Better Man Clinics Podcast

In this episode we discuss Optilume, a novel treatment for the urinary symptoms experienced by men due to an enlarged or obstructing prostate (BPH).  In previous episodes, we have covered a variety of other BPH treatments ranging from the historical gold standard (TURP) to minimally invasive surgical therapies (MIST) such as Rezum, Urolift, and iTind to more specialized treatments such as HoLEP and robotic simple prostatectomy.  So how does Optilume fit into this spectrum of BPH treatments?  Does it really stand out from existing treatments or is it just another procedure to add to the list of options in treating BPH? How is the procedure performed?  What are the risks and benefits?  What is the recovery like? And, of course, how effective is it?  To help us answer these questions, we are joined by a true expert.Dr Dean Elterman is associate professor of urology at the University of Toronro. Dr. Elterman completed his medical degree followed by residency in urologic surgery at the University of Toronto. He became a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in 2011. Dr. Elterman completed a two-year fellowship in Voiding Dysfunction, Neuro-Urology, Female Urology and Pelvic Reconstruction at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and New York Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City. Dr. Elterman is a member of several professional societies including the Society of Urodynamics, Female Pelvic Medicine and Urogenital Reconstruction, the Society of Genitourinary Reconstructive Surgeons, the International Neuromodulation Society, and the International Society of Men's Health.#optilume #BPH #prostate #podcast #clinic #treatment #urinarysystem

In this episode, we discuss Aquablation, a new treatment for the urinary symptoms experienced by men due to an enlarged or obstructing prostate(BPH). In previous episodes, we have covered a variety of other BPH treatments ranging from the historical gold standard (TURP) to minimally invasive surgical therapies (MIST) such as Rezum, Urolift, and iTind to more specialized treatments such as HoLEP and robotic simple prostatectomy. So how does Aquablation fit into this spectrum of BPH treatments? How is the procedure performed? What are the risks and benefits? What is the recovery like? And, of course, how effective is it? To help us answer these questions, we are joined by a true expert. Dr. Joel Hillelsohn is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Urology at the Grossman School of Medicine at New York University.  Dr.  Hillelsohn earned his medical degree from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and then completed his residency training in Urology at the Westchester Medical Center and a fellowship in sexual medicine and reconstructive Urology at Mount Sinai Hospital.  

In this episode we discuss penile injections for erectile dysfunction,  For most guys, treating erectile dysfunction means taking a pill.  But what do they do if the pills do not work or if they are not able to take the pills because of certain medical conditions or other medications they are taking? For many such guys, a reasonable next step has been to try penile injections.  But how do these injections work?  What exactly is involved with administering them?  Do they hurt? What kind of risks and side effects are involved?  And, of course, do they actually work? To answer these questions and many more, we turned to a true expert.    Dr. Arthur Burnett is a professor of urology at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Dr. Burnett is the director of the Male Consultation Clinic at Johns Hopkins Hospital, a clinician-scientist at the James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, and director of the Basic Science Laboratory in Neurourology at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.  Dr. Burnett received his undergraduate degree in biology from Princeton University and his medical degree at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He completed his internship and residency in surgery, and subsequently residency and fellowship in urology at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. Upon completion of his urology residency, he received an American Foundation of Urologic Disease New Investigator Award to continue research work into the regulatory mechanisms of penile erection. He has maintained an active laboratory in neurourology since that time.Dr. Burnett is recognized for being a world-authority in the science and medicine of erectile dysfunction. He contributed original discoveries of the nitric oxide biochemical mechanisms in erectile tissue, which paved the way for the clinical development of oral medications to treat erectile dysfunction such as Viagra.  Dr. Burnett has written more than 150 original peer-reviewed articles, along with numerous additional articles, editorials, and book chapters, relating to his biomedical research and clinical activities. He is also the author of a brand new book entitled The Manhood Rx: Every Man's Guide to Improving Sexual Health and Overall Wellness. #erectiledysfunction #sex #erectiledysfunctiontreatment #penileinjections #penis #injections #alprostadil #trimix #bimix

In this episode we discuss focal therapy for the treatment of prostate cancer.  Historically, men diagnosed with localized prostate cancer have had to choose between two treatment options: surgery and radiation therapy.  Both options involve treating the entire prostate gland, regardless of the size, location, or number of cancerous tumors.  Recently, however, more localized treatment options have become available for prostate cancer that involve focally treating only the tumors, rather than the entire prostate gland.  So, what are these focal therapies?  How do they work?  What risks are involved? What advantages do they have over traditional therapies?  And, probably most importantly, how successful are they at actually curing prostate cancer?  To answer these questions and many more, we turned to a true expert. Dr. Arvin George is an Associate Professor of Urology at the University of Michigan.  After obtaining his medical degree from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, he completed his Urology Residency at the Smith Institute for Urology at the Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine.  He remained to complete his Endourology fellowship in New York gaining additional subspecialty expertise in robotic, laparoscopic, and percutaneous surgery.  Subsequently, he completed a Urologic Oncology fellowship at the National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health.  Dr. George's research interests include minimally invasive and image-guided treatments, functional prostate imaging and focal therapy for prostate cancer. He is an active member of the American Urological Association, Society of Urologic Oncology, the Endourological Society, and the American College of Surgeons.#prostate #prostatecancertreatment #prostatecancer #focaltherapy

In this episode we discuss delayed or absent orgasm. Most guys are familiar with premature ejaculation, a condition in which men achieve an orgasm and ejaculate too soon.  But what about guys who take too long to achieve an orgasm or cannot achieve one at all?   How long is too long when it comes to reaching an orgasm? What causes delayed or absent orgasms?  What are the treatment options and how well do they work? To answer these questions and many more, we turned to a true expert.  Alexander W. Pastuszak, MD, PhD, is Assistant Professor of Surgery - Urology in the Department of Surgery at The University of Utah School of Medicine in Salt Lake City, Utah. Dr. Pastuszak earned his undergraduate degree at Yale University and completed his MD and PhD at the University of California, San Francisco. He completed his urology residency at Baylor College of Medicine and a fellowship in male reproductive medicine at Baylor College of Medicine.  Dr. Pastuszak has authored over 80 peer-reviewed articles and numerous book chapters on men's reproductive and sexual health, and he is editor of the textbook entitled Management of Sexual Dysfunction in Men and Women: An Interdisciplinary Approach. He has also been the Section Editor for the journals Sexual Medicine and Current Sexual Health Reports, and is Associate Editor of Sexual Medicine Reviews, the Journal of Sexual Medicine, and Fertility and Sterility. #orgasm #sexualdysfunction #anorgasmia

