Breaking the Silence: Discussing Sensitive Topics Focused on Men's Health

Written by: Nicholas Elliott, MD (Urologist)

?June marks the start of Men’s Health month, encouraging men of all ages to take a focus on their own health. We often get so busy in our day-to-day work that we forget about the care our own bodies need. Some important topics in Men’s health that are not always easy to talk about, including: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), Erectile Dysfunction (ED), and Prostate Cancer.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

An enlarged prostate, or BPH, is a common condition that occurs as men age. It is estimated that BPH affects about 70% of men aged 60-69 years old. The exact cause of BPH is not known but many theories suggest changes in hormones as men get older. Common symptoms of prostatic enlargement include a weak urinary stream, urinating at night, dribbling after urination, and urinary urgency or frequency. Many of these symptoms can negatively impact a man’s quality of life. The good news is that there are many treatments for BPH ranging from behavioral changes to different medications and even surgery. We offer new minimally invasive procedures with faster recoveries and less side effects. If you are experiencing bothersome urinary symptoms, you should discuss this with your provider and consider seeing a Urologist.

Erectile Dysfunction (ED)

A sensitive topic that many men have a hard time discussing is erectile dysfunction. This is something that Urologists commonly treat, focusing on creating a safe and comfortable clinic environment to have these discussions. The AUA defines ED as the inability to attain or maintain an erection sufficient enough for sexual performance. The prevalence of ED ranges from 6-64% and increases with age. ED is more common in men with other medical co-morbidities and can be a sign of cardiovascular disease. The cause of ED can be nerve, blood flow, hormonal, medication, or mental health related.? A 2010 study by Chew et al suggested a 7-fold increase in risk of cardiovascular events in men less than 40 years old presenting with ED. There are things you can do to prevent ED or improve your symptoms. These include moderate exercise, eating right, controlling blood pressure/cholesterol, and losing weight. Improving your overall health may improve your erectile function. If you have bothersome erectile dysfunction, you should discuss this with your provider and consider seeing a Urologist for treatment which can be medication or surgically focused.

Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer, and the second most common cause of cancer death is men. The American Urological Association (AUA) encourages patients to discuss prostate cancer screening with their provider starting around 45-50 years of age. Sometimes, we suggest screening earlier in those with a strong family history of the disease. Screening includes a blood test called Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) and a digital rectal exam (DRE) done until the age of 70, sometimes older. The goal of screening is to identify prostate cancers that have the ability to metastasize, or spread, and to treat these with the intent to cure. Prostate cancer often does not cause symptoms unless it is already at a more advanced stage. I often hear from patient’s “I heard most men will get prostate cancer, but it is slow growing and will not cause problems.” This is a common misconception. It is true that there are some low-risk prostate cancers that are considered safe to monitor rather than treat, however, there can be aggressive forms of the disease that can lead to significant symptoms or even death. Talk to your provider about PSA testing and see a Urologist for further evaluation if this is abnormal.

In summary, Men’s health awareness month is an important reminder to get active, take action, care for yourself and be proactive. Many symptoms’ men experience may be an indicator of a larger health problem. Staying on top of your preventative care and seeking advice for your symptoms is crucial to living a long and healthy life. We understand that these topics can be difficult to discuss with providers which is why we have cultivated a safe environment for you to bring up your needs. We, at Western Wisconsin Health, are here to help you navigate the medical system in order to receive the care you deserve. It is important to take care of yourself now, for a healthier tomorrow.

Sources:

1.???? “American Urological Association.” AUA Urology Core Curriculum | AUA University, auau.auanet.org/core. Accessed 27 May 2024.

2.???? Erectile Dysfunction (ED) Guideline - American Urological Association, www.auanet.org/guidelines-and-quality/guidelines/erectile-dysfunction-(ed)-guideline. Accessed 27 May 2024.

3.???? Chew, Kew-Kim, et al. “Erectile dysfunction as a predictor for subsequent atherosclerotic cardiovascular events: Findings from a linked-data study.” The Journal of Sexual Medicine, vol. 7, no. 1_Part_1, 1 Jan. 2010, pp. 192–202, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1743-6109.2009.01576.x.