Latest posts | Veedma's evidence-based men's health articles

Semen retention meaning and the science behind the hype

Dr. Alexander Grant, MD, PhD: Urologist & Men's Health Advocate

Dec 05, 2025 · 12 min read

Semen retention is deliberate abstinence from ejaculation, and research suggests it doesn’t produce a sustained testosterone boost—one study found a modest rise around day 7 of abstinence that drifted back toward baseline despite continued retention. Here’s what the evidence says about how “holding semen” affects hormones, mood, sex, and long‑term health. “Your body is not ...

Does testosterone cause hair loss? Separating hormonal fact from fiction

Dr. Alexander Grant, MD, PhD: Urologist & Men's Health Advocate

Dec 04, 2025 · 10 min read

Testosterone itself isn’t the direct cause of male pattern hair loss; the issue arises when 5‑alpha reductase converts it into DHT, which miniaturizes genetically androgen‑sensitive scalp follicles even when total testosterone is normal. With androgenetic alopecia affecting roughly 30%–50% of men by age 50, the real question is whether your follicles are “wired” to overreact—and ...

Lifting in Converse: The biomechanics, benefits, and risks of flat sole training

Dr. Bruno Rodriguez, DPT, CSCS: Strength, Recovery, and Physical Therapy Expert

Dec 04, 2025 · 10 min read

Converse-style zero-drop, incompressible flat soles can improve center-of-pressure stability and force transfer for deadlifts, but for squats they remove the 0.75–1 inch heel lift that aids ankle dorsiflexion—potentially increasing knee and lumbar torque when mobility is restricted. Here’s how to know when flat shoes are the right tool for your mechanics, and when a heeled ...

Essential biomarkers runners should track to run faster and avoid injury

Dr. Susan Carter, MD: Endocrinologist & Longevity Expert

Dec 04, 2025 · 14 min read

Key biomarkers runners should track include iron status (ferritin, hemoglobin), vitamin D, key hormones (cortisol, testosterone), blood-sugar markers, and inflammation/recovery signals — and many clinicians flag ferritin below about 30–35 ng/mL as a red flag for depleted iron stores that can reduce oxygen delivery and performance. Here’s how to interpret the numbers, spot problems before ...

TRT before and after: What the clinical data actually promises for your body

Dr. Alexander Grant, MD, PhD: Urologist & Men's Health Advocate

Dec 04, 2025 · 13 min read

In men with symptoms and consistently low testosterone (total testosterone under ~350 ng/dL, or free testosterone under ~100 pg/mL), TRT that restores levels to the mid‑normal range (~400–700 ng/dL) can increase lean muscle, reduce fat mass, and improve sexual function, with modest improvements in mood and vitality. The viral “before and after” transformations are often ...