The Hour

Many men are often too embarrassed to visit their doctor about health issues, to the point that they will risk their own wellbeing. The women in their lives are often the ones who force them to visit their GP, as men have a notorious tendency to ignore their problems.

Dr Debbie outlines two main reasons for this behaviour: fear of the unknown and embarrassment.

She explains: "many men are frightened of being told that they have something seriously wrong and are worried about the next steps. It's also really common for men to believe that their symptoms are incurable or part of the normal ageing process - but this most often is not the case."

Men are particularly reticent to talk about potentially embarrassing health problems such as bowel, urinary, sexual problems and mental health issues. The reason for this is that it is seen as a form of failure and goes against the macho image.

The fear of medical examination is an issue which often stops a man from visiting the doctor - even if the examination doesn't involve intimate areas. Females don't normally suffer from this kind of inhibition as they tend to be more used to the physical examination that is necessary in contraception, maternity and cervical smear tests.

"The message to guys out there is: don't die of embarrassment. Your doctor has seen and heard it all before and is there to help. If it's easier to take someone with you or write the problem down or send your doctor an email then that's fine too."

It is extremely important for men to be assessed and treated by their doctor. In a lot of cases, the problems that men worry about and hide from the doctor tend to be not serious at all and very treatable. Mens' fear is often totally irrational and they should not hesitate to visit their doctor.

For more health advice and information visit The Hour's health and fitness section. 

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