Men's Fitness Guide – Fitness Tips For Men

Author Archive

Penis enlargement pills, we have all heard about them (And if you have not heard about them you must be living in a cave somewhere!) Heck, how can you have not of heard about them! They are all over the place these days! They are on the TV, the radio, in your email box daily! (Well not the actual pills, but the ads!) So, do penis enlargement pills actually work and are they safe to use?

Well, depending on which penis enlargement pill you buy will have the biggest impact on whether they actually work or not; and/or to what degree they work. If you buy some cheap, lame penis enlargement supplement that is packed with crappy ingredients then you might not see the results you are looking for. Just like if you go and buy some cheap car made of plastic with a tiny engine you probably should not expect to burn up the road at super speeds! However, if you buy a supplement from a trusted name in the business; a company that has been on the market for some time, then you will most likely see some results! In your search for the perfect product, look for testimonials on the supplement, see if it’s approved by doctors, and check out the ingredients.

Speaking of ingredients, quality ingredients make these things work obviously. Most of your natural penis enlargement pills are made from totally natural herbal ingredients and/or herbal extracts. The cool thing is that most of the herbs have been used for literally hundreds of years to combat erectile dysfunction, fertility issues and more. Most of the ingredients are totally safe and come without side effects. Heck, a lot of the ingredients are even better for more than just enlarging your penis and giving you a better erection. Some are good for increasing circulation, strengthening blood vessels and supporting prostate and heart health; all added benefits.

Now, there are some ingredients to lookout for or at least be cautious of in your search for quality penis enlargement pills. The herb, yohimbe is an herb that has been used for ages as a natural aphrodisiac. The problem is that sometimes it can cause tachycardia, blood pressures issues, runny nose, anxiety, etc. So be careful with yohimbe; especially if you on any type of medications have heart issues or other types of health concerns.

So, how do these natural supplements work anyhow; or do they even work? Well, yes they work; and they work by again, increasing blood flow to the penis; improving circulation. This makes for a stronger, firmer erection. Also the natural ingredients in natural penis enlargement pills enhance arousal, sensitivity and make for a much more pleasurable sexual experience. So it’s not just about making the penis bigger, it’s also about making your sexual experience more enjoyable; and just think, you also get to enjoy some other benefits from taking these natural herbs.

So in short, when you take a quality penis enlargement pill, you can expect to achieve a firmer more erect penis; basically reaching your max potential. You can also expect to see increased arousal, sensation and a more enjoyable sexual experience along with additional benefits supporting your heart, circulation and prostate.

Now, if you are currently on any medications, or if you have any type of health issues, I strongly recommend consulting with your physician before beginning any natural penis enlargement pills, or any supplement for that matter. The last thing you need would be additional health problems or complications. As I said, most supplements come with absolutely zero side effects, however, this may at times vary from person to person, especially with people who have health problems.

You have not been feeling yourself for months or even years, you have low energy and your mind does not seem focused. You have lost your sex drive; you are no longer waking up with an erection in the morning. Your once lean and athletic body now is covered in a layer of fat. Perhaps a friend or family member suggested you go get some blood testing performed by your doctor to find out what your testosterone levels currently are.

You find out your testosterone levels are below the normal and your doctor gives you a choice of either a topical gel such as Androgel, or weekly injections of Testosterone Cypionate or Testosterone Enanthate. This is the time when you will be glad that you have read this article. When you are done reading this article you will be more informed about choosing either testosterone injections or testosterone gels. Please keep in mind that I am no doctor and this article is just my opinion based upon my own experience as a man who has low testosterone levels.

Testosterone Gels

Currently there are many testosterone or androgen creams and gels on the market. The marketing strategies that the manufacturers of these products use are very aggressive about getting the medical community to prescribe them. These companies are very effective in persuading your doctor to use them over injections for Testosterone Replacement Therapy.

