Efforts to cut risky sexual behavior by U.S. teens stall

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Survey Finds Big Drop in Sexual Activity Among Black Teens

HealthDay – 14 hrs ago TUESDAY, July 24 (HealthDay News) -- Black teenagers in the United States have become much less sexually active over the past two decades, and those who do have sex appear to be more likely to use condoms, a new survey has found.

The declines are "dramatic," said report author Laura Kann, who studies adolescent health for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The numbers don't disclose anything about why black teens might have changed their behavior. "This tells us what kids do, but not why," Kann said.

Overall, teens of all racial and ethnic groups are about as sexually active as they were a decade ago. And the rate of condom use by teens -- just six in 10 used them the last time they had sex -- hasn't changed much since the 1990s.

By contrast, the numbers for black teens are strikingly different. The percentage who reported ever having sex fell from 82 percent in 1991 to 60 percent in 2011. Kann said the numbers coincide with drops in teen pregnancy and births.

Increased education about HIV/AIDS among blacks, leadership in the black community and a public health focus on black Americans could explain the change, Kann said.

The new CDC teen-sex survey also reveals that:

The percentages of students who've had sex have remained fairly stable over the last 20 years for Hispanic students (49 percent in 2011) and whites (44 percent in 2011).Overall, 47 percent of all teens surveyed said they'd ever had sex, down from 54 percent in 1991. The rate has barely changed since 2001.About one-third of students said they'd had sex within the past three months, and 15 percent said they'd had sex with four or more partners.The percentage of sexually active teens who use condoms grew from 46 percent in 1991 to 60 percent in 2011, although the number hasn't changed much in recent years. Black teens are more likely to use condoms: their rate is 65 percent.

The recent stabilization of condom use could have something to do with less focus on HIV, which has largely become a treatable disease, Kann said. Also, "the percentage of high school students overall who have had HIV education has dropped since 1997. That hasn't helped any either."

The new survey results come from the CDC's National Youth Risk Behavior Survey of students in grades 9 through 12 from both public and private schools. About 15,000 students take the surveys each year.

Jennifer Manlove, area director of Fertility and Family Structure with the Child Trends advocacy group in Washington, D.C., said the survey shows that much of the evolution toward less sexual activity occurred in the 1990s, even among black teens.

"There's been a little bit more since 2000, but not really that much. The big news in the 1990s was the real focus on the AIDS epidemic and a lot of attention given to that," she said.

Dr. David Katz, director of Yale University's Prevention Research Center, said the study "is a mix of good news and persistent causes for concern."

Nearly half of teens in this country are still sexually active, "and a third or more (of those) did not use condoms most recently," he said. "This means that a very large population of our young people remains vulnerable to all of the perils of unprotected sex, HIV included. So this report is not a cause for celebration. It tells of a job that can be done when we address it well, and of a mission far from accomplished that deserves our more devoted attention."

He added: "No child should get HIV because our society is squeamish about the readily available means of preventing that."

The survey findings were scheduled to be released Tuesday at the International AIDS Conference in Washington, D.C., and published in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

More information

For more about teen sexual health, visit the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

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Ampio signs deal with Biocon unit on sexual dysfunction drug

Reuters – 11 hrs ago REUTERS - Ampio Pharmaceuticals Inc signed a deal with Syngene, a unit of Bangalore-based Biocon Ltd , to produce its experimental drug for premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction, sending its shares up 23 percent.

The combination drug, Zertane-ED, would be made by Syngene, Ampio said.

Ampio's Korea-based partner Daewoong Co Ltd will finance and conduct late-stage studies in South Korea.

"We will be working with Daewoong to get the study approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and in South Korea, but there is no specific timeline yet," a company spokesman told Reuters.

The drug would combine Ampio's experimental drug Zertane, which is being tested in a late-stage trial to treat premature ejaculation, with an erectile dysfunction drug similar to Pfizer Inc's blockbuster medicine Viagra.

There are currently no approved drugs in the United States to treat premature ejaculation and Ampio estimates up to 30 percent of males treated for premature ejaculation also suffer from erectile dysfunction.

