Men’s Health

About the programme

Sexual health, metabolic support and restoring physical fitness

Reduced libido, changes in erectile function, more frequent night-time urination and the feeling that your usual level of activity has become harder may be related. The Men’s Health programme at CALENDULA helps assess these changes in the context of vascular health, metabolism, hormones, sleep and stress.

Good blood supply and nervous system function are important for erections; testosterone, medicines and emotional state also affect sexual wellbeing. Frequent urges to urinate, a weaker urine stream, a feeling of incomplete emptying and night-time urination may be associated with changes in the prostate, bladder, metabolism, medications or sleep disturbance. The programme therefore does not focus on a single symptom. Urological and andrological care is combined with personalised nutrition, work on muscle tension and restorative methods from Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine.

Our aim is to understand the causes of your symptoms, select the necessary support and develop a clear strategy for men’s health after you return home.

Who the programme is for

• For reduced libido and changes in erection quality.
• For frequent urges to urinate, a weak urine stream, discomfort in the pelvic area and night-time urination.
• For increased waist circumference, reduced stamina and reduced muscle tone.
• When these complaints occur together with overload, tension and disturbed sleep.

Medical assessment and strategy

Urologist-andrologist consultation. The doctor reviews the history of symptoms, cardiovascular risk factors, lifestyle and current medications. The severity of urinary symptoms and their effect on quality of life may be assessed using IPSS/QoL (a questionnaire on urinary symptoms and their effect on quality of life), while sexual health may be assessed using IIEF or SHIM (questionnaires for erectile and sexual function; SHIM is a shortened version). This helps distinguish possible hormonal, vascular, neurological, urological and psycho-emotional factors.

Hormonal and metabolic profile. Where indicated: morning total testosterone, calculated or free testosterone, SHBG (sex hormone-binding globulin; helps assess the availability of testosterone to tissues), LH (luteinising hormone; involved in regulating ovarian and testicular function), FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone; involved in egg maturation and sperm production), oestradiol, prolactin, lipid profile, glucose, insulin and HbA1c. The latter reflects average blood glucose over the preceding months.

Assessment of the prostate and urination. Urinalysis, bladder ultrasound with measurement of residual urine, prostate examination and uroflowmetry are prescribed according to symptoms. A three-day bladder diary can be useful for night-time urination; blood glucose, blood pressure, medicines and the likelihood of sleep apnoea are assessed at the same time. PSA, additional laboratory tests and transrectal ultrasound are used according to age and individual risk when the result may affect further management.

What the programme includes

Treatment and herbal support. The approach depends on the established diagnosis and severity of symptoms. The doctor may consider appropriate medication for urinary symptoms, inflammatory conditions or erectile dysfunction. Herbal formulas from the CALENDULA laboratory and plant-based products are considered as an addition to the main treatment after assessment of composition, evidence, tolerance and interactions. Dose adjustment depends on medical results.

Body and recovery. Attention is paid to the lumbosacral region, pelvic floor function, nutrition and sleep. Ayurvedic constitutional assessment and a TCM approach are used to personalise supportive methods and work on muscle tension and recovery.

The 7-, 14- and 21-day courses are stand-alone: each begins with assessment and ends with recommendations. The exact set of investigations and procedures is determined at the initial examination. Internal Panchakarma methods require separate assessment and are not offered as a proven method for treating prostate disease or restoring testosterone.

Diagnostics and initial support

A one-week course to assess men’s health, select support for sexual and urological complaints, and recover after strain. The main focus is understanding the causes of the changes and choosing a well-founded approach.

Diagnostics. Consultation with a urologist-andrologist, symptom assessment using IPSS/QoL and IIEF or SHIM, hormonal and metabolic tests where indicated, urinalysis and blood pressure assessment. For urinary problems, bladder ultrasound with residual urine measurement, uroflowmetry and prostate examination may be prescribed. A three-day bladder diary is used for night-time urination.

