Chris Benoit, known as a smaller WWE wrestler who has a signature move called the Canadian Crippler, committed unspeakable crimes over this past weekend, murdering his wife first, then his kid via asphyxiation and then himself by hanging himself on Sunday as far as investigators can tell.  People that knew him - coworkers, family and friends all are stunned and say this was unlike the seemingly gentle wrestler and male entertainer, and are struggling to figure out why he committed these crimes. 

A phenomena called “roid rage” is of course all the talk now, since it is highly suspected that many of these wrestlers get as big as they do by pumping anabolic steroids, which are largely illegal these days, into their body and skyrocketing their testosterone levels to the point of being imbalanced to get a bigger body and a more cut and defined muscle appearance. 

Problem is, along with the increase in muscle mass which is all of course totally unnatural, there are side effects that include and are documented as depression, anxiety, uncontrolled rages, and other things like acne and shrinkage of the testacles. 

Also, many times when someone stops steroids, they fall into deep depressions, bordering on psychoses, according to some doctors, even going so far as to hear voices telling them to do things.  Of course, no one will know what the case is exactly with Benoit, but an autopsy and toxicology report will be completed over the next several weeks to determine whether steroids played a role in the deaths. 

Of course, for this extreme of an occurrence, my opinion is that the guy wasn’t exactly stable to begin with, and the steroids may have just pushed him over the edge.  Apparently his wife had already filed domestic abuse charges against the wrestler a few years ago, but ended up withdrawing them and reconciling with Benoit. 

That’s right, more moms and dads are making the decision to go against the popular flow and not circumcise their baby boys.  Circumcision is where the foreskin is removed from the penis, and has been in practice for years on infant boys as a way of preventing infection in boys penises, and seems to have done quite a good job of doing so. 

Some parents just don’t believe the circumcision is the way to go though.  Whether the decision to not circumcise is a religious, personal or moral issue for parents, parents do have the right to choose whether their boys are circumcised or not, and it never has become such a health threat that the government has enforced strict circumcision rules on new parents - yet. 

But I had thought that the circumcision rates, overall, here in the US would have undoubtedly topped fifty percent, but they hadn’t.  They are currently at about 57% right now, but peaked at almost 90% back in the seventies when almost every parent made the choice to circumcise their child’s penis.  The reasons cited may be a larger number of immigrations to the US from foreign parents who either don’t choose to have the child circumcised or simply do not observe this as a medical necessity in their country. 

Some doctors still medically  endorse penile circumcision, but others refute the findings that it can prevent penis cancer, certain STD’s and other infections of the penis, saying that the evidence is very small that it has any significant benefit for any of these penis health problems.

Apparently circumcised penises are most common here in my neck of the woods, the Midwest of the US, and vary greatly by region depending on beliefs, common practice, religion and other factors - perhaps even what the physicians in various territories recommend to their patients who have baby boys and what they believe is healthiest for the boy’s penis in the long run.  Most of my friends are circumcised, which was surprising when looking at the statistics, but then again, I was born in a time when circumcision was much more prevalent. 

Sexually transmitted diseases should be a concern for any sexually active adult at any age.  Although all age groups need to protect against STD’s, two thirds of the cases occur in the population younger than 25 years old.  The HIV/AIDS virus is one of the biggest worries among the STD’s and the most highly publicized.
STD’s are many and varied. 

Not only is the HIV/AIDS virus a concern, but there’s also genital herpes, gonorrhea, syphilis, hepatitis B and chlamydia.  The causative organism can be a virus, bacteria or protozoa.  STD’s can occur in men or women and they are transmitted through sexual contact either genitally, orally or rectally.  Another means of contracting STD’s is sharing needles, or during delivery of a baby or breast feeding.

