Why Preventative Men’s Healthcare Matters

By Your Health Magazine

While once it was mainly women being told to “keep young and beautiful”, an increasing number of men are also beginning to experience similar pressure due to a variety of contributing factors. Firstly, denial and fear of aging and death is especially common in modern Western culture, and often based on ageist assumptions.

We often see this on social media, where youth-centric content featuring images of idealized faces and bodies are prompting pre-teens to use anti-aging skincare. Yet even for younger generations, these concerns are more than skin deep, with many also expressing concerns about cognitive and overall physical decline.

Hacking Men’s Health

More recently, the pressure to remain younger for longer has emerged in the form of “biohacking”: various methods drawn from fields such as nutrition and neuroscience such as HGH (human growth hormones) in order to promote muscle mass and bone density.

For those looking into ways to stay healthy as they age, newer methods like these may be worth exploring, however with any new health regime or treatment it is essential to consult a licensed and trained physician first before trying something new.

The Pressure to Be “Strong and Silent”

Gender-related health inequalities are experienced differently by both sexes, but men in particular face the longevity gap, living on average 5.9 years fewer than women. There is no simple answer to why this is, although a combination of biological, behavioral and social factors all come into play.

More than half of all people who die due to heart disease are men, but it could be said that shame is another silent killer. Pressure to remain strong and silent about health issues often prevent men from seeking treatment sooner, frequently leading to late diagnoses and poor outcomes.

Routine Check-Ups

According to data from the CDC, attendance at doctors appointments in 2018 was around 40% higher than it was for men. While these figures are partly due to women attending routine appointments for reproductive health, men also need regular checkups across the lifespan.

After around the age of 30, men are at increased risk of a variety of illnesses, many of which may be difficult to detect in their earlier stages, in particular cancers and cardiovascular disease.

Examples of routine tests include:

35+: Cholesterol tests every five years
40+: Blood pressure testing every two years
45+: Tests for type 2 diabetes every three years

Rather than wait for a major health issue to strike (such as a heart attack), it’s far better to be proactive. This also applies to regular sexual health check ups and screening for sleep disorders as well as men with a family history of diseases such as prostate or colon cancer.

Staying Healthy: The Slow Way

Lifestyle changes may not be the most innovative or interesting of techniques, but for those looking to improve their health, getting proper sleep, taking regular exercise and eating nutritious food (in addition to keeping your mind active) are all good places to start.

While these often sound simple, regulating the basics can be a challenge, especially for those who are easily discouraged or frustrated. Building self-discipline and motivation is key, but so is self compassion, tackling them one at a time, and doing so gradually will yield better results than trying to conquer them all at once.