Why are men reluctant to seek medical advice when they feel they may have problems developing?

My H is off to the doc as quick as a flash whereas I faff about for ages before deciding to make an appt. I never want to waste their time if it's not life threatening! I know quite a few chaps who are hypochondriacs and always at the surgery. I think it is possibly a generational thing and older men are reluctant to seek help? May be wrong - no doubt will soon hear on here if I am!

There is a great deal in the medical and nursing literature about this refusal to go to the GP and about non-compliance with drug regimes and clinical management programmes. As far as I can tell no firm conclusion has ever been reached that could be applied across the board. Fear, embarrassment and denial play a part but it cant be generalised.

I'm not condoning anything, Rufus2, just venturing an opinion. I should add that my colonoscopy in January was the best television I've seen this year.

You are funny Rufus ? but good for you I don’t think I d want to watch any procedures but each to his own eh

men would not want to discuss it in an open forum.
Grumppa; It's completely anonymous so what's the problem? You're condoning the very situation that this thread is hoping to overcome, talk about it with sensible people rather than down at the pub. I've had an enlarged prostate reduced by two- thirds years ago. When I suddenly started peeing blood without any prior symptoms that was sufficient incentive to see the doc. It has veins apparently! The op. was fascinating. Under an epidural I was able to view proceedings on a small colour monitor, although not very clear, not HD.
He handed out a small coloured snap of what he had done, but being a bit of a cynic, I wondered later on whether it was a general purpose one he gave to every patient.
Sorry about that! I enjoyed talking about it. Happy memories!

That is true, winterwhite. Women do get used to being prodded and inspected when they attend pre-natal appointments. They also learn then the importance of regular check-ups and preventative action. Perhaps if men had to attend pre-paternity appointments in parallel with their wives while they are in their prime it would be good training for when they are older and vulnerable.

I am glad to hear that you look after your health, Rufus and I am sure that your doctor is too (though he may be thinking "Not him again!" when you turn up.) By keeping him up-to-date you make it easier for a diagnosis to be reached if and when you bring him a serious condition. OldMeg's BiL too will have all his problems noted down and added up.

Grumppa I'd say that you too are spot-on with your prediction that men don't want to discuss their (possible) weaknesses and that the topic won't be such a magnet to attract and interest male posters as Grandad1943 hopes, but at least it seems a couple of our male posters have stuck their heads above the parapet to reply - and on a health topic too! All is not lost.

Many if not most women gain familiarity with GP surgeries, hospitals, undressing and intimate procedures, in their comparative youth and in a time of hope. Many men experience all this only in later life and downward spiral.

I think your diagnosis is spot-on, elegran, which is why I suspect men would not want to discuss it in an open forum. We want to discuss our strengths!

As for the prostate, Doodle, the history of inaccurate diagnosis and wrong treatment is pretty off-putting, and for some reason it has never received the same attention as, say, lung cancer or breast cancer. Can it be because male physicians have not, historically, wanted to study something which highlights a male vulnerability?

Are you perhaps my BIL Rufus?

He’s such a regular there that if he misses a week they ring home to see if he’s genuinely ill ?

widespread aversion to admitting that they are not well
Elegran; Evidence? Admitting to whom; doctor, family, friends?
Btw. Count me out! I'm at the GPs in a flash!

elegran you are so right. I am sure my father died of prostate cancer. It was never diagnosed because he kept all the symptoms to himself and would not go to the GP.

My brother had dementia and in it's early stages when my SIL suspected it he would not go to see the doctor and got cross with her for suggesting it. By the time he was coerced to see the GP (under false pretences really) it was far too late for any medication to help.

Men just need to realise that hiding their head in the sand will not cure a health problem or make it go away. The earlier it is diagnosed, the more options for treatment are available and the better the chance of recovery.