The biopharmaceutical company is also developing three other products to treat inflammation and eye damage due to diabetes.

Shares of the company were up 11 percent at $5.68 on Monday on the Nasdaq, after soaring to $6.25.

(Reporting by Zeba Siddiqui in Bangalore; Editing by Don Sebastian)

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A Review of Supplements for Male Sexual Performance

It doesn’t seem like you can watch TV without seeing an ad for Cialis, Viagra, Levitra, or some type of dietary supplement that will help a man perform better.  And then there are the low T commercials, guaranteed to make any tired man feel he needs testosterone.  Sorting out this nonstop and bewildering advertising blitz is not easy, especially understanding the risks as well as the claims in the typically overhyped commercials.  This article gives you a better understanding of the subject so you can formulate a healthy plan that works for you.

Cialis, Viagra & Levitra

Cialis, Viagra, and Levitra are drugs known as phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5 inhibitor).  These drugs are widely used and therefore serve as excellent examples to learn about why they work, what that implies about your health, what their actual risks are, and what you should be doing to naturally improve your health.   

Upon sexual stimulation blood vessels within the penis release friendly nitric oxide (eNOS Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase. Type of enzyme involved with various physiological signals and maintenance activities with nitric oxide. ), helping blood flow into the penis.  In turn, eNOS Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase. Type of enzyme involved with various physiological signals and maintenance activities with nitric oxide. stimulates the production of another compound called cGMP (cyclic guanosine monophosphate), further enhancing blood flow into the penis and supporting the relaxed muscle function within the penis needed for an erection.  These two compounds interact synergistically to significantly increase nitric oxide, dilation of the arteries into the penis, and supply enough blood to produce an erection.

The arteries into the penis are small, yet they must accommodate a rapid 80 percent dilation in order for enough blood to flow into the penis to enable an erection.  No other part of the body requires such an extreme dilation for normal function (10 percent - 20 percent is common in other areas).  This is why the penis is so sensitive to general circulatory issues.

While eNOS Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase. Type of enzyme involved with various physiological signals and maintenance activities with nitric oxide. is the on switch for cGMP there is also a natural off switch, an enzyme called phosphodiesterase type 5, which will take cGMP apart.  Cialis, Viagra, and Levitra all work by deactivating the enzyme that is trying to take cGMP apart, helping in many cases to produce and sustain an erection by prolonging the existence of cGMP and thus eNOS Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase. Type of enzyme involved with various physiological signals and maintenance activities with nitric oxide. .  This biochemistry activity occurs in men who “need it” or not, which is why the recreational or performance-enhancing use of these drugs is rampant. 

When a man “needs” one of these drugs in order to have a satisfactory sexual experience it is a symptom of a larger cardiovascular problem; i.e., risk factors for cardiovascular disease are already established and typically progressing in the wrong direction.  An ED problem existing alongside extra body weight and low testosterone is especially predictive of cardio risk.  You might say that sexual problems are a red flag for cardiovascular problems, as the penis is very sensitive to the progression of general circulatory issues.

Ironically, blood pressure medication often starts ED or makes it worse.  Such drugs force less circulation and since the penis is a rather sensitive endpoint of the circulatory system its blood supply is reduced and existing struggles are then magnified, not improved.  On the other hand, circulatory problems that are driving up blood pressure also cause ED.  In medical literature these chicken and egg issues are hotly debated, which is why you need to understand the actual nature of the problem so you can truly fix it.  Quite frankly, the medical profession’s treatment paradigm is lacking, if not dangerous.

The side effects of Cialis, Viagra, and Levitra are worth understanding, since they are relatively easy to manage.  And heaven forbid that a man should get an erection lasting more than four hours. 

While the goal of these drugs is to inhibit the phosphodiesterase type 5 enzyme, they also inhibit other phosphodiesterase enzymes.  This may adversely affect eyesight or hearing, especially in people with structural issues in these body parts.  The risk of this type of side effect is considered minimal for most people.

The more common side effects are headache and backache, which researchers think is mostly caused by excessive inappropriate dilation of your general circulatory system.  This means that the blood-brain barrier becomes leakier; potentially allowing compounds in your circulation to enter your head that should not necessarily get in. 

