Aussie men claim 'good health' yet almost four in five suffer health problems¹

Thursday December 16, 2010

Research reveals that reluctance among men to discuss certain common medical conditions could be putting lives at risk.

A Pfizer survey of 2,511 Australian residents reveals that the vast majority of men (85%) claim to enjoy good health². We watch what we eat, aim to get plenty of sleep3 and in many instances enjoy the support of a loving life partner and an active sex life⁴.

On the face of it, men have good reason to be content.

But scratch the surface a bit deeper, and 79% of men admit to having a medical condition⁵. Moreover, there are certain common medical conditions that men often find very difficult discussing with their doctor - some of these conditions could potentially be life threatening⁶.

The Pfizer Health Report highlights a number of common taboo issues including depression, prostate problems, over-consumption of alcohol and erectile problems that men are uncomfortable discussing with their GP⁷. Yet many of these conditions are treatable or at least manageable.

There are a range of health conditions commonly experienced by men. Of the 1256 men surveyed, one third admitted to having weight problems (36%) with stress following closely behind on 33%. Other widely reported conditions include hypertension (23%) and high cholesterol (23%)⁸

The survey reveals only 2% of men are 'not comfortable' talking to their doctor about high cholesterol, hypertension and diabetes problems but this increases to 13% for depression, 15% for prostate and alcohol problems then jumps to an alarming 34% (more than one-in-three) for erectile dysfunction⁹.

Barbara Hocking, Executive Director of SANE Australia explains, "Stress and depression in particular, are issues many men still feel especially uncomfortable discussing or seeking help for. Both men and women experience mental health issues including stress and depression but women are far better at going to see their doctor to talk about the problem. Men unfortunately still feel there is a stigma attached to these conditions and this can prevent them from talking to their GP."

In the area of sexual health, the survey reveals that the majority of Australian men (85%) would be prepared to take medicine if they had problems with their erection¹⁰. Dr. Rosie King, Sydney Centre for Sexual and Relationship Therapy says, "These statistics maybe in part thanks to prescribed medicines becoming more socially acceptable but this apparent widespread acceptance comes with strings attached."

Only 44% of men would "definitely" speak to their doctor¹¹ if they were experiencing problems with sexual performance. Among those who would not raise this issue with their healthcare professional 63% cited embarrassment and 24% a belief that sex is unimportant, as the key factor at play¹². Interestingly, Australian men aged 18-29 are most likely to take medication to address this problem, with men aged 66 years and older significantly less likely to take medication for this condition¹³. A further 18% don't see their doctor as the right person to discuss this problem with¹⁴.

Dr. King comments, "It's important to recognise that erectile dysfunction can be a sign of an underlying medical condition and men shouldn't hesitate to talk to their doctor about it. Doctors are trained to deal with sexual difficulties and safe, effective treatments are available"

Although the vast majority (85%) of the 2,511 Australian residents surveyed in the research claim to enjoy good health¹⁵, the report confirms that many men's health challenges still remain unresolved. Enhancing community awareness of these conditions, and the range of available treatments, is one step towards solving the challenge. In terms of mental health issues for instance, Barbara Hocking explains, "We're gradually moving from a situation where men feel it is a sign of weakness to admit they have a problem and seek help, to regarding it as a sign of strength¹⁶."