Author: Kimberly Wylie

Sleep Deprivation's Effects on Sperm Quality

Sleep deprivation is never a good thing. In addition to negatively affecting your productivity and your mood, there have been numerous studies that correlate sleep deprivation to morbidity and mortality. It’s definitely important to get in your Z’s! However, a recently published study in the American Journal of Epidemiology, shows not getting enough sleep could also negatively affect your sperm quality.

The Sleep Deprivation and Sperm Quality Study:

Researchers Jensen et al. conducted a cross-sectional study of 953 men, between January 2008 and June 2011. Each man:

Delivered a semen sample,
Had a blood sample drawn, and
Underwent a physical examination

Each study participant was then asked to complete a questionnaire about their lifestyle, including sleep disturbances. The sleep disturbance questions focused on sleep patterns over the most recent four weeks.

Men who reported sleep disturbances had 29% less sperm in their semen.

Sleep Deprivation and Sperm Quality Findings:

According to Jensen et al., “Sleep disturbances showed an inverse U-shaped association with sperm concentration, total sperm count, percent motile and percent morphologically normal spermatozoa, and testis size.” The findings were very interesting. Men who reported having a high level of sleep disturbance (insomnia, waking multiple times in the night, sleep apnea, etc.):

Had a 29% lower adjusted sperm concentration.
Had 1.6% few morphologically normal spermatozoa

The researchers hope future studies will investigate whether sleep disturbance interventions then have a positive effect on restoring sperm quality to normal levels.

An overall healthy lifestyle, including proper sleep, is critical to producing strong swimmers.

Sleep Deprivation and Sperm Quality Study Notes:

The researchers noted that men who reported sleep disturbances were also more likely to have a higher BMI and/or reported other unhealthy lifestyle facets, including smoking and heavy drinking. It is noted that these factors may also be a contributor to the lower sperm quality in the respondents. In general, healthy lifestyle habits — eating right, getting exercise, stop smoking, drinking in moderation, and a good night’s sleep — are going to ensure you have the strongest swimmers possible!

Reference:

Jensen, T., Andersson, A., Skakkebaek, N., Joensen, U., Jensen, M., Lassen, T., Nordkap, L., Olesen, I., Hansen, A., Rod, N., and Jorgensen, N. “Association of Sleep Disturbances With Reduced Semen Quality.” Am. J. Epidemiol. (2013) 177 (10): 1027-1037. doi: 10.1093/aje/kws420 First published online: April 7, 2013

Vasectomy: What are the Side Effects?

A vasectomy is considered to be one of the permanent methods of birth control, by preventing the release of sperm during ejaculation. Typically an outpatient procedure, having a vasectomy is relatively safe. However, there are side effects you should be aware of, to ensure you've made an informed decision when deciding whether or not a vasectomy is right for you.

Vasectomy Procedure Overview:

Having a vasectomy is typically an outpatient procedure. It can even be performed in a doctor's office. After a local anesthetic is applied and takes effect, a small incision is made in one side of the scrotum. The vas deferens has a small section removed. The ends are then closed off with either sutures or cauterization. The procedure is then repeated on the other side of the scrotum.

There is a no-scalpel version of the vasectomy, where a small clamp with pointed ends is poked through the skin of the scrotum, then opened.This is typically a smaller opening than scalpel vasectomies. Another variation involves the use of a Vasclip, where the vas deferens is locked closed with the device, instead of cut, then sutured or cauterized.

By disconnecting the vas deferens, sperm is prevented from mixing into the semen. However, the testicles do continue to produce sperm. This sperm is simply reabsorbed by the body, which is the same thing that happens if you haven't ejaculated, after awhile, and you have not had a vasectomy. Other male hormones are still produced and secreted into the blood stream, the same as pre-vasectomy.

A Vasclip can be used in lieu of cutting and suturing or cauterizing the vas deferens.

