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Men’s health is often overlooked or under-reported. However, this aspect of public health is not immune to health misinformation, particularly on social media.
This year, we witnessed some ridiculous claims relating to men’s health, and this article highlights them below:
- Waking without an erection is a sign of poor health in men
An X user claimed that when a man wakes in the morning and doesn’t have an erection, it is an indication that something is wrong with the health of that person. He further suggested cloves as a treatment for the ‘condition’.
However, research showed that a man not having an erection early in the morning is not the only indication of erectile dysfunction, as there are other factors to consider. Also, experts noted that there is no direct evidence that cloves can cure erectile dysfunction and advised men who may have such conditions to visit their doctor. Read more here.
- Jumping helps to relieve urine retention in men
Another fact check was a viral WhatsApp post that claimed urinary retention in men can be relieved by simply jumping. The post cited the case of a 70-year-old man who was unable to urinate after waking from a nap. It also claimed the man’s urologist friend had advised him to stand straight and jump vigorously 15 to 20 times, which helped in the passage of urine.
Experts noted that the portrayal of this message is misleading, noting a wide range of causes of acute urinary retention, one of which is prostate cancer. They advised that anyone experiencing such symptoms should present at the hospital for adequate medical help. More information here.
- Men should have sex 21 times a month to reduce risk of prostate cancer
A man identified as a medical practitioner had urged men to have sex at least 21 times a month to reduce their risk of developing prostate cancer. However, research showed that while constant ejaculation may help the prostate by flushing out harmful chemicals that build up in semen, it does not automatically mean it protects against prostate cancer.
Similarly, several experts criticised the research that supported the viral claim, particularly its data collection, which relied on self-reported answers.
Also, other researchers noted that frequent masturbation (ejaculation) might reduce the risk of prostate cancer in men of some ages. Still, the same habit might increase the risk among men of other age groups. Other factors to be considered include exposure to chemicals, family history, genetic factors, and infections. Read more.
- Claim cucumber, others can cure prostate cancer false
In 2024, one claim that caught our attention was that cucumbers, onions, and tomatoes could be used to prevent and cure prostate cancer and diabetes.
An Instagram user shared a video where he enjoined men who have a family history of prostate cancer or diabetes to chew raw cucumber, tomatoes, and onions or ingest the blended ones three times a week as this purportedly helps prevent the illnesses mentioned or even cure those who already suffer from the conditions.
Our findings showed that the foods mentioned by the user contain antioxidants and are beneficial for overall health. However, the claim that they can prevent or cure prostate cancer and diabetes is unproven. More research is needed to ascertain the effect of these foods on these specific conditions.
Experts have discountenanced the claim, noting that prostate cancer and diabetes are induced by various factors that include genetics, lifestyle, and overall diet.
- Okra treats premature ejaculation in men
An X user had claimed that okra could be used to treat premature ejaculation and low sperm count in men. However, contrary to the claim, findings showed that okra, apart from its nutritional value, contained Gossypol, which promotes infertility in men by arresting sperm production (spermatogenesis).
One study on the issue showed that the methanolic extract of okra fruit affects testes, testicular tissues, and semen parameters. Another concluded by advising men battling infertility to avoid okra in their diet, especially raw okra. Nevertheless, both studies and experts recommended further research into the issue. Read the report here.
