Men's Health

Men’s Health Issues include any condition which is much more common in males (typically due to lifestyle factors) as well as those which specifically affect men only (due to physiology). It is difficult to assess the inherent danger of many risks, particularly because prevalence and available treatments have varied through time and across distance, so this list has been composed in alphabetical order.

Addiction

While the rate of substance abuse among women has been rising, addiction is still much more common in males than among females. Not only are men more likely to begin using substances in the first place, they often experience much more severe symptoms of withdrawal which may be a contributing factor not only in relapse but also in the willingness of some men to commit crimes such as robbery in order to obtain the money to feed their addiction.

This is likely due to processes more complex than the simple breakdown of chemicals within the human body and is probably rooted (at least partially) in the brain’s own internal reward system, as evidenced by the fact that men are more likely than women to engage in compulsive behaviors such as gambling and sex addiction.

Cardiovascular Disease

Heart Disease is the leading cause of death in adult males, and this is really an umbrella term for several specific conditions. Among the most common are Coronary Heart Disease (CHD), Angina, Heart Failure, and Arrhythmias. Cigarette is a leading contributor to heart disease and a man can reduce his risk of heart attack by quitting smoking, even after many years of tobacco use. It is never too late to kick the habit!

Liver Disease

Symptoms of liver failure include yellowing of the skin and eyes, abdominal pain and distention, as well as swelling of the legs and ankles. Liver Disease may be brought on not only by excessive alcohol consumption but also by a risky lifestyle. Hepatitis can be spread via unsafe tattooing practices, unprotected sex, and IV drug use. To make matters worse, alcoholic liver disease can actually feminize men by causing impotence, shrunken testicles, and development of breast tissue.

Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in males, worldwide. While the risk is higher for smokers, nonsmokers can also be susceptible to the disease not only due to secondhand smoke but also due to occupational hazards. Men are more likely than women to take on jobs which involve inhaling harmful chemicals or other particles, for example: construction, mining, and factory work.

Peyronie’s Disease

The condition known as Peyronie’s Disease is characterized by a penis which is bent (whether subtly or dramatically) when erect. It is caused by fibrous tissue within the penis resulting in curvature. The curve may be upward, downward, or even asymmetrically pointed toward the side. While there are a very small number of men for whom Peyronie’s Disease causes difficulty with certain sexual positions or even complete inability to achieve satisfactory penetration, in most cases there is no loss of functionality and the only concerns are aesthetic.

Prostate Disease

This is a catch-all term for any condition affecting the prostate, ranging from basic prostatic enlargement all the way up to prostate cancer.

Sexual Performance Disorders

Disorders of Sexual Performance fall into two main categories: physiological and behavioral.

Of the physiological disorders affecting men sexually, impotence is perhaps the most well-known. It may manifest either as difficulty achieving erection or in some cases a complete inability to get the penis hard enough for intercourse. Premature ejaculation, delayed ejaculation, and even complete inability to ejaculate may also occur.

Males may also be affected by sexual disorders which are behavioral in nature, such as fetishism, which is characterized by a reliance on an unusual source of stimulation in order to achieve arousal or orgasm, and occasionally even a complete inability to achieve erection without that specific stimulus.

Suicide

A suicide attempt by any individual is very serious, but men’s suicide attempts are particularly deadly. While it is common for women to attempt to kill themselves using methods such as self-poisoning, cutting, or other methods which are perceived as less painful and leave the body relatively intact, it is a well-established fact that men tend to use methods which are much more lethal and, in some cases, quite gruesome.

If you or someone you know has been considering suicide, help is available. Dial your local suicide hotline for free crisis support.

Testicular Cancer

Testicular Cancer occurs when there is a malignancy within one or both testicles. Treatment may include surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy and could result in infertility as well as aesthetic concerns. This disease often occurs in men who are relatively young, as compared with other types of cancer. Testicular prosthesis are available.

Unintentional Injuries and Other Accidents

It may be due to the bravery inspired by testosterone, or perhaps men are just absolutely determined to handle things on their own (even if they may not have the qualifications to do electrical wiring at home) but whatever the cause, men are much more likely to suffer from unexpected injuries and these accidents can sometimes be quite dangerous.

There are men doing everything from climbing onto rooftops, racing cars in the streets, and even chopping down trees without assistance or even proper equipment. All of this adds up to a higher rate of hospital visits and – sadly – fatalities.

This has been a rather serious article but there absolutely are things which can be done by men everywhere to personally reduce their risk of being affected by one of these factors, and it is every man’s responsibility to consider what type of health screenings and lifestyle changes he may want to take place in the near future in order to protect his health.