A Quick Guide To Getting Your Men's Health Problems Solved

Sadly the statistics are that men are more likely to wait to see a doctor until a problem has developed. Often many of these problems are highly preventable and can be easily detected with a regular men's health checkup.

Today's post is to create a guide on how often men should consider getting a health review with their doctor as well as what to expect when they see their doctor. I hope that by even just a simple annual visit many men can lead healthy lives well into their older ages.

How Often Should A Man Get A Checkup?

For all guys I recommend getting an annual check up. It's a great chance to have a chat, get a skin check, check blood pressure and help ensure you are heading on the straight and narrow.

These annual visits are a perfect time to discuss any problems that may be worrying you as well as help identify any potential future problems. These can include checking for family history of different cancers, prostate issues, smoking and alcohol intake and perhaps other substances.

Some guys may be suffering with erectile dysfunction. Your doctor will be able to talk with you about common causes of ED.

I like to recommend a set of screening bloods to help check cholesterol, blood sugars, kidney, liver and other electrolytes.

For guys who are sexually active this is also a great chance to talk about sexual health screening and sexual dysfunction.

How Often Should A Man Have A Sexual Health Screening?

For all sexually active guys I recommend having a full sexual health screening every year. If you've had more than 10 sexual partners in 6 months it's best to get it done every 6 months or even sooner if you've had a lot of action.

If you have any symptoms like rash, discharge from the penis, ulcers, sores, lumps or pain with passing urine it's best to see your doctor straight away.

Sexual health check ups involve a chat about what's been happening, examining and addressing any issues that have shown up as well as screening tests such as:

• urine test for chlamydia and gonorrhoea
• blood test for HIV and syphilis

For men who sometimes have sex with other guys there is some additional swabs of the throat and anus if required.

What To Expect In A Men's Health Exam

All health checkups start with a conversation. This is a great time to share any particular problems you may be concerned about. If you have a couple of problems you are concerned about it's good to have a bit of a list so you won't forget anything.

It doesn't always have to be about problems, if you have any questions about healthier living this is a great opportunity to have your questions answered.

After this I like to check blood pressure, ears and throat, heart and lungs, abdomen, testicles if required and check of the prostate if there are any concerns.

A men's health checkup is very straight forward and I recommend taking the time to look after your health on a regular basis.

Dr George Forgan-Smith

Era Health, Melbourne (03) 9944 6200

The Healthy Bear

Getting A Men's Health Exam: What To Expect

One of the biggest barriers for guys to get a men's health exam is not knowing what is going to happen in the examination.

Many guys have stories told by friends of embarrassing or painful procedures, with fear mounting many simply avoid the doctor till it's absolutely necessary.

To help dampen the fear I wanted to share what happens when I see a patient for a men's health checkup.

Listening

By far the most important part of any interaction with a doctor is to get a good understanding of what issues you are concerned or worried about.

By taking a careful and detailed history the examination can be focused on areas of need rather than a scatter gun approach.

Topics I like to cover include:

• Current health status. Are you allergic to anything? Taking an medications? Have you had any operations or major medical issues?
• Current concerns: What are your worries, what prompted you to come get an exam?
• Smoking and Alcohol use
• Common issues associated with prostate problems: difficulty passing urine, having to get up frequently at night, poor stream...
• Any issues or problems with gaining or maintaining erections
• Any signs of sexual health problems or infections

This information allows for a more focused examination

Examination

Having discussed the various issues that need to be addressed doctors are able to have a very focused examination.

With all patients I like to check blood pressure, listen to heart and lungs, checked the abdomen as well as examining skin for any early skin cancers or changes.

Depending on our conversation prostate may be examined via a finger in the back passage. While this is an uncomfortable procedure it's over and done with quickly.

Examination of the genitals may be required particularly if there are any lumps on the testicles.

Further Testing

After examination I like to organise any other tests that may be required. This includes blood tests, urine tests and perhaps ultrasounds or x-rays if required.

Common blood tests that are part of a male health checkup include full blood count, kidneys and liver, blood sugar for diabetes as well as cholesterol and other lipids.

I like to get patients to return after these tests have been done so the results can be discussed.

Dr George Forgan-Smith

The Healthy Bear

When Should I Get A Mens Sexual Health Checkup?

For all men that are sexually active it's vital to be sure getting a sexual health screening on a regular basis.

For anyone who is sexually active I recommend men's sexual health exams be every year. If you have had more than 10 sexual partners in 6 months it's best to have them done every six months or sooner if you have had even more partners.

For heterosexual men the following screening tests are recommended.

• A urine test for chlamydia and gonorrhoea
• A blood test for HIV and Syphilis

If you notice any lumps or bumps on the penis, foreskin, scrotum (nut sack) or anus it's a great chance to have them checked by the doctor. Anal warts are very common and are easily treated to it's best to show any lumps that are new.

If you have sex with other men even if it's only every now and then the following tests are recommended.

• A urine test for chlamydia and gonorrhoea
• A blood test for HIV, syphilis and hepatitis C
• Throat and anal swabs for chlamydia and gonorrhoea

It's also important to consider having you immunity checked for hepatitis A and B.

Young men who have sex with other men should also consider getting the HPV vaccination as this helps greatly reduce the risk of genital warts as was as cancers of the mouth, throat and anus.

The best places to have a full sexual health screening is at your local sexual health clinic or with a family practitioner who has a good understanding of mens sexual problems.

Regular sexual health screening is highly recommended as part of a comprehensive men's health exam.

When Should You Get A Men's Health Exam

One of the more frequently asked questions I am asked is how often men should consider getting a men's health exam.

As a man ages there are different mens health issues that present for different age groups.

For younger men the risks of testicular cancer are much higher than older males however older men have higher risk of prostate cancer then young men.

For this reason I recommend all men consider having focused mens health check-ups every 1-2 years.

For men in their late teens to 30's it's vital to be sure to cover areas such as testicular cancer, depression, anxiety and risks of substance misuse. This is also a fantastic opportunity to start preventative strategies to help prevent other health issues that can come later in life.

When a man enters his 40's it's ideal to review testosterone levels, risk factors for heart disease as well as again discussing things like smoking, exercise levels, weight and mood issues.

In the 50's we again keep a keen focus on cardiovascular health. The risk of bowel cancers also increases later in life so it's time to discuss whether it's worth having a colonoscopy to detect and also help prevent bowel cancers.

The 50's is also a great time to start discussions about prostate health.

From the age of 60 men's health exams tend to focus on diseases such as prostate cancer, prostate enlargement, mood disorders such as depression, heart disease and stroke. This is also a time that wear and tear on bones and joints may start to present with early osteoarthritis.

As you can see as a man ages there are changes in both the diseases that present. By starting to have regular mens' health checkups every 1-2 years there is much that can be done to help prevent disease, illness and disability as a man goes though his life.

For this reason I recommend having a good GP or family practitioner to help ensure you have the best check up and maintenance regime designed for you.