Man as Lever and Gear

How often do you get the oil changed on your car? When did you last see a doctor? Most men answer these two questions quite differently, typically responding: “twice annually” to the first and “I can’t remember” to the second.  Or, “thanks, I need to get this done” and “what doctor?” Honestly, most men take […]

The Mother of All Hope

Do you know where medicine is headed? I certainly don’t. This is a guest blog from a patient who is also applying to medical school. He asked me to review his application essay, and the teacher in me came out, and I said yes. What an inspiring shot in the arm for those of us […]

The Naked Truth About Intimacy

& This is a guest post authored by sexologist Heather Howard, PhD founder of the Center for Sexual Health and Rehabilitation in San Francisco “Doc, sex was fine before the baby-thing started. Now it’s by appointment and much harder for me. Help!” Hard to believe that it could happen to you, but it has. The […]

Put a Pin In It

“Go ahead and put a pin in it” is what we tell our patients who visit us from around the nation and world. Pin in what? A large map of the world on the office wall as you check in. A Map of Life Several years ago, the staff of The Turek Clinic thought it […]

Have Dessert Early

The Case of the Month is an actual patient from The Turek Clinic. It highlights the Cystic Fibrosis Research Inc’s 25th National Cystic Fibrosis Family Education Conference at which I spoke recently. You are welcome to review the lecture, available at the bottom of this post. A Natural Vasectomy He was young and thin, but […]

How to Follow the Olympics

They are upon us: the games of the 30th modern Olympiad in London. I know you can’t wait to see the 100-meter sprint crown the fastest man in the world. Or see if anyone can best Michael Phelp’s record of most gold medals achieved in a single Olympics (8). But, whatever you do, don’t watch the […]

IVF and Cancer: Guiliana’s Baby

“Does IVF cause cancer?” I see many patients from around the world with the severest forms of male infertility who as a couple need in vitro fertilization (IVF) to conceive and I am asked this question all the time. It’s an issue that I have been thinking about for 15 years, since I first entered […]

How to Roast a Marshmallow

Place on a long stick and rotate marshmallow evenly within the orange flame of the campfire. If it catches fire, blow it out. Continue roasting until outer skin of marshmallow bubbles and turns brown. Eat off of stick. Outside should be crusty brown and the inside should spill like white liquid silk. An American Experience […]

Read But Don’t Believe

Great news! Feel free to smoke. Drink as much booze as you want. Gain as much weight as you like. And feel free to indulge in whatever recreational drugs you can find. Have at it! None of these will affect your semen quality if you are trying to conceive. At least that’s what we are […]