In this episode we discuss Peyronies disease, a condition faced by about 10% of men.  Peyronies disease can cause pain, erectile dysfunction and, for some men, a complete inability to have sex.  But what exactly is Peyronies disease and what causes the condition?  How do you know if you have it? Does Peyronies disease always require treatment?  What are the treatment options and how well do they work? To answer these questions and many more, we turned to a true expert.  Dr. Darshan Patel is an assistant professor of Urology at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine. He completed his medical training at the Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and then completed a residency in urologic surgery, a clinical research fellowship in Reconstructive Urology, and a fellowship in Men's Health, Andrology, and Microsurgery at the University of Utah. Dr. Patel has authored over 100 publications and textbook chapters. His research has appeared in journals such as Fertility and Sterility, Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics, Urology, Journal of Urology, World Journal of Urology, and the British Journal of Urology.#peyronies #peyroniesdisease #erectiledysfunction #sex

In this episode we discuss varicoceles, a condition found in 15% of men that can cause both pain and infertility.  In fact, varicoceles are found in 35% of men with infertility.  But what exactly is a varicocele and what causes the condition?  How do you know if you have a varicocele? Do all varicoceles need treatment?  How are they treated and what are the outcomes?  To answer these questions and many more, we turned to a true expert.  Dr. Mary Samplaski is an associate professor of Urology and Director of Male Infertility, Andrology and Microsurgery at the University of Southern California. She earned her medical degree at the George Washington University and went on to complete her residency training in Urology at the Cleveland Clinic. She then did a 2-year fellowship at the University of Toronto. Dr. Samplaski is routinely invited to speak as an expert at both domestic and international conferences. She has received numerous awards and accolades for her academic accomplishments, including the prestigious Bruce Hubbard Stewart Award for Humanistic Medicine. She is a reviewer for over 10 major urologic journals.  And now, without further ado, I bring you our conversation with Dr. Mary Samplaski about varicoceles.#varicocele #infertility #varicoceletreatment

In this episode we discuss kidney stones, a very painful condition that affects 1 out of 11 people at some point in their lives. But what causes kidney stones? Can we do anything to prevent getting them? How do we know if we have them?  And when we do get them, what do we do? To answer these questions and many more we turned to a true expert.  Dr. Margaret Knoedler is an assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. She received her medical degree at Tulane University School of Medicine and subsequently completed her urologic residency training at University of Wisconsin. She then went on to obtain an endourology fellowship at the University of Wisconsin under the guidance of Dr. Stephen Nakada. Her clinical interests include complex stone disease, benign prostatic hyperplasia with specialized training in holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP), and robotic surgery.  #kidneystone #ureteroscopy #colicpain

In this episode we discuss headaches, a problem that most if not all of us have had at some point in our lives.  For most people, a headache is a minor inconvenience relieved with an over the counter medication.  But what happens when the headache does not go away or keeps recurring? What do we do then?  What can we do to avoid headaches?  What home remedies and alternative therapies may be worth trying?  And when is it time to see a doctor and what are the long term treatment options.  To answer these questions and many more, we turned to a true expert.  Dr Teshamae Monteith is an Associate Professor of Clinical Neurology at the University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine. She is the Chief of the Headache Division and the program director for the United Council of Neurologic Subspecialties (UCNS) Headache Medicine fellowship program. Dr. Monteith received her medical degree at the University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine. She completed her Neurology residency training at New York University, and then pursued two fellowships in headache medicine at Thomas Jefferson University and University of California, San Francisco.  Dr Monteith currently serves on the editorial board for the American Migraine Foundation and the American Academy of Neurology's Brain and Life Magazine. She is the Headache Topic Chair for the 2022 AAN Annual Meeting Scientific Program abstract review process. She is also a co-recipient of the American Academy of Neurology's (AAN) Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Award and the American Headache Society's Wolff award. She has lectured both nationally and internationally, authored numerous publications and has provided peer review for both national and international journals. Dr. Monteith has served on several advisory boards for migraine and cluster headache. She has hosted over 80 podcasts for the AAN Neurology Journal/Neurology, Neurology Minute and Continuum Audio for topics important for neurologists including brain health, migraine, cluster headache and secondary headache disorders. And now, without further ado, I bring your our conversation with Dr Teshamae Monteith about the management of headaches.#headache #migraine #clusterheadache

In this episode we discuss Greenlight, a laser treatment for the urinary symptoms experienced by men due to an enlarged or obstructing prostate(BPH).  In previous episodes we have covered a variety of other BPH treatment ranging from the historical gold standard (TURP) to minimally invasive surgical therapies (MIST) such as Rezum, Urolift, and iTind to more specialized treatments such as HoLEP and robotic simple prostatectomy.  So how does Greenlight fit in to this spectrum of BPH treatments?  How is the procedure performed?  What are the risks and benefits?  What is the recovery like? And, of course, how effective is it?  To help us answer these questions, we are joined by a true expert.  Dr. Bilal Chughtai is an Associate Professor of Urology at Cornell. He is also an Associate Attending Urologist at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. Dr. Chughtai specializes in Voiding Dysfunction, Female Urology, and Neurourology.  Dr. Chughtai earned his medical degree at State University of New York at Stony Brook.  He then completed his Residency in General Surgery and Urology at Albany Medical Center, followed by a Fellowship in Female Urology, Neurourology, and Voiding Dysfunction at Weill Cornell Medical Center and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.  Dr. Chughtai is also an active researcher. He has served as primary & co-investigator in numerous studies. He has published over 160 peer-reviewed articles, authored chapters and books, and has presented at numerous prestigious national meetings.#prostate #bph #greenlight

In this episode we discuss genomic testing for prostate cancer. Historically, decision making for the treatment of prostate cancer has been guided by factors such as abnormalities felt by a physician during a prostate examination, the level of the PSA blood test, and the microscopic appearance of cells obtained from a prostate biopsy. More recently however, DNA testing has started to play a larger and larger role. Genetic material obtained from the blood, urine and prostate itself is being analyzed via genetic and genomic testing to help determine whether someone may or may not have significant prostate cancer and whether they need further biopsies or treatment.  But how are these tests actually performed?  What is the difference between genetic and genomic testing?  How reliable are they? And how much value do they actually bring to the decision making process surrounding the treatment of prostate cancer. To answer these questions and many more we turned to a true expert. Dr. Jeffrey Tosoian is an assistant professor of Urology at Vanderbilt University.  He earned his medical degree and Master of Public Health in epidemiology and biostatistical methods for clinical research at Johns Hopkins. He completed residency training in urology at the Johns Hopkins Brady Urological Institute.  During that time, he worked closely with Dr. Bal Carter to describe the Johns Hopkins experience with one of the first programs of monitoring low risk prostate cancer – work that contributed to active surveillance now being a standard of care management. He then completed a fellowship in urologic oncology at the University of Michigan. His research is focused on the development and clinical application of new, non-invasive tests for cancer, including blood-, urine-, and tissue-based biomarkers, as well as novel imaging techniques, to improve the clinical approach to diagnosing and treating genitourinary cancers. Clinically, his practice includes operative and non-operative management of prostate, bladder, kidney, and testicular cancers. He has authored more than 100 publications in high-impact journals including JAMA, JAMA Oncology, and Journal of Clinical Oncology.Disclosure: Dr. Tosoian has a minor equity interest in LynxDx, which commercializes cancer diagnostics, including the urinary MyProstateScore test for high-grade prostate cancer (discussed in the podcast).#prostatecancer #genetictesting #prostate #genomic

