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Surfing's most prestigious prize turned into "TikTok circle jerk."

When the WSLs self-confessed biggest fan, @surfads, partly described the WSLs recent efforts as Turning a deadshit, dumbcunt but still unique sports outfit into a generic, compliant, corporate glory hole, I nodded in agreement and felt there wasnt a lot more to say.

Especially coming in so hot on the heels of The Ultimate Surferwhere a guy and gal got a place in WCT events by surfing in a pool and winning lifetime dream prizes like SUPs, I didnt think the WSL could make itself any more tacky and tawdry, or cheapen its product even more.

On reflection, thats bullshit.

It can, and it has.

When @surfads wrote his article, I commented that itd take far too long to unpack all thats wrong with the WSL right now, but that was a cop-out. I hate peanut gallery fuckwits who mock your efforts without offering any kind of explanation, thus, for that reason, I want to pinpoint a couple of glaring examples of the WSL clusterfuck sticking out like shit on Meghan Markles shoes.

This is part one.

@surfads bemoaned the lack of a Pipe contest to end the year, so what better place to start than Hawaii? Specifically, the Triple Crown of Surfing.

And, while the TCOS is run this year by Vans and Stab, the Vans TCOS official website says, This competition is sanctioned by the WSL, so thats good enough for me.

Billed for decades as the most prestigious title to win outside of being anointed surfings world champ, the Triple Crown of Surfing was always something that mattered in the surfing world.

Especially to the Hawaiians.

A list of Triple Crown winners since its inception in 1983 shows a whos who of surfing royalty.

Michael Ho, Derek Ho, Kong, Tom Carroll, Sunny, Kelly, Andy, Parko, John John, Gabe.

Its a mighty impressive list.

And why wouldnt it be, when you look at the historical format of the TCOS itself? Three contests, all in prime, big-wave spots where heavy waves explode on shallow reefs.

You had to be a fucking good surfer to win the whole shebang.

If we use a starting point in the contests as Round 64 for the top guys, to win a contest you gotta get through five heats against all the best surfers in the world, in some of the scariest, most intimidating waves in the world. No-one has ever won all three contests of the TCOS in a single year (I think), so lets just play a little game of averages for the fuck of it.

Lets say a surfers results over the three contests were final, quarters, quarters. Thatd get em pretty close to the gong most years. Starting from R64, that means our surfer would have got through eight or nine heats or so across three contests. Getting through that many heats in Hawaii against all the best guys in the world in big, dangerous, powerful conditions, including the locals who love nothing more than shitting on the outta town blow-ins, is fucking hard.

And thats why the list of TCOS champions includes eight world champions and multiple top three finishers like Julian Wilson and Gary Elkerton.

You win the TCOS and its a big fucking deal. Something that earns the respect of everyone in the surfing community, among them even the grumpiest, most begrudging old naysayers.

Well, it was.

Cause now, what used to be the prestigious TCOS is no more. Nuked, nixed, and fucking gutted. There are no contests involved anymore. None. No four-man heats. No two-man heats. No paddle battles. No local intimidation. No Wolfpak or Black Shorts. No interference calls. No Hawaiian underdogs. No buzzer beaters. No scoreboard pressure or commentators curses.

Nothin.

Why? Because The Triple Crown of Surfing is now a fully online digital contest.

(No relation to doctors sticking their fingers up your asshole.)

To compete in and win the Triple Crown of Surfing now you just gotta take a few videos of your surfing and then submit them online (dont forget to tag @vanstriplecrownofsurfing) and hope that the judges like your content. I aint making this up.

Out with the old, in with the hip and the new.

More than just a bit confused by this new turn of events, I tried to make some sense of it all. Big failure.

When I first went through the rules format the first thing that popped into my stupefied, spinning gogglehead revolved around the videos surfers have to submit. Half the tour surfers dont even have major sponsors, so I dont think its too much of a stretch to say that most of em dont have dedicated filmers following them around with the new $80,000 RED 8K video camera.

Exhibit A. Connor OLeary, ex WQS overall winner, WCT Rookie of the Year, and winner of the most recent Challenger Series event, who just requalified for next years CT tour. Riding a pure white, stickerless board.

You reckon the video editors at Quiksilver are just putting the finishing touches on his signature movie as we speak? Whats that? They dropped him?

Taking it a step further, what happens if poor old 86 ranked, unsponno surfer gets the wave of the winter out Pipe in the dark, dying light of an evening and all hes got to show for it is his girlfriends grainy iPhone vid where he looks like an ant on a piece of bread?

Is the poor bloke then forced into an extortionate bidding war with rival beach videographers for half-decent footage, if theyve got it? Or take your chances, send in your cheap ass iPhone vid and hope it gets viewed favourably against John Johns HD, technicolour, close-up screamer dreamer?

Shit outta luck if you dont have the tech or mates who have the tech.

This is moving forward, and aligning with the fans.

And, what about the judging system? Four in number. Three official WSL judges and one wild, exciting, new type of judge thrown into the mix. What could it be, I hear you wonder?

No more suspense. One of the official judges is the online punter, you, me, and every other digital fan.

How cool, eh? Now we get to make or break a surfers livelihood just by pushing buttons on our phones.

Inclusivity at its best from Vans and the Wozzle.

Alas, Im confounded again, however.

If the fans vote, is this just going to be a sad, pathetic numbers game of Im more popular than you are na na na na na naaaa? For example, JJF has 1.4 million Instagram followers. If he gets 10% of his fans to tap the app and clap clap clap for JJF. Plus five 5% on top of that for non John-fans. 210,000 votes.

On the other hand, Callum Robson, currently #12 in the Challenger Series rankings, only has 7,250 Insta followers. Just for the fuck of it, lets go all in and say he magically gets 100% of his followers to vote for him and they all get a mate each to do the same (wishful thinking but indulge me). 14,500 votes.

Who the fuck gets the choccies there? Confused much?

Not content with reducing one of surfings most esteemed prizes to a TikTok circle jerk, theres an extra layer of incomprehensible doolally with the inclusion of a progressive craft element.

Yep, one of a surfers six vids has to be on a progressive craft. Slight problem though. According to their own rules published on their website, the progressive craft must be a craft (their terminology, not mine) thats not quite as progressive as what the current kids ride.

In fact, some of the progressive crafts recommended are over 100 years old. No fucking shit.

