Better Man Clinics Podcast

In this episode we discuss testicular and scrotal pain.  Most guys have had pain in their testicles and scrotum at some point.  This pain is usually short lived and goes away on its own.  But for some men, the pain does not go away. It persists and begins to affect their day to day lives, limiting their activities, destroying their sex lives, and impacting their mental health.  What causes this chronic pain in the scrotum?  How should it be evaluated?  And what treatment options are available?  In order to answer these questions, we spoke with Dr Petar Bajic.  Dr Bajic is a urologist in the Center for Men’s Health at the Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute in Cleveland, Ohio, and Assistant Professor of Urology at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University. He specializes in men's health and sexual medicine. Dr. Bajic earned his medical degree from the University of Toledo College of Medicine. He then completed his residency training in urology at Loyola University Medical and a fellowship in Andrology and Genitourinary Reconstructive Surgery at Rush University Medical Center. Dr. Bajic is an avid researcher and physician-scientist. Dr. Bajic is Associate Editor for the medical journal Urology and is a regular reviewer for multiple other medical journals.  

In this episode we discuss sexual anxiety.  Most guys can remember an anxiety provoking sexual experience. Sexual anxiety often occurs with a new partner and is caused by thoughts like, “What will they think of my body?” or “Will I be able to perform?” or “How long will I be able to last?” or “Will I be able to get them to an orgasm?” For most guys, these thoughts are fleeting but, for others, they can persist and lead to a bad sexual experience. And these bad experiences can lead to more anxiety, creating a vicious cycle that can destroy a man’s sex life and relationships. So how can men recognize when sexual anxiety is becoming a real problem? What can they try to overcome it?  And when is it time to seek help from a specialist? 
Fortunately, to help us answer these questions, we are joined by Dr. Emily Jamea, a licensed marriage and family therapist, licensed professional counselor, and a certified sex therapist. She has over a decade of experience working as a sex and relationship therapist. In addition to maintaining a busy private practice, Dr. Jamea offers online workshops as part of her mission to make her knowledge accessible to everyone. She speaks nationally and internationally to a diverse range of audiences including educators, health and mental health professionals, and the general public. Her expertise has been featured on CNN, USA Today, NBC, CBS, Men’s Fitness, SELF, Women’s Health, and more. She is a proud ambassador to HealthyWomen.org. Her academic research focuses on how to create optimal relationships and sexual experiences. She is currently writing a book on this topic. She’s happily married with two children, travels as much as she can, and enjoys painting and salsa dancing when she finds the time. You can learn more about Dr Jamea on her website www.emilyjamea.com and on Instagram or TikTok: @dremilyjamea.

In this episode we discuss genital warts.  Did you know that nearly 400,000 people are diagnosed with genital warts every year?  That doesn’t even include all the people that have genital warts and don’t even know it.  Is there any wonder that genital warts are one of the most common types of sexually transmitted infections?  But how are genital warts transmitted exactly?  What causes them? What do they look like and how do you know if you have them?  And if you know you have them, how can you get rid of them.  To answer these questions we turned to Dr. Jules Lipoff.  Dr. Lipoff is an assistant professor of dermatology at the University of Pennsylvania. He earned his medical degree from Albert Einstein College of Medicine and then completed his dermatology residency at the Montefiore Medical Center. He is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology. 

In this episode we discuss 2 novel treatments for erectile dysfunction. For years, the treatments for erectile dysfunction have remained the same: we have pills like Viagra and Cialis, injectable therapy, vacuum pumps, and penile implants.  Recently, however, new treatments have surfaced that have challenged the usual approach to erectile dysfunction.  Two of the most innovative of such novel treatments are shockwave and platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapy.  What are these novel treatments?  How do they work?  Do they involve risks?  How successful are they?  Why should you use them instead of the traditional treatments for erectile dysfunction. To answer these questions, we turned to Dr. Thomas Masterson, a urologist who is not only a sexual medicine expert, but is also conducting research on these very treatments.  Dr. Masterson is assistant professor of urology at the University of Miami. He completed his undergraduate studies at Temple University and then received his medical degree from the University of Miami.  He then completed both his urology residency and a fellowship in reproductive and sexual medicine at the University of Miami.  

In this episode we discuss a novel treatment for BPH called iTind.  Unlike some other treatment options for BPH, the iTind procedure is performed in the clinic setting.  It involves inserting a tiny device through the penis with a flexible camera.  The device is then removed in the clinic about a week later.  iTind is one of the least invasive procedures with BPH, is rapidly performed, and requires minimal if any recovery time.  But is the procedure safe?  How effective is it?  How does it compare with more traditional BPH procedures like TURP, HOLEP and minimally invasive treatments like Rezum and UroLift? In order to answer these questions, we turned to an expert on the treatment of BPH.  Dr Dean Elterman is associate professor of urology at the University of Toronro.  Dr. Elterman completed his medical degree followed by residency in urologic surgery at the University of Toronto. He became a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in 2011. Dr. Elterman completed a two-year fellowship in Voiding Dysfunction, Neuro-Urology, Female Urology and Pelvic Reconstruction at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and New York Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City.  Dr. Elterman is a member of several professional societies including the Society of Urodynamics, Female Pelvic Medicine and Urogenital Reconstruction, the Society of Genitourinary Reconstructive Surgeons, the International Neuromodulation Society, and the International Society of Men’s Health. 

