Spinelli M.D., releases The Advocate Guide to Gay Men’s Health and Wellnes

[Guest guest]

Has anyone read this book? He is coming to Houston and I am going to interview him

Spinelli M.D., releases The Advocate Guide to Gay Men’s Health and Wellness

Simultaneously informational and inspirational, The Advocate Guide to Gay Men’s Health and Wellness (Alyson Books; nonfiction; trade paperback; $18.99, 245 pages, January 2008) provides readers with an in-depth look at the issues that affect the emotional, mental, spiritual and physical well-being of modern-day gay men.

“All gay men need to be empowered with a working knowledge of their health, sexuality and lifestyle.†explains author Spinelli, a physician whose private practice in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood – considered to be America’s gay mecca. “And while there are some great health books out there, I wanted to provide a more holistic approach – so the book touches on many issues that go beyond physical health.â€

He wrote The Advocate Guide to Gay Men’s Health and Wellness because he believes that gay health issues unrelated to HIV haven’t been properly addressed. “Only then will this enable gay men to make sound decisions to promote their own wellness.â€

The sobering facts speak for themselves. Gay men suffer higher rates of depression, are at greater risk of contracting STDs, and are thirty-five times more likely to develop anal cancer than straight men. Additionally, recent studies have shown that gay men report a greater dissatisfaction with their looks and are more likely to abuse tobacco, alcohol, and recreational drugs. In The Advocate Guide to Gay Men’s Health and Wellness, Dr. Spinelli offers tips and insight for gay men who want to take control of their lives in order to be healthier, and ultimately happier, individuals.

Regardless of the topic, The Advocate Guide to Gay Men’s Health and Wellness lays out the facts in casual, non-clinical, terms. “I wanted to write a book that felt like a conversation I would have with a friend. I thought it was essential to integrate personal stories into all of these topics.â€

Dr. Spinelli delves into areas not typically covered in men’s health books, including the erotic zones of the male anatomy, gay sex, genital piercings, and manorexia. He dispels myths and misconceptions associated with the fetish lifestyle, the pain of “The Prince Albert†and the safety of enema use.

─CONTINUED─

312 WEST 53rd ST · NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10019 · 212.445.0099 · WWW.PROJECTPUBLICITY.COM

Additionally, Dr. Spinelli offers advice on maintaining a healthy bowel and a tighter sphincter. In “Dr. ’s Tips on How to Avoid MRSAâ€, he advises gay men on ways to avoid contracting, staphylococcus aureus, the newest bacterial skin disease that has been silently plaguing the gay community since 2002.

And what would a gay health and wellness book be without discussing beauty? Looking good has become just a status symbol in its own right – as important as driving the right car or owning the perfect New York apartment. However for some, this fixation can be debilitating, leading to eating disorders and the abuse of anabolic steroids. Dr. Spinelli tackles these issues head-on and also discusses cosmetic procedures currently available to gay men to improve their appearance. Readers will learn about the pros and cons of implants, Botox, laser beard grooming, microdermabrasion, and chemical peels. He also discusses preventative measures gay men can use in order to avoid surgery.

The average life expectancy for all men – gay and straight – has increased. Contemporary gay men need to educate themselves in order to maintain the same healthy bodies they had in their twenties and thirties - and to dispel the myth that gay life ends at forty. “Life is truly a journey – and there’s no reason why it can’t be a healthy, fulfilling, satisfying one well into your seventies, eighties and beyond.†says Dr. Spinelli

Much more than just another health book, The Advocate Guide to Gay Men’s Health and Wellness serves as a reference guide to living well as a gay man – it’s a must-have for the library or night stand of any gay man in your life.

About The Author

Dr. Spinelli is a Board Certified Internist with a solo private practice in New York City where he also makes his home. As a practicing physician for over seven years, Dr. ’s focus is on primary care as well as HIV medicine. He also served as Clinical Director of HIV Services at Cabrini Medical Center for two years.

An active member of the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Initiative, Dr. works with local hospitals to provide information to the community on gay health issues and HIV prevention. His national speaking engagements have brought him all over the United States where he lectures on HIV, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, and other preventative health care issues.

Over the years, Dr. has written for several publications including The Blade, HX, and Genre Magazine. Currently he is a contributing health care writer for Instinct Magazine, a national publication for gay men. He is the “Go To†doctor on CBS News on the Logo Network and has made regular appearances on MTV News and the Today Show. Dr. has also given live interviews on ABC News Now with Dr. and was the former gay health expert on the National radio show, Twist.

