More often than not, men have always been reluctant to know about their health, especially when it comes to asking their doctor some intimate questions. However, getting the right information to such questions may benefit you and your overall health and wellbeing.
With the intention to help you out, we spoke to a Community Pharmacist from Sabah and President of the Sabah Pharmaceutical Society, Jemima Ho shared with us her expert perspectives on some common men’s health questions you might be too embarrassed to ask your doctor — but shouldn’t be and what can be done to proactively stay healthy.
1Twenty80: Is hair loss preventable?
Jemima Ho: In some cases, hair loss can be delayed but it almost cannot be prevented. Some of the common cause of hair loss is mainly determined by:
- Scalp infection or inflammation.
- Genetics depend on your parents’ genes.
- Excessive stress levels and insufficient sleep.
- Food intake such as consuming too much of food additives and eating out without considering the types of food eaten.
- Testosterone hormone level which depletes in men after the age of 40 years old. Do take note that, this varies from person to person
1Twenty80: Why is my sweat smelly?
Jemima: Your sweat smell usually is due to liver and or kidney, if you are a smoker, late night sleeper, excessive alcohol drinker, it will cause body odour and/or smelly sweat. At the same time, a number of reasons of smelly sweat can be due to:
- Type of food intake, especially if you take a lot of red meat and less carbohydrate, causes the sweat to have a more “acidic” smell than others.
- Smelly sweat might be caused by overactive sweat glands that mix with bacteria on the skin surface, mostly this is also due to genetics. There are products in the market that can assist in reducing sweat, but cannot cure completely. The beauty salon also claimed they can reduce armpit sweat and thus reduce smell.
- High blood glucose level and eating too much sugary food may contribute to body odour.
- A dietary imbalance of magnesium can be another reason for unpleasant body odour.
As a conclusion, do not overstress the main detox organs in the body, which is our liver. If the liver functions well, the body odour or smelly sweat problem will be reduced. My advice is to also wear more clothing made out of cotton.
Do not be shy to talk about Erectile Dysfunction with your Healthcare Professional. It is important to seek early help that can help improve a better quality of life.
1Twenty80: What can I do about Erectile Dysfunction?
Jemima: Do not be shy to talk about Erectile Dysfunction (ED) with your healthcare professional. It is important to seek early help that can help improve a better quality of life.
Apart from that, sharing such issues with your spouse or partner is a great way to reduce the tension in the relationship and understand what the next step can be taken to improve the situation.
Uncontrollable blood sugar and blood pressure will elevate the ED problem in men. Obesity and smoking will worsen ED too. So, it is crucial to take note of this.
1Twenty80: Should I be worried if I see blood in stool?
Jemima: Usually if it’s fresh red blood, most probably would be because of piles. However, if you notice maroon red or stool with blood, it might be due to urinary tract or internal bleeding. In order to identify the condition, a thorough inspection with the doctor has to be done.
Treating piles is easier than treating urogenital or internal organ related issues.
Piles are very common amongst men. So, do not hesitate to drop by the pharmacy or see your family doctor and get it treated before it worsens and requires surgery intervention.
1Twenty80: Are there any supplements to boost my testosterone levels?
Jemima: There are countless supplements available to help increase testosterone levels. However, some of the natural alternatives that are often suggested by pharmacists that suits all men includes:
- Tongkat Ali
- Maca
- Panax Ginseng
- Fenugreek
Apart from that, oral testosterone capsules are available from doctors. However, this would require a prescription. Green mussel and zinc can also assist in prostate health.
Before consuming any supplements, it is crucial to get a recommendation from a healthcare professional to avoid taking any supplements or products that may cause you harm.
1Twenty80: Is it normal to feel itchy around my groin?
Jemima: More often than not, feeling itchy around the groin area is common due to sweat. If you feel an itchy sensation around your genitals, it’s probably due to sweat, undergarment textiles that do not suit you or from wearing tight pants or jeans.
If the condition prolongs, try changing the detergent you used to wash your undergarments and keep the genital area dry.
At any chances you notice discharge or abnormally painful skin rash, please see your healthcare professional as soon as possible to check whether this condition you’re having is due to a Sexually Transmitted Disease.
1Twenty80: What is considered as premature ejaculation?
Jemima: Premature ejaculation is when men expel semen before they reach the climax of sex or release semen at the beginning of sex.
1Twenty80: Do men have menopause?
Jemima: Male definitely will have certain level of “male menopause” or also known as Andropause. It is linked to declining testosterone levels and ageing.
Men are often the breadwinner for their families and if they lose the role, it affects their self-esteem and may cause them to lose interest in life. This can easily lead to midlife Andropause.
When women experience menopause they often have sudden loss in hormone balance, however, men may not experience extreme menopause symptoms like women do.
As for men, it will gradually reduce their testosterone levels and at most times they might not notice such changes.
A piece of advice I could offer is for men to engage in social activities according to their interest, especially after retirement and look for other healthy new interests to fill in the time. It is also encouraged to quit smoking, maintain healthy body weight at middle age to prevent the loss of testosterone abruptly.
Some of the common symptoms of experiencing Andropause are:
- Mood swings.
- Feeling tired and fatigued.
- Increase in body fat.
- Lose libido. Depression.
- Hot flashes.
- Muscle weakness.
1Twenty80: Is a curved penis normal?
Jemima: Some men’s penis will be slightly curved and it is normal as the human body is not always symmetrical. As long as it does not causes pain, discomfort or negatively affect your sexual performance, then it is alright. Be as it may, if you notice one of these three symptoms, seek medical advice.
1Twenty80: What types of self-health examinations I may perform to help me understand my physical health?
Jemima: A number of self-health examinations that you can do by yourself are:
MEASURE YOUR BELLY – Men’s waistline should not be more than 102 centimetre (cm). Being overweight can lead to serious health conditions such as diabetic and heart-related problems.
CHECK YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE AND HEART RATE – Purchase your own blood pressure machine to regularly check at home. Have your personal health book for you to take note of. This can be used as a reference when you visit your doctor.
Apart from doing self-health examinations, going for a heart and testicular check-up annually after the age of 50 is essential. Some of the examinations are stress tests, oral and gum check every six months, testicular cancer annually, Electrocardiogram (ECG) and Ultrasounds, especially if your family has a genetic history of heart attack or high cholesterol levels.
1Twenty80: What should I do if I think I have been exposed to a Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD)?
Jemima: If you are exposed and unsure, always go for a physical examination. This is also to ensure your loved one’s health. STD cannot be cured, but medication can reduce symptoms and reduce risk of passing on to others.
