Men’s Health Care in Torrance, CA

Who it’s for: Men who want a checkup, screening advice or confidential testing
Visit length: Varies — ask when booking
Privacy: Your visit and test results are kept confidential
What to bring: Medicine list, family health history and any past PSA results
Insurance: Most visits billed to insurance — call to confirm your plan

Checkups that look at common hidden risks

Feeling fine doesn’t always mean everything is fine. High blood pressure, high cholesterol and high blood sugar often cause no symptoms. A regular visit with Dr. Shin checks these numbers and your overall heart risk, and gives you time to talk about sleep, stress, alcohol and tobacco.

Two screening examples from the USPSTF: blood pressure screening for adults 18 and older (2021), and a one-time ultrasound to check for an abdominal aortic aneurysm in men 65 to 75 who have ever smoked (2019). Dr. Shin will recommend screenings based on your age, history and risk.

Prostate cancer screening is a personal decision

The PSA blood test can find some prostate cancers early, but it has downsides. A high PSA can come from conditions that aren’t cancer, and screening can find slow-growing cancers that would never have caused harm. That can lead to biopsies and treatment with side effects such as erection problems or leaking urine.

For men 55 to 69, the USPSTF says the decision to have PSA screening should be an individual one, made after talking with a clinician about benefits and harms. It recommends against PSA screening for men 70 and older (USPSTF, 2018). Your family history and other risk factors are part of that conversation.

Prostate exams

During a digital rectal exam, the clinician places a gloved, lubricated finger in the rectum to feel the prostate for lumps or anything unusual. Dr. Shin may suggest one when checking prostate symptoms, such as slow or frequent urination, or a high PSA result.

Confidential STD testing

Many sexually transmitted infections have no symptoms. Depending on the test, you may give a urine sample, a swab or a blood sample, and your results are kept confidential. The USPSTF recommends HIV screening for everyone ages 15 to 65 (2019). For other infections, which tests you need depends on your sexual history and any symptoms. Dr. Shin will talk with you privately about which tests make sense.

When you need a specialist

If tests or symptoms point to a problem that needs specialist care, such as a urologist for prostate or urinary concerns, Dr. Shin will refer you and go over the findings with you at our Torrance office.

What to expect

Book
Request an appointment online or call (310) 326-2161. You can simply say you’d like a men’s health visit.
Talk
Dr. Shin reviews your history, family history and any symptoms with you in private.
Exam and tests
A blood pressure check, an exam and any tests you agree to, such as blood work or STD tests.
Results
We tell you how you’ll receive results. Please don’t email health details — call us instead.

Common questions

Should I get a PSA test?

For most men 55 to 69, it’s a personal choice. The USPSTF recommends deciding after talking with your clinician about the possible benefits and harms, and recommends against PSA screening at 70 and older (2018). A family history of prostate cancer, or being Black, can mean a higher risk, which may change the conversation.

What should I do before a PSA test?

MedlinePlus advises avoiding sex or ejaculation for 24 hours before a PSA test, because releasing semen can raise PSA levels. Tell us about every medicine you take, since some can affect the results, but don’t stop taking any medicine unless we tell you to.

Is STD testing confidential?

Yes. STD testing is handled with the same confidentiality as all of your medical care, and Dr. Shin talks with you about testing in private. If you have questions about privacy, including how a visit may appear on insurance paperwork, ask us before your test.

How often should men get a checkup?

There’s no single rule for every man. How often you need a visit depends on your age, health conditions and screening needs. Blood pressure should be checked regularly, and Dr. Shin will recommend a checkup schedule that fits your health.

When would I see a urologist?

Dr. Shin may refer you to a urologist for problems such as a high PSA result that needs more testing, blood in the urine or semen, or urinary symptoms that don’t improve. We help arrange the referral and go over the specialist’s findings with you.

Important information

Call 911 for chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to the arm or jaw, severe shortness of breath, or sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the body.