The battle is continuing to revolutionise men’s attitudes to their health and wellbeing, with initiatives such as the newly announced Men’s Health Strategy. However, it’s a subject that can still be shrouded in myths and misconceptions. Here’s a look at some of the most outdated or downright damaging myths about men’s health.
You shouldn’t need to see a doctor unless you are really ill
Many men still believe that they shouldn’t bother a doctor unless they are really in pain or have visible signs of illness, and even then it’s a sign of weakness. However, it’s actually a sign of strength to visit a doctor when you have noticed any changes in your health.
Men are encouraged to take preventative measures by having regular checkups for issues such as blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, and liver function. This can help to catch the symptoms of serious illnesses in the early stages, or even prevent them from developing in the first place.
Loss of sex drive is always caused by low testosterone
Testosterone levels are linked to the male sex drive, but it is not always the case that a loss of libido is caused by low testosterone, especially if it’s also accompanied by erectile dysfunction (ED).
There can be a range of mental and physical causes of ED, and in some cases it may be the sign of a more serious underlying health condition such as heart disease or diabetes. Therefore it’s important not to self-diagnose in order to avoid a visit to the doctor, or a chance to treat a disease in the early stages could be missed.
If a doctor rules out any other problems, the first line of treatment will usually be an oral medication such as Cialis, which can be bought cheap online as tadalafil.
Heart disease is an older man’s problem It’s true that age is a risk factor for heart disease, but it’s certainly not the only one. Heart disease can develop with few signs and symptoms over several decades, even from the 20s and 30s. Therefore it’s important to proactively look after your heart throughout your life with a healthy diet, regular exercise, managing stress and avoiding smoking.
Talking about emotional problems is taboo
Men are often taught from a young age that expressing emotions or talking about their feelings is a sign of weakness. This can be very damaging, because men are just as prone as women to experience mental health problems such as depression and anxiety.
When men have no healthy outlet for negative feelings, they can be more prone to develop self-harming behaviours such as drug or alcohol abuse, anger outbursts, or even suicide. In fact, 75 per cent of all suicides in the UK are by men and it’s the biggest overall killer of men under the age of 50.
Prostate cancer always has symptoms In the UK, about one in eight men will get prostate cancer. It’s a very treatable condition, especially when caught in the early stages. However, it often doesn’t show any symptoms and that’s why it’s important for men to know their risk. The condition mainly affects men over the age of 50, men who have a family history of prostate cancer, and black men.
Men in these categories are encouraged to ask their GP for a blood test that can diagnose prostate cancer. Men who have symptoms such as difficulty urinating, or needing to urinate more frequently or urgently are also advised to request a test.
Exercise offsets an unhealthy diet
Men sometimes assume that playing sports or going to the gym often can be a licence to eat whatever they like. However, it’s still important to eat a balanced diet that includes lean proteins, fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, and unsaturated fats. This will help to protect the heart and maintain energy levels and help to manage weight.
It’s also important to note that it is possible to be physically fit but still have hidden conditions such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, or mental health problems.
Recent Comments