Men's Health Month is coming to its conclusion for the year, but just as we support and appreciate our fathers beyond just on Father's Day, we can support the men's community and their health beyond just this month of awareness.
For us, BPH (prostate enlargement) is the area we choose to place the spotlight because it's not talked about enough. For others, they may place the spotlight on men's mental health, heart health, testicular cancer, or other forms of prostate disease.
Health in body and mind is important, and as men age, it can sometimes be a challenge to manage overall health.
Facilitating the conversation can start by introducing it in a non-stigmatizing way. Jokes about prostate exams may be one of the reasons men aren't keen on going to see their urologist. A moment of physical discomfort may be worthwhile if a problem is detected that needs management. There is nothing humiliating about an exam, and a man's masculinity or sexual orientation should not be put into question over having a medical exam.
Jokes about masculinity and societal pressure on men to not discuss their feelings may also be the cause of higher rates of mental health issues in men. Being able to talk things out in a safe space with a loved one and a specialist can help men find the tools to live a better life.
The internet can be a double-edged sword when it comes to finding support. While there is a plethora of information, it is important to do your due diligence and ensure that sources are credible or that there isn't potentially dangerous misinformation spreading around. In addition, online support groups may come with their set of people who aren't agreeable. However, after sifting through some of the noise, you may be able to find the right type of support, like trying on some pairs of shoes and finding the right fit.
Whether you're open to traditional Chinese medicine and want to encourage more studies to be conducted to ensure its efficacy, or you're looking for basic daily life tips for nutrition and exercise, you'll realize that you're not alone in your men's health journey.
BPH is a very common condition that occurs as men get older, because the prostate grows in size throughout a man's life. Frequent urination and poor urinary flow can interfere with a man's daily life, so the more we know about BPH the more solutions we may be able to find and the more support and understanding we may be able to extend to BPH patients.
Men's Health Month is taking a bow, but that doesn't mean you have to. Continue putting your health first, and the joys of life will follow!
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