For additional information regarding “The Advocate Guide to Gay Men’s Health and Wellnessâ€

and to request an interview with Dr. , please contact:

Jeff Dorta @ Project Publicity, Inc.

Tel: (212) 445-0099, Jeff.Dorta@..., www.projectpublicity.com

Title: The Advocate Guide to Gay Men’s Health and Wellness

ISBN: 1-59350-040-8

Author: Spinelli, M.D.

Pub. Date: January 2008

Imprint: Alyson Books New York

Price:

Pages: 245

Format: Trade Paperback

Praise For

The Advocate Guide to Gay Men’s Health and Wellness:

Augusten Burroughs "Dr. Spinelli has written a smart, empowering "life manual" for modern gay men that want to live a healthier, happier life. Packed with truly useful information to make guys -especially 40 and beyond- feel confident in their health, sexuality and lifestyle. Plus, Dr. Spinelli is absurdly cute. I would saw my ears off if he told me I'd be happier and healthier."

DR. STEPHEN GOLDSTONE author of the best selling The Ins and Outs of Gay Sex: A Medical Handbook for Men

Dr. Spinelli has written a wonderful guide for those of us in our "middle years" so we can maintain all aspects of our health - physical, mental and sexual. His caring tone comes through as he teaches us everything we need to know from how to talk to a doctor to how to talk to a lover. In an age when it is increasingly difficult to find a gay doctor who can take time to answer our questions, Spinelli is there for us.

Dennis Hensley, author of Misadventures in the (213) and Screening Party, co-host of the radio show Twist

From Prince Alberts to andropause to manorexia, The Advocate Guide to Gay Men's Health and Wellness by Spinelli covers it all. With refreshing candor and zero judgment, Dr. spells out the facts and fallacies about subjects many of us find hard to talk about. As insightful and accessible as t is comprehensive, this book should be required reading for any gay man who wants to live a long, healthy, fulfilling, gay life."

J. Lee, M.D. Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Columbia University

Author of Overcoming Crystal Methamphetamine: a Guide to Staying Clean

The Advocate Guide to Gay Men's Health and Wellness is a comprehensive and up-to-date reference covering critical health issues for gay men. Including his own personal experiences, Dr. Spinelli discusses these topics with humor and understanding, in a non-judgmental and straightforward style. This book offers helpful, in-depth answers to questions that many gay men may wonder but never ask - truly a significant contribution to the community.

Carson Kresly, Queer Eye For the Straight Guy

Good health is so important, more important even than cute shoes. Dr. Spinelli is a doctor AND he's gay so he knows both good health AND cute shoes. Could you be in better hands?

-

Q & A with...

Spinelli, M.D.

The author of The Advocate Guide to Gay Men’s Health and Wellness discusses his inspiration for his book.

Who should read The Advocate Guide to Gay Men’s Health and Wellness?

I originally intended the book for gay men forty years and older, because most preventative health care issues begin at forty. However, there is valuable information in the book for gay men of all ages. Gay sex tips, issues with addiction, and lifestyle concerns are just of a few of the areas that all gay men should be aware of.

Why do gay men need their own health and wellness book?

It would be nice to think that all men are created equally but that’s just not the case. Traditional medical teachings do not focus on gay health, and clinicians, like myself, who treat gay men find that that the average gay man has many concerns about their lifestyle. Somewhere along the way gay health became synonymous with HIV, and I wanted gay men to know that there was more to it than that. Over the years I compiled questions from gay men and most were eager to learn about how their bodies worked in relationship to sex and how different diseases and conditions are predicated upon our lifestyle.

What health issues are specific to gay men?

Some specifics gay health issues include HIV but all sexually transmitted diseases. Anal cancer rates are higher in gay men due to the Human Papilloma Virus, which causes genital warts. That is why gay men should have annual anal Pap smears. Recently, we’ve heard about the number of cases of drug resistant staph infection that has been affecting the general population, but MRSA has been affecting gay men since 2002. Also the rates of depression, alcohol and substance abuse are higher. Then there are issues associated with the party lifestyle especially crystal meth, which is an epidemic in the gay community. In addition there is the concept of having the perfect body and the ways gay men go about achieving this ideal. In the book I discuss different types of gay relationships including monogamy, open relationships, and three-way relationships. Then add the fact that gay men are having children. It’s important for us to recognize these differences and how they affect your health.

