Just look at the trending topics on social media any year in November: mustaches abound.

“Movember” has become an annual tradition when men forgo shaving their mustaches for an entire month. But its participants know it’s more than just a fun way to try out a new look; it’s an opportunity to draw attention to important men’s health issues.

This awareness campaign promotes habits to help men enjoy better health and longer lives. As conditions like obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease take a toll on the health and wellbeing of men nationwide, there are significant benefits in making health care a priority.

Fortunately, UTMB’s Division of Urology is making ongoing advances that help to enhance the quality of health care for men in the area.

“UTMB has the only comprehensive men's health clinic outside the Medical Center,” says Laith Alzweri, MD, Director of Men’s Health and Male Genitourinary Reconstruction in UTMB’s Department of Surgery, Division of Urology.

This includes services that address the full spectrum of urologic concerns, like, infertility, erectile dysfunction, peyronies disease (curved erection), urethral stricture disease, benign prostate hyperplasia, and low testosterone, among others.

With established Urology clinic locations in Galveston and on the mainland, the division has expanded access to these services even further, offering new opportunities to patients in Brazoria County.

In addition to the UTMB Health Urology Clinic at League City Campus, Dr. Alzweri is now seeing patients in Angleton (146 East Hospital Drive, Suite 205) and Lake Jackson (215 Oak Drive South Suite B), performing a broad range of general urology and men’s health services.

Offering more patients access to this state-of-the-art care is critical. Dr. Alzweri states that four in 10 men over the age of 40 experience low testosterone, which can lead to other concerns that affect quality of life, like loss of muscle mass, increased body fat, fatigue, low desire, low energy levels, and feeling down. In addition, some degree of erectile dysfunction affects nearly 50 percent of men between ages 40 and 70, and infertility affects 1 in 5 couples, with around half cases related to male factor issues.

He also notes that sexual function is often a good parameter of overall health, as a degree of erectile dysfunction often precedes a major cardiovascular event, like stroke or heart attack, if left untreated.

One goal of men’s health observances, like Movember, is reminding men that it’s just as important to see a doctor for routine care as it is when concerns occur. Regular checkups and a healthy lifestyle are key to maintaining wellness – so men can stay healthier for longer, for themselves and their loved ones.

“Acting early and timely can save and improve lives,” Dr. Alzweri says.