There are about 3.32 billion males in the total world human population as of 2007. The male human anatomy varies greatly from that of the female. Evolutionarily, men are built to be stronger and more capable of doing heavy work. In relation to this, there are medical conditions that afflict more women than men, probably because men tend to be tougher and healthier. However, this information does not exempt men from becoming afflicted with male-specific diseases.

Mens health information is a very touchy topic and is extremely important. There are various ailments and diseases which are common only in males. While some of these can be harmless like hair loss, others can be fatal such as prostate cancer. However, since good health is of utmost importance, we have listed out some common men's health problems.

Common Mens Health Problems

Hair loss

Also known as alopecia, hair loss is one of the most common diseases faced by men. In fact, this condition is so common that it is almost treated as a male oriented disease! Thinning of the hair and baldness can start at any age in a man. It could occur in men aged as old as 60 or 80 years or even as young as just 21 or 35 years of age. Since the process is largely on account of hormonal and hereditary conditions there is no real age demarcation when the condition can manifest itself. Typically symptoms of alopecia include a thinning hairline, receding hairline and a thinning of hair on the temples etc. Most of the hair loss treatments available today promise exceptional results but few actually deliver on the promise. Hence, it is advisable to opt for FDA approved products and medicines which have been checked for effectiveness beforehand. There are also various forms of alternative medicine treatments advised for hair loss in men. However, the efficacy of such treatments has not yet been gauged so far scientifically.

Cancer

One of the leading causes of deaths in men is cancer; the two most common types are lung and prostate. According to the American Cancer Association, there are about 89,500 lung cancer deaths in men in 2007. Their statistics also estimate that approximately 27,000 men die from prostate cancer in that same year.

Prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is yet another extremely common men's health problem/disease. Usually the majority of men will have prostate cancer at some point of their lives. However, the disease is fatal only in very few cases. Most men who get diagnosed with prostate cancer rarely die from this disease. Prostate cancer often makes it difficult or painful to urinate, and may also be linked to erectile dysfunction. Usually, the risk of contracting prostate cancer increases as men become older. Men who consume high levels of animal fat in their diet have an increased risk of getting prostate cancer. Various vitamins such as Vitamin E and D as well as lycopene have shown to have positive impact on treating prostate cancer. The usage of drugs to reduce male hormones in the body can also prevent prostate cancer from occurring. This is more of a preventive measure. Ethnic origins can also play a role in whether a man contracts prostate cancer or not. Usually, prostate cancer has the highest prevalence amongst Black people while the whites have a medium level of prostate cancer occurrence. Prostate cancer is least found amongst Japanese men.

Lung cancer

Lung cancer, when detected at the earlier stages, can be dealt with if a patient undergoes chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Studies have shown that there is a higher prevalence of smoking-related diseases in men, primarily because men smoke more often than women.

Male menopause

Just as menopause affects women on account of changes in hormones it happens in men as well. Men do not have any definite age or period when male menopause sets in. However, most doctors define male menopause as setting in when the testosterone or androgen levels in a man’s body decrease. Not only age but also diabetes can trigger the reduction of androgens in the man’s body. Usually the onset of male menopause is characterized by tiredness, depression and weakness in the body. Male menopause can be diagnosed with a physical examination by the doctor and by checking on the symptoms. If the menopause is on account of a decrease in testosterone then a therapy that replaces or adds testosterone can successfully overcome male menopause.

Erectile dysfunction

As men age, erectile dysfunction becomes a common condition, although it is not necessarily true for all men. Because work often causes stress, this can possibly lead to loss of sexual appetite and impotence. There are millions of American men today who have erectile dysfunction. The most popular treatment for the condition are pills, with leading brand names like Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis. However, not all doctors recommend the use of these medications for all men, especially for those with health problems like heart failure, diabetes, and others.

Since erectile dysfunction has a high prevalence among men over the age of forty, there are already other forms of treatment available aside from prescription drugs that are taken orally. There are already surgical procedures that help regain nervous function in the male genitalia. For more serious cases, blood vessels and nerves have to be repaired or a male implant may be needed.

Fertility and sterility

With regards to men’s health, fertility and sterility are also key points to consider. These two terms are often thought to be synonymous, when in fact they are not. Sterility is when a man is totally unable to produce viable sperm cells that can fertilize an egg cell. Studies have shown that sterility may occur after having surgery for treating erectile dysfunction. Infertility can happen when a man and his partner are unable to conceive after many attempts. They can still have a child by attempting more advanced medical procedures.

Other Common Factors

Different factors affects men’s health as they progress through the various stages of their life

• Men are very much affected by their environment as other humans are.

• The reason for the decline in the health of men may be due to the fact that men are careless in terms of their habits, attitudes, and their diet and most importantly in terms of their relationships. This carelessness causes a gradual decrease in the resistance power of men and they finally fall into the hands of any life threatening disease.

• Men also use drugs and other alcoholic things which are very injurious to their health. Almost every man is addicted to the cigarettes smoking, which is very dangerous for their health and also cause a lot of trouble for the people around them.

• Careless sex may also contribute to he decline of a man’s health.

• Work pressure and the demands of the family put men under a lot of stress.

• The stress on the mind adversely affects the health of the men and makes their life miserable.