Vasectomy Side Effects:

Despite being a relatively safe and straightforward procedure, there are potential side effects you should be aware of, prior to making your decision on whether or not to get a vasectomy. These include:

Slight Reduction in Ejaculate Volume – The fluid that normally carries the sperm from the testes makes up approximately 10 percent of the ejaculate volume. For this reason, following a vasectomy, there will be a slight reduction (most men don't notice it) in your ejaculate volume. However, other factors – smell, taste, and texture – will be the same.
Possible Reduction in Sexual Desire – In some studies, 10 to 20 percent of men reported a diminished level of sexual desire, following their vasectomy.
Possible Development of Anti-sperm Antibodies – Anti-sperm antibodies are developed in approximately 60 to 70 percent of men, within a year of their vasectomy, preventing the sperm from being reabsorbed into the body. In some of these cases, the built up sperm can increase pressure, resulting in ruptures and causing sperm granulomas to form, to absorb the sperm.
Post-Vasectomy Pain Syndrome – A very small percentage of men experience post-vasectomy pain syndrome, as a complication of having a vasectomy. This is a very uncommon condition, which can either be orchialigia pain, where pain is experienced during intercourse, ejaculation or physical exercise, or tender epididymides pain, where a tenderness is constant. Nerve stripping, in these rare cases, is typically successful to provide complete relief.
Vasclip Ineffectiveness – In some studies, vasectomies using the Vasclip to clamp off the vas deferens, instead of cutting and suturing or cauterizing, is not as effective in permanently providing birth control.
Spontaneous Failure of the Vasectomy – In very rare cases, the cut ends of the vas deferens may reconnect, making the man fertile once again. In other rare cases, one cut end may open, allowing the sperm to mix again with the semen.

Penis Size Influences Male Attractiveness

You’ve likely heard someone say the phrase,

“Size doesn’t matter.”

Guess what? They may have been wrong. A new study shows size does matter to women, even before they have sex with you.

Penis Size From a Layman’s Point of View

Let’s look at the penile traits it doesn’t take a PhD to understand. Consider these facts:

Unlike many other mammals, a man’s penis does not retract.
The human male’s penis is proportionally larger than any other primate.
Man stands upright, placing the penis right out front when approaching a female.

It would appear, at least anecdotally, that the aesthetic quality of your penis could matter, at least prior to the development of clothing. It was likely one of the first things a woman saw. How could it not matter when she was choosing a mate?

49 life-sized, nude, male figures were reviewed and scored on attractiveness.

The Importance of Penis Size Research

A new study conducted by researchers Brian Mautz, Bob Wong, Richard Peters, and Michael Jennings, released by Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences appears to indicate that a human male’s penis size does affect sexual attractiveness. Conducted at the Australian National University, the researchers found the size of a man’s genitalia was found to be directly related to “precopulatory female mate choice, based on male genital traits.”

Mautz and his colleagues created 49 computer-generated, life-sized, nude, male figures. These figures were a representation of three different traits:

Height,
Shoulder to hip ratio, and
Flaccid penis size

105 women, who averaged 26 years old, were then asked to review each figure and score them on their attractiveness, on a scale from 1 to 7. These women were alone in the room as they reviewed the figures, and their responses were anonymous.

Penis size was found to be just as important as stature.

The Importance of Penis Size Results

Some of the results of study confirmed past study findings. First, women do prefer taller men. They also prefer men with broad shoulders and narrow hips — think classic swimmer’s physique. These were not surprising. However, when Mautz and his team controlled for these variables, one very interesting fact became clear –

Penis size (both length and girth) was nearly as important to women,
in rating attractiveness as stature!

As Mautz explained, “As you increase (flaccid) penis size, the amount of attractiveness scores gets bigger.” Not only did women score the figures with larger flaccid penis sizes higher, they also spent more time looking at the figures with larger penises.

Interestingly, women with a larger body mass index showed an even stronger preference for the figures with larger penises. It was also found that for the taller men, penis size was even more critical to the women in their attractiveness scores. Mautz theorized this was due to “a taller guy must have a disproportionately larger penis to sort of make it clear” that he is well-endowed.

In their findings, the researchers conclude, “The observation has generated suggestions that human size partly evolved because of the female choice. (…) Our results support the hypothesis that female mate choice could have driven the evolution of larger penises in humans. More broadly, our results show that precopulatory sexual selection can play a role in the evolution of genital traits.”

Climax Control Condoms: What Are They & Do They Work?

Along with penis size, stamina in the bedroom is a real concern for many men. Although there are ways to work around issues with premature ejaculation and satisfying your partner, being unable to control your orgasm can frustrating and can wreak havoc on the ego. This is where climax control condoms have entered the marketplace.

