Paul Turek, MD, Author at The Turek Clinic

Why Blueberries Matter

Posted on February 19, 2011 by Paul Turek, MD

Once in a great moon, something comes around that changes the way you think about things. Galileo’s dismissal of the earth-centered universe, the invention of electricity and the desktop computer are but a few of these. Upon reading a recent meta-analysis of antioxidant supplements for male infertility, did my world-view change? Not really. But I […]

Men and Romance: Its Complicated

Posted on February 12, 2011 by Paul Turek, MD

The definition of the word romance in most dictionaries, including the mother-of-them-all Oxford English Dictionary, includes the statement “a love affair.” In real life, however, the word romance means entirely different things to men and women but there is probably some common ground here. I think that Robert Frost best summarized what we would all […]

30,000 Foot (Cloud) Thoughts

Posted on January 29, 2011 by Paul Turek, MD

Do you find it hard to think at 30,000 feet if you are not on an airplane? “Think broadly and ambitiously and leave your pet projects at the door.” That was our charge as invited guests of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) this week for their visioning process for the future of healthcare in […]

Through the Looking-Glass

Posted on January 23, 2011 by Paul Turek, MD

They called again and want to talk. Similar to a strict parent who gives you little clue as to where they stand, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) wants to have a conversation. I said: “Yes, absolutely.” The NIH is nation’s power player in healthcare research. In 2010 it spent $32 billion or about $100 […]

Dawning of the Deed

Posted on January 8, 2011 by Paul Turek, MD

Here’s a good question: “How old is sex?” You know, the old birds and the bees-type hooking up. Recently, some fossil finds have given us great clues as to the age of intercourse, the conception of copulation, the dawning of the dirty deed. You might have trouble even imagining your parents or grandparents having sex, […]

The Skinny on Holiday Cards

Posted on January 1, 2011 by Paul Turek, MD

“I want the holiday card with three of you on it” is what I tell my infertile patients at our first meeting in the office. Even if that visit occurs in February. In fact, this sums up much of what I think about infertility care: The solution to infertility is a path that may take […]

The Low Down on Being Knocked Up

Posted on December 18, 2010 by Paul Turek, MD

What drives pregnancy rates after vasectomy reversal? Lots of things. The judgment and skill of the surgeon are critical as not all surgeons are the same. Two operations are possible during reversal surgery (vasovasostomy or epididymovasostomy) and choosing the correct one for each side of each patient involves deft surgical judgment. After the type of […]

The Condom Cha Cha

Posted on December 12, 2010 by Paul Turek, MD

It is hilarious and it happened again recently. I had just finished his quick and painless no scalpel vasectomy and was about to hand him his signed “diploma” (really) for “meritorious performance and uncommon bravery” when he said it. Just as the others had said it, with that screechy, high-pitched, Vienna Boy’s Choir voice: “Nice […]

The Expert in Each of Us

Posted on December 4, 2010 by Paul Turek, MD

As President of the Northern California Urology Society, I held an interesting event in my office this week. I post it here because what I learned from it could apply to all of us in some small way. It was an event meant to highlight the idea of mentors in our lives. Titled “Inside the […]

Men as Fathers

Posted on November 26, 2010 by Paul Turek, MD

Honestly, I have a lot to be thankful for in November. A wedding anniversary, the birthdays of both daughters, and a restful holiday all in one month. Seeing the chocolate covered smiles on my young daughters as they inhaled birthday cake recently reminded me of something: My work involves turning men into fathers every day. […]