Men’s Health

    Written by:
    Mike Murray

    Fact-checked

    by:

    Morgan Pfiffner, Molly Gregas
    Last Updated: August 16, 2023

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

    What does men’s health encompass?

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

    Why is men’s health important?Can men’s health change over time?

    How could diet affect men’s health?

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

    Isn't soy protein bad for men?

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

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

    Examine Database: Men’s Health

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    Frequently asked questions

    What does men’s health encompass?

    Men's health includes health aspects that are particularly relevant to men, such as testosterone levels, reproductive organs, and prostate health. It primarily focuses on conditions like low testosterone, male sexual dysfunction, infertility, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and prostate cancer while also considering transgender and nonbinary individuals in certain contexts.

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

    Why is men’s health important?
    Quick answer:

    Men's health is important because low testosterone can lead to negative effects such as reduced energy and mood, and conditions like benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer significantly affect quality of life and are major health concerns. Maintaining adequate testosterone levels and managing men's health issues are crucial for improving both quality of life and lifespan.

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

    Can men’s health change over time?
    Quick answer:

    Men's health conditions tend to worsen with age, as evidenced by increasing rates of erectile dysfunction, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and prostate cancer in older men. Additionally, testosterone levels decline gradually after age 40.

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

    How could diet affect men’s health?

    Diet plays a crucial role in men's health by influencing body weight because obesity and cardiometabolic diseases like type 2 diabetes are associated with a higher risk of health issues. Maintaining a healthy body weight through diet is essential for reducing these risks.

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

    Isn't soy protein bad for men?
    Quick answer:

    Soy contains isoflavones that resemble estrogen, which has led to concerns about its effect on male sexual health. However, current evidence suggests that soy consumption does not affect male reproductive hormones.

    Phytoestrogens are plant compounds structurally similar to estradiol, the main estrogen in men and premenopausal women. Because soy contains isoflavones, a type of phytoestrogen, concern has been raised about the possible effects of soy on men’s health.

    Thus far, two case reports have documented adverse effects such as gynecomastia, hypogonadism, reduced libido, and erectile-dysfunction from an estimated 360 mg of soy isoflavones per day for 6–12 months. However, a meta-analysis of 15 randomized controlled trials (RCTs, a much higher level of evidence than case reports) found that men’s levels of total and free testosterone were not notably affected by either 60–240 mg of isoflavones or 10–70 grams of soy protein per day.

    Accordingly, a couple of scoops of soy protein powder are unlikely to have estrogenic effects in men. If you’d like to take more, however, look for a soy protein concentrate or isolate produced through the alcohol wash method, which dramatically lowers the isoflavone content.[1]

    Keep in mind that the isoflavone content of different soy products can vary depending on several factors such as the variety of soybeans used, differences in growing and storage conditions, and different food-processing techniques.[2] You can see how it varies below.

    Isoflavone content of common soy foods

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    Reference: USDA FoodData Central Databases. Accessed Jan 18, 2019

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

    Supplements for men's health often aim to enhance testosterone levels, sex drive, and erectile function, and popular options include saw palmetto, tribulus terrestris, fenugreek, maca, yohimbine, tongkat ali, and horny goat weed. However, the research supporting their effectiveness is limited.

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

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