In this episode we discuss premature ejaculation, a problem faced by 30-40% of men at some point in their lives. But what defines premature ejaculation and, for that matter, what is considered a normal time to ejaculation?  10 minutes? 5 minutes?  1 minute?  What causes premature ejaculation in men? Do all men experience premature ejaculation for the same reasons?  And what, if anything, can be done to help men increase the time to ejaculation? To answer these questions and many more we turned to a true expert.  Dr. Helen Bernie is a board certified, fellowship-trained urologist and the Director of Sexual and Reproductive Medicine at Indiana University. She is also an Assistant Professor of Urology at the Indiana University School of Medicine where she teaches medical students. Dr. Bernie completed her residency in Urology at the University of Rochester Medical Center and went on to complete a two-year fellowship in Sexual and Reproductive Medicine at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical College.  She is an active member of the Sexual Medicine Society of North America and a member of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. 

In this episode we discuss the Urolift procedure for the treatment of the urinary symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate (BPH). It is considered one of the so called MIST procedures -minimally invasive surgical therapies for BPH. So where does Urolift fit in amongst the various procedures we have discussed for the treatment of BPH.  How does it compare to other minimally invasive procedures like Rezum and iTind?  How does it stack up against more traditional surgical therapies such as TURP or specialized procedures like HOLEP or robotics simple prostatectomy? What are the risks and benefits? How durable is the procedure? And, probably most importantly, what kind of outcome or improvement can someone expect from the procedure? To answer these questions and many more we turned to a true expert.  Dr. Brian Mazzarella is a Board Certified Urologist practicing at Urology Austin. He completed his undergraduate degree at The University of Texas. He then attended The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and completed his urology training at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.  He is a leading surgeon in Urolift and has been recognized as a UroLift Center of Excellence.  Dr. Mazzarella also serves as the Director of Clinical Research for Urology Austin and serves as an Affiliate Faculty Member for the Dell Medical School. Dr. Mazzarella has traveled extensively, both nationally and internationally, to teach surgical techniques to his colleagues. And now, without further ado, I bring you our conversation with Dr Brian Mazzarella about the Urolift procedure for BPH

In this episode we discuss testicular cancer.  Being diagnosed with testicular cancer can be devastating for the nearly 10000 men found to have the disease yearly in the United States.  And unlike many other cancers, testicular cancer actually affects younger rather than older men, making the diagnosis all the more traumatizing.  But, in reality, testicular cancer is often considered a cancer “success story,” often resulting in a good outcome for men diagnosed early and treated appropriately.  But how do men know if they have testicular cancer?  How can they check to see if they have it?  If they are diagnosed with testicular cancer, what are the treatment options?  And, probably most importantly, what is the prognosis for men with testiuclar cancer?  In order to answer these questions and many more, we turned to a true expert.  Dr. Sia Daneshmand is Professor of Urology and serves as director of clinical research at the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles. He is a leading authority in the management of complex testicular cancers and is one of the highest volume surgeons for this disease in the country.  He serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Urology as well as the AUA/SUO Guideline Committee on testicular cancer. He is a member of Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society and has been designated one of the “America's Top Cancer Doctors” for the past 11 consecutive years.  He is an active member of the Society of Urologic Oncology, has presented over 400 abstracts at scientific meetings and has authored over 300 peer-reviewed articles, reviews, and book chapters. And now, without further ado, I bring you our conversation with Dr. Sia Daneshmand about testicular cancer.

In this episode we discuss obesity.  The US is currently experiencing an epidemic of obesity, with over 40% of Americans grappling with this problem.  But what is driving this obesity epidemic?  Is it our Western Diet?  Our sedentary lifestyles?  Can obesity even be prevented or is it simply a matter of genetics?  Can we overcome obesity?  What has actually been shown to work?  Diet? Exercise? Medications? And to what extent is obesity an expected outcome of the onslaught of food marketing vying for our attention every day from print, TV, and, of course, social media?  In order to answer these questions and many more we turned to a true expert.  Dr. Travis Masterson is the director of the Health, Ingestive Behavior, and Technology Lab (HIT Lab) at Penn State University where he is an Assistant Professor in the Nutrition department. Dr.  Masterson earned his Bachelors and Masters Degrees in exercise science from Brigham Young University and the completed his PhD in Nutritional Sciences at Penn State University.  He then served as a research fellow at Dartmouth University before returning to Penn State where his research focuses on environmental food cues and their effect on eating behavior.  Dr. Masterson has written over 40 scientific manuscripts. He is also a spokesperson for the Obesity Society.

In this episode we discuss robotic radical prostatectomy as a treatment option for prostate cancer. Over the last 20 years, robotic radical prostatectomy has become the gold standard for surgical management of prostate cancer.  While the concept of robotic surgery is exciting, it also leads to a lot of questions amongst men faced with a decision as to how to treat their prostate cancer.  How does the procedure actually work?  Is the surgery performed by a surgeon or by a robot?  What are the risks and side effects? Are all men good candidates for the procedure.  And, of course, how effectively does it cure prostate cancer?  To answer these questions we turned to Dr. Alexander Kutikov.  Dr. Kutikov is a Professor and Chief of Urology and Urologic Oncology at the Fox Chase Cancer Center. He is a board certified, academic urologic surgical oncologist who treats urologic tumors using minimally invasive (robotic / laparoscopic) and traditional surgical techniques. Dr. Kutikov received an MD from Harvard Medical School's Harvard-MIT Health Sciences and Technology Program in 2003. He then completed his Urologic residency training at the University of Pennsylvania in 2008 and finished a 2-year Society of Urologic Oncology fellowship at the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, USA. He has co-authored more than 170 original manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals and has published chapters in leading urologic textbooks as well as holding leadership positions both in the American College of Surgeons and the American Urological Association.