What the researchers do not seem to understand and report on is that significantly increasing the pool of nitric oxide with these drugs can have rather unpredictable results.  This is because nitric oxide can be both anti-inflammatory (friendly eNOS Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase. Type of enzyme involved with various physiological signals and maintenance activities with nitric oxide. ) or pro-inflammatory (unfriendly iNOS Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase. This enzyme influences genes located in the neuro-immune and cardiovascular system and provides immune defense against pathogens and contributes to disease progression including neurogenic inflammation (iNOS2). ).

In practical terms, what happens after you take the drug will likely determine what kind of nitric oxide you get.  For example, if sexual stimulation and pleasure occurs then it is likely that eNOS Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase. Type of enzyme involved with various physiological signals and maintenance activities with nitric oxide. will be made at high levels.  But what happens if you unfortunately have an argument with your partner after taking the drug?  Now you will get a lot of iNOS Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase. This enzyme influences genes located in the neuro-immune and cardiovascular system and provides immune defense against pathogens and contributes to disease progression including neurogenic inflammation (iNOS2). . When that is combined with increased permeability into your brain you expose your head to an excitotoxic buzzsaw.

The moral of the story is, don’t ever take these drugs unless you are going to be really nice and planning on a good time.  Also, avoid stress while the drug is in your system, and avoid excess alcohol. 

Cialis has been approved at a lower dose for daily use.  Some researchers suggest that this can have general anti-inflammatory effects on the circulation and even be used to manage blood pressure.  Unfortunately, the issue is not so simple.  I have explained these drugs can readily turn pro-inflammatory.  Why on earth would anyone want that drug in his system when dealing with the day-to-day pressures of work?

It is possible to guard against the issues of excess vascular permeability into your brain and the unwanted production of unfriendly iNOS Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase. This enzyme influences genes located in the neuro-immune and cardiovascular system and provides immune defense against pathogens and contributes to disease progression including neurogenic inflammation (iNOS2). .  I would suggest that any man who uses these drugs also take nutrients that help eNOS Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase. Type of enzyme involved with various physiological signals and maintenance activities with nitric oxide. while protecting the vascular system from excess dilation.  Top choices include grape seed extract, resveratrol Natural phenol or type of antioxidant found in red grapes, red wine. Research has shown beneficial effects as anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory agents along with supporting healthy blood sugar and cardiovasculature function., hawthorn berry, and horse chestnut. 

There is no arguing that these drugs can be helpful for many men, as a temporary remedy for a system that is in distress.  Indeed, the stress of a sexless relationship can be traumatic for both men and women, having a significant negative overall health impact.  My interest in explaining all of this is to hopefully encourage men to actually fix their health.  After all, wouldn’t you like to live longer with a high quality of health so you have more opportunities for pleasure?

Boosting Friendly eNOS Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase. Type of enzyme involved with various physiological signals and maintenance activities with nitric oxide. and Lowering Inflammation

As can be understood from the previous section, activating and sustaining cGMP and eNOS Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase. Type of enzyme involved with various physiological signals and maintenance activities with nitric oxide. levels are major keys to erectile function.  It makes sense that by correcting the reasons cGMP and eNOS Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase. Type of enzyme involved with various physiological signals and maintenance activities with nitric oxide. levels are being depressed, the normal erectile function will then return or be improved. 

Two critical issues to improve and achieve this result: 
1. Boost levels of eNOS Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase. Type of enzyme involved with various physiological signals and maintenance activities with nitric oxide. , which stimulate the formation cGMP in the first place.
2. Reduce levels of inflammation, which cause excessive activity of the enzyme phosphodiesterase type 5, and take cGMP apart too fast. 

