Men’s Health
Men’s health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, as experienced by men, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
Some conditions that affect both men and women, such as cancer, and injury, also manifest differently in men. Many Australian men do not look after their own health very well. They tend to avoid or delay regular health checks and their health is often poorer than that of women the same age.
Men can often improve their health with changes to diet, exercise and other lifestyle habits.
Prostate Health
The prostate is a gland found only in men. It sits in the groin, behind the base of the penis inside the body. The main function of the prostate is to produce one of the major fluids that make up semen.
The urethra, the tube which carries urine from the bladder to the penis, also runs through the prostate. The prostate connects to the urethra so that the fluid it makes can be mixed with the fluid from the testes and ejaculated.
Anything that causes swelling or enlargement to the prostate can affect a man’s ability to pass urine. This is one of the most common signs that there may be a problem with the prostate.
Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction, or impotence, means not being able to get or keep an erection that is sufficient for sexual intercourse. Many men have impotence at some time in their lives. It can come and go.
Impotence can have a range of causes, both physical and psychological.
You may need treatment for both physical and psychological causes of impotence. Erectile dysfunction can usually be managed, so you can expect a positive result from treatment.
Sexual Health Checks
Sexually Transmissible Infections (STI) and Blood Borne Viruses (BBV) are infections that can be passed on through vaginal, anal or oral sex.
Most are transmitted through the exchange of sexual fluids, but some can be passed on through skin to skin genital contact.
STI’s can cause a wide range of health problems, from mild irritations to more serious illness. The most common STIs can cause a number of problems including infertility if left untreated.
Between 50% – 70% of people with an STI do not know they have the infection, because they have no symptoms.
Condoms can help decrease the spread of STI’s. If you have ever had sex without a condom it is important to get a sexual health check.
