4 Men's Health Issues That Are More Common Than You Think

Because men don’t often feel comfortable with admitting weakness, they can feel isolated when they have an illness. Often, they can feel like they’re less because of their condition, or assume they’re alone in their struggle. However, many of the most embarrassing health issues that men have are incredibly common and have more to do with being male than just poor self care. Here are a few very common health conditions that men suffer from and how to handle them.

<h2>Beer Belly</h2>

While this isn’t always caused by excess beer, the beer belly, dad bod, or pot gut are incredibly common in men as they age. While gaining weight is expected when your activity levels drop, it can be particularly embarrassing to have it bunch up around the stomach as it does for men. However, this heftier gut is actually a natural process by which the male body stores fat. Women have fat gather about their thighs, chest, and rear, whereas men get it in the stomach. The higher testosterone levels of men also makes them more prone to weight gain. Without frequent exercise and a low-fat diet, most men will see a beer belly at some point in their lives. Instead of being embarrassed, however, it can be more helpful for men to accept it as a natural sign of aging and a reminder from their body that they aren’t metabolizing as quickly as before, and that more exercise is needed.

<h2>Going Bald</h2>

While long, gorgeous locks are more often attributed to women, most men take great pride in their hair. Therefore, it can be a serious blow to the self-esteem when they lose their hair, either with baldness or just thinning. While this is more common with age, hair loss is more often tied to genetics and stress than anything else. Baldness and hair thinning is perfectly natural and, while it can be a sign of disease, is more commonly a simple matter unrelated to your overall health. Many great and powerful men, like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, are bald, and embrace it. If you still feel like you can’t go a lifetime without your hair, however, advancements in hair restoration technology have made major headway with procedures like platelet rich plasma (PRP) treatments. The results are nothing short of amazing, and it is definitely a treatment option you should check out if you desire having a fuller head of hair.

<h2>Erectile Disfunction</h2>

It is common for aging men to be plagued with a condition known as erectile disfunction (ED). While there are many jokes about having a “failure to perform,” ED really is perfectly common among men and nothing to feel shame about. While occasional ED can have many different causes, often ED is a sign of serious cardiovascular disease. So, if you have persistent ED, then it is a problem you should have a talk with your doctor about. Furthermore, modern medical approaches, like those provided by Invigor Medical LLC, are invaluable in identifying and addressing both ED and the underlying causes. While speaking about private and sensitive areas, even with a professional, can be difficult, it is important to remember that professional doctors talk about these things all the time. They do not hold judgement or feel upset by a direct discussion about your reproductive health, and it is important that you are thorough and get all of your questions answered when speaking with a doctor about ED.

<h2>Depression</h2>

Minor depressive episodes are very common in both men and women. However, men can often feel isolated or ashamed by these feelings, leading to an epidemic of male suicides in countries like the UK. Know that these depressive episodes are nothing to be ashamed of, and often last only a week or so before passing on. The briefness of the episode does not in any way lessen the importance of your feelings, and so you should feel free to speak to friends and family about your concerns as you work through this phase. However, if your depressive episode is lasting into multiple weeks or longer, then this is something that should be addressed as soon as possible. In fact, it could be a sign of an underlying nutrient deficiency or medical problem. In these cases, the depressive episode will not go away on its own and must be treated. While many feel they can stay silent and tough it out, chronic depression absolutely must be treated.

As a man, the world often encourages you to be tough and silent, taking your blows without comment or complaint. However, the reality is that you are surrounded by men who are likely going through issues very similar to yours. Don’t be afraid to get the help you need, and reach out to family and friends with confidence when you need support. Medical conditions are nothing to be ashamed of, and treatment, rather than a stiff upper lip, is your best option for optimum health.