It’s well-documented that men are less likely to visit the doctor than women, and all too often they will ‘manfully’ battle on despite not feeling quite right. While sometimes we might all wish certain people would take a lesson from the silent and stoical types, when it comes to health problems it’s always best to speak up.
Do not worry about ‘bothering’ your doctor; it’s their job to check out any health concerns you may have, and it can mean the difference between successfully treating a disease in the early stages or a much more difficult battle further down the line. Here are some warning signs that men shouldn’t ignore.
Difficulties with urination
Male waterworks are prone to problems as men get older, often due to an enlarged prostate. This is a small gland that is located between the penis and the bladder, and it tends to grow bigger with age. This can put pressure on the bladder and the urethra, which is the water pipe. This can make it more difficult to pass urine or lead to more frequent trips to the loo.
It is a benign condition that may be improved with lifestyle changes such as drinking less alcohol and exercising more, or taking medication. If the symptoms are more severe and do not respond to medication, surgery may be required.
Ian Eardley, consultant urological surgeon in Leeds and national clinical director for NHS England, explained to Yahoo News in the wake of King Charles’s diagnosis that the condition becomes more common with age and will affect up to four in five men aged 75.
He said: “It’s very, very common, at that age you would expect upwards of 70% to 80% of men to have an enlarged prostate. About half of them will have symptoms, and broadly speaking about half of them will become bothered to some extent by those symptoms. To some extent, it is an inevitable part of ageing for just about all men.”
If urination problems in men are accompanied by a burning sensation, blood in the urine, erectile dysfunction (ED), or loss of bladder or bowel control, then they should see a doctor as this may be a sign of bladder or prostate cancer. The doctor may refer you for further tests, and may offer medication such as tadalafil to treat ED.
Unexplained weight loss
As the majority of UK men are overweight, losing weight without any effort may seem to be an enviable achievement.
However, unexplained weight loss can be a sign of a range of health problems. If you have lost five per cent of your body weight over the past year without any diet or lifestyle changes, it could be an early sign of inflammatory bowel disease, cancer, thyroid problems, or depression.
Testicular changes
The testicles are part of the male reproductive organs, designed to make sex hormones and produce sperm. They also play a role in the growth of muscle, bone, and body hair. Changes to the testicles, including a lump or swelling in the part of one testicle, an enlarged testicle on one side, or discomfort, heaviness, or pain in the testicles should never be ignored.
These symptoms could be the sign of an infection, or in rarer cases, testicular cancer. It’s one of the most common types of cancer in men aged between 15 and 45 years, and treatment has the best chance of success when it’s caught in the early stages. Lifestyle changes can give you the best chance of a healthy recovery after treatment.
Fatigue
Many people feel tired all the time, but are reluctant to bother a doctor with a seemingly common and trivial problem. However, chronic fatigue could be a sign of low testosterone levels or serious diseases including cancer.
If you feel inexplicably lacking in energy and unrefreshed even after eight hours of sleep for longer than three months, then you should book an appointment with your doctor so that they can investigate the potential causes. In men, low testosterone levels may be accompanied by a loss of sex drive, mood swings, and weight gain.
It can be treated with hormone replacement therapy, injections, or supplements, but it’s important to consult a doctor or pharmacist before embarking on a course of treatment.
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