Spotlight on men’s health: 8 myths debunked

Myths about men’s health are common. Some myths — like baldness only comes from your mother’s side of the family — don’t cause harm. (Truth: There are likely multiple genes responsible for male pattern baldness, and they can be passed down from both mothers and fathers.) But other myths can lead men to delay getting essential care.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that in the U.S. men will die nearly six years earlier, on average, than women, a longevity gap that has grown over the past quarter century. Men also tend to have higher rates of chronic illnesses and experience more burden from disease throughout their lifetime than women, disparities that are higher for Black men in particular.

Below we debunk common myths that may contribute to poor outcomes for men and offer tips to support healthy living.

Myth 1: I don’t need to see a doctor regularly until I’m 55 or older.

Routine checkups are important for men of all ages, even if you feel healthy. These checkups provide an opportunity to screen for cancers and do bloodwork that can indicate how your liver, kidneys and other organs are functioning.

“Unfortunately, we’re starting to see some cancers in younger and younger populations,” says Trace Julsen, MD, a sports outreach provider for MultiCare Orthopedics & Sports Medicine and former family medicine physician. “Regular checkups give us an opportunity to identify health issues — whether it’s cancer or high cholesterol or another condition — early when they’re easier to treat.”

Routinely seeing a primary care provider isn’t just about screening for disease — it’s also about forming a relationship that can benefit you throughout your life span.

“The decisions you make in your 20s and 30s about diet, exercise and other lifestyle factors will affect how you feel when you’re 65,” says Nicholas Strasser, DO, a physician at MultiCare Rockwood Clinic who specializes in sports medicine, orthopedics and osteopathy. “Your primary care provider can help you form a health plan that evolves as you age and your health goals change.”

Most men should see a primary care provider once a year.

Myth 2: I snore a lot, but it’s not a big deal — a lot of people snore.

Snoring in and of itself is not necessarily a problem, but when snoring is accompanied by other symptoms such as day-time fatigue, then you may have sleep apnea. While sleep apnea can happen to anyone, it is two to three times more likely to affect men than women, according to the Mayo Clinic.

“Untreated sleep apnea can be life-threatening. It also has many negative long-term effects on the mind and body, putting you at risk for heart problems, high blood pressure and other conditions,” Dr. Julsen says. “If you’re not sleeping well or often feeling tired during the day, it’s important to tell your doctor.”

Myth 3: If I experience pain and exhaustion during a workout, I should just tough it out.

Occasional soreness or achiness during an activity is normal, but persistent pain may be a sign of an injury or health problem that needs attention.

“Form is a helpful indicator of whether an ache or pain is serious,” Dr. Strasser says. “If you can still maintain good form while exercising, then you’re likely OK. If you’re having to compensate or alter your form in some way, then you should contact your doctor. Ignoring the pain can lead to further injury.”

Another aspect to consider when working out is exercise tolerance. If you’re experiencing shortness of breath or consistently unable to exert yourself as much as usual, it can be a sign of a heart or lung disease and should be evaluated, adds Dr. Julsen.

Myth 4: I feel fatigued, plus I’m getting older — I probably need testosterone replacement therapy.

Many websites tout the benefits of testosterone replacement therapy, but this supplement is only prescribed under specific medical circumstances.

“Testosterone levels do naturally decline as men age starting in our 30s or 40s. However, it’s important to understand that most men don’t have any symptoms related to their low testosterone,” says Patrick Murray, MD, a board-certified urologist at MultiCare Capital Urology. “If low testosterone is suspected, then those levels need to be checked by a doctor before taking any sort of testosterone supplement.”

Treatment for low testosterone is usually only recommended if a patient’s testosterone levels are in fact low and they are also experiencing symptoms, such as fatigue, loss of libido (sex drive) or changes in mental cognition (thinking or memory).

Inappropriate testosterone treatment can lead to side effects including insomnia, mood swings and elevated red blood cell count. Certain studies suggest long-term testosterone treatment may result in an increased risk of heart attack or stroke, Dr. Murray says.

Myth 5: I experienced a sports injury, but it will heal on its own over time.

Sometimes a little rest, ice, elevation, and over-the-counter pain reliever can take care of a sports injury. However, acute injuries often need to be seen by a doctor. What makes something acute? Typically, these injuries happen in a sudden manner — for example if you fall, collide with someone else or twist a joint.

“Sometimes people experience an acute injury and don’t get it assessed until months or years later when it’s causing them pain or affecting their movement, and there’s no quick fix for that,” Dr. Strasser says.

Aside from getting treatment for the injury itself, it’s a good idea to seek care shortly after an injury occurs for two reasons.

“One, we can make sure there isn’t something else serious going on, like a stress fracture, which could affect your long-term function if not addressed,” Dr. Strasser says. “Two, we can investigate what particular mechanism or motion caused the injury to occur and work to correct that to prevent future injuries.”

Myth 6: Bladder problems are normal as men age.

While it’s true that many men experience bladder problems, sometimes due to an enlarged prostate, as they get older, these problems are not necessarily a normal part of aging.

“Men shouldn’t brush off bladder problems,” Dr. Murray says. “There are often things we can try, from medications to minimally invasive procedures, to address the issue and improve quality of life. Some bladder problems, if not addressed early on, can be irreversible, so it’s always better to talk to your doctor about them sooner rather than later.”

Myth 7: Prostate screenings aren’t useful, and it’s not an aggressive cancer anyway.

With the exception of skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in the U.S. Some types of prostate cancer are slow growing while others are more aggressive, with a tendency to spread outside the prostate.

In recent years, there has been some debate in the medical community about the value of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing, a blood test that can screen for prostate cancer.

“Historically, this testing has led to some men being overtreated for prostate cancer — getting treatment when they may not have needed it,” Dr. Murray says. “Today, if a PSA test detects prostate cancer, we may offer men active surveillance, meaning we keep an eye on it, only offering treatment if the cancer is growing.”

At a minimum, Dr. Murray urges men to talk to their doctor about the risks and benefits of PSA screening. The American Urological Association recommends PSA screening and a digital rectal exam for men between the ages of 55 and 70 every one to two years.

Myth 8: Erectile dysfunction isn’t a major health concern, and it only happens to older men.

It’s true that erectile dysfunction — difficulty getting and maintaining an erection — is more common among older men. But it can occur in men as young as 40. One of the most common causes of erectile dysfunction is a problem with blood flow (also known as a vascular issue).

“Erectile dysfunction can be a sign of an underlying cardiovascular problem, like heart disease or hypertension,” Dr. Strasser says. “So, if this is happening to you, it’s important to talk to your doctor so that together you can examine your overall health.”

Often the causes of erectile dysfunction are physical but psychological factors, such as depression or stress, may also cause or contribute to this condition, adds Dr. Murray. Depending on the cause of erectile dysfunction, treatment may include medications, lifestyle changes or referrals to counseling.