Fertility to ED to prostate health, urologist helps men through a lifetime of
issues

By JAMES DOWD

Men's health is not a monolith, but encompasses a diverse range of conditions that
evolve over time. Addressing them requires not only clinical knowledge, but also trust,
approachability, and patient-centered dialogue. For many patients, urologists often
serve as the first point of contact in men’s health, yet men often delay or avoid seeking
care altogether. The consequences of this reluctance can range from untreated fertility
issues to undiagnosed prostate cancer.

A heightened focus on these issues arrives each June with Men’s Health Month, when
increased attention is paid to raise awareness about men's physical, mental, and
emotional well-being. And while medical professionals encourage male patients to
prioritize their health all year long, Michael Granieri, MD, finds the annual month
devoted to men’s health issues a great way to facilitate conversations about unique
health challenges that men face.

“When it comes to health, men don’t always get the care they need, often because they
don’t ask for it,” said Granieri, a urologist and president of The Conrad Pearson Clinic.
“Men are statistically less likely to visit the doctor, less likely to talk about sensitive
health concerns, and more likely to ignore symptoms. That’s why Men’s Health Month is
so important. and why I’m passionate about what I do.”

Granieri is a fellowship-trained urologist specializing in men’s health, fertility, and
hormonal care. He treats men of all ages, helping them navigate everything from fertility
questions to prostate cancer. His goal is simple: to help men live longer, healthier lives,
and feel great doing it.

“Since 2018, I’ve been practicing in Memphis, and in late 2024 I was honored to become
president of Comprehensive Urology Partners,” Granieri said. “We’re a team of
nationally recognized specialists dedicated to providing the highest level of men’s health
care in the Mid-South and beyond.”

Granieri said many men initially see him when they’re thinking about starting (or not
starting) a family. Sometimes it is to talk about fertility concerns, at other times it may
be about scheduling a vasectomy. Either way, it’s often their first real experience with a
men’s health specialist.

“Fertility isn’t just about having kids; it can also be a window into overall health. A
complete evaluation can identify risks or issues that may affect health down the line,”
Granieri said. “This is also when we sometimes start talking about testosterone levels.
Low energy, trouble focusing, decreased sex drive, or mood swings can all be signs of
low testosterone – even in your 30s. It’s more common than most people realize, and
there are new, safer treatment options today than ever before.”

Testosterone therapy has come a long way, Granieri explained. One of the biggest
studies to date – the TRAVERSE trial – was published last year and showed that
testosterone treatment did not increase the risk of heart problems, which was something
doctors used to worry about.

“The study also showed that testosterone can help with libido, energy, and anemia,”
Granieri said. “New oral testosterone formulations have emerged in recent years,
offering excellent efficacy without the liver toxicity previously associated with older
versions. These options, along with injections and gels, provide individualized choices
for patients, many of whom seek to preserve fertility while addressing hypogonadism. “
Another significant issue is erectile dysfunction (ED), and a common condition that
Granieri treats and one that he is dedicated to destigmatizing.

“ED is a very prominent medical condition and there are variety of reasons why, so it’s
important for men to see a specialist. Their condition may be stress-related, or more
organic like high cholesterol or high blood pressure, or diabetes,” Granieri said. “It’s
helpful to consider all this when diagnosing and prescribing treatment because patients
need a full evaluation to get the right treatment options, which may include medication,
shock wave therapy, penile injections, surgical options or penile implants.”

In addition to fertility issues and ED, Granieri t patients treats many men afflicted by
benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). Treatment depends on the symptoms and
underlying conditions, and advances in treatment therapies continue to evolve.

“A lot of patients who have trouble urinating, which could stem from conditions such as
bladder obstruction or from prostate issues,” Granieri said. “There is a proliferation of
minimally invasive options, including medication and non-surgical procedures, which
provide relief and increased quality of life for men.”

Another significant health concern for men is elevated PSA, which can signal prostate
cancer. Findings published in 2024 by the Lancet Commission indicated that the
number of global diagnoses of prostate cancer would double from 1.4 million in 2020 to
2.9 million in 2040.

And as Granieri counsels his patients, when it comes to prostate cancer, early detection
is key.

“We follow national guidelines for screening and work with patients to make decisions
based on age, risk, and personal health. At Conrad Pearson, we’ve built a Prostate
Cancer Center of Excellence that’s ranked #2 nationally, where we offer every available
treatment, from advanced imaging to robotic surgery,” Granieri said. “One exciting
advancement is single-port robotic surgery, which uses one small incision and allows
most men go home the same day and recover with less pain and downtime.”

After prostate cancer treatment, some men experience side effects like urinary leakage
or ED and that’s why follow-up care is vital after surgery and throughout recovery,
Granieri said Options include pelvic floor therapy, medications, or even surgical options
like the male sling or the artificial urinary sphincter.

Through it all, Granieri works with patients to determine the appropriate level of care
and therapy.

“At the end of the day, we work with patients on a shared decision-making model to
offer the best possible care. Whether it’s a concern about fertility, performance,
urination, or cancer, we talk through it,” Granieri said. “Men’s health deserves just as
much focus as any other specialty, and every man deserves access to the care that can
change his life.”