I bring to you our progressive craft suggestion list, as per the contest guidelines:

alaiasasymmetricalstwin finsfishsingle finseggslongboardsbonzers

Fuck me, where do I kick off on this? The alaia, 100s of years old, if not a thousand. Longboards? Close to 100 years now. Twinnies? MR won titles on em in the 70s. Bonzers? Campbell Brothers, 1970. You get the drift.

Surely it cant be just me to wonder how the fuck riding a board from 100 years ago can be called a progressive craft? And why the fuck is it a compulsory component in the Triple Crown of Surfing?

Can they be any more ludicrously pretentious?

High-performance surfing has progressed beyond all of the progressive crafts listed to the toothpicks we have today. Granted, toothpicks are not for everyone, but the pros are riding the most progressive craft every fucking day. And, doing shit on them now that was pretty much impossible on any of the craft listed above.

Theres a reason theyre riding what theyre riding. Its cause theyre the most progressive boards available.

Do they even know what progressive means? A five-second search on the Googlenet shows its favouring progress and improvement as opposed to maintaining the status quo.

Newsflash: High-performance surfers progressed beyond logs half a century ago. Fuck me.

Who comes up with this shit? And who rubber stamps it?

The WSL, thats who. Remember, This competition is sanctioned by the WSL.

You reckon other sports are looking on enviously at the WSL, wondering how they can copy such genius?

Maybe right about now the bigwigs of Formula 1 admin are telling drivers like Lewis Hamilton they can only win the F1 title this year if theyve driven a progressive mobile like, say, the Reliant Regal three-wheeler during one of the remaining Grand Prix races?

Or the Tour de France organisers sending out a memo telling riders they must complete a stage in The Pyrenees on a penny fucking farthing?

You cant script this etc,

Link:
Testosterone-squirting big-wave surf icon lambasts Hawaiian contest organisers for calling off prized Triple Crown event in building swell, If you...

Express News Service

BENGALURU:Testicles are an important part of the male reproductive system and are located inside a sac called the scrotum. They make the hormones such as testosterone and sperms fertilise a female egg cell to start a pregnancy.It starts in the cells of the testicles (testes). The most common (more than 90 per cent) type of testicular cancer is called germ cell tumour.

Testicular cancer inyoung adults

Although testicular cancer can occur at any age, it is more prevalent in young adult men (especially between ages 18 to 35 years) and constitutesless than one per cent of all adult cancers. Testicular cancer is not talked about as it is not very common. In India, it constitutes 0.3 per cent ofall cancers and ranks 31 among all cancers.

Watch out for

Risk Factors

There are not many known risk factors leading to testicular cancer. Some risk factors include the history of undescended testis at birth, abnormal testicle development, family history of testicular cancer, and some rare inherited diseases. Prior injury to the testicles, though blamed many times, is not a proven risk factor.

Diagnosis

Sometimes, testicular cancer is self-detected by men either unintentionally or through testicular self-examination. In other cases, it is usually detected by your doctor during a routine physical exam. Testicular cancer typically presents in young males with a lump or swelling in the testicles. To confirm if the lump is testicular cancer, your doctor may order a testicular ultrasound test, and certain blood tests to detect the presence and levels of tumour markers in your blood. Checking blood for tumour markers like alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), beta HCG and LDH help in the diagnosis and staging.

Medical Treatment

The treatment of testicular cancers involves surgery and removal of the affected testis. If the lump on your testicle is diagnosed to be cancerous, a surgery called radical inguinal orchiectomy may be performed to remove the cancer affected testicle. In some cases, nearby lymph nodes are also removed using a procedure called retroperitoneal lymph node dissection. Alternative treatments such as radiation therapy, or chemotherapy may be recommended before or after surgery. The cure rates after appropriate treatment in testicular cancers are very good.

Usually, testicular cancer affects one testicle, and the other testicle can produce enough male hormone, testosterone, for a future normal healthy life. But in some patients, infertility can be a side effect due to cancer or its treatment, and this should always be discussed while planning treatment.

Importance ofself-examination

It is not clear if testicular cancer is preventable. However, it can be detected in its early stages by doing regular testicle self-examinations. You can discuss with your doctor how testicular self-examination is performed. It is a simple and painless test and takes just a minute.

Doing the testicular self-examination in front of the mirror may be helpful. Since testicular cancer is relatively rare, in case you find a lump, dont panic. Consult your doctor for a prompt diagnosis.

(The writer is HOD and consultant - medical oncology, Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road)

Continued here:
All about testicular cancer - The New Indian Express

Before writing for the Strategist, Jenna Milliner-Waddell covered home dcor for Forbes Finds. Now she finds the best-rated products you didnt know you needed, from placemats to puzzles.

Photo-Illustration: The Strategist; Photo: Retailer

In 2015, My Big Fat Fabulous Life premiered on TLC. The show follows Whitney Thore, a woman struggling with the symptoms of polycystic ovarian syndrome, or PCOS. Watching it was my first time learning about the medical condition, but since then PCOS has become a greater part of the womens-health discourse, with celebrities including Keke Palmer and Lea Michele coming out to talk about their diagnoses. Shows like My Big Fat Fabulous Life might lead you to believe that the main symptom, or even cause, of PCOS is weight gain, but there are a host of other effects.

PCOS is characterized by higher-than-normal levels of the pituitary hormone, the luteinizing hormone, or androgens like testosterone, which disrupts the hormonal pathway that regulates the menstrual cycle; the most common symptoms are irregular or missed periods, saysDevon Klauck, the lead nurse practitioner at Tia.In addition to unwanted weighted gain or difficulty losing weight because of metabolic complications, PCOS can have an impact on fertility and cause hirsutism (unwanted hair growth), hair loss, or acne.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for PCOS, but you can manage the symptoms. Your first step is consulting a health-care professional. We talked to Klauck and five others about their top over-the-counter solutions. Most of their recommendations are vitamins from doctor-recommended brands that are safe for anyone to take, but before you spend the money, ask your doctor to test for deficiencies so you dont overly or improperly supplement. Your doctor may also recommend diet and lifestyle changes, such as reducing sugar intake, exercise, and proper sleep.

