MEN’S YOUROLOGY

Do Kink Practitioners Face Real Health Risks?

This meta-analysis of a large US survey involving over 1,000 kink-involved adults is the first to closely examine how people who engage in BDSM or fetish play interact with the healthcare system. The findings were pretty surprising: 13.5% reported an injury related to kink activity! Thankfully, most were mild, but nearly 1 in 5 delayed or avoided medical care due to fear of stigma. Also, over half (58%) never told their doctor about their kink involvement, and half kept it from their therapist.

Those who did open up to their clinicians were far more likely to report satisfaction with their care, suggesting that honesty, when met with understanding, can improve outcomes. Still, the study highlights how fear of judgment keeps many silent, echoing the same stress patterns seen in LGBTQ+ populations.

The takeaway? Kink-involved individuals face real healthcare barriers which need to be addressed. Getting expeditious care when you need it is extremely important!

WOMEN’S YOUROLOGY

How Does Body Weight Affect Desire?

This global meta-analysis pulled data from 10 studies across multiple countries, involving nearly 3,000 overweight and obese women, to uncover how body weight influences sexual health. The findings shows that almost half of obese women (49.7%) and one in four overweight women (26.9%) experience some form of sexual dysfunction - that's a lot! These issues range from difficulty with arousal and orgasm to reduced satisfaction and desire.

Some studies found that even modest weight loss could help improve sexual function and hormone balance. So for women, obesity doesn’t just affect physical health, it can quietly disrupt intimacy and confidence.

This week, someone asked me, “There’s some YouTube content that has a picture of you using your voice, talking about erectille dysfunctions and cures or helps for it. Is that really you or AI?”. We’ve been receiving similar concerns over the past few months about this, and we’re currently working with a company to remove multiple YouTube accounts that have been impersonating me, using my name, image, or even AI-generated voice and videos to mislead people. Please be aware that my only official YouTube account is @RenaMalikMD. Any other channels or videos claiming to be me are not authentic. You can also help our community by reporting those impersonating accounts if you come across them, it really makes a difference and helps keep everyone safe from misinformation.

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

I’ve had the chance to join some incredible conversations lately! I sat down with Shawn Ryan on the Shawn Ryan Show to bust one of the biggest myths about men’s sexual health and talk about what’s really holding people back from better intimacy.

I also joined Mike Israetel for a four-part podcast series where we dig deep into modern topics around sex and relationships - from porn and attraction to the psychology of pleasing women and even how exercise can improve your sex life.

If you love evidence-based, no-nonsense discussions about sexual health and human connection, these are definitely worth a watch!

👉 Shawn Ryan Show:

• Rena Malik - Urologist Debunks #1 Sex Myth Every Man Still Believes | SRS #250

👉 Mike Israetel:

• The Rise of Modern Porn- Is It A Real Problem? (ft. Dr. Rena Malik)

• The Psychology of Pleasing Women

• What REALLY Makes Men Attractive To Women

HIGHLIGHTS FROM MY CHANNEL

I just had a fascinating discussion about what actually counts as cheating in a relationship, and why men and women see it differently. "Cheating isn't black and white. It is sort of on a continuum. And where you draw the line depends on your gender, your attachment style, and your personal experiences."

Here are some quick takeaways:

• Sexual and erotic behaviors (like intercourse and sexting) are almost always seen as cheating, especially by women.

• Emotional and financial actions (like holding hands or giving $5) are real gray areas and can mean different things to different people.

• Talking openly with your partner about boundaries is key, since what feels innocent to you might feel hurtful to them.

Listen to the full episode to learn how to protect your relationship and truly understand your partner’s point of view!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM MY PODCAST

I had an eye-opening conversation with cardiologist Dr. Ami Bhatt all about heart health, blood pressure, and how AI is transforming our health care experience. She’s incredibly passionate and put it simply “Go get your blood pressure checked. That’s the one thing you can do for yourself.”

Here are some super quick takeaways:

• High blood pressure is super common—1 in 2 adults has it, and most don’t know!

• Focusing on basics like blood pressure, cholesterol, and stress really matters.

• Wearables and AI are making it easier than ever to learn what’s important for YOU.

Dr. Bhatt really believes, “It’s not consumerism, it’s patient agency.” Tap in and you’ll see why taking charge of your health is so powerful. So listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or here and see why people are commenting, “Thanks Docs, I hope that you Ladies have a wonderful weekend! ❤❤”.

NEW MEDIA

Curious about anal sex but not sure where to start—or how to do it safely?

You’re not alone. In my new Substack, Anal Sex: A Urologist’s Essential Guide for Pleasure and Safety, I break down what every couple should know, from proper preparation and STI prevention to the best lubricants for comfort and protection. Because when it comes to sexual health, knowledge is your best tool for both safety and pleasure.