Men, Your Health Matters!

By Alydia Stark



It's a well-known fact that men hate going to the doctor's office. If you know a man, you've probably faced the treacherous task of convincing them to get an annual wellness exam or a mysterious lump looked at. Regardless of how much pain they claim to be in, men just don't enjoy the doctor.

June is the month of celebrating love and men's health. So, why exactly do men avoid going to the doctor? Well, the most popular opinion involves the massive ego of a man... kidding. The real reason men don't go to the doctor is fear.

Yes, fear. Not fear in the sense of being scared of the dark, but fear of actually having something wrong with them. Men have this overall attitude of "I don't need to go to the doctor." What if that strange lump or stabbing pain is actually something. Beyond being afraid, if there's nothing wrong, they feel bad for 'wasting' the doctor's time. Also, many men believe their aches, pains and strange marks will heal all on their own,

Firefighter and paramedic Mike Gnitecki told Healthline that he's had male patients "initially refuse transport to the hospital even while in the middle of an active heart attack," (Leah Campbell, 2019). Gnitecki also reports having to ask family members for help in getting a patient to head to a hospital.

According to the founder of telemedicine network Rowedocs, Dr. Tisha Rowe, there are a couple other factors contributing to why men hate doctors offices. Other than fear, Dr. Rowe claims "superhero syndrome and the fact that 'vulnerability sucks'," keeps men from stepping foot in a medical center (Campbell, 2019). The superhero syndrome mentioned is when men want to see themselves as invincible and are capable of handling and defeating everything. What they don't realize is that even superheroes take off their capes.

The consequences of putting off going to the doctor can be quite severe. Many serious illnesses like cancer or diabetes have silent symptoms. The most common cancer in men is prostate cancer and has these silent symptoms. Prostate cancer is easily detectable through a physical exam and is much more treatable when found early. Men who put off getting regular checkups will have a much worse prognosis if they discover prostate cancer too late in the game. Yearly health exams are extremely important, painless and life-saving. Although sometimes uncomfortable, all men need to check in with their doctor and feel no shame in doing so.

Other than physical health, men also have a hard time prioritizing their mental well-being. In the wake of 2020, mental health has been thrusted into the forefront of society. It's no longer a topic brushed off to the side, but with toxic mindsets in regards to men not being allowed to show feelings, their mental health still suffers. Mental illnesses are more prevalent in women, but men are more likely to die by suicide. No matter your gender, you're allowed to have feelings, emotions and bad days. Everything felt by an individual will always remain both important and valid

Instead of waiting until the very last second to go to the doctor, men should begin prioritizing their overall health, whether it's mental or physical. Along with actually going to the doctor, men need to improve their transparency when speaking on their symptoms. Men tend to lie about the severity of their symptoms or leave out key details due to embarrassment. There's nothing wrong with asking or needing help. I encourage all the men out there to not wait until it's too late to get both physical and mental help. Who knows, it could save your life!


For more information, check out the links below!

https://www.healthline.com/health-news/why-so-many-men-avoid-doctors#Th e-reasons-men-stay-away-from-their-doctors

https://www.cancer.org/healthy/cancer-facts/cancer-facts-for-men.html

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/men-and-mental-health/

https://www.mdlinx.com/article/why-do-men-hate-going-to-the-doctor/lfc-453 5