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New findings show a dramatic increase in the number of men taking a conservative approach to low-risk prostate cancer. According to a Harvard-led study published Feb. 19, 2019, in JAMA, use of active surveillance � which involves monitoring the cancer and delaying treatment unless it progresses � almost tripled from 2010 to 2015. The data come from the records of 165,000 men with prostate cancer. Researchers found that among men with low-risk prostate cancer (slow-growing cancer that's not considered life-threatening), active surveillance jumped from 15% in 2010 to 42% in 2015, surgery fell from 47% to 31%, and radiation dropped from 38% to 27%. Other studies also have also shown increasing rates of active surveillance in low-risk cases.

Why the shift? The authors point to national guidelines that now recommend active surveillance in such cases, as well as favorable research findings. "Emerging evidence has shown that active surveillance for low-risk prostate cancer is an effective alternative to surgery or radiation, associated with similar and excellent chances at long-term survival," notes Dr. Brandon Mahal, the study's lead author and a radiation oncologist with Harvard-affiliated Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center.

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Q. I know that erectile dysfunction can be a common side effect of blood pressure medications, but can they also lower my sex drive?

A. Sexual issues are a side effect of many medications, including ones prescribed to lower blood pressure. You're correct that erectile dysfunction (ED) is mentioned most frequently. But blood pressure medicines also can decrease sexual drive or make it more difficult to reach orgasm.

People attempting to conceive through in vitro fertilization may face the question of what to do with extra embryos, especially if they reach a point where they feel their family is complete.

At some time in his life, nearly every man gets exercised about sex. And as many men get older, they wonder if sex is a good form of exercise or if it's too strenuous for the heart. These questions may sound like locker room banter, but they are actually quite important � and they have solid scientific answers.

Treadmill vs. mattress

To evaluate the cardiovascular effects of sexual activity, researchers monitored volunteers while they walked on a treadmill in the lab and during private sexual activity at home. In addition to 13 women, the volunteers included 19 men with an average age of 55. About three-quarters of the men were married, and nearly 70% had some form of cardiovascular disease; 53% were taking beta blockers. Despite their cardiac histories, the men reported exercising about four times a week, and they reported having sexual activity about six times a month on average.

Racial differences have long been evident in prostate cancer statistics. In particular, African American men are diagnosed with prostate cancer more often than white men, and they’re also nearly twice as likely to die of the disease. But new research also shows that African American men who receive the most advanced treatments for late-stage prostate […]

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Q. Do men have to worry about bone health, and if so, what are the best exercises to keep my bones strong?

A. Most men have the advantage of continuing to produce bone-protecting testosterone throughout life. But the level of the male hormone declines with age and therefore may not be sufficient to keep bones strong as a man hits his later years.