Behaviors
3,474protocols, ranked by how often the world’s top health podcasts mention them.
- Do Not Use DHT-Like Drugs for Penis Enlargement▶ 1
Do not use post-pubertal dihydrotestosterone-like drugs such as oxandrolone for penis enlargement; the guest explicitly would not recommend it.
- Avoid 5-Alpha-Reductase Inhibitors if Concerned About Sexual Side Effects or Fertility▶ 1
Approach finasteride and dutasteride seriously/cautiously because some men experience low libido, erectile dysfunction, and sperm count drops; if finasteride causes a dramatic sperm count reduction, stopping it may allow recovery over roughly 3 to 6 months.
- Seek Specialist Care for Post-Finasteride Syndrome▶ 1
Men with persistent low libido or erectile dysfunction after finasteride should see a specialist for evaluation and treatment options.
- Check Estrogen Levels▶ 1
Check estrogen levels, especially in the context of obesity or suspected excess aromatization.
- Get Evaluated for Varicocele if Concerned About Fertility▶ 1
Men concerned about fertility should be evaluated for varicocele because it is common and a frequent cause of infertility.
- Seek Evaluation for Scrotal Discomfort or Ache▶ 1
If there is scrotal discomfort or ache, especially worse at the end of the day or with activity, seek evaluation because varicocele may be involved.
- Monitor Testicular Changes and Report Abnormalities▶ 1
Be aware of testicle size and report changes or abnormalities; average testicle is about walnut-sized, roughly 16 to 20 cc or about 4 to 4.5 cm in longest axis. If you feel anything abnormal, especially a firm painless mass, bring it to medical attention.
- Lipid Profile Testing▶ 1
Get lipid profiles checked as part of assessing male reproductive and overall health.
- Ask a Physician About Fertility Testing Coverage▶ 1
Ask a primary care physician or urologist about insurance-covered infertility testing and evaluation, including semen analysis and related workup.
- Use Unscented Products▶ 1
Especially important with children; applies to products used regularly on and around the body to reduce lifetime exposure to endocrine-disrupting scents and fragrances.
- Avoid Lavender Oil on Babies▶ 1
Specifically avoid rubbing lavender oil on babies' feet for sleep because of concern about endocrine-disrupting effects.
- Choose Lower-Toxin Diapers▶ 1
When possible, choose diapers marketed as having fewer toxins to reduce child toxin exposure.
- Track Menstrual Cycle Predictability▶ 1
A healthy cycle should generally be less than 35 days apart and predictable within a couple of days by calendar tracking; irregularly regular cycles are a red flag.
- Get Evaluated for Shortening Menstrual Cycles▶ 1
If cycles used to be 28–30 days and become about 24 days, treat that as a red flag for possible low ovarian reserve or other hormonal issues rather than dismissing it.
- Use Alternative Contraception Before Repeating AMH Testing Off the Pill▶ 1
If AMH is low while on birth control pills, stop the pill for some months, use alternative contraception if pregnancy is not desired, then repeat AMH to determine whether suppression was pill-related.
- Get Evaluated for Clotting Disorders if Family History of DVT or PE▶ 1
If anyone in the family has had deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, get worked up for clotting disorders before or in relation to oral contraceptive use.
- Avoid Oral Birth Control if You Carry Factor V Leiden▶ 1
If testing shows factor V Leiden or another clotting disorder, avoid the birth control pill specifically because oral metabolism increases clotting risk.
- Get Antral Follicle Count Ultrasound▶ 1
Ultrasound-based measurement of follicles outside the vault; useful alongside AMH for ovarian reserve assessment.
- Freeze Sperm Before Vasectomy▶ 1
Recommended because life circumstances can change and vasectomy reversal is not always successful, especially after longer intervals.
- Avoid Being Very Underweight or Calorie Restricting▶ 1
Being very underweight and calorie restricting can shut down ovulation because the brain senses the body cannot support pregnancy.
- Maintain Healthy Behaviors for 90 Days Before Conception or Fertility Treatment▶ 1
Both sperm and eggs are described as especially susceptible to lifestyle factors in the roughly 90-day window before conception, IVF, or egg freezing.
- Avoid Intercourse During IVF Stimulation and Until Next Period After Retrieval▶ 1
Typically from about day 5 of stimulation until the next period after retrieval, roughly a 3-week period, to avoid infection and unintended high-order pregnancy risk.
- Avoid Toxins to Potentially Delay Menopause▶ 1
Avoiding toxins where possible is recommended as one of the best ways to try to naturally prolong time to menopause.
- See a Clinician if You Go Into Menopause Early▶ 1
If diagnosed with low ovarian reserve and later entering menopause early, seek medical care rather than ignoring symptoms.
- Playing a Musical Instrument▶ 1
Use learning and playing an instrument as a non-pharmacologic way to support neuroplasticity. Children ideally should play an instrument with others, as this may improve their ability to learn many things throughout life.
- Take 5–15 Minutes of Quiet Recovery After Journaling▶ 1
After each writing bout, allow 5–15 minutes to settle down before returning to normal activities. Build this recovery time into your schedule; use it to regain composure, let breathing return to normal, optionally wash your face with cool water, and reorient yourself to the rest of the day.
- Wait at Least a Week Before Re-Reading Your Writing▶ 1
After the fourth session, do not review what you wrote for at least one week.
- Do Not Do Expressive Journaling Right Before Bed▶ 1
Avoid doing this writing exercise immediately before sleep, especially if the material is highly stressful or traumatic.
- Assess Readiness Before Starting Expressive Journaling▶ 1
Before beginning, ask whether you are prepared to handle the emotional state that may come with accurately recalling the event 4 times. If needed, start with a less severe stressor, rank candidate events by stressfulness, and stop the protocol if it creates significant psychological or physical stress or impairs daily life.
- Use distraction to regulate negative emotions▶ 1
After a setback, shift attention to something unrelated that consumes your focus.