The male ego is being blamed for the health problems men face. Many think they
are invincible and tend to wait till the last moment before seeking help. Doctors list the challenges men face as they age and share health tips

It seems perilous to be male.

Men typically die at a younger age than women, have higher rates of cancer and are more likely to die from accidents. Yet, many do not place much emphasis on their health.

Studies have shown that twice as many men have no regular medical care compared to women, said Professor Peter Lim, the president of the Society for Men’s Health here.

Up to 25 per cent of men would also wait “as long as possible” to see a doctor, he added.

“The male role is the real culprit of poor health in men. They usually think they’re invincible and tend not to ask for help,” said Prof Lim, who is also a urologist.

However, there may be no need to panic – yet.

If men are more open to health screenings and seek medical help at an early stage, their mortality and quality of life would improve, said Dr Tan Kok Kuan, the chief medical officer of The Men's Clinic.

Mind Your Body charts the common health challenges that men may face as they age.

Age: 20s and 30s

Risk-seeking behaviour
Men are prone to risk-seeking behaviour during this period, said Dr Tan Kok Kuan, the chief medical officer of The Men's Clinic.

Aggressive driving, participating in extreme sports, risky sexual behaviour and the over-consumption of alcohol are common among young men, he added.

This desire for thrills and spills has its drawbacks.

Physical injuries like broken bones often occur. Premature death may result.

The leading cause of death of men in their 20s and 30s is motor vehicle accidents, said Professor Kesavan Esuvaranathan, a senior consultant at the department of urology at National University Hospital.

Sexually transmitted diseases are also a common problem, said Prof Kesavan.
 
The 2008 Communicable Diseases Surveillance in Singapore reported that the number of men who had sexually transmitted infections (STI) edged out women by a ratio of 2:1.

Men aged between 30 and 34 had the highest incidence of infection.

Depression
Depression in men is a problem often overlooked.

The average age of onset for depression in men occurs when they are in their 30s, said Dr Thong Jiunn Yew, the medical director and consultant psychiatrist at Nobel Psychological Wellness Clinic.

Said Dr Tan: “This is the age when there is a lot of flux in their lives.”

Career changes and embarking on new social roles – say, being a first-time father – are some of the new experiences that they face.

Dr Thong said that the most common cause of depression in married men of this age group is family or marital problems.

The second cause is related to unemployment and work-related problems.

Work is often a major source of a man’s sense of worth, he said.

Research has shown that one in seven men who become unemployed will develop a depressive illness in six months, he added.

However, depression can go unrecognised in men.

Dr Tan said: “Men usually won’t admit that they are stressed or anxious.”

Dr Thong said that many men may hide their depression symptoms by drinking alcohol or abusing other substances.

Some may throw themselves into work or talk about physical symptoms like pains and aches, rather than their emotional problems.

Sometimes, diagnosis of the problem may not bring relief.

He explained that some men may resist treatment because they are worried that the stigma of having the condition might damage their career or cause them to lose the respect of family and friends.

Thankfully, depression is highly treatable with psychotherapy, medicine or a combination of both.

The condition can be prevented too.

Regular exercise, adequate rest and a balanced diet can help to improve one’s well-being.

Dr Marcus Tan, the medical director and consultant psychiatrist at Nobel Psychological Wellness Clinic, said that taking time out for oneself, especially during a heavy work schedule, to do something enjoyable is beneficial.

It can be as simple as reading or taking walks, he said. “Developing a hobby can be one of the best ways to de-stress, build confidence and expand one’s coping abilities,” he added.

Poor food choices
Since men have more muscles and are typically bigger than women, they require more calories.

Moderately active men in this age group may require up to 2,950 calories a day, said Ms Nehal Kamdar, a senior dietitian at Raffles Hospital.

Compared to older men, they generally burn calories faster because of their active lifestyles and a higher basal metabolic rate, which is the rate at which the body uses energy to perform vital body processes.

For energy, weight management and disease prevention, the American Dietetic Association recommends that men should eat more whole grains, fruit and vegetables. These foods are high in fibre, help manage hunger and fend off certain types of cancer, like prostate and colorectal, which are common in men.

However, The Men’s Clinic’s Dr Tan said that men tend to make poorer food choices and like to consume those that are high in salt and fat.

Weight gain can be prevented at this stage because a younger man generally has a higher metabolic rate and a more active lifestyle – even if he does consume more fat and calories.

However, as he ages, a man tends to become more sedentary and the rate at which his body uses energy slows down, said Dr Tan.

Excess calories are stored as fat, which might spell trouble for the later years.

Good eating habits have to be cultivated from young. Having a poor diet now might lay the foundation for chronic diseases as a man grows older, he said.