Men's Health

What is men’s health?

Men's health refers to the physical and mental well-being of individuals of all ages with male genitalia and those who identify with the male gender. Another important component of men's health is the social health of the men. Traditional gender roles often lead to a neglect of personal health among men, as taking care of the body and mind is more commonly associated with women. This is one of the reasons why men's health has become a distinct field of health. The focus of men's health is not only on diseases that occur more frequently in males or affect the male reproductive organs, but also on education and prevention measures in everyday life.

Common diseases in men

Besides diseases that occur specifically in the male reproductive organs (for example diseases of the prostate or penis), certain non-gender-specific diseases affect men more frequently than women. This includes cardiovascular diseases, some types of cancer (especially bowel, lung and bladder cancer) and diseases associated with excessive alcohol consumption. A lot of these conditions can be attributed to lifestyle choices, and these can be managed and improved with targeted education about the possible consequences.

Mental health disorders are a further significant issue in men's health. While women are statistically more likely to suffer from depression, significantly more men take their own lives every year. A large reason for this is that the traditional gender roles often define mental illness in men as a sign of weakness and failure, and women generally find it easier to seek professional help for mental illness.

Early detection and health prevention

An important part of men's health is the implementation of regular health check-ups, particularly for high-risk patients. These routine doctor visits help detect and treat potential conditions such as cancer or cardiovascular diseases at an early stage. Such measures contribute to the fact that many diseases can be treated before they cause significant harm.

Cancer screening

Cancer screening is an important part of men's health, particularly in the context of colon cancer prevention. A colonoscopy is part of bowel cancer screening and is covered by statutory health insurance for patients over 50.

In general, regular medical check-ups enable early detection of malignant changes, not only in the bowel but also in all other organ systems of the body.

Cardiovascular diseases

Cardiovascular diseases are more prevalent in men, particularly as they are associated with diet and lifestyle. A high-fat diet, low physical activity and alcohol or cigarette consumption all lead to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, including coronary artery disease. Left unchanged and untreated, these diseases can lead to heart attacks and even death in the most severe cases.

Healthy lifestyle

As mentioned earlier, many of the diseases that men's health focuses on can be prevented by changing lifestyle habits. For example, major risk factors for colon cancer include obesity, alcohol consumption, smoking, and a diet low in fiber and high in fat. Unfortunately, men often show indifference toward their lifestyle, which raises their risk of illness.

Exercise

Regular physical activity is important to strengthen the circulation and the heart. Exercise is particularly important in jobs where a lot of sitting is involved, also to strengthen the back and pelvic muscles. Taking long walks two to three times a week is enough to get the circulation going and strengthen it.

Healthy diet

A healthy diet is the foundation for a healthy body and mind. It is important to focus on a diet rich in fiber and low in fat. The amount of meat consumed should also be kept to a minimum. Also, alcohol consumption should be limited to moderate levels, if at all.

Mental health

As mentioned earlier, mental health is a considerably neglected topic amongst men. Although certain mental illnesses are statistically more common in women, there is uncertainty about how many men are affected, as they are far less likely to seek professional help.

Stress

Stress from work or personal life has a detrimental impact on both mental and physical health. It is important to recognize the strain early and either find ways to relieve stress or reduce the overall stress level. In the long term, severe stress often leads to conditions such as burnout or depression.

Addiction

Addiction disorders are significantly more common in men than in women. This is partly due to traditional gender roles, which encourage riskier behaviors in men. Additionally, addictive substances are often used to cope with stress when professional help is not sought. Alcohol addiction ranks highest among these disorders.

Urological diseases

Urology is the branch of medicine which deals with the bladder and ureter, as well as the male reproductive organs. Male reproductive organs include the penis, prostate, testicles and their surrounding structures.

Erectile dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction is very common, even more so in old age, but it is also associated with a great deal of shame and psychological stress. Erectile dysfunction is often caused by various factors and holistic medical treatment is necessary. Nevertheless, in many cases therapy is very effective and achieves early success.

Prostate hyperplasia

Prostate hyperplasia is the most common urological condition in men, typically occurring after the age of 50. Depending on its form, it can lead to urinary retention due to compression of surrounding structures or develop into malignant prostate cancer. Early detection is essential here as well, to enable targeted treatment and ensure therapeutic success.

Which doctors and clinics specialize in men’s health? 

Key contacts for men's health are urologists, cardiologists, gastroenterologists, psychiatrists, but also general practitioners. General practitioners usually carry out regular health checks, which can then lead to a referral to a specialist. Depending on the existing illness, treatment is then continued in the specialist clinics or practices.

Anyone in need of a doctor would expect the best possible medical care for themselves. Therefore, patients are looking for the most suitable clinic for their needs. Since this is not an objective decision and a respectable doctor would refrain from claiming to be the best, patients must trust the experience of a doctor.

We can help you find an appropriate expert for your condition. All the doctors and clinics listed have undergone extensive review and have been verified by us for their outstanding expertise in the field of men’s health. They are looking forward to and are ready to address your questions and treatment requests.