Men’s health news: Russian roulette, Viagra, syphilis and Traumatic Masturbatory Syndrome

(fred goldstein)

Today's headlines in health news focus on male virility and sexual health from bravado shown at a Russian wedding to US Viagra controls and ways to remedy Traumatic Masturbatory Syndrome (TMS).

Brave-faced with bullet in head
Russian roulette, a game of chance that can end in death, is normally seen only on the big screen and definitely not synonymous with weddings. Nonetheless a video has gone viral from a March 24 wedding round of Russian roulette in Astrakhan, Russia where a guest took his turn and didn't fire a blank. Rumors surround the incident as to whether the game was a ‘freak' accident or murder. Male health tip: don't play Russian roulette at a wedding or anywhere, anytime. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyMEWNxmaV0 (video in Russian)

English syphilis surge based on social sites
Twitter is in a flurry over reports that Facebook and other social networking sites have created an outbreak of syphilis in the Northeast of England, specifically in Sunderland, Durham and Teesside. The surge of syphilis is four times greater than in other English towns and cities and corresponds to a 25% increase in use of social networking sites. The Minnesota-based administrator of the Facebook group "The Army Against Syphilis" might find it easier to expand its 14-member army. Male health tip: use condoms with Facebook hook-ups http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=info&gid=2201402190

Taxes for erectile dysfunction
According to Politico, a political news site, the Republican political party in the United States is debating a number of issues in the nation's health care reconciliation bill and one of the big concerns is making sure erectile dysfunction (ED) drugs are not given to sex offenders. Republican Senator Tom Coburn penned an amendment that he describes "would enact recommendations from the Government Accountability Office to stop fraudulent payments for prescription drugs prescribed by dead providers or, to dead patients. This amendment also prohibits coverage of Viagra and other ED medications to convicted child molesters, rapists, and sex offenders, and prohibits coverage of abortion drugs." Male health tip: non-sex offenders may be covered for ED drugs, ask your doctor. http://www.politico.com/livepulse/0310/No_Viagra_for_sex_offenders.html

Masturbation face-down is a health no-no
Traumatic Masturbatory Syndrome (TMS) is not a common health concern but according to Wendy Strgar, Care2's ‘Loveologist' and green sex educator, about 10% of men suffer from it. It is basically the need to lie face down while masturbating. This problem with TMS is it can lead to sexual dysfunction and ED. Male health tip: TMS is curable, with changing masturbation practices, visit: http://www.healthystrokes.com/