You mention that Staphylococcus aureus has been plaguing the gay community since 2002. Why hasn’t it been reported?

MRSA is a growing problem. Initially, it was seen in the hospital setting, but then it began popping up in gay men. For the past few years I have been seeing more and more cases but it wasn’t being widely reported. I think it was just because it was affecting gay men. Now that there are cases reported in children the media recognizes the significant impact MRSA is having on the entire community. And for good reason. The issue remains that MRSA needs to be publicized more because gay men are not recognizing what it looks like or know how it is transmitted.

What is your position on recreational drugs like crystal meth? Do you feel that they are destroying the health of the gay community? Or are drugs ok as long as they are taken in moderation?

Crystal meth is a major health care concern for gay men. Its ingredients are combustible, toxic and highly addictive. We do know that across the board, recreational drugs and alcohol use are associated with increasing rates of unprotected sex, STDs and HIV. Recreational drugs are illegal and it would be misleading for me to suggest that moderation is okay. I do urge gay men to discuss their drug and alcohol use openly with their doctor.

How does homophobia affect gay men’s health and wellness?

Homophobia is still so pervasive and even among gays there is so much internalized homophobia. With the rising number of domestic partnership benefits, most homosexuals are excluded from the same benefits afforded to married heterosexual couples. Additionally, even with domestic partnership benefits, some gay men still refuse to come out at work due to the threat of homophobia. Complicating matters further is the issue of insurance carriers delaying benefits or refusing to take on individuals with pre-existing conditions such as HIV. The dilemma of health care and gay men is complex and disheartening for all these reasons and more. The American Cancer Society recently published data showing that since gay men are less likely to have health insurance and seek out medical attention for reasons concerning homophobia; they are more likely to suffer from lung cancer, especially since gay men tend to smoke more than the general population.

Why is it important that gay men have a gay or gay-friendly doctor?

This is so important. Gay men need to find a gay doctor or a gay friendly health care provider. Your clinician needs to have some insight into how gay men live and function. You shouldn’t feel embarrassed to talk to your doctor. Your health care provider should be objective and aware of all the different facets of your life. It is vital that your doctor understands everything there is to know about you. Coming out to your doctor should not be burdened by shame, and if your doctor is not comfortable with treating homosexuals, then you should find yourself a new doctor. Linked with the idea of trust is honesty, which is why you should come out to your doctor. All gay men are urged to do so. Some people argue that their sexuality is something that they feel they do not need to disclose to their doctor, but this is nonsense. Your sexuality and your lifestyle are important contributing factors to your health. It is vital that your doctor understands everything there is to know about you. One of the most important aspects of a great doctor-patient relationship is trust. A physician should always encourage patients to tell the truth.

What three things should every gay man do today to insure he remains healthy tomorrow?

First and foremost is to find a gay doctor or a gay friendly health care professional. You need to feel completely comfortable with whomever you pick. A doctor is not your mother and not the police. They are there to help you and without the truth they can’t. Second, pay attention to your body. You should know yourself best. Listen for cues that might suggest something is wrong and seek out professional help. Finally, nothing beats a healthy diet and routine exercise. And remember to visit your doctor at least once annually for a full physical exam.

What can friends and family of gay men learn from The Advocate Guide to Gay Men’s Health and Wellness?

I hope that this book could be a useful reference not only for all gay men but for friends and family who are interested in learning about gay life. Okay, so I might not want my mom to read about some of the more intimate chapters but that is the point. There is something in it for everyone and not every issue covered in the book will apply to every gay man.

What is the predominant message that you hope to convey in The Advocate Guide to Gay Men’s Health and Wellness?

My message is that we as homosexuals need to recognize that there are health and lifestyle concerns that are exclusive to our sexuality. It is who we are, and we should never feel ashamed or embarrassed to be gay. I often hear heterosexuals say that they love gay people but that they just don’t’ want to know what goes on in the bedroom. My answer to that is we are not defined by the sex act itself. We are contributing members of society and need to have a field of medicine that addresses this.

# # #

Regards, VergelDirectorProgram for Wellness Restorationpowerusa dot orgWondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new twists on family favorites at AOL Food.