Men, overall, have very different healthcare needs and goals compared to women. Men’s healthcare as a specialty is often reduced to reproductive and urological problems. However, man have many other unique needs that may require special focus and sensitivity from their healthcare team.
Male-specific healthcare behaviors and engagement
While cultural norms are continually changing and improving, there are still many men and women who believe that men should “tough it out” and feel that seeking help may signal weakness. Men are between 24 and 33% less likely to visit the doctor for any type of problem than women, and men tend to wait until problems are very serious before seeking assistance. In addition, men are less likely to have a primary care physician than women, and many working men feel that they don’t have time to schedule a doctor’s visit.
Related CE course for nurses: Men’s Health: An Overview, 2nd Edition
Besides being less likely to see a healthcare provider, men are at a higher risk than women of many acute and chronic problems. Besides the obvious, such as prostate and testicular problems, health issues more common in men than women include:
- Heart disease
- Parkinson’s disease
- Melanoma
- Pancreatic cancer
- Gout
- Kidney stones
- Aortic aneurism
- Traumatic injuries
- ALS
- Some cancers
- Autism
- Stroke
- Diabetes
While the increased risk of these conditions may be genetic, they’re often related to more risk-taking behavior and fewer preventative screenings. Men are also more likely to be employed in high-risk and high-exposure jobs such as construction, agriculture, mining, and manufacturing.
It is not all bad news for men. Men do have some protective factors that make them less likely than women to suffer from conditions such as depression, osteoporosis, autoimmune disorders, and thyroid problems.
Scope of men’s health
Men’s healthcare providers must take a holistic approach to assessing and creating plans for optimum functioning. Healthcare providers seeing male patients should do everything they can to assess their whole patient, including a good head-to-toe physical assessment, mental healthcare screenings, and a thorough health history.
Physical assessment
Male anatomy and physiology are different from female anatomy and physiology in several important ways. Besides the obvious difference in reproductive organs, male patients tend to have more muscle mass requiring a higher calorie intake, are more likely to have color-blindness, have higher cholesterol levels, and have higher baseline blood pressure than women.
During an annual physical assessment, caregivers should perform a head-to-toe assessment, including checking vital signs, listening to heart, lung, and abdominal sounds, and checking for physical red flags such as edema or traumatic injuries. In addition, men should have a prostate exam every 2-3 years until the age of 70.
Health history
Clinicians should get a detailed health history from their patients to assess the risk of heart disease, colon cancer, and prostate or testicular cancer. Patients should describe their eating and exercise habits, alcohol or substance use, smoking habits, and any job hazards they may face.
Preventative care
There are several important preventative care screenings that clinicians should discuss with their male patients. Because men are less likely than women to have preventative screenings, providers should emphasize their importance and do their best to make screening tests efficient.
- Cholesterol levels every 5 years
- Colonoscopy every 10 years for men over age 45 or with a family history of cancer
- Diabetes screening every 3 years after age 35
- Annual lung cancer screening for current or past smokers aged 50-80 years of age
- Prostate exam every 2-3 years
- PSA test starting for high-risk patients over age 55
Clinicians should also advise their male patients to have a dental exam and cleaning at least once per year, an annual eye exam, and to stay up to date on their vaccinations.
Mental healthcare
Mental health problems in men present differently in men than in women. For example, men are more likely to externalize behaviors, meaning demonstrating anger or aggression, using substances to cope, and participating in risky behaviors.
Men are also less likely to seek help for mental health disorders than women, and they’re often reluctant to talk about their struggles. Providing a simple questionnaire and using non-judgmental language may help men feel comfortable opening up about their mental health.
Strategies for developing male-oriented healthcare
Goals of male oriented healthcare often focus on increasing men’s participating in regular wellness checks and preventative screenings. Organizations like Man Cave Health offer health screenings at popular sporting events and publish a monthly newsletter focusing on men’s health. Telehealth appointments have also made care more accessible for men with demanding work schedules or who live in rural areas.
Getting family, friends, and loved ones involved can also increase participation in preventative healthcare. Research shows that married men are more likely to get their scheduled healthcare screenings and have a primary care physician. Likewise, men who work for organizations that encourage good healthcare practice are more likely to be seen for routine checkups and minor complaints.
