Is This the Future of Men’s Health? How Stanford Urology Is Redefining What Men’s Health Can Be!
When Michael Eisenberg, MD, arrived at Stanford in 2011, Men’s Health wasn’t a defined program, it was an area quietly folded into other specialties. Over time, that changed. With a clear vision and growing momentum, Stanford Urology began to shape a focused, research-driven Men’s Health initiative - one that now stands out nationally for both its clinical work and ground-breaking research.
“The goal has always been to help men optimize their sexual and reproductive health,” Eisenberg explains. “And from there, to better understand how those aspects connect to their overall health now and into the future.”
It sounds straightforward, but in reality, the field has long been anything but. Male fertility and sexual health are often sidelined - less discussed, less researched, and often misunderstood. At Stanford, Eisenberg and his team are not just treating patients, they’re also asking deeper questions about causes, risk factors, and possibilities - while building new tools to answer them.
Understanding The Science
In both the clinic and the lab, the Stanford Urology’s Men’s Health team is working to understand why reproductive and sexual function declines in some men - and how to reverse it. Sometimes the issue is clear: hormonal imbalance, medication side effects, or known genetic markers, but in many cases, no obvious cause emerges.
“About a third to half of the time, we can’t pinpoint an exact reason,” Eisenberg says. “That’s where we believe research can really move the needle. We’re studying everything from immune health to metabolic signatures, even environmental exposures like microplastics.”
This commitment to asking new questions has led to some truly novel approaches. In one ongoing study, the Eisenberg Lab at Stanford Urology is investigating platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy - a technique where platelets and growth factors from a patient’s own body are injected into the testicle to stimulate sperm production in men who previously failed sperm retrieval surgeries. Early results show sperm recovery in about 20% of cases once considered untreatable.
“We’re the first in the U.S. to offer this,” Eisenberg says. “It’s still early, but for men who’ve been told they have no options, it can be life-changing.”
The research doesn’t stop there. Stanford is also leading two clinical trials focused on sexual function:
- One study is testing a wearable device that provides structural support for men with erectile dysfunction who don’t respond to medication, offering a medication-free option for sexual penetration.
- Another is studying nerve stimulation to help men experiencing delayed ejaculation or difficulty maintaining erections.
These projects reflect the program’s larger philosophy: to not only treat symptoms but to understand what’s driving them - and to create more choices for men at every stage of life.
Changing the Conversation
Despite all this momentum, Eisenberg acknowledges that Men’s Health still has a long way to go in terms of awareness and education. One of the biggest challenges? Timing.
“Men often don’t find out there’s a problem until they’re trying to start a family - and by then, the window feels very small,” he says. “If we looked earlier, in their 20s or even late teens, we’d have more time to address issues and improve outcomes.”
Unlike women, who have monthly cycles that offer at least some feedback about fertility, men typically don’t know where they stand until they try - and struggle. One in six couples faces infertility, and in many of those cases, male factors play a major role. But stigma, lack of access, and misinformation often delay action.
That’s why Eisenberg sees public engagement as a key part of his work. He regularly speaks on podcasts - including The Huberman Lab Podcast, Diary of a CEO, and most recently, Modern Wisdom - to reach wider audiences, especially men. “People are curious,” he says. “And they deserve clear, evidence-based answers.”
