Ongoing research is finding that men with “higher male gender expressivity” a.k.a “manliness” are more likely to be in denial about their health concerns and less likely to seek treatment.*
In other words being “manly” about your symptoms, thinking “I’m fine” and ignoring them could be a threat to your health. So let’s have a look at some of these health concerns, their signs and symptoms and how you can take action.
Prostate health. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men and so it is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms.
While it may be alarming to recognise these signs, remember that they might also indicate conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia, also called an enlarged prostate or a condition called prostatitis which is an inflammation of the prostate.
If you experience any of the following signs and symptoms, please get yourself checked by your GP.
Frequent urination - especially at night
Difficulty starting or stopping urination
Weak or interrupted urine flow
Painful urination
Sudden or urgent need to urinate
Blood in the urine or semen
Pelvic discomfort
Testicular health. It is equally important that you learn to understand what your testicles are telling you! While less common than prostate cancer, testicular cancer is most prevalent in younger men between the ages of 20 and 40, although it can occur at any age. If you recognise any of these signs, please do make an appointment to see your GP.
A painless lump or swelling in either testicle
A change in size or shape of either testicle
A feeling of heaviness in the scrotum
A dull ache in the lower abdomen or groin
A sudden build-up of fluid in the scrotum
Mental health. Although more men are seeking help and are willing to speak openly about their mental health, there is much more to be done to ensure that men are able to access the support that they need. Here are some signs that you, a partner, friend, colleague or family member might be struggling with their mental health.
Persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness
Mood changes
Changes in sleep patterns
Changes in appetite
Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed
Difficulty in concentrating
Impaired decision making
Thoughts of self-harm or suicide
As we've already mentioned, men are often reluctant to discuss their health concerns or seek medical advice but there are some ways that you can encourage open conversations about men's health.
Lead by example: Share your own health experiences and concerns with friends and family.
Create a supportive environment: Foster an atmosphere, whether it's at home, in the workplace, in the locker room, at the pub or anywhere you, your mates and your colleagues feel comfortable discussing their health without judgement.
Educate yourself and others: Learn about common men's health issues and share this knowledge with your peers.
Get checked: If you're concerned then book a GP appointment - very often your symptoms will be nothing to worry about but if it does turn out to be something more serious, finding out early gives you the best chance to make a full recovery.
Promote mental health awareness: Mental health is just as important as physical health and so seeking support when you need it is not only necessary, but essential.
Here are our tips for keeping on top of your health:
Schedule a health check at your local GP surgery. If you are over 50 talk to your doctor about whether a PSA test, a simple blood test that can help to detect prostate cancer, might be right for you.
Know thy nuts and perform regular self-examinations for testicular cancer - here's a link to Movember's guide to self examination.
Practice stress-reduction techniques like diaphragmatic breathing, used by the US Navy SEALs and UK Special Forces to refocus their minds before entering a stressful situation. Or give yoga or Pilates a try which focus on the breath as you move - you might think they sound a little light-weight but they can be physically challenging.
Talk. To your mates, to your partner, join a group such as Andy's Man Club or use the resources on the Movember website.
Movember and Andy's Man Club are leading the way in raising awareness of men's physical and mental health and this blog has the links to these organisations throughout.
Of course, if you'd like to speak with us about any aspect of your physical health, please contact us to book a call.
Credits and sources: Andy's Man Club, MIND, Movember, NCI, NHS England.
*Add Health - The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health
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