Many people with PCOS are insulin resistant, meaning their bodies make insulin but cant use it effectively. Normally, when the food you eat breaks down into glucose, your pancreas releases an amount of insulin that enables your cells to absorb the glucose. But when you have PCOS, theres just a big surge of insulin that gets secreted like a tsunami, says Angela Grassi, a member of PCOS Challenge: The National Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Associations health advisory board and the founder of PCOS Nutrition Center. Inositols can help. Sugars Myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol have been tested in PCOS to help with insulin signaling,improve egg quality, and promote ovulation. Three of the experts we spoke to sang the praises of inositols, and two mentioned Ovasitol by name. It has the right 40:1 ratio of Myo-inositol to D-chiro-inositol, which endocrinologist Dr. Ana Kausel says is important, especially when shopping in America, where supplements are not regulated. There was a study that compared 40 Different inositol preparations, and only like 1 percent had what is actually beneficial, she says. Ovasitols ratio is clearly stated on the packaging, and Grassi has seen how well it works in her patients. I would say 90 percent of my patients get their menstrual cycle regulated within three months, she says. Grassi, who has PCOS herself, says Ovasitol also helped get her A1C levels down. A1C is the average blood glucose for three months, which can be higher when one of your PCOS symptoms is insulin resistance. When I was diagnosed with PCOS, my A1C was around 5.6, Grassi says. When you get over 5.7, thats considereda pre-diabetes range. When I took Metformin, which is a common [prescription] medication used in the PCOS population to produce glucose and insulin,it only reduced my A1C to 5.4.I started researching inositol to see if its really as good as it sounds, and I tried it for myself, and three months later, my A1C went down to 5.1 and then three months after that, it went down to 4.9.

Photo: The Strategist; Photo: Retailer

Vitamins were also very popular among our experts, with vitamin D being the most frequently recommended. One study indicated that calcium and vitamin D were helpful for PCOS by assisting with weight loss and regulating menstrual cycles, says Dr. Amy Roskin, chief medical director of The Pill Club. Other recent evidence shows that women with PCOS may be vitamin-D deficient, which can lead to additional problems with fertility, so those supplements may be particularly useful to help the condition. Dr. Kausel also recommends vitamin-D supplements to her patients. She says it can help with insulin resistance and therefore with regulating the menstrual cycles. Grassi agrees and usually recommends anywhere between 2,000 and 4,000 international units, to be taken with fat as vitamin D is fat soluble. She adds that vitamins K1 and K2 help vitamin D absorb better, so her company created a liquid supplement that has all three ingredients in it.

Photo: The Strategist; Photo: Retailer

Zinc is another popular supplement among our experts, as it inhibits testosterone from converting to its active form, says Grassi, which means its a great option for people experiencing PCOS-related acne or hirsutism.

Dr. Roskin says people with PCOS are 19 times more likely to be deficient in magnesium. She and Klauck also said magnesium supplementation can improve insulin resistance.

Berberine is an herbal supplement thats pretty potent, says Grassi. It has been compared to Metformin for its ability to lower glucose and insulin. And its good for fatty liver and cholesterol.Klauck also says it can promote ovulation and reduce testosterone production.

Photo: The Strategist; Photo: Retailer

An awful lot of women who take Metformin or oral contraceptives have lower levels of vitamin B12, says Grassi, so she normally recommends a supplement to those patients after checking their levels. Everyone needs sufficient B12 in their system. Its essential for energy production and neuropulsatility, which plainly means if you get a deficiency in B12, it can cause permanent nerve damage. It can also cause mood shifts and fatigue.

Male-pattern baldness is one of the side effects of PCOS. Klauckrecommends massaging rosemary oil into the scalp to stimulate hair growth by reducing the androgen effect on hair follicles.

Bailey Haddad is the founder of She Syncs, which helps people balance hormones and heal PCOS. She has PCOS herself and describes acne as one of the symptoms she struggled with the most. It was very painful, physically and emotionally, she says. It really impacted my self esteem, my confidence. At one point, I wouldnt even come out of my room without a full face of makeup on, so Im passionate about helping people with acne. One thing that worked for her and she recommends to others is spearmint tea. Theres research that suggests that drinking a cup of spearmint tea twice a day can help reduce androgen levels like testosterone, reduce skin inflammation, and reduce the severity of acne. Haddad says. Similarly, Klauck recommended peppermint herbal tea. The main difference between the two are the menthol levels, so if you prefer a stronger tea, peppermint might be easier to knock back twice a day.

We have lots of different guides to getting rid of acne and healing scars, but something that Haddad likes to do is double cleanse with Marie Veronique products at night to ensure her skin is free of bacteria before sleeping: I start with a pump of the Pure + E.O Free Oil Cleanser. I massage this on my face for one to two minutes. I place a small microfiber cloth under warm or hot water, then gently press the cloth on my face for 15 to 20 seconds, wipe the skin to remove any remaining residue, then cleanse with its Gentle Gel Cleanser.

At the Strategist, we are fans of daily sunscreen use for a number of reasons. Haddad recommends it because UV damage can actually make acne worse. It took me a while to find a non-comedogenic sunscreen that didnt clog pores and contribute to breakouts, she says, but she finally came across this one by Supergoop!, a daily moisturizer with 40 SPF that she describes as non-greasy and very moisturizing.

Pillowcases are notorious for holding onto dirt, oil, and bacteria, which can clog pores and contribute to acne, says Haddad. To combat this, she likes to change her pillowcase as often as possible. She likes using a silk one, as its gentler on the skin. Weve also been told by dermatologists that they help reduce hair frizz and skin irritation. This particular one from Slip has many fans, including celebrities like Kristen Bell and Kourtney Kardashian.

Unwanted hair growth is just as prevalent as unwanted hair loss in the PCOS community. Haddad knows that hormonal hair growth is harder to treat, which is why she recommends laser hair removal to her She Syncs clients. Its something shes done regularly for herself. Youll likely get the best results at a salon, after consulting with a derm of course, but this at-home device has been recommended to us by professionals who say its safe to use on fair skin with caution.

If youre trying to get pregnant, Dr. Amy Divaraniya, CEO of Oova, recommends Thornes Fertility Test, an at-home blood-and-saliva test that analyzes your fertility. This will provide a snapshot measurement of a womans reproductive-hormone levels and evaluate her thyroid function and stress responses, Dr. Divaraniya says. This information could be very useful for those diagnosed with PCOS, as thyroid issues are common for these women. Along with your results, Thorne will provide a personalized treatment plan to improve your fertility health.

Dr. Divaraniya says tracking your period in an app like Clue can also be helpful. It will allow women to start listening to their bodies and notice slight changes that occur at various points in their cycle, she says. If you are using any of the above supplements or prescription medications, you will also be able to track how they are working as your cycle becomes more regular.

