Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) Archive

In October 2024, the CDC lowered the age for healthy adults to receive a pneumococcal vaccine to 50 from 65. It also recommends a second dose of the 2024-25 COVID vaccine for people 65 and older and immunocompromised people six months after their last dose.

Erectile dysfunction pills have helped millions of men continue to enjoy an active sex life. However, they may not work for all men, and others may not like being dependent on the medication or are bothered by side effects, such as headaches, flushing, upset stomach, or dizziness. In these cases, men may benefit from nondrug options, such as increasing aerobic exercise, adopting a plant-based diet, performing Kegel exercises, and using sexual aids that help them get and keep erections.

Vaginal moisturizer and lubricant both combat vaginal dryness, but they're not the same. Vaginal moisturizers are absorbed into vaginal tissue, while lubricants remain on the surface. Women should speak to their doctor if vaginal dryness persists.

As estrogen levels drop, women's bodies store more fat around the abdomen, fueling a weight shift to the belly. Women can counter this by ramping up protein intake and doing strength training to maintain muscle mass and metabolism.

Most men over 50 will develop an enlarged prostate. Many different therapies are available, including medications and various types of surgery. Aquablation is gaining in popularity, and a recent study showed that improvements in urinary function from aquablation were still holding up after five years.

Dripping urine after going to the bathroom is common as men age, but a simple "milking" technique can help prevent this.

Roughly one in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point in their lives, but these cancers usually aren't life-threatening. The least risky form of the disease occurs frequently with age, will not metastasize to other parts of the body, and it doesn't require any immediate treatment. So, should it even be called cancer?