Find care now
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call 911 or seek care at an emergency room.
As a physician, I frequently speak with men who have questions about changes in their health but aren’t sure what's causing them. Erectile dysfunction, hair loss, and adult acne are among the most common concerns I hear about.
While these conditions can affect confidence and quality of life, they are often treatable. Many men are left wondering whether what they're experiencing is normal, what’s driving the change, and whether anything can be done to improve it.
The good news is that these conditions are well understood, and effective treatment options are available in many cases. Understanding the underlying causes is the first step toward finding the right solution and improving overall health and well-being.
Erectile dysfunction: A common and treatable condition.
In conversations with male patients, one concern that frequently arises is also one that many men are understandably more hesitant to discuss: erectile dysfunction (ED). ED is defined as the persistent difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection sufficient for sexual activity.
ED is one of the most common men’s health concerns and is increasingly common with age. However, experiencing ED is not an inevitable part of getting older. While age can contribute to changes in sexual function, erectile dysfunction is often linked to underlying physical, psychological, or lifestyle factors that can be identified and addressed.
Fortunately, effective treatments are available and many men can improve their symptoms.
Common causes of erectile dysfunction.
ED is usually a reflection of broader health rather than an isolated issue. One of the most significant contributors is vascular health. Erections depend on healthy blood flow, so conditions that affect blood vessels can directly impact sexual function—which is why it’s important to seek care to rule out any potential chronic conditions. These conditions may include:
-
Diabetes
-
High cholesterol
-
Atherosclerosis
In addition, lifestyle factors such as smoking, lack of physical activity, excess weight, and heavy alcohol use can impair vascular function over time. Certain medications and hormonal imbalances may also contribute.
Your mental health is equally important. Stress, anxiety, depression, and relationship dynamics can all influence sexual performance. In many cases, ED reflects a combination of several of these physical and emotional factors.
Treatment for erectile dysfunction.
The good news is that erectile dysfunction is often highly treatable. Improving cardiovascular health through lifestyle changes can have a meaningful impact. Medications such as PDE5 inhibitors—including sildenafil (Viagra) and tadalafil (Cialis)—are also highly effective for many patients. In other cases, ED treatment may involve hormone evaluation or addressing psychological risk factors directly.
Understanding hair loss in men.
Hair loss is often one of the first changes men notice as they begin to age, and it typically progresses gradually enough that it can be easy to overlook at first. Over time, however, hair thinning at the temples or crown becomes more noticeable, and questions like “why am I balding?” naturally begin to arise.
Reasons for hair thinning.
In most cases, the underlying cause is androgenetic alopecia, or male pattern baldness. This condition is driven by a combination of genetics and hormonal sensitivity. One of the key hormones involved is dihydrotestosterone, or DHT. DHT is produced when testosterone is converted by an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase. In men who are genetically predisposed, hair follicles are more sensitive to this hormone. Over time, that sensitivity causes follicles to gradually shrink, producing thinner, shorter hairs until growth eventually slows or stops altogether.
This process isn’t random. Rather, it’s inherited, which is why family history is often the strongest predictor of hair loss patterns. Two men of the same age can have very different experiences simply based on how their follicles respond to the same hormonal signals. While genetics are the primary driver, lifestyle factors such as smoking, chronic stress, and metabolic health can influence how early or how quickly hair loss becomes noticeable.
How to stop hair loss.
The encouraging part is that this process can often be slowed when addressed early. Treatments such as topical minoxidil and oral finasteride target different parts of the hair growth cycle and hormone pathway. These medications take time—often several months before changes are noticeable—but they can help jumpstart hair regrowth for men.
Adult acne: Still breaking out? You’re not alone.
Adult acne is something many men don’t expect to deal with beyond their teenage years, yet it is increasingly common. It can appear suddenly or persist long after adolescence, often leading to frustration and confusion as to what causes acne.
Unlike teenage acne, which is often more predictable, adult acne tends to feel more intermittent or persistent, and it can be frustrating when it appears without a clear reason.
Acne develops when oil glands become overactive, pores become clogged, and inflammation follows. Hormonal influence plays a significant role in this process, but it often works alongside other factors.
Common contributors to adult acne include:
-
Hormonal fluctuations
-
Chronic stress
-
Diets high in sugar
-
Certain medications, including steroids, lithium, seizure medication, and testosterone therapy
-
Dairy consumption in some individuals
One of the reasons adult acne can be frustrating is that triggers are not always obvious. A breakout may be linked to one factor or several working together.
The location of acne can sometimes offer helpful clues. The T-zone—the forehead and nose—has a higher concentration of oil glands, making it a common area for breakouts. In adults, acne along the jawline and lower face is also frequently seen and may be influenced by hormonal shifts.
Adult acne treatment options.
Treatment is guided more by severity than by location alone. Mild acne is often initially treated with topical therapies, along with a consistent skincare routine. Moderate acne, typically marked by more persistent inflammation and breakouts may require stepping up to combination topical treatments or prescription-strength topical agents. In more severe cases, working with a dermatologist and considering medications like isotretinoin can be highly effective.
The key thing to remember is that adult acne is not something patients simply have to tolerate. It’s a medical condition with a range of effective treatment options.
Making care convenient through MedStar eVisit.
Erectile dysfunction is one of the most common men's health concerns, and like hair loss and adult acne, it is often treatable when the underlying cause is identified. Getting answers often starts with a conversation with a trusted health provider. However, between work, family, and other responsibilities, finding time for a doctor’s visit isn’t always easy.
MedStar eVisit helps make care more convenient by allowing patients to connect with a healthcare provider from home or work using a smartphone, tablet, or computer. For many concerns like erectile dysfunction, hair loss, and acne, a virtual visit can be an effective—and discrete—first step. In fact, many of these conditions can often be evaluated based on a patient's history and symptoms without requiring an in-person examination. MedStar eVisit allows us to discuss concerns, review treatment options, and determine whether any additional evaluation or specialist care is needed.
MedStar eVisit offers both scheduled appointments and on-demand visits, with access available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. For patients balancing a career, family, and/or busy lifestyle, virtual care can provide a convenient way to get answers without taking much time out of the day.
We accept most major insurance plans. However, insurance coverage for telehealth services varies by plan, so check with your insurance provider to understand your specific coverage and any out-of-pocket costs.
Whether you've recently noticed a change in your skin, hair, or sexual health or have been putting off a conversation for months, getting answers may be easier than you think.
