Social stigma and unending responsibilities are some of the reasons men’s health issues often take the back seat when it comes to timely diagnosis and treatment. A lot of men’s health problems can be prevented and medically treated with lifestyle changes and medicinal treatment if they are diagnosed in a timely manner. However, due to the aforementioned reasons, these issues are not discussed openly, leading to late diagnosis and the need for difficult treatment options such as surgeries and intensive therapy.

Since these problems are not openly discussed, there is a significant disparity in the awareness of these problems. It is often the case that men do not know how to identify the first signs of these health problems and take preventative measures at the right time. So, to help you learn about the health issues that plague a significant portion of the population, let’s draw back the curtain of social stigmas and talk about the common health problems men tend to hide.

5 Common Health Issues Men Tend To Hide
 

Mental Health Issues

Statistically, one in ten men suffer some form of mental problems. These problems are treatable with the right medical intervention; however, a significant portion of the affected population doesn’t seek help. Not getting the required help for mental health problems leads to decreased life quality and a higher probability of these problems becoming chronic and leading to further complications. 

Mental health issues like chronic depression, anxiety, and stress have the potential to increase your risk of physical health problems like cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, and also sexual health problems. It is important to know about the symptoms of mental health issues and their effects on your health to mitigate the risks and help you live a healthier life. Social stigma is one of the main reasons men don’t seek help for mental health problems.

Here are some of the common problems that can be caused due to undiagnosed mental health issues in men.

• Mental health issues can lead to chronic health problems like hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Mental health problems affect your sleeping patterns, which in turn affect your blood pressure levels. High blood pressure levels increase your risk of the chronic conditions mentioned above, as well as kidney problems.
   
• Undiagnosed mental health problems can take a toll on your personal relationships, causing further complications for your mental health problems. It can also weaken your immune system over time and make you more susceptible to illnesses and infections.
   
• Lastly, men with undiagnosed or untreated mental illnesses are at a higher risk of forming addictive habits and dependencies on addictive substances like tobacco, alcohol, and other forms of recreational drugs. These addictions can hamper your mental health further and have a strained effect on your health and occupational productivity.
  
   

Diabetes

The symptoms of diabetes are difficult to monitor, and given the busy lifestyle adult men go through, the symptoms often go unnoticed. Unmonitored diabetes can lead to many health complications, which can be fatal. It is important to understand the first signs of this chronic illness and make lifestyle changes to reduce the impact of a high blood sugar level on your overall health. So, let’s review the important signs of diabetes you should monitor and the preventative steps you should start considering when you identify the first signs of diabetes.

First Signs of Diabetes

• Increased thirst
• Increased frequency of urination
• Unexplained weight gain or weight loss
• Fatigue and exhaustion
• Slow healing sores

Though these symptoms may seem like a regular part of ageing, they are key to identifying underlying health conditions like diabetes. If you are experiencing these symptoms, you should consider getting medical help, as it can help you diagnose your diabetes at an early stage. Early diagnosis helps reduce the risk of health complications and helps you manage the condition with lifestyle and dietary modifications without having to depend on medications. Here are some of the initial preventative steps you should consider trying if you are experiencing the first signs of diabetes.

Preventative Measures to Manage First Signs of Diabetes

• Weight loss: There is a major connection between body weight and the risk of type 2 diabetes. If you are exhibiting the symptoms mentioned above, you should consider losing weight as one of the first preventative measures for diabetes. The goal should be to lose as much as 7 percent of your starting body weight.
   
• Exercise: Exercising and getting more physical movement in your daily life is key to reducing your risk of diabetes. To stay healthy, you need to perform at least 30 minutes of physical activity daily at least 5 times a week. Exercising can also help you reduce your body weight over time.
   
• Better Diet: Your diet needs to change as you age. Red meat, excess sodium, and fried food should be reduced as much as possible. You should also consider quitting smoking and limiting your alcohol intake as you age. This will help you reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes and many other chronic illnesses.
   

