Look online or in a magazine, and there’s a wealth of information about women’s health issues. However, the same can’t be said for many of the most common health issues for men, and these are often swept under the rug.
Luckily, you can still get plenty of information from LloydsPharmacy and blog posts like this one. Here are a few health issues you may not be used to talking about:
Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction is more common than you may think, and it refers to the inability to keep or get an erection for long enough to have sex. You may have heard it referred to as impotence. Some men get erectile dysfunction occasionally, such as when they’re stressed or anxious. But if you’re experiencing it often, you may need to talk to a professional.
There are a number of causes of erectile dysfunction, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, injuries, obesity, age, relationship problems, alcohol use, smoking, and more. It’s important to speak to a medical professional so they can rule out any of these underlying conditions.
Hair Loss
Up to a quarter of men begin going bald before they hit thirty. However, there’s a difference between going bald and hair loss. While male pattern baldness is genetic, hair loss can be treated.
It’s important to remember that most males will go bald. Hair loss typically starts in their twenties, and approximately 50% of men in their fifties will be relatively bald.
If hair loss is impacting your life, there are a number of treatments that may help. These include lotions like Rogaine, and tablets like Finasteride.
Contraception
Historically, the only option available for male contraception has been condoms or a vasectomy. But now, a male contraceptive has been developed which doesn’t harm sex drive and is entirely safe to use.
Efforts to mimic female contraception were stalling since men metabolise the hormones much too quickly. However, the new drug, known as DMAU has been produced with a long-chain fatty acid. This slows down its metabolism and means men can take just one per day. While this is not yet available at the pharmacy, it’s only a matter of time.
Emergency Contraception
If your partner asks you to get her some emergency contraception, you may not be sure what she’s referring to. These are known as “morning after pills”, and include brands like Plan B. This pill is not an abortion pill, but actually works to prevent the pregnancy in the first place if the usual contraception method has failed (or was forgotten).