Testosterone gels are much more expensive for the patient that has low testosterone levels; they have been known to cost as much as $400.00 per month, depending on the dosage prescribed by your doctor. Testosterone creams are applied topically usually on the upper arm or torso, every day at the same time. One of the problems with testosterone gels is the absorption rate is not exact, it can vary from really good to really bad. This can cause your testosterone levels to bounce all over; obviously you are trying to get your testosterone levels to remain stable, so this uneven absorption rate can create a problem.

When you apply the testosterone gel, you have to make sure that no one comes into contact with the applied area on your body while the Androgel or testosterone cream is being absorbed. You obviously do not want your kids getting testosterone gel on them.

The absorption rate can vary from 25% to 60% with testosterone gels or compound creams; this is why many low testosterone men prefer Injections for the delivery method of testosterone.

Keep in mind that gels and creams are a good choice if you are afraid of intramuscular injections. You will have to apply the gel or cream every day, and it can be a nuisance for the amount of time the ointment has to dry-which is usually 15 minutes up to an hour. This waiting period can be dependent on the amount of oil on your skin or even the humidity level in the air. There have been reports of as many as 20 percent of men using gels never receive enough testosterone to improve low testosterone symptoms.

Testosterone Injections

Testosterone injections are less expensive than testosterone gels. The cost is usually around $100.00 to $200.00 a month, or around $50.00 per shot. Testosterone injections are usually taken once per week, or sometimes once every two weeks. Learning how to self administer injections is pretty simple, or you could have a family member or friend deliver the injections for you. Your doctor’s office can make appointments for you to come into the office to have a nurse give you the testosterone shots if needed (this will cost you though).

If you really want to see fast low testosterone improvements then injections are the answer, no other delivery method of testosterone is as effective as injections. Many times an insurance company will pay for injections but not for gels.

I have used a compound cream prior and found the absorption rate to vary too much, which caused dips and spikes in my testosterone levels. I did not care for the smell of the testosterone cream either; it was an inconvenience to administer the cream daily, especially if I was traveling.

The testosterone injections really are not that painful and most low testosterone men get over the fear of injections. I feel a boost in my levels within 24 hours usually when I take my prescribed dose of Testosterone Enanthate. In over two years of taking weekly injections of testosterone I have had no negative side effects, and my testosterone levels are constantly in the 900 range.

If you do not mind intramuscular injections weekly, and you want to pay about half of the cost as Gels then testosterone injections may be the answer for you.

Millions of men all over the world want to know what is the best way to lose man boobs fast. And they’re just like you. They avoid the beach, they avoid the gym, and they’re often the butt of cruel jokes. So don’t worry. You’re not alone. You’re not the only one looking for the best way to lose man boobs.

But you do need to understand that there’s really no easy answer or miracle cure. You can’t just wish them away or use some wonderful, magical cream to make them disappear. They didn’t appear overnight and they’re not going to fade away that quickly either. But there are some things you can do to speed up the process.

Man boobs are fat and/or breast tissue that’s built-up on your chest. And the best way to get rid of them is to follow a three-step action plan:

Step One: Change Your Eating Habits

Obviously, the best way to lose excess weight is to change your eating habits. Fatty, red meats contain an abundance of the female hormone estrogen and this hormone is responsible for the development of breast tissue. So your first step is to eat leaner meats like chicken and fish or get your protein from other sources like legumes and dairy products.

Next, you need to make sure you’re eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. They contain the vitamins and nutrients necessary to promote health and they’re filled with antioxidants which help your body eliminate toxins and burn fat faster.

Step Two: Follow A Fitness Program

Next, you need to start exercising. You’ll need to do two types of exercises. Aerobic exercises will increase your heart rate and speed up your metabolism, helping you burn fat faster. And resistance exercises for you upper body will help firm and tone your chest muscles, giving you that sleeker, leaner appearance you’ve always wanted.

By following a good diet and exercise regimen you should begin to see results in just a few weeks. The bonus is that not only will your chest look better, but your entire body will look and feel better, too.