To protect yourself, use condoms during sexual contact for safer sex. Monogamy and not having sex with multiple partners will reduce your risk.  Part of the reason that two thirds of STD’s occur in people under 25 is they are often engaged in high risk behavior sexually.  If you think you may have contracted an STD, make certain you seek testing and treatment. If you have an STD and it is bacterial, the earlier the treatment, the better the chance of a cure.
 For prevention of STD’s, talking about safe sex with your teenagers is imperative.  Talk openly about the necessity of using condoms if you suspect they are sexually active.  Encourage abstinence and readiness for engaging in sexual activity until they are more mature.  Problems and complications that can occur for women as a result of STD’s can range from infection of the reproductive organs, ectopic pregnancy, pelvic inflammatory disease and possible infertility.  STD’s in males can cause infection of the urethra, prostate and epididymis.
 For your sexual health and reproduction, don’t engage in high risk sexual behaviors with multiple partners or have unprotected sex.  Take good care of your sexual health, whether you’re male or female, for your sake and the sake of your partner and children.

Saw palmetto is a name you see popularly in alternative or herbal medicine.  It is a type of fan palm and it’s fruits are high in fatty acids and phytosterols.  In herbal medicine, saw palmetto has received the most attention for it’s usefulness in prostate health for men.  Most articles I’ve read cited saw palmetto’s use and effectiveness in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.  This herb has been used for this condition in Europe far before it’s usage became popular here and is used in prostate health supplements for a good reason.

In a recent study by Dr. Leonard Marks, it was found that prostate volume signifigantly reduced an average of 9% in 45 days and 10% by 90 days for the group taking saw palmetto.  Side effects were a minimal amount of gastrointestinal distress.  When shopping for saw palmetto, look for the word standardized on the label.  320 mg. of saw palmetto daily, standardized to be 85% -95% fatty acids is the most consistent recommendations in research I read.  If you take too much, diarrhea could result.

 Saw palmetto does not appear to effect PSA levels which would interfere with testing for prostate cancer.  The mechanism of saw palmetto’s effectiveness for BPH is it’s inhibition of testosterone converting to dihydrotestosterone or DHT.   DHT is thought to be the cause of prostate enlargement on men.  Saw palmetto is also used in treatment of premature male pattern baldness. 

Again, the mechanism here is the saw palmetto slowing the conversion of testosterone to DHT, such as is the purpose of the male hair loss remedy called provillus (see male hair loss product reviews for more information and a review on this excellent male hair loss treatment paired with an FDA approved ingredient in their topical solution). 

I would like to see more clinical studies, research and testing done and results published on the subject of saw palmetto for male reproductive health.  So much more is written in the mainstream for medication and herbal products for female health.  Men’s reproductive health and products, herbal and otherwise, to maintain it deserve the same amount of research and media attention.

For men to understand how to take care of their prostate health, they should first be aware of problems that can occur with their prostate as they grow older.  The prostate is part of the male reproductive system that lies in front of the rectum and sits just below the bladder.
 As men age, one of the most common problems that occurs with the prostate is benign prostatic hyperplasia.  With this condition, the prostate becomes enlarged causing problems by compressing the urethra.  Symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia are the urge to urinate frequently, weak urine flow and urinary dribbling.  Men with these symptoms should see their doctors. 

 BPH ,or benign prostatic hyperplasia, may be treated with prescription drugs to decrease the size of the prostate.  These drugs are not always effective which leaves the option of surgery to decrease the prostate size.  Another common prostate health problem to occur is prostatitis, which is inflammation of the prostate.  Acute prostatitis causes chills and fever, lower back pain and painful urination.  See your physician if you have any of these symptoms. 

Treatment for prostatitis is often anti-inflammatory drugs.  The other concern for prostate health is screening for prostate cancer.  This kind of cancer grows quietly for a long time without symptoms so screening for this is advised.  In addition to digital exam by the physician, it is recommended to test for prostate cancer with the PSA test.

Men need to be aware of their reproductive health just as women do. If you have symptoms of BPH or prostatitis, see your doctor.  Ask about screening for prostate cancer and find out how often screening is necessary for your age and family history, and you may even consider taking a prostate health supplement for added beneficial ingredients that you don’t get in your daily diet. 

