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For Women Only

**Warning: This section is for women only***

Why is men’s health a women’s issue?

Men's health issues impact everyone, including women who see their fathers, husbands, brothers, and sons, suffer or die prematurely. Additionally, according to the U.S. Administration on Aging, more than half of the elderly widows living in poverty were not poor before the deaths of their husbands.

Why do many men die prematurely?

  • Are more likely to die younger, and in greater numbers, of heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes and many other diseases.
  • Don’t take care of themselves as well as women do.
  • Are more likely to engage in unhealthy behavior.
  • Don’t seek medical attention when they need it.
  • Are less likely than women to adopt preventative health measures.
  • Are less likely to have health insurance.
  • Are more likely to work in dangerous occupations.

How can women make a difference in men’s health?

According to the American Journal of Men’s Health, more than half of premature deaths among men are preventable, along with about 60 percent of chronic diseases and most injuries and accidents. Therefore, women can learn about men’s health issues and pass the information on to their loved ones. By encouraging men to go to the doctor when they have initial symptoms, women may even save their lives.

Why do men need regular check-ups?

It is important that women get their husbands and sons into the habit of regular checkups because changes over time can be even more important than the results of tests. Furthermore, men need to be good examples for their sons by showing them that going to the doctor is a priority. Women also should encourage men to go over family medical histories with their doctors since many diseases have family ties.

What symptoms should women look for in men?

According to the Men’s Health Network, there are many symptoms that women can look for in men that often are a sign of more serious health problems. These symptoms include:

  • Persistent backaches
  • Nagging cough
  • Recurrent chest pains or headaches
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Extreme fatigue
  • Depression
  • Obvious changes in warts or moles
  • Unusual lumps
  • Changes in the color of urine or stool
  • Changes in bowel or bladder habits
  • Blood in urine
  • Bleeding that won’t stop
  • Impotence or erectile dysfunction