The men’s health section in most pharmacies and nutrition stores tend to follow a pattern: Rows and rows of bottles filled with natural dietary supplements.
Saw palmetto, horny goat weed, ginkgo biloba – they all are purported to have a positive impact on male health, and people are willing to pay a lot of money to get the results they promise. But do they work?
Well, kind of – in that “placebo effect” sort of way.
“There are a variety of over-the-counter medications that have been used for sexual health and urinary function,” said Dr. Noah Allen, a urologist with St. Elizabeth Physicians. “However, almost all of them have not been shown to be superior to placebos.”
Health conditions aside, the dietary needs of men and women are generally quite similar, according to Allen: Fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean and low-fat proteins, and low-fat dairy. Those will get men – and women – the vitamins and minerals they need, including vitamins A, B, C, D, E, K, folic acid, calcium, iron and zinc.
“It’s most important to maintain an overall healthy diet and active lifestyle to better maintain urinary function and sexual performance,” Allen said.
Not all men will see a total recovery from any performance or urinary function issues by taking this advice, though all will benefit from it to some degree. For those who feel like they are still experiencing issues, getting the opinion of a medical professional is the smart play.
A doctor will be able to diagnose any underlying illnesses that may be causing problems with sexual or urinary function, like atherosclerotic disease or diabetes. And they’re able to prescribe medication that is scientifically proven to get results.
Effectiveness aside, the quality of natural supplements can vary wildly from brand to brand, and sometimes can present unanticipated health risks. The processes used to manufacture medications prescribed by doctors, on the other hand, are strictly regulated by the Food and Drug Administration.
“Newer medications that doctors can prescribe have lower side-effect profiles, and good efficacy for sexual performance and urinary function,” Allen said.