Impotence effects more men than you might think.  This condition, also called erectile dysfunction, effects millions of men in the U.S..  Erectile function involves psychological as well as physical arousal, with increased blood fllow to the penis.  It is the continued increased flow that sustains the erection until ejaculation occurs.
 Impotence occurs when there is frequent difficulty with having or sustaining an erection.  In it’s wider definition, impotence means the inability to become sexually aroused and not just erectile dysfunction, but it also does come in many forms such as inability to sustain an erection, inability to get an erection in the first place (impotence) and inability to become sexually aroused, which is many times sufficiently psychological in nature.  Inability to get an orgasm such as what the mutliple orgasm supplement Deer Antler Plus is supposed to help with, is another very unfortunate form of ED. 
 It is believed now, that physical factors have a direct link to erectile dysfunction problems and there is help and treatments available. Erection problems become more likely as men age, but age alone is not the only cause. 

 Male infertility should not be confused with impotence.  This term refers only to the inability to produce a sperm that can fertilize an egg.  Premature ejaculation refers to a male’s orgasm coming on too quickly. This is not considered the same thing as impotence but it can cause problems with intimacy with your partner.  Counseling is recommended for premature ejaculation for the couple and also for natural libido help.
 As a couple, if impotence is a problem, make sure you communicate with one another.  Anxiety about sexual performance should be discussed by both and counseling is helpful.  Unresolved anger and conflict may be expressed by the male holding back on their erection.  Due to the complexity of human sexuality, all the physical and psychological aspects of impotence problems should be addressed when meeting with counselors and physicians. 

Viagra is one of the most popular and publicized drugs used to treat male impotence or erectile dysfunction. It is wise, if using this medication, to know how it works and also the precautions or side effects of this drug.  Another consideration when taking Viagra is possible drug interactions.
 Viagra works by helping a male, who has had a problem with impotence, have an erection. To have Viagra be effective, the man must be sexually aroused first. 
There are side effects that any man who is taking Viagra needs to be aware of.  Viagra can cause changes in the retina that can effect the way that we see color.  Another possible side effect of Viagra can be headaches. This is a big reason why so many men seek out alternatives to Viagra. 
 It is important to note that Viagra is a prescription drug with good reason.  It’s necessary for a doctor to know your medical history and current list of drugs you are taking.  Viagra can have a side effect of causing heart attacks and your doctor needs to know if there is a risk of this in each individual patient before prescribing it.
 For men taking nitroglycerin for angina or chest pain, there can be an adverse interaction of Viagra and nitroglycerin together.  This is another good reason Viagra is a prescription medication, so that these potential problems can be assesed before prescribing it for an individual.
 There is also, as a possible side effect, the risk of dependency upon Viagra to achieve an erection. A man who is taking Viagra recreationally and did not need it physically, may suffer from this side effect.  Another possible side effect of Viagra ia a long lasting erection for hours that is painful and this requires medical attention. Viagra alternatives are also popular because of this side effect, because men are afraid of the embarrassment of a nonstop erection and do not want to go to the emergency room with such an odd problem. 
 Not all men who take Viagra will experience any or all of the side effects, but it’s important to be aware of what they are so you can be informed.  Viagra can, if used properly, enhance the quality of life and intimacy and help a man’s self esteem.

Erectile dysfunction is a cause of distress to many men of all ages and, of course, to their signifigant others in a sexual relationship.  Erectile dysfunction is the inability to attain or maintain an erection firm enough for intercourse.  It also refers to a problem with very brief erections or libido problems in which men need to seek out libido help. 

 Some of the causes of erectile dysfunction can be from a disease process, especially those that effect circulation or the nervous system.  Chronic illnesses such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis, vascular disease, kidney disease and neurologic disease are some of the physical causes of erectile dysfunction.  For men with diabetes, the percentage of erectile dysfunction can be as high as 35 to 50 percent.  Hormonal imbalance, such as too little testosterone, may be a cause.
 There are substances that may contribute to problems with erectile dysfunction.  Smoking cigarattes will increase your chances of erectile dysfunction as it adversely effects circulation.  Chronic alcoholism is another frequent cause of erectile dysfunction.  Other lifestyle choices that may contribute to this problem are obesity and avoiding exercise.
 Pharmaceutical drugs taken to control blood pressure, tranquilizers, antidepressants and antihistamines may have, as a side effect, erectile dysfunction.
Emotional and psychological factors play a role in sexual behaviors and performance.  Depression, anxiety and guilt can cause, or be a part of the cause, of erectile dysfunction.  A fear of sexual performance failure can perpetuate dysfunction problems.
 Surgery or injury that harms nerves or the spinal cord may cause erectile dysfunction.  Prostate or bladder surgery for cancer sometimes has this unfortunate side effect.
If erectile dysfunction is a problem, work with a physician to determine the cause.  If seeking treatment, knowing which factors play a role will direct you in approaching the solution.
 Perhaps counseling together with medication will work for you. Lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, losing weight or cessation of alcohol intake may be the answer.  If it may be a side effect of a medication you’re taking, ask your doctor if your meds can be adjusted while still treating you effectively.  It’s worth investigating all your options to return to your sexual health.  General men’s health supplements can also increase a man’s overall health and vitality, which in turn always benefits the male anatomy sexually. 

