What Is Men’s Health?

Men’s health focuses on elements of wellness that only apply to men or that affect men at higher rates or in ways that are distinct from women.

On average, men live five years fewer than women. More than 40% of adult men live with obesity, and over half have high blood pressure. Diseases like prostate cancer only occur in men, and some high-risk lifestyle habits, such as use of alcohol and cigarettes, are more common in men.

Despite these health concerns, men are more likely to avoid going to the doctor to get the medical care and tests they need. An emphasis on men’s health involves promoting positive lifestyle habits, regular medical checkups, and testing to promptly identify potential health problems.

The Role of Testing in Men’s Health

Appropriate medical testing is one of several important components of men’s health and a complete health check up. Depending on the circumstances, testing may be used for screening, diagnosis, and monitoring.

Screening

Screening is the medical term for looking for a potential problem before symptoms arise. For many conditions, screening leads to early detection that makes that problem easier to address. However, there can be downsides to screening, so the recommended tests for men depend on your age and overall health.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is the process of determining the cause of a problem after you have developed signs or symptoms. A huge range of tests can be used for diagnosis depending on your symptoms. Discussing health changes or concerns with a doctor can help them determine the diagnostic tests that are most likely to identify the underlying issue.

Monitoring

After a health problem or disease has been diagnosed, tests are frequently used to monitor your condition. If you are receiving treatment, follow-up tests can evaluate how well the treatment is working.

Types of Men’s Health Tests

A wide variety of tests are available that can help promote men’s health or provide a comprehensive health checkup depending on a person’s individual circumstances.

Some tests are routine forms of screening that are often performed as part of a regular check-up or comprehensive health screening with your doctor:

  • Physical exam: A basic physical exam can reveal or examine various types of potential problems.
  • Bodyweight and body mass index (BMI) calculation: Taking your weight and height can help determine if you are overweight or obese.
  • Blood pressure reading: Recording your blood pressure, usually with a cuff that wraps around your upper arm, can document high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, which can contribute to cardiovascular problems.
  • Complete blood count (CBC): This blood test measures the levels of different types of blood cells.
  • Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP): This test involves several different measurements that provide insights about metabolism as well as liver and kidney function.

Depending on your age, overall health, and risk factors, your doctor may recommend one or more screening tests as part of a full health check up for different medical conditions. Examples of possible screening tests are listed in the following table:

There are no standard screening tests for some conditions that affect men’s health such as testicular cancer. Medical experts generally recommend only testing for testicular cancer if you’ve had symptoms. Examples of tests that may be used when symptoms are present are described in the table below. A doctor can best address whether these tests are appropriate in your specific situation:

Professional medical organizations do not recommend general screening of testosterone levels. However, if you have symptoms of low testosterone, your doctor may recommend one or more of the following tests:

Getting Men’s Health Testing

Men’s health testing most often occurs in a health clinic or a doctor’s office. Many tests take place during an annual check-up. In addition, your doctor can help explain which screening tests are recommended based on your age and health and which diagnostic tests may be most helpful for any symptoms or health concerns that you have.

At-home testing

Some types of at-home testing is available for aspects of men’s health screening. For example, at-home tests can measure cholesterol or blood sugar. At-home screening may also be available for HIV, some sexually transmitted infections, and colon cancer.

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