THE VANGUARD BLOG
Physician-curated deep dives into the science of men's health optimization.
Monograph
Presbyopia — the age-related loss of near vision accommodation that affects essentially all adults by their mid-40s — has been managed historically through reading glasses, bifocals, progressive lenses, contact lens monovision, and surgical…
30 May 2026
Monograph
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) — fluoxetine, sertraline, citalopram, escitalopram, paroxetine, fluvoxamine — and the closely related SNRIs (venlafaxine, duloxetine) are among the most-prescribed medication classes in modern…
30 May 2026
Monograph
Pelvic floor physical therapy (PFPT) for men is one of the most under-prescribed, under-recognized evidence-based interventions in men's health. The male pelvic floor — including the levator ani, coccygeus, and supporting muscle groups — is integral…
30 May 2026
Monograph
Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing has been the central screening tool for prostate cancer since the late 1980s. The history of PSA screening is one of the most-debated topics in cancer screening medicine — early enthusiasm produced substantial…
30 May 2026
Monograph
Consumer microbiome testing has emerged as a substantial commercial category over the past decade, with companies including Viome, ZOE, Sun Genomics, Thryve, DayTwo, and various direct-to-consumer offerings sequencing stool samples and returning…
30 May 2026
Monograph
Bisphosphonates are the most-prescribed and best-evidenced class of osteoporosis treatment. They are synthetic analogs of pyrophosphate (a natural bone-binding compound) that deposit in bone at sites of active resorption. Osteoclasts take up the…
30 May 2026
Monograph
Denosumab (brand name Prolia for osteoporosis, Xgeva for bone metastasis applications, Amgen) is a fully human monoclonal antibody targeting RANKL (receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand). RANKL is the principal cytokine driving osteoclast…
30 May 2026
Monograph
Romosozumab (brand name Evenity, Amgen/UCB) is a humanized monoclonal antibody targeting sclerostin, a protein secreted by osteocytes that inhibits the Wnt signaling pathway in osteoblasts. By neutralizing sclerostin, romosozumab simultaneously…
30 May 2026
Monograph
Apomorphine is a non-selective dopamine receptor agonist with a long history in medicine — originally used as an emetic in poisoning treatment, more recently in Parkinson's disease management (subcutaneous Apokyn, sublingual Kynmobi). For erectile…
30 May 2026
Monograph
Setmelanotide (brand name Imcivree, Rhythm Pharmaceuticals) is a melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) agonist administered as a daily subcutaneous injection. It is FDA-approved for chronic weight management in patients aged 6 years and older with obesity…
30 May 2026
Monograph
Mandelic acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) derived from bitter almonds. It is structurally similar to glycolic acid and lactic acid but with a substantially larger molecular structure (152.15 g/mol vs glycolic at 76 g/mol). The larger molecule…
30 May 2026
Monograph
Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is an endogenous molecule produced by neutrophils as part of the innate immune system's pathogen defense. It is a potent oxidizing agent that kills bacteria, fungi, and viruses through oxidation of microbial proteins, while…
30 May 2026
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