The availability of eNOS Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase. Type of enzyme involved with various physiological signals and maintenance activities with nitric oxide. in the penis is subjected to the overall availability and status of eNOS Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase. Type of enzyme involved with various physiological signals and maintenance activities with nitric oxide. in your circulatory system.  The most important form of exercise to develop better eNOS Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase. Type of enzyme involved with various physiological signals and maintenance activities with nitric oxide. function is aerobics.  If you don’t do aerobics two to three times per week you simply will not turn on genes that activate eNOS Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase. Type of enzyme involved with various physiological signals and maintenance activities with nitric oxide. production.  Supplements can still help eNOS Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase. Type of enzyme involved with various physiological signals and maintenance activities with nitric oxide. in the absence of exercise, but their result is much better if combined with aerobics.

Many supplements can help you boost the production of friendly eNOS Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase. Type of enzyme involved with various physiological signals and maintenance activities with nitric oxide. .  Top choices include grape seed extract, resveratrol Natural phenol or type of antioxidant found in red grapes, red wine. Research has shown beneficial effects as anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory agents along with supporting healthy blood sugar and cardiovasculature function., Q10, L arginine, panex ginseng, quercetin, and magnesium.  These may help to some extent if taken before sexual activity, but they do not work like the drugs that force chemistry reactions.  Rather, nutrients along with exercise help to build the pool of available friendly nitric oxide.  As you improve your fitness and eNOS Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase. Type of enzyme involved with various physiological signals and maintenance activities with nitric oxide. status you will eventually reach a point where your eNOS Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase. Type of enzyme involved with various physiological signals and maintenance activities with nitric oxide. supply is adequate for normal erectile function.  Thus, these supplements should be used regularly, including before exercise, while also working to improve factors that deplete friendly eNOS Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase. Type of enzyme involved with various physiological signals and maintenance activities with nitric oxide. .

Friendly nitric oxide levels are depleted by stress of any type and especially by weight gain.  If you are overweight you must engage in the process of weight loss for any truly long lasting improvement in friendly nitric oxide status, sexual function, and reduction in cardio risk. 

Excess body weight, high stress, and toxins are all inflammatory in nature.  It is interesting that research on the sex drugs has actually demonstrated that high levels of inflammatory TNFa Cytokine involved with systemic inflammation and regulation of immune cells. It is able to induce cell death, and inhibits tumorigenesis and viral replication. When dysfunctional it is associated with a number of disease processes. increase the activity of the enzyme phosphodiesterase type 5, which deteriorates cGMP status and makes erections more difficult.

For example, many men experience an occasional erectile issue following a period of high stress or a traumatic stressful event.  As the stress issues dissipate then the erectile issues also improve.  This is a common example of high stress temporarily taking its toll on cGMP.

Excess body weight is a huge issue in this regard, since white adipose tissue will constantly release excess TNFa Cytokine involved with systemic inflammation and regulation of immune cells. It is able to induce cell death, and inhibits tumorigenesis and viral replication. When dysfunctional it is associated with a number of disease processes. into the bloodstream, eventually taking its toll on cGMP.  While it may take a while for excess weight to interfere with sexual function, once it does the problem is fairly stubborn to solve.  A man must become committed to a much healthier lifestyle.

Every supplement mentioned above not only helps the production of friendly eNOS Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase. Type of enzyme involved with various physiological signals and maintenance activities with nitric oxide. , but also helps multiple aspects of inflammation.  Many other nutrients, especially DHA Docosahexaenoic acid Essential omega 3 fatty acid integral to the health of all cell membranes, nerve and brain function. Must be gotten through the diet via cold water oceanic fish or some very limited plant sources or taken as a supplement., are vital for proper ongoing reduction of inflammation.  How many you will need to take depends on your health status, lifestyle, exercise, diet quality, how much sleep you get, and how you manage any other factors that affect your health.  You want to establish a combination program for yourself that involves improved aerobic fitness, stress and inflammation management, proper diet, weight loss (if overweight), and rejuvenation of your overall cardiovascular system.  The side effect of this approach is eventually a male sexual system in good working condition.

Testosterone as a Foundation

Testosterone is the foundation of male sexual function.  Everything I just wrote about eNOS Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase. Type of enzyme involved with various physiological signals and maintenance activities with nitric oxide. , inflammation, and cGMP will be improved when testosterone status is good.  Conversely, it will deteriorate or be hard to correct when testosterone status is bad.  Unfortunately, testosterone levels decline with age; many factors speed up their decline.