What Are Climax Control Condoms?

Climax control condoms, as the name implies, are designed to help control ejaculation. Sometimes referred to as “extended pleasure” condoms, these condoms have a special lubricant that is purported to help with premature ejaculation. What is this special lubricant? Benzocaine.

Benzocaine is a topical pain reliever. This local anesthetic is often found in over-the-counter mouth pain treatments, such as Anbesol, Cepacol and Carmex. It is also sometimes found in ear drops used for the treatment of inner ear pain. The Benzocaine provides a slight numbing of the nerve endings where it is applied.

Climax control condoms can help minimize sensation to help prevent premature ejaculation.

Pros About Climax Control Condoms

For men who have extreme premature ejaculation problems, the numbing sensation of the climax control condom can help minimize the sensation, and therefore control orgasm. If you find yourself orgasming at first entry, or worse – at first touch!, the numbing may be just what you need to get past this instantaneous orgasm. Also, most women don’t notice any different sensation, than any other condom.

Climax control condoms can work too well, completely numbing the penis and preventing ejaculation or causing a loss of erection.

Cons About Climax Control Condoms

For some men, the numbing sensation is simply too much. Many users have reported having trouble orgasming with climax control condoms. It appears you the Benzocaine can take men from one extreme (premature ejaculation) to the other (unable to ejaculate). Some have even reported the loss of erection, due to the loss of feeling in the penis, or an uncomfortable burning sensation, causing loss of erection. Occasionally, the numbness is also experienced by women, which can then be frustrating for both partners.

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What is Low Testosterone?

If you watch television, chances are you've seen commercials for the treatment of “Low T.” Although you may know the term “Low T” stands for “low testosterone,” what is Low T exactly? What are the symptoms? And, what can you do about it?

Overview of Low Testosterone

Testosterone (androgen) is the male hormone, produced primarily in the testes. Testosterone has numerous functions in the body, including:

Promoting your sex drive
Stimulating sperm production
Increasing muscle mass and strength
Maintaining bone strength
Regulating your moods

Your brain works in conjunction with your testicles to keep your testosterone levels within a normal range. When these levels dip below normal, the brain tells your testicles to make more testosterone. It's normal for a man's testosterone levels to decrease as they age. Known as andropause or male menopause, most men aren't negatively affected by this slight drop in testosterone levels. However, for some Low T can result in significant problems.

Low testosterone can result in a loss of sex drive.

Symptoms of Low Testosterone

There are a variety of symptoms of Low T, and these symptoms can vary in intensity among men. These can include:

Hot flashes
Irritability
Loss of sex drive
Erectile dysfunction
Decreased fertility
Hair loss
Decreased muscle mass
Decreased bone density (osteoporosis)
Decreased energy/sluggishness

Causes of Low Testosterone

Other than the slight natural decline in testosterone most mean experience as they age, there are several other reasons why men experience a drop in their testosterone levels. These include:

Testicular injury
Certain medications
Hypogonadism
Hormonal imbalance
Testicular cancer
Infection
Chronic liver or kidney disease
Type 2 diabetes
Obesity
HIV/AIDS

Sometimes the cause of Low T simply is unknown.

Buccal tablets are placed on the gum and dissolve over 12 hours.

Treatments for Low Testosterone

Diagnosis for Low T begins with a blood test, to confirm your testosterone level and may include tests to rule out other possible conditions. Once Low T has been confirmed you have several treatment options to choose from.

Testosterone gels or solutions – These are applied to the skin daily, to provide a continuous delivery of testosterone. With gels or solutions, you have to be careful others do not come into contact to the application area of your skin.
Testosterone patches – Testosterone patches are also applied daily, to allow for continuous delivery of testosterone throughout the day.
Testosterone injections – Injections for Low T treatment are usually given in the buttocks, once every one to two weeks, by your physician.
Testosterone pellets – This relatively new form of treatment, has pellets surgically implanted under your skin of the buttocks or the hip area. There they dissolve and release testosterone slowly over the period of three to four months. This treatment must be performed by your physician.
Buccal tablet – Buccal tablets are placed in the mouth, to the gum. The testosterone is then released over a 12-hour period.

