We don’t need statistics to tell us that men are less likely to visit their healthcare practitioner than women. In fact, it’s not uncommon for many men to only visit their GP following a health scare.

But it shouldn’t take a health scare to get you to the doctor.

Generally speaking, looking after yourself means eating healthily, getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, keeping the bad stuff to a minimum, and just being aware of the potential health hiccoughs that may lay ahead.

And specifically speaking? You know your body and you know when something doesn’t feel right.

If something does feel off, one reason for this could be declining levels of testosterone. Male menopause, also called andropause, refers to age-related changes in male hormones, and specifically the drop in testosterone levels some men experience with age.

Compared to menopause in women, the hormone drop-off in men is much more gradual, occurring over several decades rather than years. Although not immediately obvious, if you’re feeling tired, irritable, depressed or are experiencing low libido or erectile dysfunction, your testosterone levels could be low. A doctor may prescribe testosterone replacement therapy, but this is something you would need to discuss with them as they will first want to measure your testosterone levels to see if this line of treatment might be suitable for you.
You also need to be mindful of your prostate. Located below the bladder, it surrounds the urethra which drains the bladder. With age the prostate gland starts to enlarge, slowly squashing the urethra and reducing the amount of space available for urine to pass through.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) occurs when the prostate grows to an unhealthy size, causing difficulty and discomfort when urinating. Symptoms include urinating frequently, difficulty in getting a urine stream going and feeling as if you are unable to empty your bladder properly.

With any symptoms of prostate disorder, it is hugely important to get an official diagnosis from your doctor so as to rule out a more serious condition, such as prostate cancer, still the most common cancer in men over the age of 45.

If prostate enlargement is confirmed, a Saw Palmetto supplement may help. The berries of the Saw Palm have been used traditionally to treat symptoms of an enlarged prostate, and many doctors in Austria, Germany and Italy use Saw Palmetto as their first line of defence against prostate problems. Prostasan Saw Palmetto capsules from A. Vogel are the only registered herbal remedy indicated to relieve urinary symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate in men with a confirmed diagnosis of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (although men taking prescribed medicines for BPH or other hormonal imbalances should consult their GP before taking Saw Palmetto). 

And finally, a nod to your noggin. Whilst we might be much better today at looking after our cognitive cogs than we were 20, 10, or even five years ago, our mental health, just like our physical wellbeing, needs constant monitoring and support.

It’s so important to talk about what makes you feel sad, stressed, depressed or anxious, whether to a friend, family member, GP or support organisation.

There are also steps you can take to help calm your mind and prevent anxiety from taking over. Listen to your body’s responses and question your thought patterns. Negative thoughts can be quick to take root and if given a voice for long enough, can distort the severity of a situation. Recognise the thought for what it is and try to turn it down in your mind.

Calm your breathing. Go for a walk. Surround yourself with nature. Green space exposure activates a primitive part of the brain involved with stress regulatory responses and just 10 minutes a day can help you to feel better.

If you’re still feeling anxious try A.Vogel’s Passiflora Complex Spray. A gentle, non-addictive blend of herbs for those needing to relax, it combines Passiflora (passionflower) and Lemon Balm. It’s also ideal for using on-the-go.

For further information on any aspect of men’s health, visit Shamini and her team at Naturaal Health, 128 Field End Road, Eastcote, HA5 1RJ, or call 020 8 429 1700/ 07933809833.