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7 uncomfortable men’s health questions to ask a provider

Worried that you’re losing hair or muscle, or using the bathroom a lot more? It’s okay to speak up. 

Updated on July 30, 2024

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Whether it’s stigma, cultural pressure, personal uneasiness, or something else, many men don’t feel comfortable talking about their health when problems arise. They may not want to admit a possible medical issue to their partner, friends, family, or even a healthcare provider (HCP).

But keeping symptoms to yourself could turn a small health problem into a bigger one. AndShow More

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Why am i so angry?

Anger is a healthy emotion that we all experience at one time or another. But there are situations where it may point to more serious problem. For example, do you find yourself suddenly losing your temper more easily? Have you begun drinking more lately? What about other dangerous behavior, likeShow More

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why is my penis curved?

If your erection is curved it could be a sign of Peyronie’s disease. It usually stems from an injury to the penis, possibly from sex, sports, or an accident. That damages blood vessels, which leads to swelling inside the penis and blocks blood flow. Then, scar tissue forms, which causes the penisShow More

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what's this lump on my pec?

Thanks to awareness efforts, many people understand that a lump in a woman’s breast can be a sign of breast cancer. But people may not know that it’s also a potential sign of breast cancer in men. 

According to the American Cancer Society, about 1 in 726 men can also expect to have breastShow More

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What can I do about my hair loss?

Going bald may not be dangerous to your health, but it can deal a blow to your self-confidence. Hair loss can trigger feelings of disfigurement and even depression and anxiety. It’s why some men to seek ways to slow or reverse their hair loss.

Two of the most common medication treatments for hairShow More

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why do i pee way more than i used to?

If you can’t go far without a trip to the bathroom, you’re not alone. As men grow older—especially after age 50—many develop a condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia, also known as an enlarged prostate. The prostate is a walnut-shaped gland near your bladder that produces one of the elementsShow More

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why can't i lift weights like i used to?

As you get older, you may find you bench less than before. This is commonly due to sarcopenia, or age-related muscle loss. Between ages 30 and 70, most men can expect to lose between 3 and 5 percent (or more) of their muscle mass per decade. At 70, muscle loss accelerates. It all adds up to aboutShow More

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My chest hurts; is it just a bad case of heartburn?

Don’t let chest pain go unchecked. It can be the sign of a serious condition that should be treated out without delay. These conditions include:

  • A heart attack
  • Blood clot in the lungs (pulmonary embolism)
  • Inflammation of the heart (pericarditis)
  • Disease of the heart muscle
  • A lung infection
  • A panic
  • Show More
Slideshow sources open slideshow sources

Mayo Clinic. Depression (major depressive disorder). October 14, 2022.
Martin LA, Neighbors HW, Griffith DM. The Experience of Symptoms of Depression in Men vs Women: Analysis of the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. JAMA Psychiatry. 2013;70(10):1100–1106.
Mayo Clinic. Male depression: Understanding the issues. February 13, 2024.
NIH: National Institute of Mental Health. Depression. Reviewed March 2024.
NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Penile Curvature (Peyronie’s Disease). Reviewed August 2019.
American Cancer Society. Key Statistics in Breast Cancer for Men. Revised January 18, 2024.
American Cancer Society. Signs and Symptoms of Breast Cancer in Men. Last revised April 27, 2018.
American Cancer Society. Risk Factors for Breast Cancer in Men. Last revised April 27, 2018.
FamilyDoctor.org. Gynecomastia. Updated August 2022.
Mayo Clinic. Enlarged breasts in men (gynecomastia). October 26, 2023.
Mayo Clinic. Hair loss. January 19, 2024.
NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Prostate Enlargement (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia). Reviewed September 2014.
Mayo Clinic. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). March 1, 2024.
Harvard Health Publishing. Preserve your muscle mass. February 19, 2016.
Kim TN, Choi KM. Sarcopenia: definition, epidemiology, and pathophysiology. J Bone Metab. 2013 May;20(1):1-10.
NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Angina (chest pain): Causes and Risk Factors. Updated July 10, 2023.
American Heart Association. Angina (Chest Pain). Reviewed November 8, 2021.

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