Step Three: Use Supplements To Speed Up The Process

Of course, it does take a little time to see measurable results. And, like most men, you’re probably in a hurry. You can speed up this process by using one of the dietary supplements made especially for men. These supplements will really give your metabolism a boost so you can burn fat even faster and they’ll help curb your appetite to help reduce your calorie intake.

Likelihood of Occurrence
A male factor is involved in 60% infertility cases. Forty percent are primarily male and 20% are combined male and female. Thus, when a couple is having trouble conceiving, it makes sense to evaluate the man as well as the woman. It is recommended that a comprehensive and accurate semen analysis be scheduled at the outset to evaluate the male partner before scheduling expensive and invasive tests for the female.

Causes
Varicoceles
Varicoceles are dilated veins in the scrotum, causing a negative effect on sperm production. Varicoceles are extremely common. Approximately 40% of men with infertility will have varicoceles. Interestingly, 80% of men with secondary infertility (they are not able to initiate an additional pregnancy) will have varicoceles. Varicoceles may be easily corrected through outpatient surgery performed by a male infertility specialist. This is done with a local and sedation, through a small incision where the pubic hair is (so no muscle is involved), and with the use of an operating microscope. Multiple studies have shown that this technique causes more improvement, and leads to significantly fewer complications and much less post operative pain.

Seminal Fluid Abnormalities
If the seminal fluid is very thick, it may be difficult for the sperm to move into the woman’s reproductive tract. Often, in cases of seminal fluid abnormalities, the sperm can be placed directly inside the uterus with intrauterine insemination (IUI).

Ductal System Problems
Ducts that carry sperm may be missing or blocked. In some situations, the ducts may be repaired or unblocked. If this is not possible, the sperm may be harvested and then injected directly into a woman’s eggs.

Immunological Infertility
Men can develop an immunological response (antibodies) to their own sperm. The causes for this may include testicular trauma, testicular infection, large varicoceles, or testicular surgery. The treatment for anti-sperm antibodies is somewhat controversial. Men may be treated with corticosteroids. However, this can lead to significant morbidity in the man. The most significant is aseptic necrosis of the hip (noninfectious destruction of the joint), requiring hip replacement.

Most of the time, the first level of intervention includes intrauterine insemination. If the couple is planning in-vitro fertilization (IVF), the presence of anti-sperm antibodies is usually an indication to inject the sperm directly into the egg (ICSI) instead of conventional IVF.

Impotence: Difficulties with Erections and Ejaculations
This includes the inability to obtain or maintain an erection, premature ejaculation, lack of ejaculation, retrograde (backwards) ejaculation, lack of appropriate timing of intercourse, and excessive masturbation.

Testicular Failure
This generally refers to the inability of the sperm-producing part of the testicles to make adequate numbers of mature sperm. The testicle may completely lack the cells that divide to become sperm, sperm may be made in low numbers or there may be an inability of the sperm to complete their development. This situation may be caused by genetic abnormalities, hormonal factors or varicoceles. Even in the case where the testes are only producing low numbers of sperm, the sperm may be harvested and used with advanced reproductive techniques.

Cryptorchidism
When a baby boy is born without the testes having fully descended into the scrotum, the condition is known as cryptorchidism. The current recommendation is that at approximately one year of age, if the testes have not descended by themselves, they be brought down surgically. Cryptorchidism may be a cause of testicular failure. Fifty per cent of men who have both testes undescended at birth, will have no sperm in the ejaculate even if they were surgically brought down.

