Digital men’s health startup Bastion Health launched Tuesday, focused on providing reproductive and prostate care via telehealth.

Bastion will offer 30-minute consultations with a nurse practitioner on fertility and prostate health starting at $100 and $75, respectively, as well as educational and wellness content.

The company will also provide clinical evaluation and treatment from a urology and reproductive health specialist in Florida, with plans to roll out this expanded service nationwide next year. It also aims to offer at-home semen analysis kits in 2022.

“Men's healthcare is underserved, behind the times, and an upgrade is long overdue,” Reza Amin, CEO and founder of Bastion Health, said in a statement. “With our comprehensive platform, we provide an accessible and affordable way for men to proactively take care of their health from the comfort of home and start normalizing the conversation surrounding men’s health.”

Bastion was founded in 2020, and earned $2.2 million in seed funding from the Werth Family Investment Associates.

WHY IT MATTERS

Benign prostatic hyperplasia, or prostate gland enlargement, is common as men age. According to the Mayo Clinic, about a third of men experience moderate to severe symptoms by age 60, and about half experience those symptoms by age 80. 

Prostate cancer is also the second most common type of cancer affecting American men. About one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetimes, according to the American Cancer Society. 

Fertility care is also important for men. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that in about 35% of couples with infertility, a male issue is identified with a female factor. In about 8% of couples, a male factor is the only cause found.

THE LARGER TREND

Though the femtech and women’s health space gets industry buzz, digital health companies have started to offer men’s healthcare services as well.

London-based men’s health startup Numan announced €33 million in Series B funding last month. In March 2020, Vault Health launched a men’s health service with $30 million in Series A financing. 

Direct-to-consumer virtual care giant Ro, initially focused on men’s health and erectile dysfunction, has since acquired companies and launched other care offerings. 

Ro competitor Hims & Hers also offers sexual health products for men, along with other telehealth services.