Young Men's Health
Are there any sports for which guys should wear genital protection? I got hit in the thigh with a fast ball. It left a big purple bruise and just missed my right nut. Should I be wearing a jockstrap and cup? A few guys do, but more don’t.This is a great question! As you probably have realized, there is a lot more information out there about the use of other protective equipment such as helmets and eyewear … read more
Ask Us questions
Each week we choose one new Ask Us question and post the answer. Feel free to search or browse our past questions and answers to see if yours is already there.
To ask a new question, use our form. Ask your own question!
I’m 15 and I’ve recently switched from compression shorts to jockstraps. I’ve noticed a change in the amount of semen I am ejaculating. Is it because of the tightness of the jockstrap on my testicles?
It is difficult to know for sure if the type of underwear you are wearing is affecting the amount of semen you are ejaculating. What we know in general is … read more
Why is my stomach so noisy?
The noise from your stomach is actually caused from the movement of food, air and fluids (that help digest your food). Some people believe that the noise is caused from … read more
I’m a 15 year old guy weighing over 170 pounds. Am I considered obese and if so, how can I fix it?
The healthy weight range for you depends on your height and your age. Body mass index, or BMI, is a measurement that uses both your height and weight to come up … read more
Is it ok to eat right before bed?
Yes. If your stomach is grumbling and dinner was a few hours ago, there is nothing wrong with having a light snack before going to bed. What you eat more … read more
I’m 14 and I have enlarged breasts. Is it gynecomastia? Can it be cured without surgery?
If you have gynecomastia, you are not alone. Gynecomastia is a common condition where the tissue under a young man’s nipples starts to grow and can look like small breasts. … read more
I can’t sit still sometimes. I move the same way over and over again, like a character in a video game. What is this and how do I stop it?
“Akathisia” is the medical word that describes a person who has motor restlessness and as a result, there is a need to move about constantly. “Hyperactivity” is another word to … read more
I am male and I started puberty 2 years ago, and lately I noticed that my voice can’t reach the middle-high notes when singing or humming. Instead, there is a period of silence and random pitched sounds coming from my vocal cords. Is this normal? If so, when will I be able to get back to those notes again?
During puberty the “voice box” (medical term= larynx) gets bigger and the “voice cords” become longer. This is normal and happens to both girls and guys but the temporary voice … read more
Why is it important to know the facts about reproduction?
Most people think of “reproduction” in terms of “human” reproduction, or the continued existence of our species. It’s important to know how humans can “reproduce” or make babies so that … read more
When I sit down for a long time, (ex. long road trips, sitting for exams, long classes) I get a short erection that goes away after a few minutes. But it’s very distracting every time it happens and kind of embarrassing. Is there a tip to prevent them or reduce the frequency?
Having unexpected erections, especially during puberty, is totally normal. They usually happen when a guy thinks about something sexual but they can happen for any other reason too. Unexpected erections … read more