- Rena Malik, MD
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- When Nothing Else Works!
When Nothing Else Works!
Discover how soundwaves may treat ED—and why some UTIs demand more than one fix.
This Week’s Yourology With Dr. Malik:
When Nothing Else Works!
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!
🧠 I looked into shockwave therapy for ED—turns out, it might help when pills don’t work.
🧬 For women with stubborn UTIs, a second (or third) treatment could finally bring relief.
💬 Someone asked about sex before and after prostate cancer treatment—and if watermelon really helps erections.
🗓️ I’m co-leading a powerful physician symposium this September—plus working on my book and a fun Beducated collab!
📺 On YouTube, I broke down how penis rings work—and why using them safely really matters.
🎙️ On the podcast, Dr. Kelly Casperson and I talked sex, menopause, and why pleasure takes practice.
MEN’S YOUROLOGY
Could something as simple as shockwaves help with ED? This study looked at 12 randomized trials involving 882 men with blood vessel–related erectile dysfunction and found that low-intensity shockwave therapy (Li-ESWT) significantly improved erection quality and sexual performance compared to fake treatments. Men saw better scores on erectile function and were more likely to reach firmness levels needed for penetration—without pills.
Why does this matter?
Because for men who don’t respond well to medication or want something more natural, Li-ESWT could be a game-changer. We also offer shockwave in our clinic and have found out that patients really do notice a major difference in erectile function
WOMEN’S YOUROLOGY
What happens when one procedure isn’t enough? In this study of women with antibiotic-resistant, recurrent UTIs who didn’t respond after one electrofulguration (a procedure that burns away bladder wall inflammation), researchers looked at outcomes after a second—and sometimes even third-round. Among those who showed no new bladder wall lesions at six months post-op, nearly 80% had fewer than 3 infections a year later. Even more encouraging? Almost half of the women who needed a third procedure still saw improvement. But it’s not all good news—many still dealt with antibiotic-resistant bacteria, IV treatments, or even cystectomy.
This one’s a reminder that for some women, stubborn UTIs may need more than just meds.
This week, someone asked me, “I have prostate cancer and will start radiation in a couple of weeks. Is it safe to receive anal sex before treatments and how long after treatments end. Another question: I have had problems getting and maintaining an erection for a while however lately I started eating watermelon and getting an erection but still can not maintain it for more than a couple of minutes”. Here’s the answer to that, engaging in anal sex before starting radiation is generally safe if you’re feeling well and don’t have any soreness, bleeding, or infection, but it’s wise to listen to your body and check with your treatment team if you notice any changes. After radiation, it’s best to wait until any irritation, tenderness, or side effects like rectal discomfort have settled—this might take a few weeks, so keep communicating with your doctor about when it feels right to resume. As for erections, eating watermelon is a healthy choice—it contains an amino acid called citrulline that may have a mild effect on blood flow, which could explain why you’re noticing some improvement. However, it’s common to experience challenges with maintaining erections both before and after prostate cancer treatments, and you’re definitely not alone. There are many options that might help—from medications to devices and lifestyle changes—so don’t hesitate to bring this up with your urologist or care team. Your quality of life matters, and the right support is out there for you.
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
Planning Something Big for Physicians!
I’m excited to share that I’ll be co-leading the Digital Physician Leaders Symposium & Networking Gala in Washington, DC this September. It’s an exclusive, one-day event for physicians across all specialties, hosted by FemHealth. Alongside Dr. Saya Nagori, we’ll dive into how physicians can better communicate, advocate, and lead in the digital health space—plus there’ll be plenty of opportunities to connect with fellow clinicians and innovators.
If you’re a physician and want to join us, mark your calendar for Saturday, September 20th—it’s going to be a powerful day of learning and networking.
Outside of work, I’ve been spending quality time with the kids while they’re off school and slowly chipping away at something very close to my heart—my book. More on that soon!
Additionally, this month, I’m teaming up with Beducated to support their Spicy Date Nights campaign—an intentional push to help couples reconnect and bring more fun and intimacy into their relationships. They’re offering 40% off their Yearly Pass through July, with curated courses like Tantric Date Nights and Sexperiments for Couples. If you’re looking to shake things up, it’s a great place to start. So check it out here!
HIGHLIGHTS FROM MY CHANNEL
In this video, I broke down everything you need to know about penis rings—also called penile tension rings or constriction bands—and how they can help with erections. Quote: "They work essentially by preventing blood from leaving the penis, helping men maintain an erection."
Here are the quick highlights:
Non-invasive, drug-free option to make erections firmer and last longer.
Super important: only use rings made for the penis—never household items.
Always limit wear to 30 minutes and talk to your doctor if you have medical concerns.
So, if you're curious about stronger, longer-lasting erections without medication, these bands could be worth trying, but safety and proper use are key! Be sure to listen to the full episode for all the ins and outs.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM MY PODCAST
I had such a great conversation with Dr. Kelly Casperson about what really makes for good sex, handling menopause and perimenopause, and the truth about things like penile size and squirting. She’s clear, practical, and so down-to-earth! For example, Dr. Casperson says “If you want to be good at this…you have to freaking put in the time. People think of sex as this exceptional thing that doesn’t follow the rules of everything else in life. It totally follows the rules of everything else.”
Some quick takeaways:
Good sex is all about communication, practice, and being present—not just focusing on orgasms.
Menopause and perimenopause can cause big changes, but understanding and compassion go a long way.
Size doesn’t make or break pleasure for anyone!
Honestly, Dr. Casperson’s tips are a refreshing reminder that sexual health is health—let’s talk about it openly and have more fun! So listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or here and see why people are commenting, “Woah 🤯😱this so interesting informative and educational and helpful thanks so much about male and female anatomy as well sexuality Thanks so much”.
Check out my new location and book a consultation with me today!
Empowering Your Health Journey
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As always, remember to take care of yourself because you're worth it!
Yours Truly,
Rena Malik, M.D
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