Paul Turek, MD, Author at The Turek Clinic

The Nitrous-Powered Vasectomy

Posted on April 2, 2021 by Paul Turek, MD

Over the last 25 years and 2,500 no scalpel vasectomies that I’ve performed, I’ve have learned a lot about men. A famous cancer surgeon once told me that he thought that a well-done vasectomy under local anesthesia is “probably the hardest surgical procedure in the entire field.” Harder than taking out a bladder? Yep! Because […]

How Does the mRNA COVID Vaccine Alter Us Genetically?

Posted on March 5, 2021 by Paul Turek, MD

Actually, it doesn’t. It’s not putting a DNA “genetic code” into our bodies. Instead, it’s an injection of the downstream instructions for protein-making molecules called mRNA. These molecules are quickly broken down by cells soon after being injected and don’t have the capacity to genetically “transform” cells like DNA can. Some other facts about the […]

There’s Hope: Maybe He’s Not Infertile!

Posted on February 5, 2021 by Paul Turek, MD

They’ve been trying to conceive for almost two years with no luck. She’s been checked out and he’s been checked out and they’re both “fine.” That’s called unexplained infertility. It’s often at this point that I see couples, shoulders shrugged, saying: “We’re hoping you can figure out why we’re not conceiving!” And this scenario is […]

Is Trying to Conceive Giving You Performance Anxiety?

Posted on January 4, 2021 by Paul Turek, MD

You’ve recently stopped using contraception. She has the timing of her cycle down and knows when she’s most fertile every month. Welcome to baby making time! At first glance, this seems straightforward enough: All those years practicing the art means that you know exactly what to do. Now it’s just a question of stepping up […]

How to Prepare for a Vasectomy

Posted on December 7, 2020 by Paul Turek, MD

The COVID pandemic has been very clarifying for you. You really don’t want more/any children. She has “pulled the goalie” and it’s time for you to step up and take control of things. After a bit of online research, you realize that your options are pretty limited: pulling out, abstinence, condoms…and vasectomy. Luckily, vasectomy happens […]

Dealing With Unsolicited Fertility Advice From Others

Posted on November 6, 2020 by Paul Turek, MD

They’re probably just trying to help, but getting an earful of advice from others about your infertility issue can be incredibly uncomfortable. And belittling. And distressing. Like you haven’t already been endlessly researching options and talking with providers. Untargeted infertility advice is often way off target…and it just keeps coming. But, although no one has […]

What Happens to Birth Rates During Pandemics?

Posted on September 28, 2020 by Paul Turek, MD

At first glance, you’d think that staying at home (by law) during the COVID-19 pandemic would mean more babies being born. After all, conception rates are seasonal, with the highest rates occurring during the winter months when we’re all huddled inside. Romance and sex are all about contact time, right? Turns out, it’s a bit […]

Where You Get Your Semen Analysis Done Matters

Posted on August 31, 2020 by Paul Turek, MD

Quick question. Which matters more: How you collect your semen sample or who analyzes it? Correct, it’s who you give it to that matters more. Barring major interruptions or large faults in technique, collecting semen is basically triggering a spinal reflex that’s pretty consistent in humans, kind of like a light switch. But to properly […]

Love in the Time of a Pandemic

Posted on August 3, 2020 by Paul Turek, MD

A tiny virus about 1/50 the size of a red blood cell and containing a short little strand of RNA has rocked our world. According to Kelly Clark, the COVID virus “…is just an inexplicable, purposeless mutation” hoisted upon us, like it or not. It has maimed or killed hundreds of thousands around the world […]

Why Male Sexual Health Care Is Good Medicine

Posted on July 2, 2020 by Paul Turek, MD

It’s not easy to define “good medicine.” When I think of “good medicine,” I think of medical care that isn’t reactive, ponderously slow and inefficient. Good medicine is efficient, impactful, proactive, empowering and curative. Much of medicine treats illness, but good medicine heals it. Much of medicine is based on science but good medicine is […]