Medical support. Selection of treatment and individual herbal formulas with monitoring of tolerance.

Bodywork. Abhyanga — warm-oil massage; Kati Vasti — a local oil application to the lumbosacral area; Gua Sha massage, gentle manual therapy and post-isometric muscle relaxation. Pelvic floor work takes into account whether strengthening or relaxation is needed.

Ayurveda and TCM. Acupuncture, moxibustion — local warming — marma therapy, foot reflexology and suitable Zalmanov baths. Virechana — a laxative procedure — and Matra Vasti — oil micro-enemas — are discussed separately, taking contraindications into account.

Nutrition and rest. A personalised menu taking carbohydrate metabolism into account, qigong, appropriate pelvic floor exercises and walking. Shirodhara, Padabhyanga — foot massage — sound therapy and the salt room complement recovery.

Programme goals and final consultation. To clarify possible causes of symptoms and assess the response to prescribed measures. You receive an explanation of the results, a plan for treatment, nutrition and activity, and a clear timetable for further urological follow-up.

Men’s health and metabolism

Two weeks of comprehensive work on sexual wellbeing, urination, weight changes and physical condition. The course includes its own diagnostic assessment and does not require a prior seven-day programme.

Diagnostics and treatment. Full initial andrological and urological assessment, necessary investigations and an individual plan. During the course, the doctor reassesses symptom severity, bladder diary indicators, blood pressure and treatment tolerance. Follow-up tests and diagnostic investigations are performed only when clinically necessary.

Nutrition and movement. Personalised diet, work on eating habits, qigong and exercises taking the lower back and pelvic floor into account. Before exercises, it is determined whether the muscles need strengthening or relief from excessive tension. The goal is to build a routine that supports muscle function and metabolism.

Bodywork. Abhyanga, Udvartanam — herbal powder massage — pressotherapy, gentle manual work, post-isometric relaxation and Gua Sha. Kati Vasti and foot reflexology complement the individual plan.

Traditional support. Acupuncture, moxibustion, suitable balneotherapy, personalised herbal formulas and Rasayana. The use of internal Ayurvedic procedures is assessed separately.

Rest. Shirodhara, foot massage, sound therapy, halotherapy and recommendations for sleep routine.

Programme goals and final consultation. To assess sexual and general wellbeing, urination, and tolerance of nutrition and activity. The outcome is a stand-alone plan for further treatment and recovery without a mandatory transition to a longer course.

Comprehensive recovery and sleep

A three-week course combining urological and andrological care, metabolic support and more in-depth work on rest and recovery. The entire pathway — from the stand-alone initial assessment to the final strategy — takes place within one stay.

Diagnostics and treatment. Full initial assessment, necessary hormonal, metabolic and urological investigations, and monitoring of symptoms and treatment tolerance. Longer observation makes it possible to assess the response to the selected treatment, nutrition, physical activity and restorative procedures.

Nutrition and activity. Individual menu, manageable activity, qigong, gentle yoga and appropriate pelvic floor exercises, with instruction so they can be continued at home.

Body support. Abhyanga, Udvartanam, Kati Vasti, Gua Sha, manual therapy and muscle relaxation, pressotherapy and balneotherapy according to an individual plan. Acupuncture, herbal formulas and Rasayana are coordinated with medical prescriptions.

Sleep and recovery. For night-time urination, fluid intake, blood glucose, current medications and signs of sleep apnoea are considered separately. Shirodhara, warm herbal baths, Padabhyanga, yoga nidra, sound therapy, the salt room and suitable Kneipp hydrotherapy complement recovery. Aromatherapy and Nasya are selected separately; snoring with pauses in breathing requires medical assessment.

Programme goals and final consultation. To consider wellbeing, urination, sleep, activity and test results together. You receive a strategy for further urological or andrological follow-up, a schedule for follow-up tests and a home programme. Changes in symptoms vary individually; continuation of medication is determined by medical indications.