Men have poorer health outcomes than women. One of the challenges for health care practitioners is that male patients don’t talk about their problems, don’t go seek medical attention, and ignore warning symptoms denying health problems.

The number of men diagnosed with prostate symptoms or pathology is on the rise. Erectile dysfunction affects 25% of men under 40 years old, 50% of the male population in their 50s and 70% of men at 70 years old. It’s important to know that erectile dysfunction is a predictor of cardiovascular disease. Erectile dysfunction may precede a cardiovascular event by as much as 3 to 5 years.

Depression is the leading cause of worldwide disability. Although more common in women men are twice as likely to attempt suicide. Depression has been identified in 78% of patients suffering from chronic pain and chronic pelvic pain syndrome, in patients who suffer from benign prostate hyperplasia, and infertility issues and also in 25% of men with Erectile Dysfunction.

Prostate health, erectile function, and fertility depend on a good balance of blood supply and drainage. Poor diet, excessive alcohol intake, smoking, sedentary lifestyle, and obesity, will increase inflammation in the body. Inflammation (oxidative stress) will have an impact on your health changing the physiology of your body. Inflammatory mediators from the pelvis can travel into the brain, changing the plasticity of your brain and triggering depression.

Osteopathy aims to balance the body’s structure and function to restore good health and good physiology. Daniel believes that osteopathy has a role to play in the health care system to help and support men experiencing prostate symptoms, erectile dysfunction, fertility issues and depression.