Drugs
There are a number of fairly common drugs that may have a negative effect on sperm production and/or function. They include:

• Ketoconazole (an anti-fungal)
• Sulfasalazine (for inflammatory bowel disease)
• Spironolactone (an anti-hypertensive)
• Calcium Channel Blockers (anti-hypertensives)
• Allopurinol, Colchicine (for gout)
• Antibiotics: Nitrofurantoin, Erythromycin, Gentamicin
• Methotrexate (cancer, psoriasis, arthritis)
• Cimetidine (for ulcer or reflux)
• The following drugs can cause ejaculatory dysfunction:
• Antipsychotics: Chlorpromazine, Haloperidol, Thioridazine
• Antidepressants: Amitripltyline, Imipramine, Fluoxetine (Prozac), Paroxetine (Paxil), Sertraline (Zoloft)
• Anti-hypertensives: Guanethidine, Prazosin, Phenoxibenzamine, Phentolamine, Reserpine, Thazides

Hormonal Abnormalities
The testicles are stimulated to make sperm by pituitary hormones. If these are absent or severely decreased, the testes will not maximally produce sperm. Importantly, men who take androgens (steroids) for body building shut down the production of hormones for sperm production.

A hormonal profile must be performed on all men with male factor infertility. This will help rule out serious medical conditions, give more information on the sperm-producing ability of the testes and may reveal situations where hormonal treatment is indicated.

Infections
Men may have infections of their reproductive tract. These may include infections of the prostate (prostatitis), of the epididymis (epididymitis), or of the testes (orchitis).

Post-pubertal viral infections of the testes may cause significant damage (atrophy) of the testes and may cause absolute and irreversible infertility. Bacterial infections or sexually transmitted diseases may cause blockages of the sperm ducts.

Active bacterial or viral infections may have a negative effect on sperm production or sperm function. White blood cells, which are the body’s response to infection, may also have a negative effect on sperm membranes, making them less hearty.

If excessive white blood cells or bacteria are seen in a semen specimen, a general genital culture should be done as well as cultures for commonly asymptomatic, sexually-transmitted diseases including mycoplasma, ureaplasma, and chlamydia.

Genetic Abnormalities
Men whose total number of moving sperm in the ejaculate (calculated by multiplying the volume of the ejaculate, by the concentration of sperm, by the percent that are moving) of less than 5 million must have genetic testing done. Sometimes, this production of low numbers of sperm is the result of genetic abnormalities that could have significant implications for children.

Lifestyle Factors:

Cigarette Smoking
Cigarette smoking has been shown to significantly affect semen quality. If a man smokes, he decreases the chances of achieving a pregnancy, and increases the chances that his partner will have a miscarriage or an abnormal baby even if she is able to conceive.

Recreational Drugs
Marijuana
Marijuana often causes a decreased average sperm count, motility, and normal morphology.

Cocaine
Even infrequent cocaine use causes decreased sperm count, motility, and normal morphology.

Anabolic Steroids (male hormones)
Anabolic androgenic steroids may cause severely diminished spermatogenesis or complete absence of sperm. When taken, these steroids cause a persistent depression of the hypothalamus and pituitary, which may be irreversible even when the steroids are stopped.

Alcohol
Moderate alcohol use does not affect male fertility. Excessive alcohol use affects the hormonal axis and is a direct gonadotoxin.

Lubricants
Most vaginal lubricants, including K-Y Jelly, Surgilube, and Lubifax, are toxic to sperm. The one most often recommended is Pro-Seed.

Exercise
Moderate amounts of exercise can only be helpful. However, long-distance runners and distance cyclers have decreased spermatogenesis. These activities should be moderated when a sub-fertile man is attempting conception.

Testing
The general purpose of a man’s evaluation (semen analysis and, if appropriate, a consultation) is to identify any problems in order to maximize the quality of the man’s semen. This may reduce the need for more complicated interventions for the female partner. It is also important to rule out significant medical problems that may contribute to a poor semen analysis. The most important first step in any man’s evaluation is the semen analysis.

Semen Analysis
Semen is the fluid that a man ejaculates. The sperm within the semen are the cells that actually fertilize the egg and are therefore the most important to assess. However, the sperm account for only 1% to 2% of the semen volume. Problems with the surrounding fluid may also interfere with the movement and function of the sperm. Therefore, both the sperm and the fluid must be tested.

