Men’s health: How to take care of yourself

What are the goals in men’s health? In this overview, we look at the:

• general health concerns to get on top of
• specific health concerns unique to men.

Men’s health issues — in general

Sometimes, men put off consulting a GP for health concerns because they:

• minimise their health concerns or believe in ‘toughing it out’
• can’t afford the inconvenience and time involved
• are afraid that the problem is bad

But picking up potential health issues early leads to the best health outcomes.

Here are some screening tests men might need to stay on top of their health:

• Heart health check — once every 2 years once you’re over 45, or over 35 if you’re Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. Can involve:
  • questions about your lifestyle and family
  • blood pressure check
  • blood cholesterol test
• Diabetes— a fasting blood sugar test every 1-3 years, depending on your level of risk.
• Hearing and eyesight
• Bowel cancer — doctors recommend a stool sample test every two years if you’re over 50.
• Skin cancer— see your GP regularly for a full-body skin check, especially if you work outside, or have a history of skin cancer.
• Depression and anxiety — this has been a hard year for so many. You might feel down, irritable or angry. And you might have lost interest in things you usually enjoy. If you feel any of these things, talk to your doctor.

Men’s health issues — the specifics

Men have distinctive physiology and anatomy. These physical and chemical differences explain the range of health problems men may encounter.

Men need specific healthcare for things like:

• erectile dysfunction
• premature ejaculation
• infertility
• urinary tract infections
• sexually transmitted infections
• male-pattern baldness
• prostate and testicular cancers

Men’s health tips

Talking is healthy: You can always talk with a trusted friend or physician.

No man is an island. You are not alone if you have health problems. And getting help will also benefit those who support and care about you.

Knowledge is power. If you know about potential problems, you can find ways to help manage them. Or avoid them altogether. Check out quality information sources like:

• Healthy Male has tonnes of health topics you can explore.
• Healthdirect explores some key health topics in detail.