Prostate cancer, if found in it’s early stages before symptoms appear , has a high potential to be cured.   For this reason, prostate cancer screenings are recommended for man over 50 annually.
 Signs and symptoms that can mean prostate cancer include painful urination, inability to urinate, urinary frequency, inability to completely empty the bladder, blood in the urine and lower back and thigh pain.  If a man has any of these symptoms, he should be medically evaluated.  The mentioned symptoms can point to cancer, but not always. However, they mean there is a medical problem that needs to be assessed.
 Diagnoses is definitively made by a biopsy of a section of the prostate.  Prostate cancer and it’s treatment is determined by staging the cancer by the appearance and size of the initial tumor and the number of lymph nodes involved, and the amount, if any, of metastases or spreading to other body tissues or organs.  Prognosis and treatment are determined through staging and the overall health of the patient.
 Within the staging system, the most important differentiation concerns whether the cancer has remained confined to the prostate only.  Clinically, a T1 or T2 cancer has remained confined to the prostate only.  When through tests such as computed tomography, bone scans and MRI’s, the prostate cancer has been shown to have spread elsewhere in the body, the cancer is a level T3 or T4.
 A treatment or combination of treatments are used depending on the stage of the cancer and the chance of recurrence and further spread and the initial health and age of the individual.  Treatment can be watchful waiting, surgery, radiation, high intensity focused ultrasound, chemotherapy, cryosurgery and hormonal therapy.  To maintain prostate health, there are supplements out there such as the Prostate health supplement Prostacet that contain natural ingredients thought to prolong and enhance the health of this vital part of the male anatomy. 

The risks of side effects of each treatment and risks of spreading and recurrence must be weighed carefully to determine which options are best to utilize for the individual patient’s situation.  Quality of life and quantity of life must be assessed and balanced according to the stage of the cancer and wishes of the patient with the guidance of the oncologist.

Well, by golly, wonders never cease.  I saw this headline in a recent article, and just had to read it, since of course what we talk about a lot here at MaleEnhancementMagazine is how to enlarge the penis to make women, or yourself happier with you penis size.  And lo and behold, a study of women’s views on men’s penis size may be proving that penis size, or at least the length of the penis (not the girth mind you), may not matter to women as much as we think. 

The studies conclude that women care more about penis girth, or width, than they do about the length of the penis, which happens to debunk many things that men had held true for so long.  This does make sense that women care more about penis width though, because then this means that women can actually feel more friction when sexual intercourse take place, since the girth of the penis determines how much of that friction women will feel, whereas a penis that is long, but skinny, would really not give a woman any more sexual pleasure because she is not getting that “full” sensation from the width of the penis.  Make sense? 

A couple of other myths about penises and size were also debunked in this supposed study as well.  The very popular myths were that older men had penis shrinkage, which was found not to be true, and that men of different races had respectively larger or smaller penises, another myth that they found not to be true about penis size.  Hmm…..I’m not so sure about some of this.  Sometimes when an urban legend is perpetuated for years and years, there is usually SOME kind of truth to it, but maybe I’m wrong on this one. 

Surveys of men found that a relatively small amount of men have insecurities about their penises being too small, just above ten percent, and that some of them thought they were too small in comparison to other men’s penises, while some men really only felt insecure about how women, their lovers, would view the size of their penis.  This has made millions of men turn to systems like Size Genetics, VigRx, and other popular male penile enlargement devices and supplements.