In couples who face fertility problems, the problem is linked to the potential father in about 40 per cent of cases. In roughly a quarter of cases, a specific cause is unknown.

Ireland fared better than many other European countries in a recent men’s sexual health survey, but more HIV testing is still needed.

Last year, figures released by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) showed a dramatic rise in numbers of men who have sex with men (MSM) who were diagnosed with HIV. Dr Shay Keating, sexual health specialist and GP, told IMN that one in two gay men in Ireland don’t get tested for HIV, and never have. The HPSC data showed there was a 42 per cent increase in numbers of MSM who were diagnosed with HIV from 2008 to 2009, increasing from 97 to 138 cases in 12 months.

The term lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) is an umbrella term that was introduced  15 years ago in order to dispel the popular perception that urinary symptoms in the male invariably arise from the prostate.

The debate about the existence of the “manopause”, andropause or male menopause is beginning to intensify. However, there is a clear argument that these terms are inappropriate, and that there is no disputing the fact that testosterone production declines in many middle-aged and elderly men.