One factor is weight.  When a man has inappropriately high blood levels of leptin due to being overweight, he automatically forces his testosterone levels down.  Leptin and testosterone are synergistic opposites.  Thus, losing weight is the first thing a man should do to correct low T.

On the flip side, weakened states of health are associated with leptin that is too low, as well as low testosterone.  While this issue is mostly associated with frail health conditions, it can also be produced by trying to lose weight too fast via starvation.  To lose weight in a healthy way, follow the Leptin Diet.  I should point out that extra zinc may be needed during weight loss to prevent a slide into worsening testosterone status (meaning your sex drive leaves you whenever you try to lose weight).  It is vital to lose weight the right way to optimize your potential testosterone levels.

Just as aerobics turn on genes that condition better eNOS Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase. Type of enzyme involved with various physiological signals and maintenance activities with nitric oxide. function, so it is that strength training or demanding sports turn on genes to enhance testosterone production.  If you don’t use your muscles intensely several times a week then you are failing to take one of the most basic actions that can drastically improve your testosterone status.

Dietary supplements can also help normalize testosterone levels, improve drive, and help improve performance.  Three of the better studied nutrients in this category include panex ginseng (up to 2,000 mgs per day), acetyl-l-carnitine (2,000 mg per day) and saw palmetto (320 mg per day).

Yohimbine is one nutrient in this category that I do not recommend because it is also a stimulant that can drive up blood pressure.  Since many men seeking improved sexual function also have cardio issues, this is not a safe combination.

Many of the testosterone supporting aphrodisiac herbs have a long history of folk use in traditional medicine of various cultures.  None of these raise testosterone abnormally high.  Rather, they may have a rejuvenating effect on a tired out testosterone system.  Two of my favorite herbs in this category are muira puama and tribulus terristrus. 

Muira puama, also called “potency wood,” is a small tree native to the Brazilian Amazon. It has been used traditionally as a tonic for muscles, an aide for weak digestion, and a sexual stimulant. Early explorers, noting the aphrodisiac properties of muira puama, brought it back to Europe where it has been part of herbal medicine.  Tribulus is an herb that has been used for centuries in India as a male system tonic and aphrodisiac. 

In my way of looking at health, trying to replace testosterone with a drug to boost your levels can be done, but it would be my last choice after working on all of the above.  As you get older testosterone metabolism is more unpredictable, especially if you have other health problems that frequently occur with erectile dysfunction.  For example, testosterone can fuel prostate cancer even though levels are lower in older men.  This is because of all the other hormonal confusion going on in a man who is not fit and is overweight.  It is far safer to correct health issues that impede testosterone production than to take testosterone with multiple health issues.  If all of your health issues are moving in the right direction and your testosterone levels are still low, then trying a drug at the lowest dose is workable, if it seems to help, while you make every effort to get your body into better shape. 

A Comment on Cardiovascular Disease Progression

Unfortunately, the longer health problems remain in place the more difficult they are to solve.  In the context of this article, that means there can be a progressive accumulation of damage in the walls of the arteries leading into the penis.  Plaque forming in penile arteries, which is common during aging, will make the issues more difficult to resolve.

Such problems can and should be fixed, but they take some time.  Some men may need more comprehensive cardio support than I have outlined in this article.  Simply taking some nutrients or improving your diet does not automatically fix the plaque that has accumulated.  Importantly, you must first create a personalized program that enables you to quit forming plaque.  Once on track, you have created an environment wherein your body can begin to undo plaque from your arteries, including your penile arteries.  This is a slow and steady process that requires you to be consistent doing healthy things for many months.  There are no quick fixes.  Drugs for cardiovascular health are Band-Aids that often make your health worse.  You aren’t trying to manage numbers, you are actually trying to be healthy.  Your sexual performance is a direct predictor of your cardio health.

On the positive side, your body considers sex to be one of the most important functions in terms of survival of the human race.  This means that your body will make every effort to help you restore natural and healthy sexual function – if you give it the chance to do so.

