Study questions commercial men's health clinics services
In the journals
- Reviewed by Howard E. LeWine, MD, Chief Medical Editor, Harvard Health Publishing; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
When it comes to direct-to-consumer (DTC) men's health clinics, it's "buyer beware," as many offer costly treatments not supported by evidence and lack proper medical oversight, according to an investigative study published online Feb. 1, 2023, by Urology.
Researchers identified 233 DTC men's health clinics. These clinics offered treatments such as testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and penile shock wave therapy and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections to treat erectile dysfunction. However, the researchers noted that the criteria for using TRT are still under debate and that most of the clinics did not follow standard protocols for testing and diagnosis of low testosterone levels. The effectiveness of penile shock wave therapy and PRP are still being studied and should only be offered in clinical trial settings, they added.
In addition, most of the clinics did not have a urologist or endocrinologist on staff. Instead, their primary providers were clinicians other than doctors, such as nurse practitioners and physician assistants. While such individuals have the skills to provide these treatments, it's not clear if they are supervised by physicians with expertise in men's health, according to the researchers.
The DTC clinics also charged high out-of-pocket costs. Among clinics that listed prices, TRT cost $80 to $500 monthly. PRP and shock wave therapy cost as much as $1,200 and $3,000 per treatment, respectively. The researchers concluded that these clinics should have more oversight and regulations from state agencies and medical associations.
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About the Author
Matthew Solan, Executive Editor, Harvard Men's Health Watch
About the Reviewer
Howard E. LeWine, MD, Chief Medical Editor, Harvard Health Publishing; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
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