In this episode we discuss back pain.  Did you know that back pain affects 80% of Americans at some point in their lives and that 30% of all Americans will experience back pain in the next 3 months.  For some men, back pain can be truly debilitating and prevents them from enjoying their favorite activities, going to work or even getting out of bed.  So what causes back pain?  Can you prevent it?  What home remedies are worth trying and when is it really time to see a doctor?  And, when you do see a doctor, what should you expect from the evaluation and what are the possible treatment options?  To help us answer these questions we turned to a true expert.  Dr.  Oren Gottfried is a professor and clinical vice chair of neurosurgery at Duke University specializing in spine surgery.  Dr Gottfried earned his medical degree from the University of Arizona and then completed his residency training in neurosurgery at the University of Utah.  He then went on to complete fellowships in spinal deformities at the University of Utah and spinal oncology at Johns Hopkins University.  Aside from his clinical responsibilities at Duke University, Dr Gottfried also performs research focusing on the prevention of spinal deformity, infections, complications, and recurrent spinal disease by identifying and limiting patient and surgical risks.  

In this episode we discuss testosterone replacement therapy.  The internet is full of ads for testosterone treatments.  These ads claim that supplemental testosterone can make men look better, feel better, and even perform better in bed.  But are all these claims true?  Which men can actually benefit from testosterone replacement therapy?  What are the risks?  And how much benefit can men realistically expect from the medication?  In order to answer these questions, we turned to an expert on testosterone replacement therapy in men.  Dr Amy Pearlman is an assistant clinical professor of Urology at the University of Iowa.  Dr Pearlman earned her medical degree from the Baylor College of Medicine and then completed her residence training in Urology at the University of Pennsylvania.  She subsequently completed a fellowship in urologic reconstruction, prosthetic urology and infertility at Wake Forest University.  

In this episode we discuss snoring, a problem that affects nearly 50% of Americans at some points in their lives.  While, for most men, snoring is annoying problem that can put a strain on their relationship, for some men snoring can be a sign of sleep apnea, a much more serious condition that can have serious health consequences.  So how can you tell the difference between snoring and sleep apnea?  What can you do to prevent snoring and treat it when necessary?  In order to help us answer these questions, we turned to a true expert. Dr Eric Kezirian is clinical professor of otolaryngology at USC.  Dr Kezirian earned his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania and then completed his residency training in otolaryngology at the University of Washington.  He then completed a fellowship in sleep surgery at Stanford University.  His research has addressed the most important questions in the field of sleep medicine, including how surgeons should choose procedures, how well surgery works, and the development of new treatments. Dr. Kezirian’s research has been supported by the National Institutes of Health, the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, and the Triological Society.   He is a Past President of the International Surgical Sleep Society, the world’s premiere organization dedicated to sleep surgery

In this episode we discuss the vasectomy, one of the most common procedures performed in men but one that, nonetheless, is steeped in myths and urban legends.  In order to help us separate the facts from the fiction about vasectomies, we turned to an expert. Dr Jay Sandlow is professor and interim Chairman of the Department of Urology at the Medical College of Wisconsin.  Dr Sandlow earned his medical degree from Rush Medical College and completed his Urology residency and a fellowship in male infertility at the University of Iowa.  He served as Associate Professor at the University of Iowa until 2003 when he was appointed Professor and Vice Chairman of the Department of Urology at the Medical College of Wisconsin.  Dr Sandlow has authored multiple academic manuscripts and textbook chapters and is on the editorial boards of some of the top academic urological publications in the country.

In this episode we discuss male pelvic pain, a problem that few men want to talk about but one that many men suffer from.  In men, pelvic pain can present as pain in the penis, the testicles, the groin, and the perineum (that space between the testicles and the anus). Pelvic pain can be a very bothersome problem and even debilitating for some men.  It can keep men from participating in activities they enjoy and can destroy their sex lives. The problem is made still worse by the fact that most men don’t feel comfortable talking about it and frankly don’t know who to talk to about it. Fortunately, to help us better understand the causes and possible treatment options for male pelvic pain, joining us today is an expert in male pelvic pain.  Elizabeth Akincilar received her Master's of Physical Therapy from the University of Miami Medical School. She is the co-founder and president of the Pelvic Health and Rehabilitation Center, with nine locations in California and New England. She is active in the professional community, lecturing and teaching nationally and internationally. She is the co-author of the book Pelvic Pain Explained, contributes to medical texts and other professional literature.