There are certain health issues that can affect all of us at some point or another during our lives. Anyone could catch a cold, anyone could start experiencing respiratory issues, joint pain, or a whole host of other medical conditions. However, there are a set of health issues that only affect men. We tend to hear less about sex-specific health issues. Companies tend to target the biggest markets possible with their advertising, so often advertise the products or services that are available to the wider demographic of both sexes when it comes to healthcare products. However, it’s important that we are still familiar with different health issues that could affect us as men, and that we know how to deal with them as best we can. So, here are a few issues you may find yourself experiencing and some appointments that you should definitely book in!

ED

ED stands for “erectile dysfunction” and is used to refer to an individual’s inability to maintain a strong enough erection to engage in sexual intercourse. Now, of course, this isn’t necessarily a condition that threatens your overall health and wellbeing. It’s entirely possible to live a highly fulfilling life without engaging in sexual intercourse at all. However, ED can pose significant difficulties for individuals who do want to engage in sex but simply cannot, whether this is for pleasure or for procreative purposes. There are various things that can cause ED. These can include, but are not limited to, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, damage or injury to the genitals, obesity or being overweight, stress, anxiety, drug use, alcohol use, and smoking. Age is also connected to ED, with many more older men experiencing ED than young men. If you are unsure as to whether you require help with ED, you can read more here, and you should also contact your doctor, who will be able to diagnose the problem and provide suitable treatment.

Prostate Exams

It is estimated that read more will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime. This means that prostate cancer is a lot more prevalent in society than the majority of us may initially think. However, prostate exams are a form of routine examination that can be used to detect warning signs of the disease sooner rather than later, and as a result can prove life saving. It is strongly advised that if you are over 50 years of age, you should book in for a prostate screening. If you are more prone to developing the disease than others, these tests can start at an earlier age. You should consult your doctor if you feel that you may be in the “prone” category (for example, if a relative has been diagnosed with prostate cancer at an early age). Screening is neither painful nor does it take a long time. So there’s no excuse to put it off.

Depression

Now, depression, of course, is a problem that can affect anyone at any time. However, research has found that men tend to be less open when it comes to speaking about symptoms of depression or seeking help for their depression. It has been speculated that this is perhaps why male suicide rates are a lot higher than those of women. There’s a certain social expectation that men will always be reserved with their emotion. But thankfully, this is changing, and there is now less stigma surrounding men and their feelings. If you are worried that you may be experiencing depression, it is extremely important that you reach out for help. There are all sorts of support networks out there. From personal relations to more professional services, such as an appointment with your doctor who can refer you to a therapist, or helplines.

Contraception

Contraception, again, is something that any sexually active individual should consider, regardless of their sex. However, it’s a good idea to ensure that men understand the options that are available to them. Men have much more limited choice when it comes to contraceptive options than women. The only truly effective means of contraception for a man are condoms or a vasectomy. Condoms are latex products that can be worn during intercourse. They have a 99% success rate when used properly and are also the only form of contraception that can prevent the spread of STIs and STDs. A vasectomy is a form of sterilization, so it’s extremely important that you only opt in for this procedure if you definitely do not want children at a later point in your life.

These are just a few different men’s health concerns that are surprisingly prevalent across the population. So, familiarize yourself with them and ensure that you know what to do and where to seek help should you experience them!