The semen analysis will help determine whether there is a male factor involved in the couple’s sub-fertility. A thorough evaluation helps determine the cause of an abnormal semen analysis and rules out medical problems.

Standard Semen Analysis Tests
Almost all laboratories will conduct tests and report on the following information, using values established by the World Health Organization:

• Concentration (count): This is a measurement of how many million sperm there are in each milliliter of fluid. Average sperm concentration is more than 60 million per milliliter. Counts of less than 20 million per milliliter are considered sub-fertile.

• Motility (mobility): This is the percentage of sperm that are moving. Fifty percent or more of the sperm should be moving.

• Morphology: This is the count of the number of normally shaped sperm. The sperm are examined under a microscope and must meet specific sets of criteria in order to be considered normal. Most commercial laboratories will use WHO morphology. Thirty percent of the sperm should be normal by these criteria.

• Volume: This is the volume of the ejaculate. Normal is two milliliters or greater.

• Total Motile Count: This is the number of moving sperm in the entire ejaculate. There should be more than 40 million motile sperm in the ejaculate.

• Standard Semen Fluid Tests: Color, viscosity, and the time until the specimen liquefies should also be measured. Abnormalities in the seminal fluid may adversely affect the sperm, or the way they get out of the fluid and move through a woman’s reproductive tract.

Additional Semen Analysis Tests

• Forward Progression: This describes how well the moving sperm are making progress. Only when the motility (percent moving) is combined with the forward progression is an accurate picture of sperm movement obtained. A man’s motility may be normal and the fact that the sperm are moving sluggishly or almost not at all will be overlooked if the forward progression is not recorded separately.

• Kruger Morphology: This is a more detailed evaluation of the morphology. A Kruger test helps determine which of the available advanced reproductive techniques may be most appropriate and successful.

• Anti-Sperm Antibodies: Some men may produce antibodies to their own sperm, which may decrease fertility rates. Semen should be routinely tested for these antibodies, as more than 10% of men whose other sperm parameters are normal will have abnormal amounts of antibodies.

• White Blood Cells: The semen may contain a high number of white blood cells (wbc’s), which may be an indication of either infection or inflammation. WBC’s cannot be differentiated from other round cells normally found in the semen (debris and immature sperm) without special staining. If more than one-million round cells are found in the ejaculate, a portion of the ejaculate should be specially stained to look for an increased number of wbc’s. If the wbc count is elevated, semen cultures (for bacterial and sexually transmitted diseases) should be performed on a subsequent specimen. The wbc’s can represent infection or inflammation. They have a negative effect on the sperm themselves. Often a course of anti-inflammatories is used. Antibiotics should only rarely be used and then should be appropriately selected based on culture results. Most men will have some bacteria in the ejaculate, which does not mean it has to be treated!

Other Tests

• In certain situations, specialized tests are needed. These depend on the findings at the time of the analysis and can often be performed on the same specimen.

• Spun Specimen: Even if no sperm are seen on the test slide, the sperm count may still not be zero (there may be very low numbers of sperm in the ejaculate). This has important implications as it may determine if the couple can conceive using advanced reproductive techniques. This must be assessed by spinning down the specimen so all of the sperm are concentrated in a pellet which is then examined under a microscope.

• Viability: Sperm may be alive, but not moving. A specialized staining technique is used to determine what percentage of the sperm is alive. This test is indicated when the motility (percent moving) is less that thirty percent.

• Fructose: In men with no sperm or very low numbers of sperm in the ejaculate, it is important to determine whether the sperm are not being produced at all, or whether they are being produced but are blocked from “getting into” the semen. A fructose test can help differentiate between these two problems.

• Post-Ejaculatory Urinalysis (PEU): Some men ejaculate all or part of the sperm backward into the bladder. This can be detected by having a man ejaculate and immediately afterward urinate into a separate cup. The post-ejaculatory urine is then centrifuged to see if any sperm are present.