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Saw Palmetto Improves BPH and Sexual Dysfunction in Men

Swelling and enlargement of the prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH) is typical as men age and is known to accompany sexual dysfunction.  Ironically, medications used to treat BPH have sexual dysfunction as a common adverse side effect.  A new study with 82 men found that 320 mgs of saw palmetto per day not only helps BPH but also significantly improved sexual performance.

A second study also tested 320 mgs of saw palmetto per day for 24 months in 120 men with mild to moderate urinary tract symptoms and BPH.  Statistically significant improvement occurred in urinary flow, BPH symptoms, quality of life, and improved erectile function.

A third study involves a comprehensive review of saw palmetto studies, concluding that saw palmetto is effective for treating urinary flow problems of BPH with an excellent safety profile.  Improvements in erectile function were also noted in a number of the studies.

Saw palmetto has never been studied for erectile function apart from BPH.  However, this array of new information confirms the long-standing use of saw palmetto as a natural and safe option for addressing BPH, without the adverse side effect of diminished sexual performance.  To the contrary, saw palmetto improves sexual performance while helping BPH.  I should also mention that a 2009 cell study demonstrated that saw palmetto also has anti-tumor properties for prostate cancer growth, one more reason to consider adding it to a program for natural male support.

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Tennessee governor signs controversial "gateway sexual activity" bill

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Brain scans can predict weight gain and sexual activity, research shows

ScienceDaily (Apr. 17, 2012) — At a time when obesity has become epidemic in American society, Dartmouth scientists have found that functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) brain scans may be able to predict weight gain. In a study published April 18, 2012, in The Journal of Neuroscience, the researchers demonstrated a connection between fMRI brain responses to appetite-driven cues and future behavior.

See Also:Health & MedicineDiet and Weight LossBrain TumorObesityMind & BrainDieting and Weight ControlPsychologyBrain InjuryLiving WellStrange ScienceReferenceFunctional neuroimagingBone scanMirror neuronSleep deprivation

"This is one of the first studies in brain imaging that uses the responses observed in the scanner to predict important, real-world outcomes over a long period of time," says Todd Heatherton, the Lincoln Filene Professor in Human Relations in the department of psychological and brain sciences and a coauthor on the study. "Using brain activity to predict a consequential behavior outside the scanner is pretty novel."

Using fMRI, the researchers targeted a region of the brain known as the nucleus accumbens, often referred to as the brain's "reward center," in a group of incoming first-year college students. While undergoing scans, the subjects viewed images of animals, environmental scenes, appetizing food items, and people. Six months later, their weight and responses to questionnaires regarding interim sexual behavior were compared with their previously recorded weight and brain scan data.

"The people whose brains responded more strongly to food cues were the people who went on to gain more weight six months later," explains Kathryn Demos, first author on the paper. Demos, who conducted the research as part of her doctoral dissertation at Dartmouth, is currently on the research faculty at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University.

The correlation between strong food image brain responses and weight gain was also present for sexual images and activity. "Just as cue reactivity to food images was investigated as potential predictors of weight gain, cue reactivity to sexual images was used to predict sexual desire," the authors report.

The paper stresses "material specificity," noting that the participants who responded to food images gained weight but did not engage in more sexual behavior, and vice versa. The authors go on to say that none of the non-food images predicted weight gain.

Heatherton and William Kelley, associate professor of psychological and brain science and a senior author on the paper, have a longstanding interest in psychological theories of self-regulation, also called self-control or willpower.

"We seek to understand situations in which people face temptations and try to not act on them," says Kelley.

The researchers note that the first step toward controlling cravings may be an awareness of how much you are affected by specific triggers in the environment, such as the arrival of the dessert tray in a restaurant.

"You need to actively be thinking about the behavior you want to control in order to regulate it," remarks Kelley. "Self-regulation requires a lot of conscious effort."

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US warns two drugs may have sexual side effects

The Merck Pharmaceutical Company …

Two Merck drugs for treating male baldness and enlarged prostate will now carry extended labels to add more possible sexual side effects, US regulators said.

The changes involve Propecia and Proscar, both of which contain the active ingredient finasteride, after patients reported additional adverse effects that were not apparent at the time of the drugs' approval, the US Food and Drug Administration said Friday.

