The threat of prostate cancer is a specter that haunts every man. Prostate cancer is the second most deadly form of cancer in men (after lung cancer), accounting for 10% of cancer-related deaths of males. According to the American Cancer Society, one-third of all male cancer cases are prostate cancer. It’s safe to say that, if it were not such a very real threat, very few men would subject themselves to yearly prostate exams.

It is fairly common knowledge that testosterone is closely linked to male sexuality. When a man reaches andropause, the point where his body dramatically slows its production of testosterone, he not only begins to lose his sex drive, he may even experience physical difficulty in sexual function. Oddly, when a woman expresses a concern for her diminished sex drive and difficulty in achieving arousal, the first thing the medical community looks for is some sort of psychological block, often without considering her testosterone production.

Bones are not static, they are dynamic. Throughout your lifetime your bones are constantly being absorbed by cells called osteoclasts and rebuilt by different cells called osteoblasts. As a person gets older the osteoblasts fall behind and lose their ability to keep up with the absorption of bone by osteoclasts. As a result, bone begins to lose its density and become porous, a debilitating condition known as osteoporosis.

When a man’s testosterone levels begin to drop, the effects are usually pretty easy to see. His muscles begin to lose definition,
he starts to get flabby, he becomes less active and his sex drive begins to dwindle. However, many men who start to display these signs remain unaware that they have an issue with their testosterone production. Why is this?

At some point all of us have known “that guy” – the one who stands around the water cooler regaling his office colleagues with stories of his sexual prowess or loudly bragging about his bedroom exploits to a bar full of disinterested gentlemen who would much rather watch the game in peace. Hopefully we all know that guy instead of being that guy. On the other hand, it would be a safe bet to say that none of us know a guy who publicly proclaims his sexual dysfunction or lapsing libido.