Cardiovascular Issues

Cardiovascular problems are one of the leading causes of death among elderly men. These chronic problems do not cause immediate symptoms, making monitoring difficult without active medical surveillance. Medical complications like stroke and heart attacks are caused due to underlying cardiovascular diseases, which can prove to be fatal. Once you reach 40, you should opt for regular physical examinations to ensure your safety from the risks of cardiovascular diseases. Regular exercise, watching your body weight, and maintaining a healthy diet are key to reducing your risk of cardiovascular diseases as well. Here are some of the symptoms of cardiovascular diseases you should not ignore.

• Chest pain
• Palpitations
• Shortness of breath
• Easily getting exhausted
• Dizziness
• Loss of consciousness

If you are experiencing these symptoms, be sure to get medical help as soon as possible. It will help you diagnose your conditions as early as possible, leading to better medical outcomes and easier treatment and management of underlying health conditions.

Sexual Health Problems

Sexual health problems are among male health problems that are least talked about by the people going through them. Especially in India, sexual wellness is not openly discussed, and men especially feel uncomfortable discussing sexual health problems openly. This leads to diagnosis at a very late stage, which can make treatment difficult and lead to further health complications. Let’s understand two of the most important sexual health problems among men that you should be aware of and monitor as you age.

• Erectile Dysfunction (ED):  While the causes of ED can vary, this condition causes men not to be able to hold an erection appropriate for penetrative sexual activity. It is a very common condition for men and affects millions of people in the country. Common causes for erectile dysfunction include stress, underlying health conditions like type 2 diabetes, kidney diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and injuries to the groin region or prostate problems. It is important to note that erectile dysfunction can be temporary, and even in chronic cases, almost all types of erectile dysfunction cases are treatable. Opting for the right medical attention is important when you start noticing these symptoms without delay. In the early stages, it is easier for doctors to get the condition under control and offer better medical outcomes.
   
• Premature Ejaculation (PE): This condition leads to men ejaculating prematurely during sexual activity and is a common sexual complaint among men. Unless this condition keeps happening regularly, it is not classified as a medical condition. However, if you are experiencing the symptom repeatedly, it can be due to various factors like mental health problems like depression or anxiety, or it can also be caused by relationship problems that you may be experiencing. Counselling, medical guidance, and open communication with your partner are key to understanding these problems and treating them from their core.
  
   

Prostate Health Problems

If you were wondering, what disease is common in male? The answer to that question is prostate health problems. Almost 50% of all men above a certain age suffer from prostate health problems. The prostate is a small gland in your urinary tract that surrounds the urethra. As you age, the prostate gland keeps growing due to various factors, with hormonal imbalances being one of the major causes. The overgrown prostate gland can tighten around the urethra, which leads to symptoms like:

• Increased urinary frequency
• Peeing more often during the night
• Difficulty starting and maintaining a steady urine stream
• Dribbling at the end of urination
• Not feeling relieved even after your urination completes

If you are experiencing these symptoms, it could be caused due to an overgrown prostate gland. The condition is known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and it can be treated medically if you identify the symptoms and get the right help. BPH is treatable, and there are several warning signs you need to monitor to ensure you can safely treat the condition as safely as possible.

• Painful urination
• Blood in your urine (hematuria)
• Urinary incontinence
• Blood in semen
• Painful ejaculation

These first signs need to be monitored, and based on the severity of your symptoms, you need to opt for medical help to understand their underlying cause. With a timely diagnosis, it is possible to treat BPH with simple surgical procedures that are safe and minimally invasive.

Conclusion

These are some of the most common health problems that men tend to hide. With the men’s health tips mentioned here, you will be able to monitor these conditions for yourself or your loved ones and encourage them to get the medical help they need. The key is to spread awareness about these conditions and help men talk about them more openly. So, now that you know about the conditions, their symptoms, and measures you can take to prevent medical complications, it is time to take your health seriously as well. If you are experiencing the symptoms mentioned in this piece, please feel free to contact the top andrologists Delhi at MASSH. We specialise in offering effective modern surgical treatments for all types of male health problems. Our treatments are safe, have minimal risks, and can help you effectively treat the condition and its symptoms. For more information, please check out our website or visit us today to consult with our top andrologists.