In this episode we discuss erectile dysfunction in young men. Did you know that 1 in 4 men under the age of 40 experience erectile dysfunction.  Are the erectile problems faced by these men different from the typical erectile dysfunction experienced by middle aged and older men? Is erectile dysfunction in young men caused by different underlying problems?  Do these men need a different evaluation?  Should they be offered different treatment options? In order to answer these questions, we turned to Dr. Nannan Thirumavalavan.  Dr. Thirumavalavan is Chief of Male Reproductive and Sexual Health at University Hospitals as well as Assistant Professor of Urology at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine.  Dr. Thirumavalavan earned his medical degree at Boston University School of Medicine and subsequently completed his residency in urology at Boston Medical Center. He then completed a National Institutes of Health-sponsored fellowship in Male Reproductive Medicine and Surgery at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. Dr. Thirumavalavan has earned numerous awards in his career, including the AUA Men's Health Traveling Fellowship in 2014, the NIH Travel award in 2018 for the American Society of Andrology, and the Society for Male Reproduction and Urology Traveling Scholarship in 2018. He teaches and mentors resident urologists and medical students. 

In this episode we discuss the Rezum procedure for the treatment of the urinary symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate (BPH).  Rezum is considered one of the so called MIST procedures -minimally invasive surgical therapies for BPH. Other such procedures include UroLift and Itind.  So how does Rezum compare to these other procedures as well as to more traditional surgical therapies such as TURP or laser procedures?  What are the risks and benefits?  How durable is the procedure?  And, probably most importantly, what kind of outcome or improvement can someone expect from the procedure?  In order to answer these questions, we turned to an expert in the Rezum procedure, Dr. Kevin McVary.  Dr. McVary is Professor of Urology and Director of the Center for Male Health at the Stitch School of Medicine at Loyola University Medical Center.  Dr McVary is the Chairman of the AUA BPH Clinical Guidelines Committee, the Co-Chair of the International Consultation on Male LUTS and is the Associate Editor of the Journal of Urology. He has also completed a 4 year stint on the American Board of Urology Exam Committee.  An experienced investigator in prostatic disorders and erectile dysfunction (ED), Dr. McVary is currently and has recently been principal investigator for more than 75 clinical trials. Dr. McVary's research has generated more than 400 publications including  journal articles, books, book chapters, and abstracts.

In this episode we discuss penile enlargement.  A recent study revealed that 45% of men wish that their penises were larger. That desire is further confirmed by the multitudes of creams, medications, and procedures promising to increase the length and/or the girth of the penis.  But is it actually possible to increase the size of the penis? Do any of these treatments actually work?  And, if so, to what extent?  What are the risks of these penile enhancement treatments?  And are there trade offs involved?  To answer these questions, we are fortunate to be joined by Dr. Matthew Ziegelmann.  Dr. Ziegelmann is an Assistant Professor specializing in male sexual dysfunction and infertility (Andrology) in the Department of Urology at the Mayo Clinic. He obtained his medical degree from the University of Minnesota and then completed a residency in urology at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. He then continued his sub-specialty training in male sexual dysfunction and infertility (Andrology) at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, IL. He is an active member of the American Urological Association, North Central Section, and Sexual Medicine Society of North America. He has published extensively in male sexual dysfunction and speaks nationally on topics related to male sexual dysfunction and other urologic conditions.

In this episode, we discuss prostate artery embolization for the treatment of urinary symptoms for men with an enlarged prostate, otherwise known as BPH. In recent episodes, we've discussed several procedures used to treat BPH. Now, what all these procedures have in common is that they all involve actually carving away part of the prostate that is obstructing the urinary stream. But what if I told you that a procedure exists to treat BPH that does not actually involve touching the prostate at all? Rather, this procedure called prostate artery embolization manipulates the blood vessels of the prostate. But how does this procedure actually improve urinary flow? Is it safe? What is involved and what is the recovery like? How effective is prostate artery embolization in the short term and for the long haul? And why should men consider the procedure as opposed to other procedures that actually involve cutting or shaving away the prostate.  In order to answer these questions and many more, we're lucky to be joined by Dr. Ari Isaacson. Dr. Isaacson is a board certified and licensed interventional radiologist who specializes in prostate artery embolization. After graduating medical school at USC, Dr. Isaacson completed his radiology and interventional radiology training at the University of North Carolina, where he stayed on as an Assistant and then Associate Professor of Radiology and was appointed Chief of the Division of vascular and interventional radiology. He currently practices at the prostate Centers of America where he also serves as the chair of quality and research. Dr. Isaacson has served as a principal investigator for multiple academic studies of prostate artery embolization and has recently published a textbook on the subject. 

In this episode we discuss anxiety. Over the past few years, we have all experienced our share of anxiety.  Stress can be a natural part of our lives as a response to events that occur in relation to our jobs, our families or our health.  But what happens when stress transforms from a nuisance to a debilitating condition that impacts all aspects of our lives?  How do we even know if we have a problem with anxiety?  Are there ways to restructure our lives and lifestyles to better handle stress?  When should we seek professional help and what does that help entail?  And what is the right balance between success and the stress that comes with it? To answer these questions and many more we are fortunate to be joined by Dr. Dimitrios Tsatiris.  Dr. Tsatris is a practicing board-certified psychiatrist specializing in the field of anxiety management. He is a Clinical Assistant Professor of psychiatry at Northeast Ohio Medical University.  He studies and writes about the interface of anxiety and achievement. His popular Psychology Today blog “Anxiety in High-Achievers” is viewed by more than 20,000 readers per month. He has given a TEDx talk on the subject titled “Why Success Won't Make You Happy.” His writings have appeared in Psychology Today, PsychCentral, NAMI, ThriveGlobal, KevinMD and the White Coat Investor, among other publications. 

In this episode we discuss robotic simple prostatectomy for men with urinary symptoms due to an enlarged prostate (BPH).  In prior episodes, we have discussed several treatment options for BPH including medications and a variety of procedures.  But what if the medications don't work and the prostate is just too big to qualify for minimally invasive surgical procedures?  Fortunately, robotic simple prostatectomy has emerged as a potential option for men in this situation.  But, how does this procedure work?  What are the risks?  How long is the recovery?  And how successful is it in relieving urinary symptoms of BPH for the long haul.  To help us answer these questions, we are fortunate to be joined by Dr. Daniel Eun.  Dr. Eun is a professor of urology and director of the Robotic Urologic Surgery Clinical Fellowship Program at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University.  He is also the chief of robotic surgery and the director of minimally invasive robotic urologic oncology and reconstructive surgery at Temple University Hospital.  Aside from performing over 1000 robotic surgical procedures, Dr Eun has also extensively published peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and video teaching guides and travels nationally and internationally as an invited lecturer to present research and to train robotic surgeons.