6 Things Every Man Should Know About His Penis

Your penis is an important part of your life. It not only often represents your masculinity, but a healthy penis can enhance your self confidence and your self esteem. Following are six things every man should know about his penis.

Regular Erections Are Key – If you want to keep your penis in tip-top shape, regular erections are key. Each time you have an erection, blood fills the smooth muscle of the penis, enriching it with oxygen. Performing regular penis exercises that bring the penis out of a flaccid state is a great way to rejuvenate the muscle tissue with a freshly oxygenated blood supply. For men suffering from erectile dysfunction, a penis pump can be used to pull blood into the penis. If you do not have regular erections, the result? A shorter penis!
Know if You're a Shower or a Grower – Men who have a longer flaccid length, but do not gain as much length when they become erect are referred to as “showers.” Those who have a smaller flaccid length, but grow substantially when they become erect are referred to as “growers.” A study conducted by Alfred Kinsey, famed sex researcher, found that men who had shorter flaccid penises typically gained approximately twice as much length as those men who started off with longer flaccid penises.
Penis Sensitivity – According to research published in the British Journal of Urology International, The underside of the shaft and the underside of the glans were found to be the most sensitive areas on the penis, by a majority of the 81 respondents. The sensitivity of the penis, though, declines with age. From about 25 years old and on, you start to lose sensitivity along your penis, with the most significant decline happening between the ages of 65 and 75.
Vibrators aren't just for women.
Vibrators Aren't Just for Women – Although traditionally thought of as sexual aids for women, vibrators can be useful for men too. If you're having an issue with delayed ejaculation, a vibrator can help. For men without ejaculation issues, you can also just use a vibrator for fun. There are even cock rings designed to hold a small vibrator for both your pleasure and hers.
Penis Bacteria – There are 42 different types of bacteria that live on the skin of your penis. However, men who have been circumcised have less bacteria than those who have not. Typically after a circumcision, anaerobic bacteria is no longer present, which is most commonly found in the foreskin.
Only 30 percent of men are circumcised globally.
Circumcision Isn't as Common as You'd Expect – Although the statistics vary widely by demographics, it is far more common for a man to be uncircumcised than circumcised. Only about 30 percent of men over the age of 14 are circumcised globally, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). However, in contrast, nearly all Jewish and Muslim men are circumcised. In fact, these two religions make up approximately 70 percent of all circumcised men around the world. The United States, in general, has a higher than global average number of circumcisions, but this number has dropped significantly in recent years. In 1999, 63 percent of male babies born were circumcised. This number dropped to 54.5 percent in 2009.

Male Enhancement Studies Find Penis Extenders Better than Surgery for Penis Enlargement

is non surgical penis enlargement possible

Two urological researchers from the University of Turin, in Italy — Dr. Marco Ordera and Dr. Paolo Gontero — studied the outcomes of surgical and non-surgical penis enlargement procedures studies. Half of the studies they reviewed were centered on surgical male enhancement. The other half involved non-surgical male enhancement / penis enlargement techniques. The result? Non-surgical penis enlargement techniques are more effective than surgery — especially penis extenders.

In a review of numerous studies on male enhancement, penis extenders were found to be better than surgery.

Surgery Versus Penis Extender for Male Enhancement and Penis Enlargement

Ordera and Gontero investigated studies involving:

121 participants who had had surgical male enhancement / penis enlargement.
109 participants who had used non-surgical male enhancement / penis enlargement.

Of those studies that had surveyed surgical male enhancement, the researchers found they had “unacceptably high rates of complications.” However, non-surgical methods were found to have success!

Two studies the researchers reviewed was particularly intriguing. The participants used the traction method of penis enlargement. With the traction method, a penile extender is used to stretch the penis.

In the first study, the extender was worn for between four and six hours every day, for a total of four months. In the second study, the penis extender was worn daily as well for a total of six months. The men in the first study results showed an average growth of 0.7 inches in their flaccid penis length. In the second, the participants gained an average of 0.9 inches in flaccid length and 0.67 inches when erect. All of these gains were had without the dangerous complications associated with surgery for penis enlargement.

