In this Q&A with Community Impact, Dr. Laith Alzweri, Director of Men's Health and Associate Professor of Urology, highlights the importance of understanding these health concerns and encourages men to seek help without stigma.
What is the Men's Health program within the urology division at UTMB Health?
Dr. Alzweri: The Men’s Health program within the urology division provides high-quality care for men's health conditions, raises awareness and ensures accessible care across various locations. The division of urology is part of the UTMB Department of Surgery, and we cover a widely drafted area from South Houston to Galveston all the way to Brazoria County. We have four campuses with seven providers, providing all services of urology across major subspecialities and all age groups.
What are some common men’s health issues?
Dr. Alzweri: There are many different issues men can face, and we’re working to reduce the stigma surrounding common men's health concerns, such as erectile dysfunction, infertility, low testosterone, urinary problems and enlarged prostate. Patients often view these as embarrassing, but they are actually quite common. For example, 52% of men aged 40 to 70 in the U.S. experience some level of erectile dysfunction, and one in four adult men has low testosterone. In addition, 50% of men aged 51–60 years will have urinary issues with enlarged prostate, benign prostate hypertrophy, and increases to 80% in men older than 70 years. Infertility affects one in five couples, while about 16% of men may experience penile curvature, which can impact intimacy.
How can men's health issues indicate potential underlying conditions?
Dr. Alzweri: Men's health is fundamentally linked to overall health, and health is your wealth. Sexual dysfunction often indicates deeper issues; for instance, low testosterone can signal serious problems like heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol. These conditions impact the small blood vessels in the penis, vital for erectile function. Men often delay discussing these issues with their primary care providers, as symptoms may be mild or nonconsistent. Thus, erectile dysfunction often becomes the first noticeable sign of these comorbidities, serving as a warning for underlying health risks.
What proactive health measures would you recommend men take to ensure they're not missing some of these underlying issues?
Dr. Alzweri: These are the five pillars of men's health:
- Self-care, which involves self-awareness and mental well-being through activities like meditation, nature walks and sunlight exposure to manage stress.
- Good sleep is essential, as sleep disorders can lead to issues like erectile dysfunction and low testosterone.
- A healthy diet is crucial. Choose raw, organic foods cooked at home over packaged or fast food, reserving these unhealthy foods for the occasional treat.
- Physical activity matters—aim for 30 minutes daily, including three days of weightlifting to maintain muscle and support testosterone. The other days should focus on cardio and stretching for joint health.
- Having a support team is vital. Just as top athletes have private doctors, every man should have a primary care provider and a urologist after age 40 to address health concerns and preventive care.
Dr. Alzweri: I counsel my patients, give public talks and engage with local communities, churches and organizations to help spread awareness and knowledge. We're discussing the well-being of half the population—men. We talk about men's health in relation to their significant others, husbands, fathers, grandfathers, brothers and sons. We’re campaigning for this awareness because men often don't disclose their health struggles, unlike women, who tend to support each other and share advice. Men usually come to us when it’s too late, holding onto the belief that they should handle everything alone and that seeking help is a sign of weakness. You're still strong. You're still a man, and you need help. There's nothing wrong with asking for help. We are here to help and make this journey as easy for patients as possible.
Learn more
For a guide on men's health that includes age-based recommendations for health maintenance, screenings and cancer screenings, download the American Urological Association’s Men’s Health checklist.
To learn important information about men’s health, visit UTMB Health’s website. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Alzweri, visit the UTMB Health online scheduling website.
The above story was produced by Multi Platform Journalist Chloe Chapel with Community Impact's Storytelling team with information solely provided by the local business as part of their "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.