The new Propecia label will include "libido disorders, ejaculation disorders, and orgasm disorders that continued after discontinuation of the drug," the FDA said. Propecia is a drug to treat male baldness.

Proscar, which treats symptoms of enlarged prostate, will now have a label that adds "decreased libido that continued after discontinuation of the drug."

In addition, both labels are being revised to "include a description of reports of male infertility and/or poor semen quality that normalized or improved after drug discontinuation," the FDA said.

FDA spokeswoman Stephanie Yao said the drugs were previously known to cause adverse sexual events in a small number of patients, and that information was included on labels at the time of approval.

The latest labeling change "expands the list of sexual adverse events reported to the FDA postmarketing," she told AFP, adding that "no new clinical studies were reviewed to evaluate these adverse events."

Proscar was approved for the US market in 1992 and Propecia in 1997. In 2011, both drugs' labels were "revised to include erectile dysfunction that continued after drug discontinuation," the FDA said.

Last year, labels for Proscar and Propecia were also changed to advise of the possibility of an increased risk of high-grade prostate cancer.

The agency noted that even though "clear causal links between finasteride (Propecia and Proscar) and sexual adverse events have NOT been established, the cases suggest a broader range of adverse effects than previously reported in patients taking these drugs."

Since these side effects may be important to some patients, doctors were urged to discuss them with patients when deciding on treatment options.

In the case of Propecia, clinical trials showed 3.8 percent of men had reported one or more adverse sexual experiences, compared to 2.1 percent who were taking a placebo.

"Propecia and Proscar are generally well tolerated and effective for their respective intended uses in accordance with their approved product labeling," Merck said in a statement.

The company added that "a causal relationship between the use of Propecia or Proscar and continued sexual dysfunction after discontinuation of treatment has not been established," and expressed support for ongoing monitoring of adverse event reports.

ksh/mk

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US warns two drugs may have sexual side effects

The Merck Pharmaceutical Company …

Two Merck drugs for treating male baldness and enlarged prostate will now carry extended labels to add more possible sexual side effects, US regulators said.

The changes involve Propecia and Proscar, both of which contain the active ingredient finasteride, after patients reported additional adverse effects that were not apparent at the time of the drugs' approval, the US Food and Drug Administration said Friday.

The new Propecia label will include "libido disorders, ejaculation disorders, and orgasm disorders that continued after discontinuation of the drug," the FDA said. Propecia is a drug to treat male baldness.

Proscar, which treats symptoms of enlarged prostate, will now have a label that adds "decreased libido that continued after discontinuation of the drug."

In addition, both labels are being revised to "include a description of reports of male infertility and/or poor semen quality that normalized or improved after drug discontinuation," the FDA said.

FDA spokeswoman Stephanie Yao said the drugs were previously known to cause adverse sexual events in a small number of patients, and that information was included on labels at the time of approval.

The latest labeling change "expands the list of sexual adverse events reported to the FDA postmarketing," she told AFP, adding that "no new clinical studies were reviewed to evaluate these adverse events."

Proscar was approved for the US market in 1992 and Propecia in 1997. In 2011, both drugs' labels were "revised to include erectile dysfunction that continued after drug discontinuation," the FDA said.

Last year, labels for Proscar and Propecia were also changed to advise of the possibility of an increased risk of high-grade prostate cancer.

The agency noted that even though "clear causal links between finasteride (Propecia and Proscar) and sexual adverse events have NOT been established, the cases suggest a broader range of adverse effects than previously reported in patients taking these drugs."

Since these side effects may be important to some patients, doctors were urged to discuss them with patients when deciding on treatment options.

In the case of Propecia, clinical trials showed 3.8 percent of men had reported one or more adverse sexual experiences, compared to 2.1 percent who were taking a placebo.

"Propecia and Proscar are generally well tolerated and effective for their respective intended uses in accordance with their approved product labeling," Merck said in a statement.

The company added that "a causal relationship between the use of Propecia or Proscar and continued sexual dysfunction after discontinuation of treatment has not been established," and expressed support for ongoing monitoring of adverse event reports.