Of course, as the CEO, Dr. Divaraniya also recommends Oova, a tool that can help those with PCOS detect and confirm ovulation as well as their most fertile window. Its an at-home urine test that, unlike most, you dont have to send back to a lab. Simply scan a QR code with an app on your phone to receive your results and an action plan instantly. Oova works by measuring luteinizing hormone and progesterone. For someone who has PCOS, and an irregular cycle as a result, hormonal testing can be helpful in determining ovulation windows when its otherwise hard to tell when youre ovulating or if youre ovulating at all, says Dr. Roskin. Oova learns each users hormone baseline so that when theres a deviation from that baseline, the device can tell where the user is in their cycle (no matter if theyre menstruating regularly or not). This type of measurement is ideal for women with PCOS, as they often have hormone imbalances that render traditional ovulation tests inaccurate. The Oova can also alert the user if theyre not ovulating at all.

As previously mentioned, lifestyle changes are incredibly important when it comes to PCOS treatment. Klauck recommends an anti-inflammatory diet, rich in protein, fiber, and soy, as well as moderate exercise. She also reminds us how important prioritizing sleep is. Consistent, good-quality sleep is beneficial in maintaining a healthy weight, balancing mood, and reducing risk of developing diabetes or cardiovascular disease, she says. Lack of sleep can also impact your hunger home hormones and make you feel hungrier and it can impact your immune system, Haddad continues, noting that sleep deprivation can lower your moods, and that less sleep can also trigger a release of testosterone and cortisol, which can make people feel irritable, aggressive, and angry. Thus getting a good nights sleep is helpful not only for symptom managementbut your overall mental health.

If youre having trouble sleeping, Haddad recommends a topical magnesium.Magnesium absorbs into the skin quickly and helps with muscle relaxation, she says. This magnesium-oil spray is a highly concentrated solution of magnesium chloride and water, which she sprays on my legs and feet, basically the lower half of my body, ten to 15 minutes before I go to bed, and it really helps release tense muscles and gives me an overall sense of relaxation.

Wearing a sleep mask at night helps her as well. Sleep masks can help people fall asleep faster, improve sleep quality, and increase overall relaxation, she says. To those shopping for one, she recommends finding something that actually blocks out the light and fits your face. For her, its this Lunya mask, which is padded and covers much more than just the eyes, ensuring no light creeps in. Its made from machine-washable silk, which she appreciates for beingantibacterial, lightweight, and gentle on the skin.

Another favorite sleep aid of Haddads (and ours) is this classic white-noise machine. I actually travel with it, says Haddad. It drowns out external noise and gives an overall sense of calm.

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See the original post here:
The Best Over-the-Counter Supplements for PCOS Symptoms, According to Experts - New York Magazine

Dr Edwin Ong, DTAP Clinic

Infertility is suspected when a couple is unable to successfully conceive after approximately 1 year of unprotected sexual intercourse. While there are many causes of infertility in both genders, over a third of them stem from the male, primarily due to problems with sperm production or delivery.

In no particular order, here are the top 5 causes of male infertility:

A healthy amount of good quality sperm is necessary in order to have the best chance of conceiving. Disorders may include:

Oligospermia: Low sperm count, defined as fewer than 15 million sperm per milliliter of semen. A low sperm count drastically reduces the odds of the sperm fertilising your partners egg.

Azoospermia: No measurable amount of sperm is present in the semen to fertilise your partners egg, making natural conception impossible.

Poor motility: A large proportion of sperm are unable to swim properly or are not motile at all, increasing the risk that the sperm may not be able to reach and penetrate your partners egg.

Abnormal morphology: Sperm are immature or abnormally shaped, and may not live long enough to fertilise the egg.

Factors that can affect the health of sperm include:

Environmental and lifestyle factors: Smoking, excessive alcohol intake, illicit drugs or steroid use, or exposure to toxins can affect the health of your sperm.

Hormonal factors: Diseases of the pituitary gland or testosterone deficiency can affect sperm production.

Testicular infection: Especially from the mumps virus or tuberculosis (TB) during childhood.

Chronic diseases: Diseases such as kidney failure can also affect the production of sperm.

Genetic diseases: Such as cystic fibrosis or hemochromatosis which can affect sperm production or transport.

Erectile dysfunction, better known as ED, is an inability to obtain or maintain a good erection. While ED is a fairly common problem that can happen to men at any age, it is more common from middle age onwards. ED can stem from:

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Hypertension

Diabetes

Atherosclerosis (restricted blood flow due to plaque buildup)

Hormonal or pituitary gland issues

Phimosis (tight foreskin)

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) - abnormal prostate enlargement

Lifestyle factors such as smoking, heavy alcohol and/or drug use

Stress or mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety

Side effects of certain medications to treat hypertension or hair loss

Varicocele is the enlargement of veins in the testicles, caused by abnormal backflow of blood. Exactly how this condition can cause infertility is unknown, but studies suggest that it could be related to warmer temperatures from the increased blood flow, which may be suboptimal for sperm production. Approximately 16% of men may have a varicocele.

This condition occurs when the semen enters the bladder instead of emerging through the penis during orgasm due to the muscles of the bladder neck not tightening properly. This can happen due to previous surgery, certain medications, or nerve damage caused by medical conditions. Men with this condition may experience dry orgasms whereby very little or no semen is ejaculated from the penis. Urine may also appear cloudy after an orgasm.

STDs such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), if left untreated for a prolonged period of time, can lead to the inflammation of the epididymis or testicles, interfering with sperm production and health.

Chronic inflammation to these structures may lead to permanent scarring that blocks the passage of the sperm.

A semen analysis test would be required from the patient in order to assess fertility. Several parameters are analysed including semen volume, pH count, sperm count, motility, and morphology. The sample can also be screened for problems such as infections.

As sperm counts often fluctuate from one sample to the next, several samples may need to be collected over a period of time to ensure a higher degree of accuracy when processing the results.

Follow up tests may include the following to determine and confirm the cause:

Ultrasound scan of the testicles: To look for presence of varicoceles or other issues in the testicles and surrounding structures.

Ultrasound scan of the seminal vesicles: To analyse the ejaculatory ducts and seminal vesicles to see if they are poorly formed or blocked.

Post-ejaculatory urine test: To look for any sperm present in the urine after ejaculation to suggest retrograde ejaculation.

