Where can I find out about men's health on the Internet?

Men's health is a fast-growing area of interest among medical professionals and consumers – a fact that is reflected in an increasing number of Internet sites devoted to the subject. Current research covers behavioral, psychological, biological, social and sexual aspects of men's health that influence overall health and wellbeing, aging and life expectancy. Consequently, an increasing range of men's health websites presents articles, electronic books, forums and thread discussions devoted to virtually any topic related to men's health.

Longevity is a prime topic in the area of men's health, specifically, why do men have a shorter average life-expectancy than women? In the US, women outlive men on average by about five years (80.5 years vs. 75.4 years). While this gap has narrowed slightly in recent years, the exact causes of the disparity remain unclear (although it is likely that higher rates of smoking, drinking and overall stress are likely contributors).

Other common men's health conditions include the topics below; just click on the links to learn more:

Andropause: Also known as the "mid-life crisis", andropause is triggered by a gradual drop in testosterone levels. Symptoms may include exhaustion, irritability, poor sex-drive, body aches and mood swings.

Bad breath/Halitosis: Although almost anyone can suffer from bad breath, persistent/chronic bad breath is compounded by smoking, high levels of alcohol consumption and poor oral hygiene, factors that are common among men than women.

Color-blindness: This condition is defined as an inability to distinguish between certain colors. Color blindness affects about 8% of men (compared with about 0.5% of women).

Erectile dysfunction/Impotence: Defined as the inability to attain/prolong an erection for an extended period of time during sexual activity, erectile dysfunction affects about 1 in 10 men. Although the condition may often be treated by prescription drugs, most men are either too embarrassed to ask a doctor for advice or are unaware that there are treatments available, such as Viagra.

Hair loss: Many men affected by hair loss consequently experience emotional stress, loss of self-confidence or depression. Treatments range from drugs, such as Propecia (finasteride) to hair-replacement surgery.

Hernia: A hernia is the protrusion of an abdominal organ through a weak area or rupture in the muscle or tissue that normally holds it in place. Hernias can be caused by strenuous activities, such as weightlifting or other vigorous exercise. Inguinal hernia is the most common type of hernia among men. Hernias can usually be repaired with surgery.

Prostate cancer: This form of cancer is the most common cancer among men over age 50 years. Although heredity significantly influences the risk of developing prostate cancer, the condition has also been linked to a high-calorie, low-vegetable diet. A range of treatments is available; for an overview of prostate cancer, contact the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

Psychological health problems: Some common psychological issues that confront men are depression, stress, anxiety, uncontrolled anger, obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCDs), eating disorders and excessive alcohol consumption. Many of these issues are brought on by work pressures and may be addressed by making changes to one's lifestyle and/or taking appropriate medication.

Snoring or Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Men usually snore more than women for various reasons:

- They tend to drink and smoke more than women, which increases their risk of developing sleep apnea;

- Men tend to gain weight around the neck area. The resulting excess tissue obstructs the nasal passages.

- Men tend to have narrower airways than women;

The Internet is a great first-stop for information about most issues related to men's health, particularly those issues that are potentially embarrassing to discuss, such as sexual performance and sexual health issues, emotional issues and substance-abuse issues.

These men's health websites, e-zines, online articles and forums address issues of men's health and wellbeing. They also provide useful information about the causes of many men's health concerns and advice on how to deal with them:

www.menshealthnetwork.org: A non-profit educational organization committed to improving the health and wellness of men.

www.menshealth.com: The online component of Men's Health magazine; a for-profit site that, as the tag-line says, offers "tons of useful stuff" about men's health, fitness and nutrition.

www.themenscenter.com: A non-profit educational service of The Men's Resource Network, Inc. whose mission is to "assist men in finding male positive resources, information, and support...to empower men to lead healthy, productive and fulfilling lives."

www.malecare.com: Provides information about the causes and medical treatments for male cancers, such as prostate cancer and testicular cancer.

MedLine Plus: Government website provides numerous links to websites about men's health.