Comprehensive men's sexual health information, tips and news about men's sexual health.

Male pattern baldness is a form of hormone-related hair loss. But of more concern to many men and women afflicted with hair loss is alopecia areata, a lesser-known disorder that causes hair loss in nearly four million Americans.

Typically, hair grows in cycles of two to six years, after which hair lies dormant, and then falls out. On a normal head, some hair is at the beginning of the cycle while some is further along in the growth cycle. With alopecia areata, some or all of the hair follicles stop growing at the same time, leaving tiny bald spots or complete baldness. Normally, hair will grow back in anywhere from six months to a year. But for those afflicted, the wait can be devastating.

However, research shows that alopecia areata may be an autoimmune disease, and this information has opened the door for a new treatment. Many doctors use ultraviolet light to prevent the body’s immune system from attacking hair follicles. In what may be one of the few cases when a slight sunburn is a good thing, psoralen, a medicine that increases sun sensitivity, is rubbed onto the affected area. Then, the doctor shines a UV light on the scalp until the bald area shows some redness or irritation.

Figuratively speaking, the body’s immune cells start worrying about the irritation caused by the sunburn, and stop worrying about the hair follicle, which really never meant the body any harm in the first place!

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These areas of yellowish, thickened skin atop or between the toes can be quite painful. They’re usually caused by friction and pressure on the foot.

self-defense: Soak your feet in water containing Epsom salts. Afterward, apply moisturizer and cover the area with plastic wrap. After 15 minutes, remove the plastic and use a pumice stone to smooth out the corn.

also helpful: Orthotics or foam insoles. Orthotics, which are custom-made, cost $350 or more—but are usually covered by insurance. Insoles are available at drugstores for less than $15.

This problem—twisted or misshapen toes that may overlap each other—is common among people who have high arches.

self-defense: Relieve pressure on the toes by wearing shoes with wide toes…and by covering corns with corn pads, lamb’s wool or bandages. In severe cases, outpatient surgery may be necessary.

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Do you—or does someone you love—keep losing keys, forgetting names or having other memory lapses? If so, you may be worried that the culprit is Alzheimer’s disease or another incurable form of dementia. While it’s a good idea to consult a doctor, the odds are that it is simple forgetfulness— which can be treated.

In some cases, memory problems—especially those associated with aging—stem simply from a lack of mental activity. If your job isn’t particularly stimulating—or if you’re retired—you might consider keeping a journal, joining a book discussion group, playing chess or Scrabble, doing crossword puzzles, etc.

Physical exercise is also a memory-enhancer. Aerobic exercise boosts circulation throughout the body—and that includes the brain.

Another way to ensure adequate blood flow to the brain is to eat a low-fat diet. The arteries that feed the brain are tiny to begin with, and any narrowing that occurs as a result of eating a fatty or cholesterol-rich diet drastically reduces oxygen flow. Blood flow problems can lead to tiny strokes, which are now believed to be the cause of much age-related memory loss.

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The postnatal examination is in the first instance an examination of the woman’s physical health. Routine questions about her general wellbeing, lactation, duration of lochia and healing of the perineum will be asked as a matter of course. Details of the delivery may need to be discussed. Blood pressure and weight are checked and pelvic organs examined. However, the postnatal examination is far more than this. It is also an examination of her psychological health and of how she is coping with the ‘maturational crisis’ she has undergone. More may be revealed about her feelings from her general appearance and manner than from her answers to the doctor’s questions; feelings that must first be explored before a decision about contraception can be reached. Sometimes her anxieties are not fully expressed until the genital parts are examined, and if the doctor can combine the necessary physical examination with psychosomatic listening and observation it can be very fruitful (Tunnadine, 1970). This is a moment when patients may be able to get in touch with and share their feelings about the birth for the first time.

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Mr. C. has severe premature ejaculation and he put it this way. ‘Imagine what it is like. You put on a condom to stop coming. Sometimes I come when she is watching me put it on, and if I get inside I am likely to go soft and it will come off before I ejaculate.’

He was desperately in love with and excited by his younger wife. He had coped by not lying close to her in bed, and when they came to make love he tried with condoms to show willing, but it did not help. His problem led to such stress that his wife had an affair with someone else and got pregnant. By this time he was completely impotent. Later, when his jealousy was out in the open, his anger exploded one day as she went out to playgroup in clothes revealing most of her body. He was able to express his need to have more of her for himself, and when she withdrew her exposure to the privacy of their bedroom, he became potent again.

