Men's Health
Regular Checkups are a Healthy Idea
Updated April 2002 -- Been to the doctor lately? If you're a man, there's a good chance that your answer is "no."
Statistics show that men visit their doctors 25 to 30 percent less often than women, and as a result they may be more likely to have health problems that go undiagnosed and untreated, sometimes with serious consequences.
Not surprisingly, while life expectancy in the United States continues to rise, women still outlive men by an average of six years.
An Apple a Day is Not Enough
Why are men shunning doctors' offices?
"In most households, women are more likely to see a doctor on a routine basis, and usually, it's a gynecologist," says Jonathan Masel, MD, a urologist on staff at Memorial Regional Hospital and Memorial Hospital Pembroke. "Men don't have anything analogous to that."
Another reason why men may be less likely to see a doctor is that fear or denial may stand in the way. Long-held cultural beliefs about male strength and independence may make it difficult for some men to acknowledge physical weaknesses.
"Some men won't avail themselves of the opportunity to be evaluated by a physician, and they'll go only at the urging of their spouse or girlfriend," says Larry Shulruff, MD, Chief of Internal Medicine at Memorial Regional Hospital.
The good news is that men who take the time to see a physician on a regular basis are better equipped to ward off health problems in their early stages.
Age-Related Concerns
Just like women, the health risks of men are determined partly by age.
"Testicular cancer peaks for men between the ages of 20 and 40," says Dr. Masel. "Men in that age range should perform self-examinations in the shower once a month to feel for any lumps."
Older men are vulnerable to both benign prostate enlargement, which can cause significant urinary difficulty, and prostate cancer.
"If you're over 50, ask your doctor about having an annual PSA [prostate-specific antigen] blood test and digital rectal exam to help screen for prostate cancer," says Dr. Masel. "African American men and anyone with a family history of prostate cancer should consider being tested at age 45."
Elderly men should be on the lookout for osteoporosis, a disease that is widely associated with women but nonetheless affects two million American men. Although women tend to lose bone mass rapidly during the postmenopausal years, both men and women lose bone mass at the same rate beginning around age 65 or 70.
Men of any age may be concerned about erectile dysfunction, a topic that they might be embarrassed to discuss with their doctors. However, it is important to speak openly about this condition: not only is it fairly common and treatable, it is sometimes associated with heart disease, hypertension and diabetes.
Why is there a connection? Because these diseases can affect the penile blood vessels responsible for erections, explains Dr. Masel.
The much-publicized Viagra is often prescribed to patients with erectile dysfunction, provided they have healthy hearts, but men with erectile dysfunction and cardiac problems still have a wide variety of treatment options according to Dr. Masel. "They shouldn't assume that just because they can't take Viagra, there's nothing we can do."
The same goes for urinary incontinence. Some elderly men who suffer from the condition believe that it is an inevitable part of the aging process, but that isn't necessarily the case, and treatment is available according to Dr. Masel.
Identifying Male Depression
Last but not least, a commonly underdiagnosed condition among men is depression. Some men are unaware that they are depressed, believing that chronic sadness is the only symptom to watch out for. However, depression may also manifest itself in the form of excessive behaviors (alcoholism or overeating) or vague feelings of fatigue.
"Statistically, about 20 percent of patients who go to primary care doctors suffer from clinical depression," says Dr. Shulruff. "The number may even be higher. These are people who come with a variety of somatic complaints, like being tired or not being able to sleep."
Men who suffer from any of these symptoms should consult a doctor to determine the underlying physical or psychological causes.
To find a physician in your area, contact Memorial Healthcare System's Physician Referral Service at (800) 944-DOCS.