Las Vegas urologist Michael S. Kaplan is proud to support the Las Vegas Police Department by sponsoring the 2014 Bacon Ball Tournament, taking place May 3-4 at Arroyo Grande Sports Complex in Henderson. The Bacon Ball is an annual softball tournament that is comprised of teams of police officers, with the top teams taking home prizes.

Dr. Kaplan wishes the best of luck to all officers competing in this year’s tournament. For more information on the Bacon Ball Tournament, check out Police Softball.

Michael S. Kaplan is a leader in the field of urology, performing over 10,000 vasectomies during his tenure in Las Vegas. Kaplan is an advocate for prostate cancer screenings and started a local chapter of US TOO, a prostate cancer support group. For more information on urology services, contact us today.

Featured image by kcblanchett

A vasectomy is a very effective form of birth control and is a great option for those who don’t want to have any more (or any) children. The failure rate is very low, and the procedure can be done quickly and easily. Most men ask their doctor lots of questions before having a vasectomy, which of course they should, but there’s one big question that’s at the front of most men’s minds that few of them actually ask: will having a vasectomy affect their sex drive?

The honest answer is: no.
A vasectomy involves clamping or cutting the vas deferens, which transports sperm cells from the testicles so they can be released during ejaculation. This is the only part of your reproductive system that’s affected by a vasectomy, and the only change in its function is that there will no longer be sperm present in your semen, and since sperm makes up only about 2% of the total volume of your semen it’s a change you won’t even notice. The blood vessels and nerves in the area won’t be affected at all, so you won’t be any less able to have sex and enjoy it the same way you do now.

Another common worry is that having a vasectomy will somehow negatively affect your masculinity. There’s no need to worry about becoming less masculine as a result of a vasectomy, either. Your hormone production will remain the same, including your production of testosterone, and since this hormone enters the bloodstream directly after being produced by the testicles, severing the vas deferens will have no effect on how much of it is circulating in your body.

In fact, since after having a vasectomy you don’t have to worry about an unwanted pregnancy, most men say their sex life actually improves after the procedure. This is usually due to the fact that sex can be more spontaneous with less worry.

If you’d like to learn more about getting a vasectomy in Las Vegas, contact Dr. Michael S. Kaplan at (702) 454-6226 today.

Just as the foods you eat have a significant effect on your health and well-being, they can also have an effect on your love life. Here are some foods you can incorporate into your diet that are reported to have aphrodisiac effects, as well as being good for your overall health!

Chocolate
Who doesn’t love chocolate? Now there’s another reason to make it a regular part of your diet! It releases the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain’s pleasure centers and causes feelings of well-being and relaxation.

Basil
This common herb doesn’t only taste great and has lots of positive effects on your body, but its smell is very stimulating and is said to be a strong aphrodisiac.

Almonds
Almonds have been known as symbols of fertility since ancient times, and the poets and philosophers of old thought that the scent of almonds served as an aphrodisiac in women. There could be something to this idea because almonds are high in vitamin E and magnesium.

Asparagus
Another food thought for a very long time to increase desire in both men and women, in 19th century France three courses of asparagus dishes were served at wedding feasts. Modern science tells us that asparagus is high in folic acid – an essential chemical needed to increase histamine production, which is needed to reach orgasm.

Garlic
While it may not be good for your breath, garlic is full of a compound that increases blood flow throughout your body, which could benefit your love life. Just be sure to keep the breath mints handy!

Oysters
Oysters are one of the best-known aphrodisiacs, perhaps because of their high zinc content, which is known to increase libido and sperm count. And since oysters aren’t something most people eat frequently, it’s easy to incorporate them into a special romantic meal!

Honey
Honey is a good source of boron, which may enhance testosterone in the bloodstream. This has the effect of increasing libido in both men and women. It also contains the enzymes necessary for the body to produce testosterone on its own, and some studies report that it even helps to prevent erectile dysfunction.

Next time you’re planning a dinner date, try including one of these beneficial foods. To learn more about erectile dysfunction or urological health, contact Dr. Michael S. Kaplan, an experienced urologist in Las Vegas, at (702) 454-6226 today.

In recent years some fertility experts have come out with alarming news: men today are less fertile than they were a generation ago. A French study found that the sperm counts of the men involved fell by nearly a third between 1989 and 2005, and most other European studies conducted in the last 15 years have also found significant declines in sperm count. This isn’t in older men, either: it’s in 18-25 year olds.

Reasons for this possible decrease in sperm count include lifestyle factors such as higher amounts of belly fat, marijuana use, and a sedentary lifestyle. There are also factors out of our control such as environmental pollutants such as pesticides and Bisphenol-A (BPA), as well as a mother’s diet and whether or not she smoked during pregnancy. Even the time of year the research was conducted in could affect the results of these studies.

