Welsh Pharmacists Tackling Men’s Health Stigmas
Men’s health doesn’t get enough airtime. After working as pharmacists in Welsh communities for years, two young professionals decided to change that.
There are certain issues that men are less likely to seek help with. After working in local communities, two pharmacists came to understand just how prevalent health shame is amongst men of all ages. In this day and age, there really is no place for stigmas in healthcare. So many conditions are treatable and preventable if managed properly, but men are far less likely to seek medical support than women.
In a recent survey, nearly two thirds of men questioned said they would avoid going to the doctor for as long as possible. 72% admitted that they’d rather clean the toilet than go to the doctor, which speaks volumes. When men do seek the help they need, they are also more likely to understate their issues. 37% of those surveyed said they haven’t been honest with their doctors in the past, because they were worried about receiving a potentially dangerous diagnosis.
It’s not just about dangerous conditions either. While men should be confident in seeking help for serious conditions such as hypertension or diabetes, any ailments should be treated to help men have the best possible quality of life. You only get one body, why put up with issues that compromise your happiness? Conditions such as erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation are super common and massively impact men’s wellbeing and quality of life. But conditions such as these are widely under-reported.
Men's Health and Hypermasculinity
So why are men less likely to seek help? Well, this is a complex issue - one that comprises fear, stigmas and misconceptions about healthcare, but hypermasculinity is a big part of the picture. Hypermasculinity, or 'toxic masculinity' as it's often referred to, is a psychological term that refers to 'traditionally male' or masculine behaviour. The social codes of our Western society have placed certain expectations on men to be tough and macho, but this can have a damaging effect on wellbeing. By in large, men are still expected to have a stiff upper lip and not to talk about their bodily issues. This causes feelings of embarrassment and isolation that are completely unnecessary, but often difficult to overcome.
Men2BeHealth - Understanding Men's Health
Fed up of seeing men going without health provisions, Jack and Andy decided to take a stand and create an online prescribing service just for men. Men2BeHealth offers the discretion many men desire, while also challenging stigmas about men's health. The brand is driven by the desire to give all men the support they need, whether or not they are comfortable talking about it. The benefit of this is that men can seek expert support without having to have a face to face conversation, and if appropriate, receive a prescription, delivered to their door.
But Men2BeHealth don't shy away from 'taboo' issues, and if other men want to join in on the conversation - excellent. If not, hopefully they can get what they need from a supportive brand that reminds them how normal it is to need support.
Men2BeHealth are currently offering treatment for:
How does it work?
Getting the treatment you need is simple. All you need to do is select your issue and complete a quick online consultation. We will then determine whether medication is appropriate for you and if it is, you can select your preferred treatment and get it delivered to your door.
How to reduce your risk of heart disease
Are you in an at risk category for heart disease and if so, what can you do about it? Let’s find out.
We know that the way we treat our bodies has a huge impact on our health. However, we may be naturally more inclined to measure health on our physical appearance, without considering what’s going on inside our bodies.
Now, don’t get us wrong, the way you look in the mirror may help you spot signs of health or mistreatment, but your reflection can only tell you so much. When it comes to heart health, you need to be aware of lifestyle factors that may either increase or reduce your risk of heart disease.
Body Fat Percentage and Heart Disease
Your body fat percentage has a great impact on your heart health (as it does every aspect of your health). The amount of fat you carry around your torso is particularly important. This is because fat stored around your torso may be deeper fat that covers your organs. This type of fat is called visceral fat, and having too much of it can put strain on your vital organs, including your heart.
Being a slave to the scales isn’t always healthy, but it’s important to know your body fat percentage and what’s considered healthy for your size, age and sex. You can get this measured at your GP surgery, by a personal trainer or qualified fitness practitioner, or with a special weighing scale, such as the FeelFit scale. Find out more about body fat percentage and some rough guidelines here.
If you believe you are over a healthy weight and body fat, we can help. Take our quick online consultation to check whether you’re eligible for a Men2BeHealth prescription.
Smoker Status and Heart Disease
Okay, it’s 2022, you know this. Smoking damages your blood vessels, affecting your heart, brain and other organs. If you smoke, you’re:
- Three times more likely to die of a heart attack
- Two times more likely to die of stroke, and
- Three times more likely to die from sudden cardiac arrest.
Don’t panic, it’s not too late to improve your odds. When you quit smoking, these risks begin to decrease almost immediately. If you’re ready to quit, you can find our Essential Stop Smoking Guide, or click here for more information about quitting with the support of Men2BeHealth.
Alcohol Intake and Heart Disease
Limiting your alcohol intake can help you reduce your risk of heart disease. Over time, heavy drinking can increase your blood pressure and heart rate, as well as weaken your heart muscle. This puts a lot of strain on the heart.
If you drink, you should stick within the recommended amount, which is no more than 14 drinks a week. If you drink as much as this, you should try to spread those units over at least 3 days, so you’re not getting too much alcohol at once. For more information on working out alcohol units, visit the NHS website.
Health Conditions
Certain health conditions may put you at a higher risk of developing heart disease, making it even more important to lead a healthy lifestyle. These conditions include:
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Mental health issues, such as stress and anxiety
Genetics
Your ethnic background is a factor in your risk of developing heart disease. If you’re from South Asian, Middle Easter, Maori or Pacific Islander descent, your risk is increased.
You are also at a greater risk of heart disease if a close family member has experienced it, too.
If you’re concerned that you may be at risk and want to take action to protect your health, speak to your GP, or consider altering your lifestyle to give yourself the best chance of staying healthy.
What is seasonal depression and how can you treat it?
Feeling those mid-Winter blues? You’re not alone. Here’s what you can do about it…
What is seasonal depression?
Why does sunlight have such an impact on mood?
The causes of SAD are not exactly clear, but it’s thought that the lack of sunlight may stop the hypothalamus in the brain from working as efficiently. This may affect:
The production of melatonin (the sleep hormone)
The production of serotonin (the happy hormone)
The body’s circadian rhythm (sleep cycles)
What are the symptoms of seasonal depression?
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a persistent low mood
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a loss of pleasure or interest in normal everyday activities
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irritability
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feelings of despair, guilt and worthlessness
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feeling lethargic (lacking in energy) and sleepy during the day
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sleeping for longer than normal and finding it hard to get up in the morning
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craving carbohydrates and gaining weight
How to treat seasonal depression
Soak up the sunlight
While we don’t get that much sunlight during British winters, you should try to soak up as much as possible. You’re most likely to experience sunlight on clear days in the middle of the day. So, taking a lunchtime walk or jog may be a great way to get your daily dose of Vitamin D.
If you’re able to get outside earlier, the morning light is also thought to help regulate your circadian rhythm, to promote better sleep. If sleep is something you struggle with, aim to get outside for sunrise, which is normally somewhere around 8AM in the winter.
Get some exercise
Use a SAD lamp
When to see your doctor about Seasonal Depression
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Antidepressants, such as SSRIs (Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors): These are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants, which work by increasing serotonin levels in the brain.
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Talking therapy: You may be offered talking therapy, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), or counselling, to help you better manage your thoughts and feelings with practical techniques. Talking therapy may be advised instead of, or in addition to antidepressants.