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Baldness Drug May Cause Sexual Side Effects: FDA

HealthDay – 43 mins ago THURSDAY, April 12 (HealthDay News) -- Two Merck & Co. drugs -- one to treat hair loss in men, the other to treat an enlarged prostate gland -- will get revised labels warning of potential sexual side effects that can last even after patients stop taking the drugs, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Thursday.

The two drugs -- Propecia to combat male pattern baldness, and Proscar, to treat enlarged prostates -- share the same chemical compound, called finasteride. One dose of Propecia contains 1 milligram of finasteride; one dose of Proscar contains 5 milligrams.

The new Propecia label will include a warning of "libido disorders, ejaculation disorders, and orgasm disorders that continued after discontinuation of the drug," the FDA said in a news release.

The Proscar label will include a warning about "decreased libido that continued after discontinuation of the drug," the agency said.

The labels of both drugs will also carry about a description of reports of male infertility and/or poor semen quality that clears up or improves after the drugs are stopped.

Although a cause-and-effect relationship between the drugs and these side effects hasn't been established, case reports suggest there's a potential problem, the FDA said.

The agency added, however, that only a small percentage of men using these drugs have experienced an adverse sexual event.

The FDA said it believes the drugs are safe to take for their approved uses. It recommends that patients and their doctors consider the new information on the revised labels when weighing a best treatment option.

Last year, both drugs' labels were changed to warn of the possibility of erectile dysfunction even after discontinuing the drug, according to the FDA.

Dr. Anthony D'Amico, chief of genitourinary radiation oncology at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, said Thursday that the revised labels contain "an important message that people need to hear."

"Particularly because Propecia is used by 20- and 30-year-olds for hair loss and these are people of childbearing age, so if they are getting issues with fertility that a big issue," he said.

In a statement released Thursday afternoon, Merck said:

"Merck believes that Propecia and Proscar are generally well tolerated and effective for their respective intended uses in accordance with their approved product labeling. In addition, please note that a causal relationship between the use of Propecia or Proscar and continued sexual dysfunction after discontinuation of treatment has not been established."

D'Amico said Thursday's announcement from the FDA "points up the usefulness of post-marketing studies on drugs that have been studied, but not for long enough periods to know what can happen when large numbers of people use them and what happens when they are discontinued."

More information

For more on the label changes, visit the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

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Sexual Abuse May Put Boys at Risk for Unsafe Sex

HealthDay – 1 hr 22 mins ago TUESDAY, April 10 (HealthDay News) -- Male teens who were sexually abused are more likely to have unsafe sex, a new study finds.

University of British Columbia researchers analyzed data from more than 40,000 American and Canadian male high school students who were surveyed between 1986 and 2011.

Compared to those with no history of sexual abuse, young males who were sexually abused were five times more likely to cause teen pregnancy, three times more likely to have multiple sexual partners and two times more likely to have unprotected sex, according to the study published online and in the June print issue of the Journal of Adolescent Health.

"As far as we know, this is the first study to explore the strength of the effects of sexual abuse on boys' sexual behavior," lead author Yuko Homma, a recent Ph.D. graduate from the University of British Columbia's School of Nursing, said in a university news release. "Our findings show that boys are also vulnerable to the traumatic effects of sexual abuse, which can lead to sexually transmitted infections or teen pregnancy."

About 8 percent of males and 20 percent of females in North America report that they've been sexually abused.

"Boys are far less likely to tell someone when they have been sexually abused," study co-author Elizabeth Saewyc, a UBC professor of nursing and adolescent medicine, said in the news release. "Yet it's clear they too need support and care to cope with the trauma from sexual violence."

Homma agreed. "Parents need to speak to their sons about sexual abuse awareness and prevention, as parents of girls do. Boys may hesitate to tell parents about an incident if parents have misconceptions about sexual abuse -- that it can't happen to males."

The researchers also suggested that schools should include sexual abuse prevention in health education, and health care agencies should screen boys and girls for a history of sexual abuse.

More information

The American Academy of Pediatrics has more about sexual abuse.

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