June is Men’s Health Month, and it’s all about raising awareness for a variety of conditions unique to men. We want to take a moment to share a few simple — yet important — facts about men’s health with you. Routine urological checkups are extremely important for men, especially once you turn 50 years of age. Several conditions are highly treatable when caught early.
Some facts you should know include:
1. A low level of testosterone may cause men to experience fatigue, weight gain, hair loss and sexual dysfunction. If you suspect low testosterone, get it tested.
2. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), also known as enlarged prostate, isn’t cancer and hasn’t been linked to cancer. However, it can cause uncomfortable symptoms such as painful urination, weak urine flow and urinary incontinence.
3. Prostate cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths among men in the United States. However, when detected early, it’s highly treatable and curable.
4. Erectile dysfunction is not considered normal, and it doesn’t just occur in older men. It can occur at any age, and a variety of factors may contribute to the problem.
5. A PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) test measures the level of a protein produced by the prostate that circulates in the blood. You should get tested annually, as elevated PSA levels can indicate a variety of problems, ranging from inflammation to cancer.
6. Tumors caused by testicular cancer are most common in men between the ages of 20 and 40. They’re also highly curable. You should perform monthly self-exams and schedule an appointment if you detect anything abnormal.
7. There are three levels of prostatitis (an inflammation of the prostate): nonbacterial prostatitis, acute bacterial prostatitis and chronic prostatitis. If you experience difficulty urinating, pelvic pain, pain in the lower back and a burning feeling while urinating, you should schedule an appointment with your urologist as soon as possible to get to the root of the issue.
Your health is very important to us, and we encourage you to keep up with all routine exams, even if you haven’t developed any new symptoms. If you do experience symptoms, it’s best to get them checked out right away before conditions have the chance to get worse. This Men’s Health Month, take control of your health and take steps toward being more proactive.
At Arkansas Urology, we’re here for you. Our patients’ health has been and will always be our top priority! Contact us today to schedule your appointment, or book your appointment online.
