Men: 5 things about your body that are completely normal
Research shows that men rarely talk about their health
It's an adage, but the research, opens in a new tab backs it up – males tend to visit the doctor less often than females.
Studies, opens in a new tab show that males typically believe their health is fine or that they can manage health concerns on their own, possibly due to societal expectations around masculinity.
This attitude can make it tricky to know if changes in your body are worth worrying about.
To help you better identify what’s ‘normal’, we asked Dr Kieran Kennedy, a medical doctor and psychiatry resident, to explain five of the most common issues men tend to be concerned about.
1. Erection issues
You probably think erection issues only happen to older men, but Kieran says younger men can also experience erectile dysfunction.
“It’s more common as men get older, with two in every three males over 45, opens in a new tab being affected,’ says Kieran.
“But it’s also quite common for younger, very fit and healthy men to now and then have a bit of trouble getting an erection,” he says. “That’s something I think a lot of men are actually quite surprised about. It can be related to psychological issues like stress, anxiety, sleep, alcohol or drug use.”
It’s normal to experience erectile dysfunction from time to time. If erectile issues become a regular occurrence, or if you notice “any change in sensation or any problems with your waterworks”, see your doctor, Kieran advises.
nib members can chat with a medical professional from the comfort of your own home through our partner, hub.health., opens in a new tab Get confidential online consultations for men’s health treatments, with prescriptions delivered discreetly to your door.
2. Bowel changes
When it comes to emptying your bowels, there isn’t one definition of what ‘normal’ looks like. As a general guideline, you should be emptying your bowels, opens in a new tab anywhere from one to three times a day, to three times a week.
One common concern Kieran hears is when coffee or caffeinated drinks, opens in a new tab, including pre-workout drinks, cause people to need the toilet quickly.
“That’s something that is completely normal and is not a sign of any kind of illness or that anything’s wrong,” he says. “Caffeine intake stimulates the bowel and the bladder.”
Bowel changes to take note of are stools containing blood, opens in a new tab or other changes that don’t resolve within a couple of days – if that happens, see your doctor., opens in a new tab
Related: Bowel cancer: how to avoid Australia's silent killer, opens in a new tab
3. Body image issues
Although body image issues have been traditionally thought of something that females experience, people of all ages and genders can feel negatively about how they look.
Kieran says more and more men struggle to feel good enough in their bodies. In Australia, studies reveal that the percentage of men facing body dissatisfaction, opens in a new tab has surged from 15% to 45% over the past 25 years.
Body dissatisfaction can sometimes lead to dieting, over-exercising, eating disorders or mental health, opens in a new tab issues such as depression and anxiety.
“It is becoming increasingly common for men to feel pressured in terms of working out, maybe feeling a little bit unhappy with their body, or comparing their body to others,” he says. “That is something I’m seeing more in my clinical work.”
The reasons for body dissatisfaction in men are varied, but some of the most common causes stem from being bullied for your appearance and peer pressure to be ‘tough’ or ‘strong.’
If you feel you’ve become overly focused on your body, it’s causing you stress or anxiety, or you’re developing unhealthy behaviours such as compulsive exercising or crash dieting, your GP can refer you to an expert who can help.
4. Snoring
Although everyone snores from time to time, it’s more common, opens in a new tab in males, with around 25% of males prone to snoring.
Snoring can be frustrating for people and their partners, but it isn’t necessarily a medical problem unless it’s disrupting your sleep and causing you to wake up feeling tired, opens in a new tab.
“If people are noticing that snoring is affecting their sleep or significantly affecting their partner’s sleep, or they’re noticing that they’re really tired during the day, even after they feel they’ve had an average night’s sleep, check in with your doctor,” Kieran says.
Most of us are more likely to snore when we’ve had a cold or flu or are sleeping on our backs. Habitual nighttime snoring may be a symptom of an underlying health condition like high blood pressure or sleep apnoea, opens in a new tab.
Related: What’s a normal blood pressure range?, opens in a new tab
5. Stress and emotions
Kieran sees many men going through emotional challenges who don’t know whether their feelings are normal or whether they’re a sign of mental illness. He wants men to know that it’s common to experience challenging emotions if you’re going through stress, big changes or big losses, such as relationship break-ups or job loss.
“It’s normal to experience anxiety, or to feel down for a period of time, or to have things like sleep and appetite not be quite what they usually are,” he says.
“It’s really good to notice and acknowledge those things, but you don’t have to necessarily worry that that means something’s wrong with you.”
If, however, your feelings are severe, have lasted two weeks or more, or are affecting your ability to cope with life at home or work, talk to your GP or contact one of the helplines below.
Lifeline (24 hours): 13 11 14
Kids Helpline (24 hours): 1800 55 1800
MensLine Australia (24 hours): 1300 78 99 78
SANE Helpline (mental illness information, support and referral): 1800 18 7263
Where do I get help?
If you have concerns about your body, the first port of call should be making an appointment with your GP to get personalised advice. Finding a great GP can be tough, which is why at nib, we offer our Find a Provider search tool. This tool allows you to search for health professionals near you and we’ll provide you their contact details and location – all in one convenient location.
If you’re heading to your GP for a check-up, it could be a good opportunity to find out what other examinations you might be due for.
If you’re aged between 20-29, find out more with our article Health checks in your 20s.
If you’re aged between 30-39, we’ve put together this article: Health checks in your 30s.
Aged 40-49? There’s a dedicated article on The Check Up, Health checks in your 40s.
And, for the young-at-hearters (or those of us between 50-59), check out Health checks in your 50s.
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Please note: The information throughout this article serves as broad information and should not replace any advice you have been given by your medical practitioner.
Dr Kieran Kennedy
Dr Kieran Kennedy is a medical doctor working in psychiatry. Combining a love of fitness and exercise with medicine and mental health, Kieran believes the time is now for the modern man (and woman) to embrace their health and fitness in every sense of the word, and is making it his mission to help them do just that. Kieran is an active sportsman & bodybuilder, and can be found with coffee cup in hand at all times.