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Andrology May 2019Human fertility has always been a topic of curiosity and devotion. Many cultures consider fertility to be a necessity for the survival and perpetuation of mankind and... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Human fertility has always been a topic of curiosity and devotion. Many cultures consider fertility to be a necessity for the survival and perpetuation of mankind and since early times, myths were created to explain this fabulous process. Fertility gods were ubiquitous in numerous ancient human cultures and were used both to understand fertility and to cope with infertility by means of rituals and offerings.
OBJECTIVES
This manuscript aims to catalog and describe the deities associated with male fertility and virility.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
We conducted a comprehensive search for the terms "male fertility god" and "male virility god" on the internet using web-based search engines. Based on the information retrieved, we selected those deities directed related to male fertility and/or virility and further deepened the search using Pubmed and Medline databases for peer-reviewed articles as well as books and articles about ancient mythology.
RESULTS
We identified several gods linked to male fertility and virility in various cultures from Egypt, Greece, Rome, India, Southwestern United States, France, Colombia and Buthan..
DISCUSSION
Most of these deities were depicted with an erect phallus and with other fertility symbols like snakes. Some deities were also associated with plants and/or animal fertility and their festivals were often held during the harvest period.
CONCLUSION
Gods of male fertility and virility played important roles in many ancient cultures. Offerings and rituals to these gods were the only available options to deal with problems of reproduction and demonstrate the lengths to which ancient people would go seeking cures for infertility.
Topics: Fertility; History, Ancient; Humans; Male; Masculinity; Mythology
PubMed: 30786174
DOI: 10.1111/andr.12599 -
Tidsskrift For Den Norske Laegeforening... Apr 2017Congenital adrenal hyperplasia is attributed to inherited enzyme defects in the adrenal cortex. The classical form results in reduced production of cortisol and... (Review)
Review
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia is attributed to inherited enzyme defects in the adrenal cortex. The classical form results in reduced production of cortisol and aldosterone, accompanied by an increase in production of adrenal cortical androgens. This causes virilisation in girls, adrenocortical failure and early puberty in both sexes. This article describes the genetics, clinical picture, diagnostics and treatment.
Topics: Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital; Female; Glucocorticoids; Humans; Male; Puberty, Precocious; Steroid 21-Hydroxylase; Virilism
PubMed: 28383228
DOI: 10.4045/tidsskr.16.0376 -
Medecine Sciences : M/S 2019
Topics: Anthropology, Cultural; Bioethical Issues; Female; Femininity; Gender Identity; Health Status; Humans; Male; Masculinity; Men's Health; Research Subjects; Sex; Sex Factors; Sexual and Gender Minorities; Terminology as Topic; Women's Health
PubMed: 31274089
DOI: 10.1051/medsci/2019097 -
American Journal of Men's Health 2024Men historically consume more meat than women, show fewer intentions to reduce meat consumption, and are underrepresented among vegans and vegetarians. Eating meat... (Review)
Review
Men historically consume more meat than women, show fewer intentions to reduce meat consumption, and are underrepresented among vegans and vegetarians. Eating meat strongly aligns with normative masculinities, decisively affirming that "real men" eat meat and subordinating men who choose to be veg* (vegan or vegetarian). The emergence of meat alternatives and increasing environmental concerns may contest these long-standing masculine norms and hierarchies. The current scoping review addresses the research question Using keywords derived from two key concepts, "men" and "meat," 39 articles were selected and analyzed to inductively derive three thematic findings; (a) Meat as Masculine, (b) Veg*n Men as Othered, and (c) Veg*nism as Contemporary Masculinity. included how men's gendered identities, defenses, and physicalities were entwined with meat consumption. explored the social and cultural challenges faced by men who adopt meatless diets, including perceptions of emasculation. was claimed by men who eschewed meat in their diets and advocated for veg*nism as legitimate masculine capital through linkages to physical strength, rationality, self-determination, courage, and discipline. In light of the growing concern about the ecological impact of meat production and the adverse health outcomes associated with its excessive consumption, this review summarizes empirical connections between masculinities and the consumption of meat to consider directions for future men's health promotion research, policy, and practice.
Topics: Humans; Masculinity; Male; Meat; Diet, Vegan; Men's Health; Diet, Vegetarian
PubMed: 38679967
DOI: 10.1177/15579883241247173 -
Lakartidningen Oct 2019
Topics: Gender Identity; Help-Seeking Behavior; Humans; Male; Masculinity; Men; Mental Health; Patient Acceptance of Health Care; Sex Factors; Suicidal Ideation
PubMed: 31638707
DOI: No ID Found -
Pediatric Endocrinology Reviews : PER Sep 2018Classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency causes elevated androgen levels, which can lead to virilization of female external... (Review)
Review
Classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency causes elevated androgen levels, which can lead to virilization of female external genitalia. Prenatal dexamethasone treatment has been shown to be effective in preventing virilization of external genitalia when started prior to 7-9 weeks of gestation in females with classic CAH. However, CAH cannot be diagnosed prenatally until the end of the first trimester. Treating pregnant women with a fetus at risk of developing classic CAH exposes a significant proportion of fetuses unnecessarily, because only 1 in 8 would benefit from treatment. Consequently, prenatal dexamethasone treatment has been met with much controversy due to the potential adverse outcomes when exposed to high-dose steroids in utero. Here, we review the short- and long-term outcomes for fetuses and pregnant women exposed to dexamethasone treatment, the ethical considerations that must be taken into account, and current practice recommendations.