Testicular biopsy: Minimally invasive procedure where a small piece of tissue is removed from the testicle and observed under the microscope. This test helps to both assess the cause of infertility as well as retrieve any viable sperm for later use in assisted reproduction.

Hormonal profile: Blood test to measure testosterone levels and other related hormones essential to sperm production.

STD screen: To check for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and other infections that may affect sperm production.

Treatment options will vary according to the cause of infertility (if any is found), and may include:

Lifestyle modification: Cessation of smoking, reducing alcohol intake, increasing exercise and having a balanced diet.

Supplements: Male fertility supplements that contain a blend of micronutrients and enzymes to support healthy sperm production

Treatment of any underlying STD; however, this may not fully restore fertility.

Hormonal medications: Required in cases where infertility is caused by too much or too little of a specific hormone.

Surgery for conditions such as:VaricocelesEjaculatory duct obstructionObstructed vas deferensPrior vasectomyNon-obstructive azoospermia

Treatment for sexual dysfunction: Medication or counselling may help to improve chances of conceiving in conditions such as ED or premature ejaculation.

Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART): Sperm is obtained through normal ejaculation, surgical extraction, or from donors. The sperm is then used in ART procedures such as in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

About Dr Edwin OngDr Edwin Ong underwent extensive training across various specialties including Orthopaedic Surgery, General Medicine, General Surgery, Emergency Medicine, Ear, Nose and Throat Surgery and Plastic Surgery. He focuses on comprehensive and holistic care for Mens health, Womens health and other Acute & Chronic medical issues including Viscosupplementation Treatment for Knee Arthritis. He firmly believes in honest communication and works closely with his patients in order to achieve the best possible outcomes.

About DTAPEstablished in 2005, DTAP (Dr. Tan & Partners) clinics, a pioneer of the GP plus, or General Practice with Special Interest model in Singapore, provides holistic and comprehensive medical care for everyone. We provide basic GP services with a key focus in HIV & STD testing and management, Mens Health (Andrology), Womens Health, Aesthetics, and Chronic Disease Management services. DTAP clinics are located in Singapore and Malaysia, and DTAP Express is the first clinic in Singapore with express self-testing kits for STD. DTAP to Home is an extension of DTAP Teleconsult and DTAP Delivery for medications, supplements and health aid services.

Originally posted here:
5 causes of male infertility - Yahoo News

Is a mans beard length an honest signal of their psychological and physiological characteristics? Not really. According to a new study published in the journal Archives of Sexual Behavior, there is no association between beard length and mens dominance or testosterone levels.

Male facial hair is an incredibly potent topic. Did you know that the history of male beards goes back to ancient times? As a woman myself, unfortunately, I cannot grow an enormous Santa-Claus-like beard but there were a few women, especially in the 20th century, who did grow a long beard and were famous for it! So maybe that is why this topic attracted my attention in the first place, explained study author Marta Kowal, a PhD student at University of Wrocaw. Why is it men, and not women, who possess facial hair? And is it true what some claim, that bearded men are dripping with testosterone? Is that fella with lumberjack shirts and longer beards really more dominant than the clean-shaven one? Curiosity is a great drive in science.

Physical appearance can be an indicator of ones underlying qualities, and thus, is a valuable source of information in the dating market. The male beard in particular is one of the most noticeable and sexually dimorphic traits, making it very easy to visually differentiate between the sexes. The presence of a beard may signal masculinity, dominance, aggression, strength, and even enhance perceptions of a mans age, confidence, and social status. Beards also influence self-perception, with bearded men feeling more masculine than non-bearded men.

Kowal and colleagues recruited 97 young and physically active men, who were in good health, not taking any hormone supplements, and had not smoked or consumed alcohol within 24 hours of the study. Given male testosterone decreases throughout the day, the experiment was conducted between 7:00 AM 11:00 AM. Participants reported their age, weight, height and beardedness. Beardedness was measured indirectly, via self-report by selecting a picture that mirrored participants self-perceived facial hair. It was also measured directly by using digital calipers. This study was among the first to use both direct and self-report measurements of beardedness. Next, participants provided saliva samples.

Participants then engaged in physical activity, cycling sprints on a stationary bike to induce a testosterone spike. They rested for 12-minutes, during which they completed a questionnaire assessing for levels of dominance, providing ratings to questions such as I usually make decisions for myself and others or It is me who influences others and not the other way round. Afterwards, participants provided saliva samples once again.

Prior studies have reported that testosterone is associated with the density and rate of beard growth, suggesting that beards may be a proxy for male masculinity and dominance. However, Kowal and colleagues found no such relationship.

There is this popular view that bearded men are more dominant and are even sparkling with testosterone than clean-shaven men. That if you want to be with a real man, you need to find one with a beard. However, our study provides no evidence for such claims, Kowal told PsyPost. Even though testosterone has been found to affect the density and rate of beard growth, men displaying their beards may not be truly signalling their dominance nor testosterone potential. So, sorry ladies, that beardy-looking fella in a lumberjack shirt may not have more testosterone than the clean-shaven gentleman sitting right next to him!

But with regard to study limitations, Kowal said, We need to remember that hormonal studies are more difficult to conduct, and thus, the sample size is not ideal to draw any general conclusions. Furthermore, our sample consisted of rather young men, ages ranging from 19 to 25.

Future studies should focus on beardedness and other markers of biological quality, such as susceptibility to disease or developmental instability expressed by fluctuating asymmetry. It would also be interesting to test our hypotheses among older individuals, such as middle-aged men, she added.

The study, Are Beards Honest Signals of Male Dominance and Testosterone?, was authored by Marta Kowal, Piotr Sorokowski, Agnieszka elaniewicz, Judyta Nowak, Sylwester Orzechowski, Grzegorz urek, Alina urek and Magdalena Nawrat.

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New study finds no relationship between beard length and dominance or testosterone levels - PsyPost

Editor's note: This article is not medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional regarding questions about diagnoses and treatment.

I started hormone replacement therapy in April, the same day Arkansas passed the first trans medical ban in the United States, barring trans youth from accessing gender-affirming care.

With the heaviness of the wave of anti-trans legislation on my mind, I felt fortunate to have access to an endocrinologist after nearly a year of back-and-forth with insurance and several attempts with less trans-competent doctors.

