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Chapter 3 - Urologic Men’s Health, the Internet, and Social Media

from Section 1 - An Introduction to Men’s Health Care

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 December 2023

Douglas T. Carrell
Affiliation:
Utah Center for Reproductive Medicine
Alexander W. Pastuszak
Affiliation:
University of Utah
James M. Hotaling
Affiliation:
Utah Center for Reproductive Medicine
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Summary

The internet constantly evolves and facilitates the development of new avenues for users to interact and communicate internationally. Social media and search engines represent the forefront of internet technologies that enable users to produce content, develop digital participatory networks, and share information across various topics. These internet tools are reshaping the continuum of care by enabling patients to acquire medical information, consult peers and healthcare practitioners, and even make treatment decisions without leaving their connected device. The consequences of circumventing traditional pathways to care are amplified in men’s health due to the fact that men frequently do not engage with the healthcare system and that erectile dysfunction and male infertility are stigmatized. The focus of this chapter is to evaluate the emerging online landscape for common men’s health conditions including male infertility, erectile dysfunction, hypogonadism, and Peyronie’s disease.

Type
Chapter
Information
Men's Reproductive and Sexual Health Throughout the Lifespan
An Integrated Approach to Fertility, Sexual Function, and Vitality
, pp. 16 - 22
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2023

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