In this episode we discuss the impact of the mind on how we perceive and manage chronic pain. We have all heard the concept of mind over matter and the importance of having the right mindset to overcome adversity and to succeed.  But can your state of mind impact how you actually experience pain?  And to that extent, can psychotherapy teach your mind to process chronic pain differently so as to make it less debilitating? Now in asking these questions, we are in no way implying that pain is “all in your head.”  Rather, we are exploring if and how the mind can be trained to perceive and process pain signals from the rest of the body in a way that makes living with chronic pain manageable. To answer these questions we spoke to a researcher who has been studying this fascinating topic and whose recently published, groundbreaking study has yielded some pretty dramatic results.  Dr.Tor Wager is the Diana L. Taylor Distinguished Professor in Neuroscience at Dartmouth College. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan in Cognitive Psychology in 2003, and served as an Assistant (2004-2008) and Associate Professor (2009) at Columbia University, and as Associate (2010-2014) and Full Professor (2014-2019) at the University of Colorado, Boulder. Since 2004, he has directed the Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience laboratory, a research lab devoted to work on the neurophysiology of affective processes—pain, emotion, stress, and empathy—and how they are shaped by cognitive and social influences.

In this episode we discuss penile implants.  Most guys are aware of the common treatments for erectile dysfunction ranging from pills to injections to vacuum pumps.  But what if those treatments don't work or have intolerable side effects?  Did you know that erectile dysfunction can also be treated by surgically implanting devices into the penis that can create erections on demand?  So what is involved with this type of surgery? Are these implants safe?  How do they work?  What are the risks?  And are they durable enough to last for the long haul?  To help us answer these questions, we are fortunate to be joined by Dr. Marah Hehemann.  Dr. Hehemann is a board certified urologist specializing in male reproductive and sexual health.  She earned her medical degree from Rush Medical College.  Dr.  Hehemann completed her general and urologic surgical training at Loyola University Medical Center and then completed a fellowship in Andrology, Male Reproductive and Sexual Health at the University of Washington.   Dr. Hehemann is an active member of several national and international societies including the Sexual Medicine Society of North America and the Society for the Study of Male Reproductive Health, and serves on the Editorial Board of the Video Journal of Prosthetic Urology.

In this episode we discuss colon cancer.  Did you know that over 50,000 people die of colon cancer in the US every year?  Can these deaths possibly be prevented?  Can our diets and lifestyles affect our chances of developing colon cancer?  Can screening for colon cancer actually decrease your chances of dying from the disease?  And if so, how?  To help us answer these questions and many more we spoke to a true expert.  Dr. Zuri Murrell is a licensed and board certified colorectal surgeon.  Dr. Murrell received his medical degree from UCLA and then went to complete his general surgery training at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center and a fellowship at UC Irvine.  He is currently the director of the Colorectal Cancer Center at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

In this episode, we discuss plant based diets. Plant based diets are being praised for health benefits ranging from weight loss to heart health to even cancer prevention. But what exactly constitutes a plant based diet? Can any animal products be included? Are there any risks to only consuming plant based foods? Do you need to make any adjustments with supplements? And is a plant based diet something that guys can stick with for the long haul? To help us answer these questions and many more, we turn to an expert in plant based diets. Julieanna Hever is a registered dietitian and a certified personal trainer. She has authored six books including The Healthspan Solution, the Idiot's Guide to Plant Based Nutrition, and The Vegiterranean Diet, as well as two peer reviewed journal articles on plant based nutrition for healthcare professionals. Her latest book, The Choose You Now Diet is due to be published this month. Ms. Hever is also the host of the Choose You Now podcast, has given a TEDx talk and has served as an instructor for the E Cornell Plant Based Nutrition Certification Program. She's also appeared on shows such as Dr. Oz, Harry, and the Steve Harvey Show. 

In this episode we discuss high blood pressure. Did you know that 50% of men in the United States have high blood pressure?  That's, right, HALF of all men in the United States.  So why is that important? Well, high blood pressure can increase your risk of heart attack and stroke while also possibly leading to kidney failure, vision loss, and dementia.  If that wasn't concerning in and of itself, most people with high blood pressure don't even know they have it. So how can we tell if we have high blood pressure, what can we do to prevent it?  And if we do have it, what can we do to treat it and prevent its potentially very serious consequences.  Fortunately, to help us answer these questions, we are joined by a true expert.  Dr. John Erwin is a general cardiologist and the clinical chair of the Department of Medicine at NorthShore University Health System, an affiliated program of the University of Chicago College of Medicine. He formerly served as senior staff cardiologist and professor and chair in the Department of Internal Medicine at Baylor Scott and White Health/Texas A&M College of Medicine. Dr. Erwin completed his residency and cardiovascular fellowship at the Mayo Clinic and a level II fellowship in cardiac CT angiography at the Princeton Longevity Center. In addition to clinical practice, he serves on the NorthShore University HealthSystem Board of Directors.

In this episode we discuss the relationship between COVID and male sexual health.  As if COVID has not caused enough problems, we are now learning that it can creep into our bedrooms as well.  Anybody on social media can tell you that there are all sorts of claims about the impact of COVID on the sex lives of men. And, just in case you weren't confused and worried enough, those claims are often conflicting.  While some claim that COVID can cause problems ranging from erectile dysfunction to infertility, other claim that it's the COVID vaccines (rather than COVID itself) that are causing the problems. So who do we believe?  What do we know to be true versus what we think is true vs what may not be true vs what we know to be just pure nonsense? To help us sort the facts from the fiction, we are fortunate to be joined by Dr. Rena Malik. Dr. Malik is Assistant Professor of Surgery in the Division of Urology at the University of Maryland. She completed her training at the University of Chicago and the University of Texas at Southwestern Medical Center. She is currently a member of the American Urological Association and the Society of Women in Urology. She has published over 20 peer-review articles and book chapters. She also has a very popular YouTube channel dedicated to men's health that currently educates and entertains over 700,000 subscribers. And now, without further ado, I bring you our conversation with Dr. Renal Malik about the relationship between COVID and male sexual health.

In this episode we discuss low carb diets.  A simple Google search or jaunt through social media will show you that low carb diets are getting a lot of attention, both as an effective approach to weight loss and a means to maintain good overall health. But what does a low carb diet actually mean? What can you eat and what should you avoid? Are there risks involved? Who should avoid these diets? And are low carb diets sustainable for the long haul?  To answer these questions, we turned to an expert on low carb diets.  Dr Bret Scher is a board certified and licensed cardiologist.  He completed his undergraduate studies at Stanford University and earned his medical degree from Ohio State University.  He subsequently completed his residency training in internal medicine at Mercy Hospital in San Diego and a fellowship in cardiology at the Scripps Clinic. Aside from his busy private cardiology practice, Dr Scher is also the medical director of dietdoctor.com and hosts the Diet Doctor Podcast.

