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Men's Health Issues

The importance of health for everyone cannot be stressed enough.  This page will look at  issues for older men but will be pertinent for men of any age.   Along with health topics that feature throughout the Agewell website, for example nutrition, hearing, vision, exercise and coping with loss, change and depression, we will endeavour to cover subjects such as balding, erection difficulties, and enlarged prostate. Please contact us via e-mail if you would like us to consider a specific topic for this page.

Men's Health Week

Links

Conditions of particular interest to men: -

Baldness

Erection Difficulties

Male Menopause

Prostate Cancer

Testicular Cancer

 

Men's Health Week

14 - 20 June 2010

In June each year International Men’s Health Week is held.  Age Concern New Zealand joins with College of Nurses (Aotearoa) NZ to lead celebrations in New Zealand.  Men’s Health Week is a chance for New Zealand men to make a difference to their health for themselves and their families.

Why have an International Men’s Health Week:

  • Male life expectancy is unnecessarily low.

  • Reported male-specific diseases are increasing (especially prostate and testicular cancers)

  • Men have higher risk of suicide and yet male depression remains under-diagnosed and under-treated

  • Health services have been slow to respond to men’s health needs and little has been done to encourage and enable men to access services faster and more efficiently 

For more information on International Men’s Health Week you can go to Age Concern New Zealand; Men's Health Week Australia;  Men's Health Forum UK or the What's New Page to see what Age Concern Councils have planned to celebrate this event.

 

LINKS

  • Everybody website has a lengthy list of topics on men's health issues.  It is well worth the visit with subjects ranging from bladder control problems to vasectomy reversals.
  • Men's Health Information Resource Centre is an Australian website which designs, develops and supports research and projects which contribute to the enhancement of the health and well-being of men and boys in a variety of contexts.
  • Mens Health Forum UK is a British website looking at a variety of issues for men.  It appears to be medically orientated but worth the time to look at and search for a topic of interest.
  • The Ponsonby Medical Centre has a wealth of information on various topics for all.  Click on the link on the right side of the page under Men's Issues for a run down of the topics available in this section.  

 

Baldness

Thinning hair or loss of hair can happen to both men and women.  The most common cause of hair loss is androgenitic alopecia (male pattern balding) which is thinning of the hair.  This is caused by male hormones (known as androgens) in people who have inherited a genetic tendency towards balding.

The following are links to articles about Baldness

Erection Difficulties

Erection difficulties (or erectile dysfunction or impotence) is the inability to achieve satisfactory erections.  It is a common problem with the majority of men having medical reasons which prevent satisfactory erections. It is a condition that affects both older and younger men.  Medications can also have an affect causing impotence

The following are links to articles about Erection Difficulties

Male Menopause

Male Menopause is a term used to describe a drop in male hormone levels after middle age. Symptoms of testosterone deficiency include sexual dysfunction, fatigue and problems with mental functioning, depression and irritability.

The following are links to articles about Male Menopause

Prostate Cancer

The prostate gland is about the size of a walnut and located below the bladder. It surrounds the top part of the urethra which takes urine from the bladder to the penis. The prostate produces most of the fluid that makes up a man's semen.

Prostate cancer is a malignant tumour of the prostate gland. The cancer can be contained within the prostate and may not show any symptoms, or it can spread through the lymphatic system to other parts of the body. The lymphatic system is part of the body's defence against infection and connects the major lymph glands such as those found in the abdomen, pelvis, groin, neck and armpits.

The following are links to articles about Prostate Cancer

Testicular Cancer

Some facts on testicular cancer:

  • Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in men between the ages of 15 and 35 years - but it can strike any male at any time.
  • Testicular cancer is almost always curable if it is found early.
  • Most testicular cancers are found by men themselves, either as a painless lump, a hardening or change in size of the testicle, or pain in the testicle.
  • Children born with an undescended testicle have an increased risk of getting testicular cancer regardless of whether surgery is done to correct the problem. However, the surgery for an undescended testicle should still be done to preserve fertility.
  • Testicular cancer can be treated with surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, surveillance, or a combination of these treatments.

The following are links to articles about Testicular Cancer

 

                                           

Please Note  Age Concern North Shore has tried to ensure that all information on this website is correct.   However, Age Concern North Shore does not accept liability for any statements or advice contained on, or omissions from, nor endorse any suggested site on this website.  Other websites referred to on this website are here for reference only. The information on this website should not be regarded as a substitute for professional advice and we do suggest that you consult with your health, legal or financial professional.       

©Age Concern North Shore 2001-2007.    E-Mail us dianem@acns.co.nz about the website.

Website last updated 30/06/2010