The State of Men’s Health Is Worse Than They Think: Survey

Cleveland Clinic’s annual MENtion It survey reveals alarming trends.

Shutterstock

Here’s a wake-up call for American men: Their health is in crisis, and they don’t realize it.

The eighth annual checkup from Cleveland Clinic, dubbed the MENtion It Survey, found men woefully out of physical and mental shape—and unaware of it.

With 1,000 adult men surveyed nationwide, the trends paint a grim picture. “We hope this study will help men see the gap between how closely they think they are watching their health versus how closely they actually are,” Dr. Sam Haywood, a urologic oncologist in the Glickman Urological & Kidney Institute at Cleveland Clinic, told The Epoch Times.

“This could encourage them to seek help and potentially improve their outcomes,” he added.

Men Spend Hours Watching TV Despite Weight Concerns

The survey revealed a contradiction in men’s attitudes toward weight loss. It found that 54 percent of American men are unhappy with their weight, but only about half reported eating a healthy diet. Additionally, over a quarter admitted to watching TV for over five hours daily on average.

While close to 40 percent of men said they had experienced issues with sex, about half said they were unaware their drinking or smoking habits might affect their sexual health. According to Cleveland Clinic, this finding, and others from the survey, highlight a “disconnect between men’s perception of their health and their actual health habits.”

This lack of action is concerning in light of recent research. Studies warn that obesity rates among young adults are rising at a “staggering rate” and may triple within the next decade. Although new weight-loss medications are becoming increasingly available, they come with potentially serious health risks.

The safest solution appears most straightforward: getting off the couch, increasing physical activity, making healthier food choices, and controlling portion sizes.

Most Men Experience Frequent Stress but Neglect Their Mental Health

The survey revealed concerning trends regarding men’s mental health.  

Over 80 percent of respondents reported experiencing stress in the past six months. However, 44 percent admitted they do not take care of their mental health. Additionally, most were unwilling to seek professional help for issues like stress, anxiety, and depression.

According to the survey, one contributing factor may be social media habits. On average, men surveyed spent 2.3 hours per day on social media. Notably, those hesitant to seek mental health support were nearly twice as likely to spend five or more hours daily on social media platforms.

Given the current economic environment, perhaps unsurprisingly, financial issues were the No. 1 stressor for men.

Early Detection Saves Lives, but Nearly Half of Men Skip Checkups

The survey also revealed that 44 percent of men do not get routine annual checkups.

Dr. Haywood emphasized the importance of these visits, as many medical issues can be detected and managed early on. These include high blood pressure, diabetes, and cancer screenings.

“By avoiding these opportunities for catching problems early, men may miss an early window or continue to suffer from symptoms,” he said, adding that many men are accustomed to overlooking health care and downplaying symptoms.

Normalizing open conversations about health could help change attitudes, according to Dr. Haywood. It would be ideal if men encouraged each other to get screened and discussed health concerns, just as many women discuss mammograms.

Sexual Health Issues Prevalent but Untreated in Many Men

The survey revealed that sexual health issues are common yet undertreated among men. While 37 percent of respondents reported experiencing sexual problems, only 2 in 5 of those affected sought professional help. This leaves many suffering from untreated sexual health conditions.

Erectile Dysfunction (ED)

Though reduced blood flow contributes to ED in older men, psychological factors may underlie ED in younger patients. Stress, performance anxiety, and pressure can all play a role.

Regular exercise, stress management, and positive choices can reduce a man’s risk of developing erectile difficulties.

Low Libido

On the physical side, conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity may contribute to reduced sex drive. Psychological factors like stress, depression, and anxiety can also be factors. Determining the cause is key in formulating effective treatment options.

In some cases, low testosterone levels are the culprit behind plummeting libido in men. Hormone deficiency warrants evaluation by a medical provider.

Testosterone Deficiency

Testosterone levels naturally decline with age. However, testosterone deficiency is becoming increasingly prevalent, affecting 20 percent to 50 percent of American men.

Low testosterone can lead to decreased energy, low libido, depression, and increased risk of heart disease.

“The first signs of many serious health conditions are often urinary or sexual issues which many men are hesitant to address,” Dr. Georges-Pascal Haber, chair of the Department of Urology at Cleveland Clinic, said in a press statement.

Lifestyle factors like obesity, inactivity, and heavy drinking contribute to lower testosterone.

Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) may be appropriate for moderate to severe cases under medical supervision. However, consult a provider before pursuing hormone treatment.

We Need a Campaign for Men’s Health

The survey highlights the need for men to take responsibility for their health, according to Dr. Theodore Strange, chair of medicine at Northwell Staten Island University Hospital in New York, who was not involved with the survey. This includes making lifestyle changes and seeking medical care when needed.

Cultural stigmas exist around men’s health care and perceptions of self-care, Dr. Strange noted. “There needs to be education around the importance of screenings and wellness with better accessible times for men to do, as lots of men needing the screenings fall in a working age group that precludes them from times to access the care needed.”

Cancer screening, especially colon cancer screening starting at age 45, is critical. Overcoming fear and embarrassment about testing is vital, Dr. Strange said.

Ultimately, he called for an organized focus on men’s health needs. Targeted initiatives and campaigns could successfully improve screening rates, just as they have for women’s health issues, he noted. “There may need to be men’s health centers that help deal with these issues and others like sexual health questions, obesity, testosterone use, and burnout.”