Estrogen Behind Your ED?!

Explore estrogen’s hidden damage to erections and the surprising biology fueling BDSM intimacy.

This Week’s Yourology With Dr. Malik:

Estrogen Behind Your ED?!

Welcome to Yourology with Dr. Malik – your weekly prescription for the latest medical updates, valuable insights, and freshest highlights straight from the frontlines of medicine!

How long can sex last - plus Kegel benchmarks?

✨ Our first FemHealth Symposium was a success!

🎙️ Keeley Rankin shares game-changing sex insights.

🍍 Pineapple and semen taste - myth or reality?

MEN’S YOUROLOGY

We often think of testosterone as the hormone that drives male sexuality, but this large study from Milan (547 men seeking first medical help for new-onset ED) shows that estrogen deserves just as much attention. Surprisingly, nearly 1 in 5 men (17.6%) had elevated estradiol levels, a condition called hyperestrogenism. These men weren’t just older or sicker; they also faced more severe erectile dysfunction, higher rates of orgasmic problems, and even more comorbidities compared to men with normal estrogen.

The findings are striking: men with hyperestrogenism were over twice as likely to suffer from severe ED, even after accounting for age, body weight, and testosterone. While estrogen is crucial for male health, in excess, it seems to disrupt sexual function in ways we’re only beginning to understand.

This study matters because it challenges the testosterone-only narrative in men’s health and highlights the overlooked role of estrogen. My rule: too much estrogen isn't good and too little isn't good either - we need to keep it just right.

WOMEN’S YOUROLOGY

Is BDSM really just “kink”, or is there something deeper happening in the body? A systematic review from Belgium of 10 studies uncovers striking biological shifts during consensual BDSM. In a study of 35 BDSM couples versus 27 controls, submissives showed spikes in cortisol (the stress hormone) and endocannabinoids (linked to reward) - suggesting stress itself can feel pleasurable. Dominants, meanwhile, displayed changes more tied to power play than pain.

Other research found that BDSM practitioners often have higher pain thresholds than non-practitioners, with some reporting reduced pain sensitivity even outside of play. Brain imaging adds another layer: regions linked to empathy, pain, and reward light up differently in practitioners, pointing to a rewired relationship between pain and pleasure.

Bottom line: BDSM may have a biological reason why some people gravitate to it versus others don't. Either way, as long as it's consensual and safe - it's ok to continue!

This week, someone asked me, “1) I want to know the maximum time required in complete penitration part of sex, assuming good communication, and foreplay. For a more sexually hungry women who wants to have more penitration time (correct me if I'm wrong). Please give me in minutes. Not average, but the highest practically possible? 2) I appreciate some benchmarks for kegels and R-kegels. I mean how many sets,reps, like workouts”. There's no official “maximum” penetration time, however, some men have been reported to last as long as 60 minutes. We consider anything over 30 minutes to be delayed however, at the end of the day what matters is that you and your partner are satisfied. Instead of wondering what your partner wants - try asking her, she may be perfectly happy with 5-10 minutes. For Kegels, aim for 10-15 reps per set, 2-3 sets daily; keep building up as you get stronger. For a full guide, check out my video on how to properly do Kegels for men here.

I love hearing from you, so if there’s a question you’ve been wanting to ask, just let me know. Who knows? Your question might be the one I dive into next!

WHAT I’VE BEEN UP TO LATELY

Our First FemHealth Digital Symposium & Gala

I recently hosted our very first FemHealth Digital Symposium and Gala, where I had the opportunity to teach fellow medical providers how to create impactful content and amplify their voices on social media. It was such a rewarding experience - and a huge success!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM MY CHANNEL

Today, I dived into what really attracts women to men, and it’s not just about height or money! The science shows it’s all about strength, specifically upper body strength. "The perceived upper body strength was the single strongest predictor of male attractiveness."

Here are some quick takeaways:

  • Strong-looking arms, shoulders, and chest mattered most to women, way more than height.

  • That classic V-shape (broad shoulders, narrow waist) isn’t just attractive, it’s a sign of good health.

  • Building muscle and strength benefits your attractiveness and your long-term health, a total win-win!

I hope this helps you see that improving your fitness is not just about looks, but about boosting your health and confidence too. Share this with someone who needs to hear the truth behind attraction!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM MY PODCAST

I had an amazing conversation with sex and relationship coach Keeley Rankin about overcoming premature ejaculation, building intimacy, and how slowing down can transform your sex life. “You can continue to engage in whatever sex act is happening… and you just change your breath and within three full breaths your arousal has dropped to two levels. Now that is like PhD level control of your body.”

Here are three quick takeaways:

  • Learning to relax (not tense!) your pelvic floor helps with stamina.

  • Mindfulness and slow breathing can ease anxiety and boost pleasure.

  • Open communication - not “do you like this?”- is key to great sex.

There’s so much wisdom here, so listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or here and see why people are commenting, “What a great episode. Keeley sheds such light and gives great tool for something a lot of people struggle with. Thank you for this episode”.

NEW MEDIA

Does pineapple really make semen taste sweeter - or is it just a myth? Check out my NEW Substack: Can Pineapple Really Improve Semen Taste?

In this article, I explain what actually influences semen taste, which foods may help (or hurt), and why your overall health plays a bigger role than you think.

Check out my new location and book a consultation with me today!

Empowering Your Health Journey

I believe in empowering you with knowledge to make informed decisions about your health. Explore my informative resources for valuable insights on reproductive systems and other health topics.

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As always, remember to take care of yourself because you're worth it!

Yours Truly,

Rena Malik, M.D