The data may sound alarming, but many experts question the validity of these findings. Most of these studies were carried out in Europe, so the results may not be applicable to other parts of the world; developing countries in particular have not been studied at all in this context.

In addition, lower sperm counts may not necessarily mean infertility. Men generally have a sperm count of 60 million per milliliter of semen, but anything over 40 million per milliliter is sufficient for conception. It’s only when the sperm count falls below 20 million per milliliter that fertility begins to drop significantly. Studies in Northern Europe estimate that as many as 1 in 5 young men could be considered infertile by these standards, but as with the other studies on fertility, these results may not apply in other parts of the world where there are very different lifestyles and other variable factors.

So, is there truly a fertility crisis? Most studies have indeed shown that sperm counts have decreased in the last couple of decades, but whether or not the situation is truly a crisis remains up for debate.

To learn more about what you can do to promote a healthy sperm count, contact the leading urologist in Las Vegas, Dr. Michael S. Kaplan at (702) 454-6226.

When most people think of breast cancer, they think of it as a women’s disease, an idea that’s further reinforced by the ubiquitous use of pink in breast cancer awareness campaigns and the fact that these campaigns focus entirely on women. However, it’s not only women who get breast cancer.

While over 99% of breast cancer diagnoses occur in women, every year an estimated 2,240 men are diagnosed with the disease and around 400 men will die from it. This may come as a surprise because we don’t think of men as having breast tissue, but they do; what makes women have breasts when men don’t is the balance of hormones in their bodies. Women’s higher levels of estrogen lead to their developing breasts, and their higher estrogen levels could account for their being more likely to develop breast cancer.

In fact, men who are diagnosed with the disease often have higher than average estrogen levels. This can be caused by lifestyle factors such as obesity, drinking more than one alcoholic drink per day, or high levels of exposure to radiation. Even the estrogen-related drugs given to men diagnosed with prostate cancer can contribute to the development of breast cancer.

There is also a genetic component. About 1 in 5 cases of breast cancer in men can be traced to a history of the disease in the women of his family, and men also carry the BRCA gene mutation recently made famous by Angelina Jolie that increases your risk of developing the disease.

The treatment for breast cancer is the same for both men and women, and includes chemotherapy, radiation treatment, hormone therapy, and possibly removal of the affected tissue.

A family history of any type of cancer is something your doctor should be aware of. If you are seeing a urologist, it is that much more important talk about the risks associated with other hormone based medications.

To learn more about men’s health or urology, contact the office of Dr. Michael S. Kaplan at (702) 454-6226.

The vasectomy gained popularity as a form of permanent contraception during the 1960s, and remains a common procedure in the United States and around the world. The vasectomy procedure has been fine-tuned over the past decades to make the process easier than ever. Today, it typically takes less than 30 minutes to complete a vasectomy, with a recovery time of under an hour at a physician’s office or clinic.

Vasectomy is widely regarded as one of the most reliable forms of birth control available. Due to the high incidence of the use of this procedure as a contraceptive option, there is much clinical data to support this claim. The UK National Sterilisation Guidelines published in 2004 reported the failure rate of vasectomy as about 1 out of 2000.

The reliability of vasectomy as protection against unwanted pregnancies has numerous psychological benefits as well. Men and their partners can often enjoy the benefits of reduced anxiety or worry of unwanted pregnancies. A report edited by faculty at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital cited that about 40 percent of partners seek a vasectomy following the failure of other types of birth control such as condoms, IUD’s, and oral contraceptives. It’s this freedom from concern regarding pregnancy that often results in an improved sex life for men and couples. The report also mentioned that 30 percent of couples had favorable outcomes related to their marriage following a vasectomy procedure. These couples said they felt healthier and more relaxed.

There’s a lot to be said for peace of mind and reduced stress. It’s also been suggested by clinical data that opting for a vasectomy is a simpler and safer contraceptive choice for couples in comparison to tubal ligation and oral birth control methods. Female sterilization is a more invasive procedure than a vasectomy and some oral birth control medications have been linked with serious health risks. A male’s consideration of these factors is certainly an element that lends itself to strengthening a partnership with his female counterpart.

For more information about vasectomies, or to find resources for a vasectomy in Las Vegas, contact Dr. Michael S. Kaplan at (702) 454-6226.

Having difficulties in the bedroom? It’s not an uncommon problem, but before you make an appointment with your doctor you might want to consider if one of these bizarre situations is a possible cause for your ED.

• Distraction and pressure

We all know that when people are under pressure they have difficulty performing up to expectations. The same goes for distraction. Well, performance in the bedroom is no different. So ditch the expectations, focus in on your girlfriend, and enjoy the moment!