Potential Surgical Male Enhancement Complications

In addition to the fact that surgical male enhancement does not always yield the penis enlargement size results men hope for, plus is extremely expensive, there are numerous complications that can be a result of the surgery. These include:

Post operative infections
Damage to surrounding tissue and nerves
Side effects/risks of anesthesia
Penile swelling
Damaged urethra
Inability to have a standing erection
Loss of penile sensitivity
Loss of sex drive
Impotency

With these potentially life-altering complications of surgery and the proven penis enlargement possibilities of penis extenders, it’s no wonder the researchers at the University of Turin found penis extenders to be better than surgery for male enhancement!

Recommendations for Maximum Penis Enlargement Gains for Bathmate/Hydromax/Goliath

Bathmate is the world’s best selling penis enlargement exercise device. This water-based pump has helped 1,000s of men all over the world get the penis enhancement results, since its creation in 2005. The Bathmate is a simple penis enlargement exercise device you can use while you shower or take a bath. Following are recommendations for maximum gains when using the Bathmate, Hydromax or Goliath.

You can use the Bathmate in the shower or the bath.

Before You Begin Pumping with the Bathmate, Hydromax or Goliath for Penis Enlargement Exercise

Before you begin pumping with the Bathmate, Hydromax or Goliath, for penis enlargement exercise, there are two important steps to maximize your gains.

Ensure your pubic area hair is reasonably well-trimmed, to enable a good seal when using the pump.
Warm up your genitals with a warm shower or bath, for at least 3 to 5 minutes, prior to beginning your routine. The scrotum needs to be warm and relaxed, for effective, pain-free pumping. When the testicles relax and soften, this allows them to be away from the sealing area of the pump, improving the sensation for you and increasing the pump’s vacuum sealing.

Bathmate Bathpump
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Pumping with the Bathmate, Hydromax or Goliath

Once you begin pumping, for penis enlargement exercise, use the following recommendations to get the maximum increase in penis length and penis girth, in the shortest amount of time, with the Bathmate, Hydromax or Goliath.

Do not try to create the vacuum too quickly by forcing the penis enlargement device. This will not give you faster gains in size or girth but may cause discomfort and spots or bruising. Spots or bruising are caused by using the devise too quickly and creating the vacuum force too fast. Be sure to take your time, relax and enjoy your Bathmate experience!
Remove the device every 5 minutes of use, when using it for penis exercise, to allow the blood to retract from the penis, then massage the penis for 30 seconds. Reapply the device and repeat the process. This not only maximizes your gains, but also improves your erection hardness by optimizing blood flow.
Use the Bathmate for up to 4 sets of pumping, 5-minute sets each, for a maximum of 20 minutes of pumping time, for the most effective penis enlargement exercise. This will give you the best all-around results in comfort, vascular expansion and size gains.
If your bathtub is narrow, and this causes your legs to be forced together, one of your testicles may be forced up into the device, due to the testicle being elevated by the inner thigh. If this happens, try increasing your relaxation period before pumping to 5 to 7 minutes. Position yourself so your legs are open.
If you’ve just performed a strenuous workout (running, basketball, etc.), you will need to increase your relaxation time when, you shower or bathe, before using the Bathmate, Hydromax or Goliath for penis enlargement exercise. Warm your scrotum up for approximately 10 minutes, prior to pumping.
Always pump slowly and stay within your comfort zone.

Phimosis (aka Tight Foreskin): Treatment Options

Phimosis is one of those subjects many men are uncomfortable talking about. However, for the men this condition affects, it’s a very real issue. Following is an overview of phimosis (aka “tight foreskin”) and the various treatment options.

Phimosis Overview

In its simplest terms, phimosis is the condition that occurs when the foreskin cannot be retracted over the head of the penis. According to WebMD, there are typically four possible causes behind phimosis:

The inability to retract the foreskin simply may be a condition that was present at birth.
The adhesion may be a result of an infection.
Scar tissue, due to an injury or chronic inflammation, may result in phimosis.
Balanitis (swelling of the head of the penis due to infection) may also prevent the foreskin from retracting.

It is completely normal for the foreskin to be adhered to the head of the penis, at birth. This membrane is called “synechia,” and is similar to the membrane that attaches your fingernails to your nail beds. However, by the age of 10, most boys are able to retract the foreskin over the head of their penis. 95 percent have retractable foreskin by the age of 17. However, for the 5% of uncircumcised men who suffer from phimosis, there are several treatment options.