Laboratory Needs

• Expertise: Semen testing is a sophisticated and technical field. An improperly or incompletely performed semen analysis may miss significant problems. Unrecognized problems may unnecessarily delay a man’s treatment. Unlike many other lab tests, a semen analysis relies completely on the expertise of those performing it. Make sure the lab has sophisticated protocols and well-trained, specialized technicians.

• Timing: In order to get accurate results, the specimen must be processed within one hour of collection. If not, the measurement of the movement of the sperm may be extremely inaccurate. With any lab you use, make sure that the analysis is performed on site and not shipped elsewhere for evaluation.

• Thoroughness: You should use a laboratory that has the capability to do complete initial testing as well as the flexibility to do the appropriate follow-up testing on the same specimen.

• Comfort and Convenience: In order to maximize your results, it is important that you are as relaxed as possible. Ideally, the specimen should be collected at the laboratory itself in a comfortable room that is meant specifically for that purpose.

Treatment
More that 50% of men will have a treatable cause of male factor infertility. When these conditions are treated, either through medication or surgery, a man will often see a significant improvement in his semen analysis. This will increase his chances of achieving a conception with a partner, either through natural intercourse or through less invasive means.

Those men whose conditions are not treatable may still have the option of using advanced reproductive techniques to achieve a pregnancy. Even those men with no sperm in the ejaculate may be able to have some living sperm procured from them through other methods and achieve a pregnancy using advanced reproductive techniques. Those few men who produce absolutely no sperm at all will have this information so that they can explore other options.

“How to have great sex!” This is a subject of interest to men who want to supercharge their staying power in bed. Being unable to last long in bed leaves both you and your partner frustrated. This situation may ruin your relationship and unless you take action immediately to remedy the situation, you may continue experiencing it. You’ll be pleased to learn that there are specific ways to help you have great sex and enjoy stunning orgasms.

Now, let’s talk about 2 proven and effective tips to last longer in bed.

Tip #1 – Boost Your Sexual Stamina

Generally, it takes an average woman 10 -15 minutes to reaches an orgasm. Most men are usually unable to last this long during lovemaking. However, if you can control your arousal until she reaches a climax, you will be able to give her a smoldering hot sex. Here is how to achieve this.

Instead of being carried away by the pleasurable sensation you feel around your genitals during sex, turn your attention to how the sensation goes through your body. The moment you sense you are about to get to the “point of no return,” stop all stimulation for a while, or simply reduce the rate of your thrusting. Better still, you could take this opportunity to carry out oral sex on her. This is going to allow your arousal drop down a few notch till you feel comfortable to begin thrusting again. Repeat this process over and over again till you are ready to get-off.

Tip #2 – Hold Your Orgasm In

Normally, your pelvic muscles are bound to contract involuntarily when you are almost reaching an orgasm. However, before you get to this point, squeeze and hold your pubococcygeus muscles for as long as you can. Just in case you don’t know where the pubococcygeus muscle is located, it’s the same muscles you use to hold back urine from flowing. The moment you eventually reach an orgasm, since you have deliberately delayed it, it’s going to burst forth with so much force, thus allowing you get a pleasurable sensation when you eventually let go.

Now let’s face it. In order for you to avoid premature ejaculation, your pubococcygeus muscle (PC) needs to be strong. The PC muscle of most men is quite weak for the reason that it has never been exercised.

Well, strengthening the PC muscle is extremely easy. All you need to do is to begin practicing Kegel exercises just by contracting and holding your PC muscle for no less than 5 minutes on a daily basis. When you practice this for a week, your PC muscle will be very much strengthened to the extent that you’ll be able to use it to delay an orgasm till you’re prepared.

A Sensational Orgasm Is As Well A Great Turn On For Her!

Your woman will be sexually satisfied when you experience a great climax. She is going to feel extremely turned on and will always want to have sex with you. Therefore, ensure you give her an awesome orgasm first, and make use of the 2 tips above to attain a great climax yourself. You are guaranteed to have great sex always!