• Your skin is too dry

Some research indicates that men with eczema, an autoimmune skin condition causing itchy rashes, report 60% higher rates of ED than other men. A potential cause may be that conditions that cause dry skin also affect your blood vessels and decrease blood flow to certain areas of your body. Thankfully, there are steps you can take that may ease some of these issues. For example, taking in at least 500 mg of both DHA and EPA every day, either by eating more fish or taking a fish oil supplement. Not only will it help your skin issues, it can help lower your blood pressure and decrease inflammation in your body.

• Her turning on the waterworks

Tears are a major turnoff for most men. A study published in the journal Science found that exposure to female tears reduces testosterone levels and arousal, so if your girlfriend has been crying recently, you’re much more likely to have trouble getting an erection. With this in mind, you probably want to wait a while until she calm’s down after she’s been upset.

• You’re green with envy

If your girlfriend is spending more time with your guy friends than you do, the American Journal of Sociology reports that this may correspond to your difficulties in the bedroom. Men in this situation are 92% more likely to have trouble getting an erection than guys whose significant other spends less time around his friends. Guys, if she’s spending more time with your buddies than you are, it could be be construed as a threat to your masculinity, and therefore affect your sex drive. The solution: spend more time with your friends so your girlfriend can spend more time with hers.

What do you think? Have anything to add to the list? For questions, you can always contact Dr. Michael Kaplan, Las Vegas’ leading erectile dysfunction doctor.

Listen for the pulse of the medical community.

In a recent poll of 660 physicians, doctors shared their thoughts and concerns about patient relations. Here are the highlights of what your urologist wishes you knew.

Your Urologist Needs to See You Regularly

Many patients put off doctor visits until something goes wrong. However, it’s hard for your urologist to asses the problem without any context or personal history. That’s why it’s important to establish a long term relationship with your urologist by getting regular check ups.

Your Urologist Wants You to Ask Questions

Many people feel rushed during medical consultations, but the truth is that doctors welcome questions, feedback, and concerns.

Get to Know Your Urologist Better

We’ve already mentioned the importance of establishing a long term relationship to help clue your urologist in on what’s considered “out of the ordinary” for you, but it’s also important to get to know your urologist on a more personal level. You wouldn’t want to find out that you disagree with your urologist’s style or personality later down the road.

For more information or tips about getting the best medical care, contact Dr. Michael S. Kaplan at (702) 454-6226.

Could this be lowering your sperm count?

If you’ve been experiencing infertility issues, the culprit could be your T.V. A recent study determined that healthy young males that watched television in excess of 20 hours each week showed more than 40 percent lower sperm counts than men who spent less time in front of the tube.

Men in the same age range of 18 to 22 that reported participating in moderate exercise for at least 15 hours a week were found to have more than a 70 percent higher sperm count compared to their less active counterparts. Men from the first group reported exercising less than 5 hours a week, opting to catch up on their favorite TV series instead.

The study suggests that less T.V. and more exercise may increase sperm count, but it’s also worth seeing your urologist to rule out more serious conditions. For more information, or to schedule a consultation, contact Dr. Michael S. Kaplan at (702) 454-6226.

How much TV do you watch in a week? Share your thoughts below.

Photo by: Lori C.

Sometimes men are reluctant to consult a specialist, even when they are suffering from discomfort or facing serious symptoms. However, even mild symptoms can sometimes be an indicator of cancer. The following warning signs need to be addressed by a urologist immediately to rule out the possibility of cancer.

Issues with male fertility

Infertility can be a combination of many factors, including cancer. A small number of male fertility issues can be related to testicular cancer, so it’s worth asking your doctor if this is an issue for you.

Blood in the urine

The appearance of blood in your urine can be a warning flag of bladder or kidney cancer. It’s also worth noting that not all blood in the urine is visible – sometimes it can only be detected through tests.

Changes in Prostate Specific Antigen numbers

These numbers are the most accurate indicators of prostate cancer. A rise in these numbers warrant a closer evaluation by a urologist specially trained in diagnosing and treating prostate cancer.

Abnormal prostate exam

It’s highly recommended that all men over the age of 40 to 45 obtain a yearly prostate exam. Again, abnormal results, such as masses, need to be evaluated by a urologist for early intervention if required.

X-rays that reveal masses on the kidneys

The possibility of kidney cancer may be suggested by masses on the kidneys, but a urologist is the best doctor to handle the diagnosis and treatment of this disease of the urological system.

Pain or a mass in the testicles

Early intervention for testicular cancer is key in fighting this very curable form of cancer. Don’t fool yourself into thinking the pain will just go away – it could lead to much worse problems down the road.

Contact Dr. Michael S Kaplan, respected urologist and erectile dysfunction doctor, today at (702) 454-6226 for a consultation or appointment if you are experiencing one of these serious symptoms.