I wanted to start testosterone-based HRT to treat my lifelong gender dysphoria, or extreme distress related to my body and gender, that has affected me as a transmasculine nonbinary person. I started testosterone therapy to deepen my voice, make myself a little more muscular, and overall become more comfortable in my body.

As someone who has insurance that covers gender-affirming care and lives in a major city, I am incredibly privileged.

I microdose HRT, meaning I take a smaller amount of testosterone for more gradual changes over a longer period of time. When I told my endocrinologist in New York City that I wanted to stay on a microdose long-term, he said he could write me the prescription but had to be transparent about the lack of research available on it. When I asked him what changes I could expect for my body, he told me he didn't know, even after I pressed for more information.

The only place I've been able to turn to for concrete answers on how to achieve the results I wanted like a deeper voice and larger muscles was online platforms like Reddit.

Hormone replacement therapy as a form of treatment for the gender dysphoria that trans people experience has been around since the 1920s. But treatment protocols have been slow to shift.

Because of a lack of research on the effects of different HRT options, even trans-competent medical providers are left with few concrete studies to cite when patients ask questions, and physicians receive few hours of LGBTQ+-specific training.

One of the first questions I asked my doctor was which kind of injection I should opt for to get the most dramatic effects, which for me included a deeper voice, more muscle definition, and fat redistribution.

While small studies have suggested that subcutaneous injections (injection into the fat) could help retain testosterone in the body for longer between shots, my doctor told me there wasn't enough conclusive data to confirm this. I ended up opting for intramuscular injections and was dissatisfied with how long it took to see physical changes.

In the first month of taking HRT, the skin around my jaw thickened. When I went back to the doctor and asked how long it would take for my jawline to reemerge, he told me there wasn't enough research out there for him to give me a timeline.

Puffy-faced and feeling lost, I turned to the internet for understanding.

My friends who had started HRT before me recommended going on Reddit to find specific answers about where I should inject my T for the most effective results.

There I found several subreddits, like r/FTM and r/genderqueer, where people shared similar concerns and got their questions answered by a community of trans people who had taken testosterone. That's how I found out about the small study suggesting subcutaneous injections could keep testosterone in your system longer than intramuscular injections. So I switched, and I am much happier with the results.

My only sense of understanding about my body during this process came from other trans people willing to share their experiences with HRT.

Even close friends who have been on testosterone have been more helpful in some ways to my transition than my doctor.

One of my friends has a more radical endocrinologist willing to talk about experimental treatments that have anecdotally worked on patients, so I often chat with them about what they've learned so I can take questions back to my own doctor. My other friend lives on the internet and can name trans subreddits at the drop of a hat, so they offer their knowledge.

My friends and I doctor one another in many ways, trading information like playing cards.

Trans Reddit forums became a haven of support for me when so many of my medical concerns went unanswered through official channels. While I can only take the experiences of others with a grain of salt, they have been a huge comfort during a nerve-wracking process.

Read more:
I'm trans and take testosterone. Reddit helps more than my doctor. - Insider

Statins are known to help keep cholesterol levels healthy further reducing the risk of heart attacks or strokes. As with most things, there are side effects which one needs to be aware of. Erectile dysfunction and lowered testosterone are some of the side effects reported. What is the link?

Statins are commonly prescribed to help lower cholesterol however, the drug also appears to lower testosterone.

According to a study which evaluated nearly 3,500 men who had erectile dysfunction, the drug could be the cause.

"Current statin therapy is associated with a twofold increased prevalence of hypogonadism a condition in which men don't produce enough testosterone, said Dr Giovanni Corona, lead study author and researcher at the University of Florence, Italy.

He added: "Our study is the first report showing a negative association between statin therapy and testosterone levels in a large series of patients consulting for sexual dysfunction.

READ MORE:Pfizer booster vaccine side effects: Five of the most common symptoms after the third jab

Dr Corona and colleagues evaluated 3,484 men, average age 51, who visited an outpatient clinic at the University of Florence with complaints of sexual dysfunction between January 2002 and August 2009.

Of that total, 244 (or seven percent) were being treated with statins for their high cholesterol.

The researchers calculated the men's total testosterone as well as free testosterone, and the amount of unbound testosterone in the bloodstream.

When they compared men on statins to those not, the men on statins were twice as likely to have low testosterone regardless of which of the three commonly used thresholds for low testosterone they looked at.

DON'T MISSHigh cholesterol: Three signs on your foot[INSIGHT]Type 2 diabetes: The cheap snack to lower blood sugar[ADVICE]Statins: The 90p drink that makes drug 'toxic'[TIPS]

Another study published in Oxford Academic investigated the lipid-lowering drug and its possible link to erectile dysfunction.

A systematic review was carried out using computerised biomedical databases and internet sources relating to erectile dysfunction and statins.

A significant literature was identified, much from obscure sources, which included case reports, review articles, and information from clinical trials and from regulatory agencies, noted the study.

It added: A substantial number of cases of erectile dysfunction associated with statin usage have been reported to regulatory agencies.

While erectile dysfunction isnt a widely reported side effect of statins, researchers have explored the possibility.

The Yellow Card Scheme allows you to report suspected side effects from any type of medicine you're taking.

It's run by a medicines safety watchdog called the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

The purpose of the scheme is to provide an early warning that the safety of a medicine or a medical device may require further investigation.

Side effects reported on Yellow Cards are evaluated, together with additional sources of information such as clinical trial data.

Excerpt from:
Statins side effects: The worrisome sexual symptom men need to be aware of - Express

Nov 6th 2021

WASHINGTON, DC

CAROL HAD long suspected her everyday life in rural California would be easier if she were a man. Yet she was stunned by how true this turned out to be. As a butch woman (and not a big smiler) she was routinely treated with slight contempt, she says. After a double mastectomy and a few months on testosteronewhich gave her facial hair and a gravelly voicepeople, cashiers, everyone, suddenly became so goddam friendly.

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Yet Carol soon felt wretched as a trans man. At first, the testosterone she started injecting at 34 lifted her mood and energy levels. But after two years she began to suffer awful side effects. Vaginal and uterine atrophy (which can cause tissue to crack and bleed) was extremely painful. Her cholesterol levels rose and she had palpitations. She also became so anxious she started having panic attacks.

So she went on antidepressants, and they worked. It was a light-bulb moment, she says. I was like, I needed the antidepressants; I didnt need to transition. She realised her gender dysphoria, the painful feeling she was in the wrong body, did not, in fact, make her a man.

