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.
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.
Alex George is encouraging you to Post Your Pill
Antidepressants, anti anxiety medication or happy pills. Call them what you want - Dr Alex George is encouraging you to Post Your Pill.
While the topic of mental health is gaining more coverage than ever before, we're still plagued by a stigma around taking antidepressants. There are many ways to begin treating mental health, and medication is just one of them. However, if you and your doctor feel that medication is the most appropriate route for you, you should be free to pursue that treatment without any shame or stigma.
Who is Dr Alex George?
If you stay out of politics, you're not on Instagram and you don't watch Love Island, there's a slim chance you won't have heard of Dr Alex George. Dr Alex is an A&E doctor at University Hospital Lewisham. In 2017, he decided to temporarily hang up his scrubs and try his luck in the Love Island villa. Since leaving the villa, while his counterparts have pursued traditional post-reality TV careers, Dr Alex has caused quite a storm in UK healthcare and politics.
Having worked in A&E, Alex was keenly aware of the widespread mental health epidemic we have on our hands. Already heavily invested in this matter, Alex tragically lost his younger brother to suicide in 2020. Informed by his loss and his first hand experiences as an A&E doctor, he decided that more needed to be done to support young people's mental health. His campaigning led the PM to appoint him as Ambassador for Mental Health for the UK government; a role that didn't previously exist.
Dr Alex George and the Post Your Pill social media movement
While campaigning for better mental health provisions for young people, Alex has also been struggling with his own anxiety, following the loss of his brother. After giving his treatment a lot of thought, he decided to take antidepressants. While content with this decision, he knew that a stigma still existed around taking medication for your mental health. Given his public involvement in the topic, Alex felt nervous about opening the conversation around medication, but decided to do it anyway.
On Alex posted a picture of his daily dose of his medication on 27th November 2021, and since then, the post has been liked over 275,000 times, with thousands of people taking to Instagram to share a picture of their medication too.
The caption reads: "I have been thinking quite hard about whether to post this, but I feel it’s the right thing to do. So many people live with medication stigma everyday, a fear that they will be judged as being weak or discriminated against, simply for taking a pill to help with their mental health. The other day I did a pole on my stories and 75% of you have faced medication stigma. That is so sad.
I take medication, alongside therapy and self care, to help with my anxiety. I really needed this treatment but for years I didn’t access it, on reflection I was worried about what people would think. I can tell you now, I am not ashamed. I AM PROUD to take control of my own health. This does not make me weak or less able, it makes me stronger.
How many people are not getting the treatments they need AND deserve because of this very stigma? This HAS to change. This post is not about saying medication is the ‘answer’ for everyone, rather to say that for those who need it should have access without barriers or shame.
If you feel you can, join me with #postyourpill to take a stand against medication stigma 💙"
Making waves in mental health
The reception of Dr Alex's campaign has been amazing. Would you be willing to #PostYourPill?
Where does the stigma come from?
A lack of understanding
There is an age-old lack of understanding about mental health, and the impact it can have on someone's life. Those who don't understand the importance of mental wellness may be sceptical about taking medication for ailments that they can't quantify visually. E.g. if you had a broken leg, no one would tell you not to put it in a cast.
A fear of over-prescription
Because of the long waiting lists for alternative therapy in the UK, there is concern that GPs may prescribe anti-depressants as a first option, rather than considering the holistic picture. If a person is struggling and is in need of immediate support, a GP may understandably hesitate to put them on a long waiting list for other therapies (such as CBT or talking therapy), if there is a danger that their mental health may put them at risk in the meantime. You can read more about the debate in the British Medical Journal, where Des Spence argues that mental health is being overmedicalised, to Ian Reid's rebuttal that prescribing is cautious and appropriate.
A fear of addiction
Those who are sceptical about taking antidepressants may worry that they'll become addicted. However, antidepressants are not addictive medications. Your body may become accustomed to taking them, and because of that, your doctor will advise you on lowering your dose gradually when the time comes to stop taking them.
Are you struggling with a mental health issue?
If you are struggling with anxiety, depression or any thoughts and behaviours that don't feel comfortable to you, please seek help from your doctor. There are so many routes to improving your mental health, and medication is just one of them. For more information about different mental health treatments, please see the information listed on Mind.org.
Erection Depression, Body Shame and Men's Mental Health
There are too many taboos around men's sexual and physical wellness which conceal a more sinister mental health crisis.
Men's wellbeing often gets brushed aside, or worse still, jeered at. There are so many troubling taboos associated with men's health, so it's no wonder that men are less likely to seek medical support that women.
The risk of men's mental health deteriorating due to common, treatable concerns is one we must reduce. Men have a far higher risk of suicide than women, with suicide rates the highest amongst men aged 40-44 in the UK. With men already facing a mental health epidemic, improving men's relationships with their own bodies and their self-confidence is a healthcare imperative.
After treating patients in the community for years, Welsh pharmacists Jack and Andy (that's us, hi) decided to create an online wellness platform to treat common concerns facing men. Men2BeHealth addresses a whole host of regular issues, such as erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation and hair loss.
These are problems we see getting undermined again and again, but doing so can be detrimental to men's wellbeing. Treating ED is so much more than just giving a man a boost in the bedroom. Helping someone take control of their hair loss isn't just a superficial issue. Men's mental health suffers when they don't get the support they require.
Erection Depression
Evidence shows a strong link between erectile dysfunction and poor mental health amongst men.
The correlation between erectile issues and depression is widely reported. A 2009 study of 3,810 men found that those with ED had significantly lower mental health scores than those without ED.
Around 10-20% of ED cases are caused by psychological factors, which may include trauma, stress, anxiety about performing sexually, or low self-esteem. Thus, men who are dealing with the difficulties of ED may also be struggling with mental health challenges. Seeking help for ED should not be stigmatised. In fact, it shouldn't be a big deal at all.
Men2BeHealth as a hassle-free, discreet service; not because men should have to keep these things secret, but because accessing medical support should be easy, and free of any daunting scenarios that may deter people from seeking help.
Premature Ejaculation (PE)
Eight trials including 18,035 participants found that depression was significantly associated with the risk of premature ejaculation. 20-30% of men may be affected by PE, which paints a grim picture for men's mental health. Men with PE complain about decreased sexual confidence and psychological comorbidities, impairing their own mental health and their relationship dynamics.
The relationship between premature ejaculation and poor mental health is a mutual one. It can be difficult to determine whether poor mental health is the pre-cursor to premature ejaculation or vice versa. But, what's evident is that physical symptoms often indicate mental health issues, and they shouldn't be ignored.
Hair Loss
Hair loss is incredibly common. Nevertheless, many men find this distressing and losing hair is heavily associated with the development of anxiety and depression, particularly (but not only) amongst younger men who experience hair loss.
There are several ways of combatting hair loss. We offer a medical solution, called finasteride. Some men may also choose to seek hair transplants. But what's troubling is that these solutions are often sought out in secret. While men are dealing with physical changes, they also have to put up with unnecessary shame around wanting to take control of their appearance.
If you or anyone you know is dealing any of the issues listed above, please feel free to browse our support here. We would always recommend chatting to your doctor or someone with your best interest at heart if you are dealing with mental health problems, such as anxiety or depression.
If you've got any questions, please email [email protected] and we'll be sure to help you in any way we can.