Dr. Turek's Blog

What Testosterone Isn’t

Posted on by Paul Turek, MD

I see a lot of patients who think that their testosterone is good. Even I have been heard to say that it is the “elixir of a man’s life.” Indeed, testosterone is one seriously important molecule throughout men’s lives. In the womb, it determines anatomic maleness. And during puberty, when another splash of testosterone hits […]

Insider’s Guide to Vasectomy Reversal

Posted on by Paul Turek, MD

& Something like 25,000 American men a year want more children after having a vasectomy. The more popular of two options for fatherhood after vasectomy is a vasectomy reversal; the other choice is sperm retrieval for men and in vitro fertilization (IVF, “test tube baby”) for their partners. Even though it is a surgical procedure […]

Will Operate for Food

Posted on by Paul Turek, MD

& Here it goes again. Doctors are out of a job because of _____ (fill in the blank with antisepsis, antibiotics, vitamins, lasers, robots, etc). Now, it’s the Internet. A recent newspaper article discussed that 60% of Americans and 70-90% of Europeans now seek health information online. Especially impressive is the number of older individuals, […]

A Well Lived Life

Posted on by Paul Turek, MD

& Dear William, You called several months ago from across the country to talk with me, as many others do. The story you told moved me as many others do. But the way your story ends is different from many others and, because of this, is now etched in my memory. You broke your back […]

Cancer’s Second Hit

Posted on by Paul Turek, MD

& “This is as hard on me as having cancer was. The difference is that being infertile is not life threatening; having cancer is.” These are the words of a young cancer survivor sitting in my office who is now dealing with infertility, a common consequence of cancer treatment. Yes, he is very happy to […]

The Recipe for Man Made Sperm

Posted on by Paul Turek, MD

Stem cells rock. While the stock market tumbles, stem cell science is sizzling. I know, you’re thinking: what is he talking about? No diseases have been cured with new stem cell technologies. But, from what’s being discovered almost weekly now, I can tell you that male infertility is likely to be one of the earliest boxes ticked on the “Diseases to Cure” list for stem cells.

Stem cells rock. While the stock market tumbles, stem cell science is sizzling. I know, you’re thinking: what is he talking about? No diseases have been cured with new stem cell technologies. But, from what’s being discovered almost weekly now, I can tell you that male infertility is likely to be one of the earliest boxes ticked on the “Diseases to Cure” list for stem cells.

Heat Impairs Sperm Production

Toxic Tubbing: Hot Tubs‘ Effects on Male Fertility

Posted on by Paul Turek, MD

Quiet. Warm. Relaxing. Soothing. How can a hot tub or a steaming hot bath possibly be bad for your health? Well, they are…for men. They reduce male fertility. Big time. The History of Heat and Fertility Elevated temperature has been a recognized cause of impaired sperm production since the time of Hippocrates. Even a simple fever can hurt the sperm factory. […]

Who is Woody?

Posted on by Paul Turek, MD

I’ve been asked in the office. I’ve been asked in the street. Who’s that guy on your website? What’s his name, is it Pete?
I am referring to character on the landing page of my website: The Turek Clinic.com. This line-drawing of a man is captured in various real life scenarios and, like most men, goes with the flow.

I’ve been asked in the office. I’ve been asked in the street. Who’s that guy on your website? What’s his name, is it Pete?
I am referring to character on the landing page of my website: The Turek Clinic.com. This line-drawing of a man is captured in various real life scenarios and, like most men, goes with the flow.

Timing (And Position) Are Everything

Posted on by Paul Turek, MD

Can you get a boy or a girl? (Courtesy: Shutterstock) Missionary? Doggie? Cowgirl? Kneeling Lotus? Quarter moon? Full moon? No moon? Is there really a best lovemaking time or position for conceiving a girl or boy? History of Designing Sex for a Boy or Girl Methods for determining baby gender are ancient, even prehistoric, and range from astrological to dietary to positional. One […]

A Teaching Moment

Posted on by Paul Turek, MD

They stood on their boards in waist high waves within a couple minutes of my surf lesson. It was magic to see the look on their faces as their arms were wildly gesticulating in the white water. All half dozen of them. Even chilly 60-degree water didn’t seem to matter. Teaching is fun. And this […]