Nearly three years ago, after four years as a trans man, Carol became a detransitioner: someone who has taken cross-sex hormones or had surgery, or both, before realising this was a mistake. Her experience illustrates the dangers of a gender-affirmative model of care that accepts patients self-diagnosis that they are trans, now standard practice in Americas transgender medicine field.

No one knows how many detransitioners there are, but anecdotal evidence, and swelling memberships of online groups, suggests the number is growing fast. A recent survey of 100 detransitioners (69 of whom were female) by Lisa Littman, a doctor and researcher, found a majority felt that they had not received an adequate evaluation before treatment. Nearly a quarter said homophobia or difficulty accepting that they were gay had led them to transition; 38% reckoned their gender dysphoria was caused by trauma, abuse or a mental-health condition.

Carol believes the roots of her gender dysphoria lay in her childhood. An upbringing that was both fanatically religious and abusive rammed home two harmful messages. One was the importance of rigid gender roleswomen were there to serve; they were less than men. Her mothers endless fury that Carol would not bow to this notion of womanhood, which included wearing only dresses (I didnt even walk like a girl, whatever that meant) meant she grew up believing her way of being female was somehow all wrong. The other message was that homosexuality was an abomination.

Carols oh God moment came, as she amusingly describes, when she developed a heavy crush on her mothers female estate agent at 16. The realisation prompted a breakdown (though she didnt call it that at the time). First she fasted and prayed to God to take this away. Then she began drinking heavily and having one-night stands with men in the hope something would click. When she came out at the age of 20, many of her relatives excluded her from family gatherings.

It was in her early 20s, when many lesbians in her social circle (almost always the butch ones) started identifying as trans men that she began to think, This must be it! This is what is wrong with me! But she was told she had to live as a man for six months before being approved for treatment and the thought of using the mens toilet was intolerable. By this point, she had met the woman who would become her wife and found some stability.

But she was still deeply unhappy. I just feltwrong, she says. I was disgusted with myself, and if a nice answer comes along and says, this is going to fix it, guess what youre going to do? By her mid-30s, she no longer needed to see a therapist to be prescribed testosterone. (Planned Parenthood uses an informed consent model in 35 states, meaning trans patients do not need a therapists note.) Yet Carol did see a therapist, because she wanted to do it right. The therapist did not explore her childhood trauma, but encouraged her to try testosterone. Months later Carol had her breasts removed.

Detransitioning was the hardest thing she has done, she says. She was so terrified and ashamed that it took a year to come off testosterone. To her relief her cholesterol levels returned to normal in months. She still has some facial hair and a deep voice. Her mastectomy is like any loss: it dissipates but it never completely goes away.

She now spends a lot of time campaigning for other detransitioners stories to be heard. This is not easy work. Outspoken detransitioners are often maligned. One gender-medicine doctor has criticised the use of the term detransitioner, saying, with extraordinary cruelty, it doesnt really mean anything. Dr Littmans study found that only 24% of detransitioners told their doctors transitioning had not worked out. This may help explain why some dismiss the phenomenon.

Carol worries about girls who are taking puberty blockers to avoid becoming women, something she says she would have leapt at given the chance. And she worries about butch lesbians who are being encouraged to consider that they are in fact straight men. She now considers this homophobic. My wife told me recently that when I was transitioning she was on board for two months before realising, this is crazy. And she was right. She was being told, your wife is really a man so you are bisexual or straight. It was bullshit.

This article appeared in the United States section of the print edition under the headline "Portrait of a detransitioner"

See original here:
Portrait of a detransitioner as a young woman - The Economist

GLITZ LIFESTYLE

Experts link womens longevity streak to lifestyle, situating men at a higher risk of contracting chronic illnesses. Martins Ifijeh writes

This gender gap in life expectancy is true for all societies, and it is also true for the great apes, said Perminder Sachdev, a doctor and professor of neuropsychiatry at the University of New South Wales in Australia who has studied human longevity.Sachdev, according to TheCable, also spoke of the main health issues that are contributing to why women tend to outlive men.

Men are more likely to smoke, drink excessively and be overweight, he said. They are also less likely to seek medical help early, and, if diagnosed with a disease, they are more likely to be non-adherent to treatment.As you go through some of the common health threats to men, and how to avoid them, also know that early diagnosis should be a top priority in healthcare for men.

Prostate CancerProstate cancer is common among men. Although many consider it reserved for the older population, it can occur in younger men as well.It is treatable if found in its early stages but often shows no symptom until it spreads to other parts of the body. Going for regular checkups, having a healthy diet, and exercising more often are some key healthcare tips to fend off the disease.

Heart DiseaseAccording to a report, one in 10 men aged 50 has a heart age 10 years older than they are. Imagine that!Heart disease mortality is also said to be higher in men.Ways to keep this disease at bay are by avoiding smoking and alcohol, adopting diets low in saturated fats, avoiding highly processed food. You should also embrace weight loss and physical exercise. But again, regular checkups are a must.

StrokeA stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of your brain is interrupted or reduced, preventing brain tissue from getting oxygen and nutrients. Brain cells begin to die in minutes.A stroke is a medical emergency, and prompt treatment is crucial. Early action can reduce brain damage and other complications.There are three main types of stroke: Ischemic stroke, Hemorrhagic stroke and Transient ischemic attack (a warning or mini-stroke).The signs of stroke are: sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body; sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or difficulty understanding speech; sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes; and sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance, or lack of coordination.The good news is that many fewer Americans die of stroke now than in the past. Effective treatments can also help prevent disability from stroke.

DepressionResearch has shown that, although both men and women suffer depression, men are less likely than women to recognize, talk about, and seek treatment for the same.The reluctance among men may be due to societal constructs which expect them to be strong.If youre a man struggling with depression, try regular exercise, journaling, communicating openly with friends and family, and seeking professional help.

High Blood PressureWhile common among both sexes, high blood pressure is more prevalent in men. Its not inevitable and can be prevented, delayed, and treated.If ignored, it can lead to heart and kidney failure, vision problems, and even blindness. Stress, lack of physical activity, and being overweight or obese increase the odds, as do genetics.Can you see the need for regular medical checkups now?

Skin CancerBy age 50, men are also more likely than women to develop melanoma, a form of skin cancer.This number jumps by age 65, making men 2 times as likely as women of the same age to get melanoma. This higher risk is likely related to more frequent sun exposure and fewer visits to the doctor.Men are also more likely to die from the disease.

