October 23, 2025 | 9:30am
MANILA, Philippines — Addressing one’s sexual health shouldn’t be something to be shy about, rather one to be given attention to for more well-rounded living.
Philstar.com visited Brovage Clinic, a new men’s health clinic in Bonifacio Global City, to speak with owner Dr. Frederick Mendiola — a sexual medicine specialist and Minimally Invasive Urologist — about the importance of sexual health.
Dr. Mendiola explained his clinic mostly specializes in sexual dysfunction in men like erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, uneven testosterone levels and problems with desire or libido.
“I’m a urologist, so I know that there are a lot of people suffering from [sexual dysfunction], and most of them do not really seek consult. It’s sort of a taboo sa society natin,” Dr. Mendiola admitted.
He pointed out that around 85% of men who suffer from erectile dysfunction will not seek consultation because of shyness and machismo, stigma that stems from tradition and the Philippines being a mostly Catholic nation.
The doctor acknowledged that another reason why men do not address sexual health is the lack of spaces to do so, reiterating that many want to preserve the macho image they have of themselves.
With the help of media platforms, social media and other health advocates, his clinic wants to educate the public about sex and its importance in people’s lives.
Dr. Mendiola pointed out that sex gives longevity as it prevents long-lasting or long-term illnesses, on top of it being made pleasurable for human beings thus adding to quality of life.
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Multidisciplinary approach
Brovage Clinic focuses on the preventive side when it comes to longevity by studying the micronutrients, nutritional status, proteins, and microbiome of a patient.
Doing so alongside genetic testing allows doctors to know predisposition of the patient to acquire several diseases, therefore suggesting solutions like intravenous or IV therapy, nutrition, and other treatment modalities.
Dr. Mendiola told Philstar.com that approaching sexual dysfunction is multidisciplinary, with psychological factors playing a part as much as the biological.
These psychological factors include stress, problems within the family or at work, and a history of childhood abuse, all of which can have an effect on sexual function.
One example the doctor gave is performance anxiety resulting from erection problems leading to doubts in future sexual activities.
Another significant element is the social aspect, the relationship and intimacy between partners.
“Kahit na okay yung function mo biologically [and] you don’t have a psychological problem, kung hindi kayo compatible ng partner at hindi nagsasabay ang sexual urge, that’s also a problem,” Dr. Mendiola explained.
As such, his clinic follows a biopsychosocial model in the treatment of sexual dysfunctions.
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Testosterone levels
Brovage Clinic also offers testosterone replacement therapy, not just for transmen seeking to increase their testosterone levels but even older men who are beginning to feel the decline.
“In men, once you’ve reached 40 years old, magde-decline na yung testosterone level by 1% per year,” Dr. Mendiola said, adding that others’ deplete faster, which is why it’s important to have it checked.
The doctor explained to Philstar.com that testosterone isn’t only for libido and sexual function, but as a male sex hormone it controls the brain and has effect on the skin, bones, fats and muscles.
He noted a time two decades ago while still a resident that testosterone replacement wasn’t observed because of prostate cancer concerns, although recent data have shown there is no effect.
“There’s no danger in giving testosterone replacement in patients in males, huwag lang yung talagang meron nang diagnosis ng prostate cancer na hindi na-treat,” Dr. Mendiola added.
While the machines and treatment options needed for sexual health can be costly, the doctor expressed hope more people would be able to access such remedies.
“Eventually, pag dumami na nang dumami ang ganitong clinics, and then of course by law of supply and demand, bababa na rin yung pricing ng gamot at machines, and hopefully maging available to the mass market,” Dr. Mendiola ended.
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