Setting the Record Straight about Common Men’s Health Myths
Sponsored by Memorial Hermann
By Ryann Swift on June 5, 2025
If you’d rather not talk about personal men’s health problems, you’re not alone. For some men, these discussions can be uncomfortable but rest assured that urologists know you may be hesitant or even scared. Specialists like Dr. Paul Rizk, a urologist with Memorial Hermann Medical Group Katy Urology, are highly trained and experienced at discussing “sensitive issues.” He shares his thoughts about some of the most common men’s health topics here.
Q: What should men do if they’re too uncomfortable to see a doctor about “personal” health issues?
A: Every man has a different level of comfort, and I recognize and respect that. Remember that I speak to men struggling with similar issues every
ED can in fact be one of the first signs of cardiovascular disease."
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— Dr. Paul Rizk
Memorial Hermann addresses the most common men’s health conditions with experienced board-certified physicians and specialists located throughout the Greater Houston area.
Early detection is also important here and could help you avoid a major treatment down the line."
— Dr. Paul Rizk
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Dr. Paul Rizk
Urologist with Memorial Hermann Medical Group Katy Urology
day, all day. You don’t need to worry about how I’m going to bring up these subjects, because if I need information that will help me take the best care of you, I will be there to help you navigate these difficult conversations.
Once I see you, I will want to follow up with you to make sure your needs are addressed. I am here to deal with the real symptoms you think are important to you, and to help you stay up to date with your screenings.
Q: How important are prostate exams for men?
A: The American Cancer Society estimates 313,780 new cases of prostate cancer will occur this year, and that approximately one in eight men will be diagnosed during their lifetime. You may think it’s “only for” older men, but prostate cancer doesn’t always discriminate due to age.
Prostate cancer usually causes no symptoms. Prostate cancer screening with a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and a digital rectal exam (DRE) may detect problems early, so treatment can be most effective. An elevated PSA may be cause for further work-up. Your primary care physician is usually also involved in regular PSA screenings, especially if you have a family history of prostate cancer.
Q: What other problems can occur in the prostate?
A: As you age, your prostate tends to “grow” with you, in a process called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). This is not a cancer, but it can obstruct urine flow, cause frequent urination, both during the day and during the nighttime, as well as incontinence at times. Most men experience some sort of urinary discomfort, and urologists can help with medications or procedures.
Q: Why is erectile dysfunction (ED) such a common problem and what are the safest and most effective ways to manage it?
A: Almost half of men at age 50 will have some form of ED. Just like blood vessels can get “clogged” in other body parts, with ED, those that carry blood don’t pump enough to the penis. Because some of the smallest arteries in the body are in the penis and the heart, signs of ED in older men might be “the canary in the coal mine.” ED can in fact be one of the first signs of cardiovascular disease.
Men in their 50s and 60s know to ask about ED, but it’s trickier for younger men, especially in their 20s or 30s. In these cases, performance anxiety can often be a significant factor, especially if it occurs more than once. The mind plays a powerful role and can reinforce the anxiety and ED in a self-fulfilling prophecy. Whether it is through medication or counseling, a urologist can help a man of any age navigate these issues.
Q: How common is testicular cancer?
A: The National Cancer Institute expects 9,700 cases of it to be diagnosed this year. It usually occurs in younger men in their 20s or 30s, so I counsel men in these age groups to perform regular testicular exams while they shower. If you feel something abnormal or changed, schedule a visit with your urologist. But don’t panic, because there can be other lumps in testicles that do not indicate a health risk. Early detection is also important here and could help you avoid a major treatment down the line.
Q: Do men need to worry about bone loss like women do?
A: Levels of testosterone, the primary male sex hormone, can decrease over time, causing men fatigue, low libido and ED. A blood test for testosterone that indicates low levels might be a reason to start treatment, to prevent low bone density leading to osteopenia or osteoporosis. Low testosterone is also associated with obesity and increased cardiovascular risk.
To find the right men’s health partner for you, please visit memorialhermann.org/menshealth.
