important male sex hormone).

Research feed

:

Mike Murray, RDN, CSCS, CISSN

:

Morgan Pfiffner, MS

•

Molly Gregas, PhD

Last Updated:August 16, 2023

Men’s Health

•Last Updated: August 16, 2023

Men’s health pertains to the male reproductive system and testosterone (an important male sex hormone).

Research feed

:

Mike Murray, RDN, CSCS, CISSN

:

Morgan Pfiffner, MS

•

Molly Gregas, PhD

Last Updated:August 16, 2023

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Frequently asked questions
Update History
References

What does men’s health encompass?

Men’s health encompasses aspects of health most relevant to men, including testosterone, the testes, sperm quality and spermatogenesis, and the prostate. Most research is conducted on cisgender men, but (depending upon the conditions/biological structures investigated), it can also pertain to transgender and nonbinary people. The major conditions that men’s health encompasses are low testosterone (i.e., hypogonadism), male sexual dysfunction, male infertility, benign-prostatic-hyperplasia, and prostate-cancer.

Why is men’s health important?

Can men’s health change over time?

How could diet affect men’s health?

Obesity and cardiometabolic disease (e.g., type-2-diabetes) are consistently associated with an increased risk of men’s health conditions, so consuming a diet that facilitates the maintenance of a healthy body weight is of the utmost importance.

Isn't soy protein bad for men?

Which supplements are of most interest for men’s health?

Supplements for men’s health are generally marketed to increase testosterone levels, boost sex drive, and improve erectile function. The following are some of the most popular options, although the research to support their efficacy is rather limited:

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