In this episode we continue our discussion about testosterone replacement therapy.  In a previous episode, we spoke to Dr. Amy Pearlman about how men can determine whether testosterone therapy may be right for them. But what do you do after you decide that you want to proceed with testosterone therapy?  What type of testosterone treatment should you try: shots, creams, pellets, or even pills?  What are the risks and benefits of each? How are the different treatment options administered? And what do you need to monitor and watch out for when receiving testosterone replacement? In order to help us answer these questions, we are fortunate to be joined by an expert in testosterone supplementation.  Dr. Rachel Rubin is a board-certified urologist and sexual medicine specialist. She is an assistant clinical professor of Urology at Georgetown University and works in a private practice in Washington DC. She is one of only a handful of physicians fellowship trained in male and female sexual medicine. Dr. Rubin is a clinician, researcher, and vocal educator in the field of sexual medicine. She completed her medical and undergraduate training at Tufts University, her urology training at Georgetown University, and her fellowship training under Dr. Irwin Goldstein in San Diego. In addition to being education chair for the International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health (ISSWSH), she also serves as Associate Editor for the Journal Sexual Medicine Reviews. She was named a Washingtonian Top Doctor for the past 3 years.

In this episode we discuss testicular and scrotal pain.  Most guys have had pain in their testicles and scrotum at some point.  This pain is usually short lived and goes away on its own.  But for some men, the pain does not go away. It persists and begins to affect their day to day lives, limiting their activities, destroying their sex lives, and impacting their mental health.  What causes this chronic pain in the scrotum?  How should it be evaluated?  And what treatment options are available?  In order to answer these questions, we spoke with Dr Petar Bajic.  Dr Bajic is a urologist in the Center for Men's Health at the Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute in Cleveland, Ohio, and Assistant Professor of Urology at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University. He specializes in men's health and sexual medicine. Dr. Bajic earned his medical degree from the University of Toledo College of Medicine. He then completed his residency training in urology at Loyola University Medical and a fellowship in Andrology and Genitourinary Reconstructive Surgery at Rush University Medical Center. Dr. Bajic is an avid researcher and physician-scientist. Dr. Bajic is Associate Editor for the medical journal Urology and is a regular reviewer for multiple other medical journals.  

In this episode we discuss sexual anxiety.  Most guys can remember an anxiety provoking sexual experience. Sexual anxiety often occurs with a new partner and is caused by thoughts like, “What will they think of my body?” or “Will I be able to perform?” or “How long will I be able to last?” or “Will I be able to get them to an orgasm?” For most guys, these thoughts are fleeting but, for others, they can persist and lead to a bad sexual experience. And these bad experiences can lead to more anxiety, creating a vicious cycle that can destroy a man's sex life and relationships. So how can men recognize when sexual anxiety is becoming a real problem? What can they try to overcome it?  And when is it time to seek help from a specialist? Fortunately, to help us answer these questions, we are joined by Dr. Emily Jamea, a licensed marriage and family therapist, licensed professional counselor, and a certified sex therapist. She has over a decade of experience working as a sex and relationship therapist. In addition to maintaining a busy private practice, Dr. Jamea offers online workshops as part of her mission to make her knowledge accessible to everyone. She speaks nationally and internationally to a diverse range of audiences including educators, health and mental health professionals, and the general public. Her expertise has been featured on CNN, USA Today, NBC, CBS, Men's Fitness, SELF, Women's Health, and more. She is a proud ambassador to HealthyWomen.org. Her academic research focuses on how to create optimal relationships and sexual experiences. She is currently writing a book on this topic. She's happily married with two children, travels as much as she can, and enjoys painting and salsa dancing when she finds the time. You can learn more about Dr Jamea on her website www.emilyjamea.com and on Instagram or TikTok: @dremilyjamea.

In this episode we discuss genital warts.  Did you know that nearly 400,000 people are diagnosed with genital warts every year?  That doesn't even include all the people that have genital warts and don't even know it.  Is there any wonder that genital warts are one of the most common types of sexually transmitted infections?  But how are genital warts transmitted exactly?  What causes them? What do they look like and how do you know if you have them?  And if you know you have them, how can you get rid of them.  To answer these questions we turned to Dr. Jules Lipoff.  Dr. Lipoff is an assistant professor of dermatology at the University of Pennsylvania. He earned his medical degree from Albert Einstein College of Medicine and then completed his dermatology residency at the Montefiore Medical Center. He is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology. 

In this episode we discuss 2 novel treatments for erectile dysfunction. For years, the treatments for erectile dysfunction have remained the same: we have pills like Viagra and Cialis, injectable therapy, vacuum pumps, and penile implants.  Recently, however, new treatments have surfaced that have challenged the usual approach to erectile dysfunction.  Two of the most innovative of such novel treatments are shockwave and platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapy.  What are these novel treatments?  How do they work?  Do they involve risks?  How successful are they?  Why should you use them instead of the traditional treatments for erectile dysfunction. To answer these questions, we turned to Dr. Thomas Masterson, a urologist who is not only a sexual medicine expert, but is also conducting research on these very treatments.  Dr. Masterson is assistant professor of urology at the University of Miami. He completed his undergraduate studies at Temple University and then received his medical degree from the University of Miami.  He then completed both his urology residency and a fellowship in reproductive and sexual medicine at the University of Miami.  

In this episode we discuss a novel treatment for BPH called iTind.  Unlike some other treatment options for BPH, the iTind procedure is performed in the clinic setting.  It involves inserting a tiny device through the penis with a flexible camera.  The device is then removed in the clinic about a week later.  iTind is one of the least invasive procedures with BPH, is rapidly performed, and requires minimal if any recovery time.  But is the procedure safe?  How effective is it?  How does it compare with more traditional BPH procedures like TURP, HOLEP and minimally invasive treatments like Rezum and UroLift? In order to answer these questions, we turned to an expert on the treatment of BPH.  Dr Dean Elterman is associate professor of urology at the University of Toronro.  Dr. Elterman completed his medical degree followed by residency in urologic surgery at the University of Toronto. He became a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in 2011. Dr. Elterman completed a two-year fellowship in Voiding Dysfunction, Neuro-Urology, Female Urology and Pelvic Reconstruction at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and New York Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City.  Dr. Elterman is a member of several professional societies including the Society of Urodynamics, Female Pelvic Medicine and Urogenital Reconstruction, the Society of Genitourinary Reconstructive Surgeons, the International Neuromodulation Society, and the International Society of Men's Health. 

In this episode we discuss testosterone replacement therapy.  The internet is full of ads for testosterone treatments.  These ads claim that supplemental testosterone can make men look better, feel better, and even perform better in bed.  But are all these claims true?  Which men can actually benefit from testosterone replacement therapy?  What are the risks?  And how much benefit can men realistically expect from the medication?  In order to answer these questions, we turned to an expert on testosterone replacement therapy in men.  Dr Amy Pearlman is an assistant clinical professor of Urology at the University of Iowa.  Dr Pearlman earned her medical degree from the Baylor College of Medicine and then completed her residence training in Urology at the University of Pennsylvania.  She subsequently completed a fellowship in urologic reconstruction, prosthetic urology and infertility at Wake Forest University.  