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Miss J., aged 19, was 17 weeks pregnant. This would be her second abortion. She was very ambivalent about whether she wanted to have a baby or continue with her free, youthful life of going out whenever she felt like it and spending her wages on clothes. She revealed that she had had a lot of physical pain after her previous abortion but denied any emotional pain. She looked away much of the time and conversation was difficult. As the doctor palpated her now large uterus, she said, ‘That’s my baby. I can take him for walks in the park.’

This young woman was not very articulate. Her pain over her last abortion had been expressed in physical symptoms and only a physical examination enabled her to get in touch with her deepest feelings about this pregnancy.

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History-taking will not be regarded as an interrogation or intrusion if its relevance is explained. To facilitate rapport during history-taking and to avoid misunderstandings, the doctor needs to be specific and wherever possible avoid medical terminology. Thus the words ‘clotted or inflamed blood vessels’ may replace ‘thrombophlebitis’. It is important that words such as ‘migraine’ should be understood and the details of the symptom explored. It is easier for both patient and doctor to face the idea that the COC is out of the question now and forever if there is a history of focal or crescendo migraine, at the first consultation (Guillebaud, 1985).

Having shared their medical, family and menstrual history with the doctor they are not surprised to be asked, ‘How long have you been sexually active?’ and ‘Any problems with sex itself?’ Additionally, they see the taking of routine smears as a positive health check. If the sexual history is known and recorded then it is unlikely that a smear will be suggested to a virgin. When the offer of a smear test is refused, it is worth spending sometime looking for the reason behind the refusal. Reasons given can include the rather vague ‘I can’t be bothered’, which may be a sign of a general lack of esteem and self-care, but is more likely to be a way of voicing embarrassment, or even a sign of a phobia of any clinical procedure. An open-ended nonjudgemental enquiry into the difficulty can usually allow the patient to express her fears.

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Men who feel inadequate, and who are unable to compete with their peers because of lack of skills and training, may put great emphasis on their ability to get their partners pregnant, some talking of their plans to have a football team. Condoms are mocked; they split and tear and cannot hold back their powerful sperm. Sometimes it seems that there is a continuous battle being waged between the sperm and egg on one side, and the contraceptive methods on the other. ‘If you’re meant to have a lot of kids then even that Pill can’t stop you,’ said one woman who helped the process by forgetting a few Pills. Thus masculinity and femininity are often defined in a stereotypical way firmly linked to the ability to have children.

Parenthood is often idealized in an attempt to give children what the parents themselves did not have. The problem lies not in the intentions, which are often very well meaning, but in not being able to address the real needs of their children. Sometimes the children are expected to parent the parents, and are denied their own childhood. In other families any form of separation – weaning, walking, the negative phase of ‘the terrible twos’ – is experienced by the parents as rejection, and is resisted. A replacement may be sought by having another baby. As one mother of five children put it, she wanted another now her youngest was four because he no longer needed her; he could walk and talk. Being a separate individual with different needs in such families is felt to be too threatening, and importance is given to being the same, of one mind. Family therapists have described these families as emotionally enmeshed.

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White -The Colour of Purity, Innocence and Trust

White is the combination of all other colours. It is a great colour to use if you are confused about which colour is needed. White cleanses and purifies the soul and body. White is the divine, white light can be called upon for any imbalance. This clear colour helps to remove negativity, fear, toxins and mental blocks. It is therefore a purifier on all levels – emotional, spiritual and physical.

Avoid White

There is no time when it is necessary to avoid white.

Natural Sources of White

White clouds, swans, whitewash from waves, stars, the moon, nuns’ uniforms (black and white), robes of high priests, white roses (signify friendship), flowers, snow, cauliflower, parsnips, radish (inside), nuts, milk and seeds.

Pink – The Colour of Unconditional Love

Pink is one of my favourite colours. Surrounding yourself in pink evokes feelings of romance, unconditional love and peace. Pink is a great colour to use in creative imagery and meditation. My favourite imagery techniques involve using pink bubbles. Pink has a soothing effect on the body and muscles. Pink is often painted on the walls in prisons, juvenile and drug centers to calm and tranquilize aggressive and violent people. It is a great colour for anxiety and withdrawal symptoms. Pink is the colour to open the heart.