Topics: Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital; Dexamethasone; Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Prenatal Diagnosis; Virilism
PubMed: 30371037
DOI: 10.17458/per.vol16.2018.mcpa.dexamethasone -
Health & Social Care in the Community Nov 2022Increased rates of domestic violence (DV) have been associated with events such as public holidays, seasonal variations, disasters and economic crises. Sport is seen as... (Review)
Review
Increased rates of domestic violence (DV) have been associated with events such as public holidays, seasonal variations, disasters and economic crises. Sport is seen as gendered, exemplifying hegemonic masculinity and associated violence, with the link between sporting culture and violence against women well recognised. This paper reports on a systematic review of empirical research literature exploring the link between major sporting events and incidence of DV. We searched MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, SPORTDiscus and Proquest Central databases from inception to December 2020 for quantitative studies examining major sports events and reports of DV using a pre-post comparison design. Study quality was assessed using the Kmet quality assessment tool. The review identified 1445 records following duplicate removal. Once screened and assessed for eligibility, 12 studies met the inclusion criteria. Results are presented qualitatively due to the heterogeneity across studies. Most studies originated in North America and the United Kingdom, used police records as their data source for measuring incidences of DV and few looked beyond the day of the sports event for recorded incidences of DV. Studies reviewed suggested that there is an association between certain major sports events and increased reporting of DV. However, studies' findings conflicted with regards to whether increases were associated with contact sports, the rivalry between competing teams, whether the events were emotionally salient and whether alcohol was a contributing factor. In conclusion, there is limited research globally. Heterogeneity and conflicting findings mean that more research is needed to understand the associations and inform community prevention/interventions to address DV.
Topics: Male; Female; Humans; Domestic Violence; Police; Sports; United Kingdom; Masculinity
PubMed: 36129100
DOI: 10.1111/hsc.14028 -
Psychiatria Polska Aug 2020The issue of power is an important area of reflection in family and couple therapy, as well as afrequent object of practical impact. The article focuses on two... (Review)
Review
The issue of power is an important area of reflection in family and couple therapy, as well as afrequent object of practical impact. The article focuses on two fundamental perspectives showing power as acomplex phenomenon: systemic and gender, which in combination allow amore holistic approach to the issue. The article discusses the contemporary systemic approach to the discussed problem by outlining the limitations associated with the early understanding of circularity and neutrality. On the other hand, it presents agender perspective -increasingly visible in family therapy - which emphasizes the cultural discourses of femininity/masculinity, recognizes the privileges and limitations associated with them, and describes the inequalities of the position of women and men in society reproduced in relationships and in the family. In this sense, the struggle for power, usually translated into difficulties in the family, is not only an expression of the difficulties of the couple, related to experiences from families of origin, but also reflects cultural messages, internalized expectations about relations between sexes and their functioning in gender roles.
Topics: Couples Therapy; Family Characteristics; Family Therapy; Female; Femininity; Humans; Interpersonal Relations; Male; Masculinity; Power, Psychological
PubMed: 33386727
DOI: 10.12740/PP/115438 -
American Journal of Men's Health 2022The stigma of men's mental illness has been described as having wide-reaching and profound consequences beyond the condition[s] itself. Stigma negatively impacts men's... (Review)
Review
The stigma of men's mental illness has been described as having wide-reaching and profound consequences beyond the condition[s] itself. Stigma negatively impacts men's mental health help-seeking and the use of services amid impeding disclosures, diminishing social connection and amplifying economic hardship. Although men often face barriers to discussing their struggles with, and help-seeking for mental illness challenges, research focused on men's lived experiences of mental illness stigma is, at best, emergent. This scoping review explores men's mental illness related stigmas synthesizing and discussing the findings drawn from 21 published qualitative articles over the last 10 years. Four thematic findings were derived: (a) the weight of societal stigma, (b) stigma in male-dominated environments, (c) inequity driven stigmas, and (d) de-stigmatizing strategies. Despite evidence that stigma is a common experience for men experiencing diverse mental illness challenges, the field remains underdeveloped. Based on the scoping review findings, research gaps and opportunities for advancing the field are discussed.
Topics: Humans; Longevity; Male; Masculinity; Men; Men's Health; Mental Disorders; Social Stigma
PubMed: 35125015
DOI: 10.1177/15579883221074789 -
Psycho-oncology Sep 2022The purpose of this review was to synthesise the literature on the topic of masculinity and testicular cancer (TC) and investigate the relative impact of TC on men's... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this review was to synthesise the literature on the topic of masculinity and testicular cancer (TC) and investigate the relative impact of TC on men's view of their masculinity.
METHODS
Searches were conducted across four databases (MEDline, PsycInfo, CINAHL Plus and Scopus) for articles published before April 2022 that included (1) TC and (2) masculinity. Two researchers independently rated studies for inclusion with a third resolving conflicts. Of the 6464 articles screened, 24 articles (10 quantitative and 14 qualitative) were included in the review. Articles were rated for quality and a narrative synthesis was performed.
RESULTS
Overall, results indicated some men experience a shift in the way they relate to their sense of masculinity following diagnosis and treatment for TC. Being single and without children was related to the experience of negative masculinity-related outcomes, possibly due to a compounding lack of relational support and being unable to conform to protector, provider traditions. Men who described testicle loss as symbolic of their diminished masculinity were also negatively impacted. However, recent, high-quality literature on the topic using standardised masculinity measures was limited.
CONCLUSION
Some men experience a reduced sense of masculinity after TC, however the impact of TC on masculinity remains person dependent. Further research using validated masculinity measures is required to uncover psycho-social variables that may account for whether and how meaning is made between TC and its treatment and any subsequent impact on perceived masculinity. Such factors may better support these men in life beyond cancer.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
PROSPERO. International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews: CRD42020185649.
Topics: Child; Humans; Male; Masculinity; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal; Testicular Neoplasms
PubMed: 35789023
DOI: 10.1002/pon.5994