Men’s Health Month: Time to Speak Up and Take Control

June is Men’s Health Month. It’s a time to empower men to take charge of their well-being, especially when it comes to conditions that often go underdiagnosed or are surrounded by stigma, like Peyronie’s disease (PD), erectile dysfunction (ED), and testosterone deficiency (TD).

Health should not be a mystery. With the right information and support, men can take control, speak up, and connect with healthcare providers who have the expertise to support their health journey and, when needed, help create treatment plans that fit their needs.

In the U.S.:

• Approximately 10% of men may have PD^1*
• 92% of men with PD were not diagnosed during their first visit for penile symptoms²⁺
• Around 18% of men experience ED^3‡
• 10-40% of men have TD⁴, yet less than 5% are diagnosed and treated^5§

Chances are that you, or someone you know, may be experiencing one of these conditions. Understanding PD, ED, and TD, including their symptoms and related health issues, is essential. The more you know, the easier it becomes to recognize the signs and act.

Peyronie’s Disease

PD is a medical condition involving a buildup of scar tissue that forms under the skin of the penis and causes an abnormal curve in the erection.² Signs and symptoms of PD include:

• • A curve with a bump in the erection²
  • Pain during intimacy or arousal²
  • Difficulty getting and maintaining an erection²
  • Depression⁶

For more information on PD, visit these resources:

• • Endo’s educational website about PD: talkaboutpd.com
  • Sexual Medicine Society of North America: smsna.org/patients/peyronie-s-disease

Erectile Dysfunction

ED is the inability to get and keep an erection firm enough for sex.⁷ Signs and symptoms of ED include:

• • Difficulty getting and maintaining an erection⁷
  • Reduced sex drive⁷
  • Depression⁷

For more information on ED, visit these resources:

• • Men’s Health Network: menshealthnetwork.org/erectile-dysfunction
  • Sexual Medicine Society of North America: smsna.org/patients/conditions/erectile-dysfunction

Testosterone Deficiency

TD, or low testosterone, is a condition in which the body doesn’t produce enough testosterone.⁸ Signs and symptoms of TD include:

• • Reduced sex drive and penile sensation⁸
  • Difficulty getting and maintaining an erection⁸
  • Increased body fat, anemia, decreased muscle strength, bone mass, and endurance⁸
  • Depressed mood⁸
  • Hot flashes⁸
  • Low or zero sperm count, which may cause male infertility⁸ 

For more information on TD, visit these resources:

• • Men’s Health Network: menshealthnetwork.org/low-testosterone
  • Sexual Medicine Society of North America: smsna.org/patients/conditions/low-testosterone

Medical conditions like PD, ED, and TD may impact a man’s quality of life, in addition to his health, but help is available. This Men’s Health Month, we encourage men to consult a urology specialist and take steps toward finding a treatment option that’s right for them.

^* Based on a 2014 survey of about 7,700 U.S. adult men with a PD diagnosis, PD related symptoms, or a history of seeking treatment for the condition.
⁺ Based on a population-based survey by DiBenedetti et al. where out of 283 men with PD, 128 reported seeing a doctor for the treatment of penile-related symptoms.
^‡ Cross-sectional analysis of data from 2,126 adult male participants in the 2001-2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).
^§ Prevalence based on total testosterone threshold.