In this episode we discuss back pain.  Did you know that back pain affects 80% of Americans at some point in their lives and that 30% of all Americans will experience back pain in the next 3 months.  For some men, back pain can be truly debilitating and prevents them from enjoying their favorite activities, going to work or even getting out of bed.  So what causes back pain?  Can you prevent it?  What home remedies are worth trying and when is it really time to see a doctor?  And, when you do see a doctor, what should you expect from the evaluation and what are the possible treatment options?  To help us answer these questions we turned to a true expert.  Dr.  Oren Gottfried is a professor and clinical vice chair of neurosurgery at Duke University specializing in spine surgery.  Dr Gottfried earned his medical degree from the University of Arizona and then completed his residency training in neurosurgery at the University of Utah.  He then went on to complete fellowships in spinal deformities at the University of Utah and spinal oncology at Johns Hopkins University.  Aside from his clinical responsibilities at Duke University, Dr Gottfried also performs research focusing on the prevention of spinal deformity, infections, complications, and recurrent spinal disease by identifying and limiting patient and surgical risks.  

In this episode we discuss snoring, a problem that affects nearly 50% of Americans at some points in their lives.  While, for most men, snoring is annoying problem that can put a strain on their relationship, for some men snoring can be a sign of sleep apnea, a much more serious condition that can have serious health consequences.  So how can you tell the difference between snoring and sleep apnea?  What can you do to prevent snoring and treat it when necessary?  In order to help us answer these questions, we turned to a true expert. Dr Eric Kezirian is clinical professor of otolaryngology at USC.  Dr Kezirian earned his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania and then completed his residency training in otolaryngology at the University of Washington.  He then completed a fellowship in sleep surgery at Stanford University.  His research has addressed the most important questions in the field of sleep medicine, including how surgeons should choose procedures, how well surgery works, and the development of new treatments. Dr. Kezirian's research has been supported by the National Institutes of Health, the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, and the Triological Society.   He is a Past President of the International Surgical Sleep Society, the world's premiere organization dedicated to sleep surgery

In this episode we discuss the vasectomy, one of the most common procedures performed in men but one that, nonetheless, is steeped in myths and urban legends.  In order to help us separate the facts from the fiction about vasectomies, we turned to an expert. Dr Jay Sandlow is professor and interim Chairman of the Department of Urology at the Medical College of Wisconsin.  Dr Sandlow earned his medical degree from Rush Medical College and completed his Urology residency and a fellowship in male infertility at the University of Iowa.  He served as Associate Professor at the University of Iowa until 2003 when he was appointed Professor and Vice Chairman of the Department of Urology at the Medical College of Wisconsin.  Dr Sandlow has authored multiple academic manuscripts and textbook chapters and is on the editorial boards of some of the top academic urological publications in the country.

In this episode we discuss male pelvic pain, a problem that few men want to talk about but one that many men suffer from.  In men, pelvic pain can present as pain in the penis, the testicles, the groin, and the perineum (that space between the testicles and the anus). Pelvic pain can be a very bothersome problem and even debilitating for some men.  It can keep men from participating in activities they enjoy and can destroy their sex lives. The problem is made still worse by the fact that most men don't feel comfortable talking about it and frankly don't know who to talk to about it. Fortunately, to help us better understand the causes and possible treatment options for male pelvic pain, joining us today is an expert in male pelvic pain.  Elizabeth Akincilar received her Master's of Physical Therapy from the University of Miami Medical School. She is the co-founder and president of the Pelvic Health and Rehabilitation Center, with nine locations in California and New England. She is active in the professional community, lecturing and teaching nationally and internationally. She is the co-author of the book Pelvic Pain Explained, contributes to medical texts and other professional literature.

In this episode, we discuss prostate cancer screening.  Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men and yet screening for prostate cancer is considered quite controversial. Many sources state that prostate cancer is slow growing and that, as a result, prostate cancer screening is just not warranted. At the same time, prostate cancer takes the lives of about 34,000 American men every year. So what should guys do? Who should get screened? What does that even entail? Are there options as to how to get screened? Are there risks involved? To help us sort through these questions we turn to a true expert, Dr. Ganesh Palapattu is professor and chairman of the Department of Urology at the University of Michigan. Dr. Palapattu completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Texas at Austin and earned his medical degree from the Baylor College of Medicine. He underwent his residency training in urology at UCLA and then completed a fellowship in urologic oncology at Johns Hopkins.  After completing his training Dr. Palapattu held a faculty appointment at the University of Rochester School of Medicine, and then served as the chief of urologic oncology at the Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas. In 2012, Dr. Palapattu was appointed associate professor and chief of urologic oncology at the University of Michigan, where he later became chair of the urology department. 

In this episode, we discuss sleep disorders. Sleep problems present a huge and debilitating problem for men.  Did you know that over 70 million Americans suffer from some sort of sleep disorder?  But what causes sleep issues?  How can we prevent them? Are any of the multitudes of supplements and home remedies for sleep issues even worth trying?  And when should guys consider seeking help from a doctor?  It turns out that the answer depends on many factors, including what type of sleep disorder is actually causing the issues. To help us sort through these questions, we turned to an expert.  Dr Sam Kashani is a sleep specialist from UCLA.  After completing his residence training at the Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, Dr Kashani perused a fellowship in sleep medicine at UCLA, where he is now a clinic instructor.  Dr Kashani also serves on the board of directors of the California Sleep Society and is a frequent lecturer on sleep issues. 

In this episode, we discuss prostate cancer prevention.  Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men and the second most lethal cancer in men in the United States.  But is there a way to prevent it?  Can lifestyle factors like diet, exercise, sexual activity, and even stress impact the development and growth of prostate cancer?  In order to answer those questions, we spoke to Dr Stephen Freedland, Professor of Surgery and Urology at the Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.  At Cedars Sinai, Dr Freedland serves as the Warschaw Robertson Law Families Chair in Prostate Cancer, the Director of the Center for Integrated Research in Cancer and Lifestyle and Co-Director of the Cancer Genetics and Prevention Program. Dr.  Freedland has published over 400 medical studies and sits on the editorial boards of multiple medical journals.  He currently serves as editor-in-chief of the medical journal Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases .  Dr. Freedland completed his undergraduate studies at UCLA and received his medical degree from UC Davis.  He then completed his Urology residency training at UCLA and a fellowship in urologic oncology at Johns Hopkins.  Before joining Cedars-Sinai, Dr Freedland served as an Associate Professor of Urology at Duke University .

