The recent announcement that an ambulance trust in Northern England was going to allow male staff with symptoms of testosterone deficiency to take up to 18 months off for treatment was greeted in the press with some derision. 

My previous article on the Gut Biome discussed probiotics. Prebiotics are basically types of fibre that are not digested but are used as a source of nutrition in the gut by probiotics, are not digested but are used as a source of nutrition in the gut by probiotics. They help to stimulate the growth or activity of intestinal bacteria. 

The prostate is a small walnut-sized gland situated at the base of the bladder, surrounding the urethra. Its main function is to provide the prostatic fluid which, when combined with the sperm in the seminal vesicles, provides the semen for ejaculation. 

 

It can be, literally, a pain in the arse. As men age, the prostate naturally enlarges (benign prostatic hyperplasia, BPH) and this can constrict the urethra, causing difficulty in passing urine and, at the worst, urinary retention. Fortunately, medication is available to help, although surgery in some form is still occasionally required. 

In the late 1980’s, Pfizer, an American pharmaceutical firm, were investigating the role of a new drug called sildenafil in cardiovascular disease. It was noted that a common side effect was an improvement in erectile dysfunction (ED). Perhaps not surprisingly, they diverted their further interest towards this. It might be an over-statement to say that Viagra (whoever named it clearly knew their Latin: life/vitality/strength/aggression) was a “game-changer” in the sense that penicillin, insulin, steroids, cimetidine were, but it has certainly had a huge impact on the self-esteem, well-being and relationships of millions of men around the world. 

Vitamin D, often known as the “Sunshine Vitamin”, as it is made in the skin through sun (ultra-violet light) exposure, plays a very important part in our health. It is more of a hormone than a vitamin, and is mainly responsible for healthy bones, but it has receptors in many organ systems in the body and has functions elsewhere; it helps to improve muscle strength and immune function and also to reduce inflammation.