New Business: Men’s Health Boston Opens In Tewksbury

Despite the name, services for women are also available

By Elizabeth Miller for the Carnation

Men’s Health Boston (MHB) is a new medical practice in Tewksbury that provides clinical care, innovative, research-backed treatments and information to patients with the goal of maintaining good sexual health. MHB was founded in 1999 by Dr. Abraham Morgentaler, MD and has another location in Chestnut Hill, which opened in November 2014.

Shortly after Men’s Health Boston opened the doors of its new location in Tewksbury, I was able to interview its current director, Dr. Evan Appelbaum, MD, FACC, to learn more about him, the practice and the services MHB provides. 

Appelbaum has over 20 years of experience as both a board-certified cardiologist and cardiac imaging specialist at Beth-Israel Deaconess Medical Center and an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard in Boston. He has done research, lectured and released publications on cardiovascular disease, but daily focuses on preventative, outpatient care. Appelbaum utilizes modern technology alongside classic medicine to individualize treatment for MHB patients.

Men’s Health Boston specializes in sexual wellness and related problems, such as low testosterone, erectile dysfunction and Peyronie’s disease, as well as providing cardiovascular services including in-office cardiac stress testing and arrhythmia monitoring. MHB also provides nutrition counseling. Additionally, physicians can diagnose prostate cancer, and refer patients for additional care if required. 

Despite the name, Men’s Health Boston is not exclusively for men. The practice also provides programming for women’s sexual and overall health. Its physicians approach wellness from the perspective of the “mind, heart and body” and focus on proactive care for menopausal and perimenopausal women. Treatments include hormone replacement therapy (HRT), nutrition and lifestyle counseling, diagnostic heart screenings, electromagnetic therapy for both body sculpting and pelvic floor strengthening and more — the women’s program is growing. 

I also learned through my conversation with Appelbaum that MHB provides continuing HRT treatment for people who have had prior treatment elsewhere, including for transgender patients continuing gender-affirming care.

Appelbaum expressed his excitement about joining the Tewksbury community and said he has enjoyed meeting community members in the initial months of MHB being open. He also noted the ability to help more patients by increasing accessibility to these services in the Boston North area as part of the motivation to expand here, especially as Merrimack Valley’s population grows. 

For men who may be having sexual wellness problems that affect their intimacy, self-image or health, but who either don’t know how to communicate their issue, are uncomfortable doing so or are unaware of the measures they could be taking to manage their health, Appelbaum had multiple pieces of advice.

First, he emphasized that these individuals are not alone, that these types of issues are extremely common and that MHB is about working to remove the stigma brought about by a lack of education.

“Learning about the ubiquity of these issues can empower them to communicate with their provider,” he said, emphasizing that many problems are treatable. 

Men’s Health Boston’s expansion into Tewksbury is a step to remove barriers that keep patients from living full lives. Being able to treat more patients while also educating communities on the commonality of these issues and the existence of their treatments helps to destigmatize sexual-health and its maintenance.

I also asked Appelbaum what his most important piece of health advice was for men. He emphasized that for everyone, staying active in both your mind and body is the best way to prevent future health problems. In addition, he advises being mindful of your diet and regularly visiting your doctor. Both prevention and the mind-body approach to healthcare are values reflected at MHB.

Men’s Health Boston is located at 1438 Main St., Tewksbury, in the same building as Tewksbury Dental Associates, and is open from 1 – 4:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday. Appointments can be made via phone at 617-277-5000, or you can book online.