In this episode, we discuss a type of laser surgery called HOLEP as an option for men with urinary symptoms caused by an enlarged prostate – a condition called BPH that we discussed in a previous episode.  Historically, when men either no longer benefited from prostate medication or could not tolerate the side effects of these medications, the next step would be a TURP surgery, otherwise known as the “Roto-Rooter”.  Recently, however, new surgical options have been developed which are believed to provide results that are similar to or better than TURP and that are potentially safer and have less side effects.  One of these newer procedures is a laser surgery called HOLEP which stands for holmium enucleation of the prostate.  Joining us to help us better understand the risks and benefits of HOLEP is Dr Amy Krambeck. Dr Krambeck is a Professor of Urology at Northwestern Medical in Chicago, Illinois.  Her Urology residency was completed at the Mayo Clinic in 2008 and she subsequently completed an Endourology fellowship at the Methodist Institute for Kidney Stone Research in Indianapolis, Indiana.  Dr Krambeck worked as an endourologist at the Mayo Clinic from 2009-2016 at which time she joined the staff at Indiana University and ran the benign urologic diseases division until 2020.  Dr Krambeck specializes in the surgical and medical management of stone disease and BPH and has performed approximately 3000 HOLEP procedures.  Who better to help us understand this procedure.  And now, without further ado, I bring you our conversation with Dr Amy Krambeck about HOLEP as a surgical option for BPH.

In this episode, we discuss sinus headaches. We have all heard of sinus infections but what are the sinuses and why do they cause headaches? What can we do to prevent sinus headaches and, once we get them, what simple home remedies can help treat them?  When is it time to see a doctor and what should you expect in terms of evaluation and treatment? And finally, when does surgery become necessary and what are the surgical options for sinus conditions?  To help us answer these questions, we are fortunate to be joined by Dr Tricia Kho, a licensed and board certified otolaryngologist with extensive experience in treating sinus conditions.  Dr Kho graduated from Johns Hopkins University and completed medical school at the University of Michigan.  She underwent a research fellowship in genetic otology and then completed her otolaryngology training at UCLA.  She has been in private practice in Southern California since 2006

In this episode, we discuss knee pain, a problem that most men will experience at some point in their lives.  Most of the time, the problem can be solved by simply taking a pain reliever.  But what if the pain keeps coming back?  How can you prevent it from getting worse?  What noninvasive and minimally invasive treatment options are available? And when is it time to start considering surgery? We presented these questions to orthopedic surgeon, Dr Erik Zeegen.  Dr Zeegen attended UCLA and UC Berkeley as an undergraduate.  He then graduated from UCLA Medical School and completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at UCLA.  After residency, Dr Zeegen completed an Orthopedic Surgical Oncology fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital and an Adult Reconstructive Surgery fellowship at New England Baptist Hospital.  After his training, Dr Zeegen returned to Los Angeles where he served as the Associate Medical Director of the Valley Hip and Knee Institute until recently when he was named the Chief of Joint Replacement Surgery at UCLA.

In this episode, we discuss sex, a topic of great importance to most if not all men.  Specifically, we will be discussing how men can evaluate the health of their sexual relationships, identify common problems, and work through those issues both individually, and with their partners.   Who better to help us understand sexual relationships than Kimberly Resnick Anderson.  Kimberly is both a licensed clinical social worker and a certified sex therapist.  Over the last 25 years, she has helped countless men and their partners achieve more satisfying sexual relationships.

In this episode, we discuss the relationship between diet and energy. According to a survey performed last year, 60% of American adults feel more tired now than they have ever felt.  While a lot of this fatigue is rightfully attributed to lack of sleep, stress, and our generally hectic lifestyles, what is often ignored is the significant impact that our diet has on our energy levels.  As we learn in this episode, what we eat has a tremendous impact on how we feel, particularly when it comes to our energy levels.  Helping us to understand this relationship is nutritionist Christina Stapke.  Christina is a board certified and licensed integrative and functional dietician.  One of her areas of expertise is actually helping her clients evaluate and adjust their diets to improve and maintain their energy levels.SHOW LESS

In today's episode, we discuss hernias, a common problem facing men.  Nearly 1 million hernia surgeries are performed in the United States each year.  Joining us today to help us better understand the causes and management of hernias is Dr Shirin Towfigh, one of the few surgeons in the United States whose practice is 100% dedicated to the treatment of hernias.  Dr.Towfigh received her Bachelor's degree from UCLA and her Medical Doctorate degree from UC San Diego. She completed her surgical training and research at UCLA. She is Board Certified in General Surgery by the American Board of Surgery. She is an award-winning educator, with experience training and mentoring thousands of medical students, residents, and fellows at the USC Keck School of Medicine, LA County + USC Hospital, the Norris Cancer Center, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

In today's episode, we discuss wrinkles, a topic not too many men talk about but one that a lot of men think about.  How do we know this? A recent study was conducted about the use of Botox, one of the most common treatments for wrinkles.  That study found that in 2019, men underwent nearly half a million botox injections in the US alone  That was nearly a 400% increase as compared to the year 2000.  So while men may not be openly talking about their wrinkles, they certainly appear to be thinking about them.  Joining us today to help us better understand the causes and management of wrinkles is Dr Jasmine Yun,  Dr. Yun is a board-certified and licensed dermatologist who earned her undergraduate degree from UCLA. She then received a joint MD/MBA from the UCLA School of Medicine and the Anderson School of Management at UCLA. She proceeded to complete her dermatology resident at MLK-Harbor and Harbor-UCLA and then completed a dermatopathology fellowship at the Ackerman Academy of Dermatopathology in New York. Dr. Yun serves as a Clinical Associate Professor of Dermatology at USC Keck School of Medicine where she has devoted much time educating resident physicians and also has spent time participating in medical missions in developing countries.  She also has a private dermatology practice in Los Angeles.SHOW LESS

In today's episode, we discuss BPH or Benign Prostatic Hypertophy, a problem affecting over 40 million men in the US alone. About 40% of men suffer from BPH by age 50 and that number goes up to 70% as men reach the age of 80. Joining us today to help us better understand BPH is Dr Matthew Bui.  Dr Bui is a board certified and licensed Urologist. Dr Bui graduated from Franklin and Marshall College.  He then attended the Yale School of Medicine in the Medical Scientists Training Program where he earned both the M.D. and PhD. degrees.  Subsequently, Dr. Bui completed both his urology residency and a fellowship in laparoscopic, robotic, and minimally invasive urology at UCLA.  After his training, Dr Bui joined the faculty at the Mayo Clinic Scottsdale in 2005 as an assistant professor of urology.  He subsequently returned to Los Angeles where he has been in private practice.