Avoid Pink

There is no time when it is necessary to avoid the beautiful colour of pink.

Natural Sources of Pink

Pink flowers, birds, guava fruit, clouds, rose quartz, sunsets and sunrises.

Black -The Colour of Power, Success and Drive

Black increases strength, drive and self-confidence. Think of high powered business people in smart black suits. They seem to give off a powerful and successful aura -exactly what black is representative of. If you want to feel more confident, put on a glamorous little black number and watch the doorways of success open right before your eyes. Black is also a very effective appetite suppressant. Placing black tablecloths on the dinner table will decrease one’s desire to eat heartily.

Avoid Black

Avoid black if suffering from underweight problems.

Natural Sources of Black

Night skies, black cats, slinky black dresses, crows and blackberries.

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Slow Deep Breathing or Simple Yoga Breath

This exercise relaxes your mind and body, increases your oxygen supplies and centers your awareness. Sitting or lying in a comfortable position with your eyes closed, brine in your breath slowly and fully to the pit of your stomach. Breathe in and out through the nose only. Place your hands on your abdomen where you can feel each breath coming in and out. As you breathe in, concentrate on letting your abdomen expand. As you breathe out, concentrate on letting your abdomen slowly pull in. Do not force the breathing or hurry. This is a relaxing, deepening and centering practice. Keep your breathing steady, slow and full. Continue for up to five minutes or more.

Vigorous Deep Breathing or Full Yoga Breath

Sit upright, comfortable and in a relaxed position. You can either sit in a chair, in lotus position or cross legged. Make sure your back is completely upright. Take moderate and deep breaths in and out through the nostrils. First begin by filling the lungs. Breathe in and out through the nostrils, bringing the breath only to the chest area. Continue to do this for a few minutes. On the out breath, do a forceful exhalation through the nostrils.

Next, breathing in and out through the nose, bring your breath down to the diaphragm area. Concentrate on bringing the breath through the chest and down to the diaphragm. Continue to do this for a few minutes – bringing the breath down through the lungs to the diaphragm. On the out breath, do a forceful exhalation through the nostrils. Continue to do this for a few minutes.

Next, concentrate on bringing your breath to the lungs, to the diaphragm and down to the stomach area. Breathe in and out, taking the breath right down to the stomach. On the out breath, do a forceful exhalation through the nostrils. Continue to do this for a few minutes.

Deep Relaxation Exercise

This exercise induces a state of deep relaxation. It also helps to rebalance the emotions, controls cravings and relaxes the body’s nervous system. Inhale deeply and quietly through your nose to a count of four. Hold the breath for a count of four. Then exhale through the mouth to a count of eight, making a whooshing sound.

Inhale a second time, hold, and release again to a count of eight with a whooshing sound. This can be done in any position at any time of the day. If you are sitting, remember to always keep your back straight.

Tension Release Exercise

This exercise is great for releasing tension and built up anxiety and stresses.

Standing upright with your back perfectly straight, stretch your arms out straight in front of you with fingers outstretched. Breathe in through the nose very slowly. As you do this, slowly curl your hands into fists and bring them close to your body.

Clench your fists as tight as you can as you hold your breath for a count of four. When you are ready to exhale, breathe out through your mouth with a big ‘aaaahhhh’ and as you do, throw your hands straight out in front of you, releasing your clenched fists.

Repeat this at least 10 times. Remember, when you clench your fists on the inhale and bring your arms close to your chest, imagine pulling all of your tensions back with this. When you exhale and throw your arms out in front of you releasing your fists, release all of your tensions and stresses with a big ‘aaaahhh’.

Oxygenation Exercise

This exercise increases oxygenation throughout the body and increases general lung capacity. Holding your left nostril down with your left finger, breathe in deeply through your right nostril. Hold your breath for three seconds. Change to your right index finger and hold down the right nostril. Breathe out of the left nostril until there is no air left in your stomach.

Next, begin by holding the right nostril down with your right index finger. Breathe in deeply through your left nostril. Hold your breath for three seconds. Change fingers to the left nostril and breathe out of the right nostril, until your stomach and lungs are completely empty. Repeat for 10 breaths. Try to breathe more deeply with each repetition.

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