Phimosis Treatment Options

There are three primary treatment options, for men suffering from phimosis. These include:

Manual stretching with or without prescription medication
Preputioplasty – surgical opening of the foreskin
Full circumcision

Manual Stretching for Phimosis

Manual stretching is the least invasive phimosis treatment.

The least invasive method of phimosis treatment is manual stretching. This can be combined with an application of Betamethasone cream two to three times a day. Betamethasone alone will not treat phimosis, but it will speed up the effects of the manual stretching. According to WebMD, to manually stretch the foreskin:

While in the bath or while using a lubricant, if there is enough of an opening to insert the tips of one finger on each hand, do so and very gently stretch the opening. Be sure to do this when your penis is completely flaccid.
Hold the stretch for 30 to 60 seconds.
Repeat for 10 to 20 reps, twice a day.
If your opening is not that large yet, gently pinch your foreskin between your thumb and index fingers of both hands, at the opening, and stretch it from the outside of the skin.
Continue this process until the foreskin can be retracted over the glans of the penis.
This process may take a few months.

Preputioplasty or Surgically Widening the Opening for Phimosis

Preputioplasty uses a slit in the foreskin to surgically widen the opening, to allow the head of the penis to emerge. This procedure preserves the foreskin and is less traumatic than circumcision. One or more short incisions are made vertically to widen the stenosis, the restrictive ring of the foreskin, and the re-sewn laterally.

Circumcision for Phimosis

Circumcision is the most invasive treatment of phimosis. With a circumcision, the foreskin is completely removed. Although approximately half of all American male babies are circumcised, in other parts of the world, the practice is much more uncommon.

6 Ways to Boost Sexual Drive

This is our third and final installment of our libido-boosting Valentine’s Day series. If you think your sex drive isn’t as strong as it used to be, the following six tips will help you rev up your arousal engine.

The depressant qualities of alcohol can result in reduced sex drive, erection quality and orgasmic function.

1. Decrease the Booze

Although some may think alcohol is a great aphrodisiac, thanks to its inhibition-lowering properties, that’s a myth. One drink may get you warmed up; however, more than one and alcohol’s depressant qualities begin to take effect. Too many drinks and you’ll experience a loss of erection quality and even the ability to orgasm.

Smoking narrows blood vessels, reducing blood flow to the genitals.

2. Stop Smoking

Besides the numerous other health benefits to kicking this bad habit, a boost in your sex drive is one that many people enjoy after they quit. Smoking causes your blood vessels to narrow and restricts blood flow. Reducing blood flow to your penis not only reduces your sex drive, but also negatively effects your erection quality.

Excess weight has both mental and physical effects on your libido.

3. Lose Weight

Being overweight can both physically and a mentally decrease your libido. Extra bulge around that belly can make you self-conscious and less confident — putting a damper on your sex drive. Physiologically, extra weight often leads to arterial disease, reducing blood flow to vital parts of your body, including your genitals.

A massage can reduce stress, anxiety and anger and put you in the mood.

4. Get a Massage

Stress is a leading cause of sex drive loss. A great massage, in a softly lit room, can reduce stress, anxiety and anger, and put you in the mood.

Herbal supplements, like gingko biloba, can boost your sex drive.

5. Go Herbal

There are several natural herbs that can help give your libido a jump start.

Yohimbine – has been used in Africa as an aphrodisiac for centuries.
Horny Goat Weed – can help improve your erection quality and enhance your libido.
Korean Ginseng – stimulates blood flow and enhances arousal
Mucuna Pruriens – also known as ‘velvet bean’ helps boost sex drive and improve stamina.
Gingko Biloba – is known to not only increase blood flow to the brain, but to the genitals as well.

Caffeine's stimulant effect can increase anxiety levels and decrease your sex drive. — Caffeine’s stimulant effect can increase anxiety levels and decrease your sex drive.

6. Cut Back on the Caffeine

That morning coffee may get you going, but it could also be damaging your sex drive. Caffeine is a stimulant, which can exacerbate underlying anxiety issues you may have. Increased anxiety = reduced libido.