Erectile DysfunctionA common health problem, especially for men with diabetes or prostate issues, is erectile dysfunction.Erectile dysfunction is most often caused by atherosclerosis the same process that causes heart attacks and strokes. There are a number of reasons why men develop erectile dysfunction, many of which can be treated.Its important to see a doctor so that they can rule out or treat any underlying medical conditions.

Testosterone DeficiencyTestosterone is the male sex hormone that is made in the testicles. Testosterone hormone levels are important to normal male sexual development and functions.Some men have low testosterone levels which could be called Testosterone Deficiency Syndrome (TD) or Low Testosterone (Low-T). Deficiency means that the body does not have enough of a needed substance.According to the American Urological Association, at least two out of 10 men older than 60 years have low testosterone.Experts believe that a healthy lifestyle such as weight loss and getting more physical activity will likely raise your testosterone levels.

Lung CancerLung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in men. Cigarette smoking is the number one risk factor for lung cancer. According to the American Lung Association, each year more men are diagnosed with and develop lung cancer than in years past. Quitting smoking at any age can lower the risk of lung cancer.

Alcohol DeathsConsuming too much alcohol is dangerous for ones health as it increases your risk for cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, and colon.But according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), men face higher rates of alcohol-related deaths and hospitalizations than women do. Men take in twice as much as women and are more likely to increased aggression and sexual assault against women. Avoid taking alcohol.

DiabetesDiabetes is a chronic and metabolic disease that can lead to nerve and kidney damage, heart disease and stroke, and even vision problems or blindness if left untreated.A study found that men are almost twice as likely to develop type 2 diabetes than women. Engaging in exercise, combined with a healthy diet, can prevent diabetes. Bottom line is, see a doctor regularly gents!

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Erectile Dysfunction, Diabetes among 11 Common Health Threats to Men - THISDAY Newspapers

Researchers arent certain why the messenger RNA vaccines, one from Pfizer Inc. and partner BioNTech SE and the other from Moderna Inc., are likely causing the inflammatory heart conditions myocarditis and pericarditis in a small number of cases.

Some theories center on the type of spike protein that a person makes in response to the mRNA vaccines. The mRNA itself or other components of the vaccines, researchers say, could also be setting off certain inflammatory responses in some people.

One new theory under examination: improper injections of the vaccine directly into a vein, which sends the vaccine to heart muscle.

To find answers, some doctors and scientists are running tests in lab dishes and examining heart-tissue samples from people who developed myocarditis or pericarditis after getting vaccinated.

Myocarditis describes inflammation of the heart muscle, while pericarditis refers to inflammation of the sac surrounding the muscle.

Covid-19 itself can cause both conditions. They have also been reported in a smaller number of people who got an mRNA vaccine, most commonly in men under 30 years and adolescent males.

About 877 confirmed cases of myocarditis in vaccinated people under 30 years have been reported in the U.S., out of 86 million mRNA vaccine doses administered, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The risk is higher within seven days of the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines, the Food and Drug Administration says. Most myocarditis cases in vaccinated people are relatively mild, and patients get better on their own or with minimal treatment, doctors say.

The CDC recommends that anyone 5 years and older should get vaccinated, saying the benefits of preventing Covid-19 illness, hospitalizations and death far outweigh the risk of myocarditis, even in younger males.

Researchers have been trying to understand the link between the cases and vaccination, as health authorities expand the vaccination campaign by recommending boosters and broadening use of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to younger children.

The FDA has, however, held up authorizing use of the Moderna vaccine in adolescents while it investigates the risk

Some theories about the vaccines link to myocarditis center on the spike protein on the surface of the coronavirus.

The spike protein helps the virus gain entry into human cells to replicate. The mRNA vaccines are designed to cause the body to make a certain version of the spike protein, which then sets off an immune response.

The immune response includes neutralizing antibodies that target the spike protein and thereby block the viruss ability to get inside cells and replicate. The immune response can protect a person against Covid-19 or lessen its severity if someone is exposed to the virus.

Yet there may be similarities between the spike protein and proteins found in the heart muscle, prompting the bodys immune defenses to mobilize against the heart, according to Biykem Bozkurt, a professor of medicine specializing in cardiology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.

The antibodies against the spike protein may have the unintended effect of acting against heart proteins, said Dr. Bozkurt, who co-wrote a review of vaccine-associated myocarditis in the journal Circulation in July.

This molecular mimicry" theory hasnt been fully tested in vaccinated people and doesnt explain why myocarditis only occurs in certain people, she said.

Some of the mRNA in the vaccines may also be taken up by heart cells known as cardiomyocytes, said Jay Schneider, a consultant in cardiovascular medicine at the Mayo Clinics Jacksonville, Fla., campus.

These cells may then produce the spike protein of the coronavirus, which could draw an antibody response against them, Dr. Schneider said. He said he has conducted lab tests and found that heart cells have taken up the Moderna vaccine and then expressed the spike protein.

Dr. Schneider hasnt yet published results from these experiments in a peer-reviewed journal, and said they should be interpreted with caution.

Some doctors have theorized that improper injections of the vaccines may be contributing.

The shots are supposed to be injected into the shoulder muscle, also known as the deltoid muscle. If the injection accidentally reaches a vein, it could lead to delivery of some of the vaccine to the heart through blood vessels.

Hong Kong researchers found that injecting mice intravenously with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine induced both myocarditis and pericarditis in the animals, according to results published online in August by the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases.

That myocarditis appears to happen more among younger males after vaccination than in other age and sex groups suggests a link to the hormone testosterone, which is usually at high levels in younger males, according to researchers.

Testosterone may heighten an inflammatory immune response, Dr. Bozkurt said, leading to myocarditis in some male adolescents and young men.

Some studies have suggested that Modernas vaccine carries a higher risk of myocarditis than Pfizers. If this difference is confirmed, it could be related to differences in dose levels, Moderna Chief Executive Stphane Bancel said. Modernas vaccine contains more mRNA per dose than Pfizers.

Some vaccine specialists have cited the dose difference as one reason that the Moderna vaccines effectiveness against Covid-19 appears to hold up for longer than Pfizers.

Mr. Bancel said the benefit-risk ratio for Modernas vaccine is still favorable for younger males.

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Researchers probe link between Covid-19 vaccines and myocarditis - Livemint

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