Most people when they hear or see this phrase think of haircuts, body hair, and private parts, however, I want to focus on some other aspects of men’s health, that may or may not be covered in hair. Men’s health is a topic that often gets overlooked or ignored but it is time to shed some light on this.
Let’s start with the classic scenario of a man avoiding the doctor at all costs. We see it all the time in our office, OWL Chiropractic. A wife will start care and then basically force her husband into becoming a patient because she is sick of hearing him complain. Men, listen up, it is easier to maintain your health than it is to regain it. Like your car, it is easier and cheaper to maintain your car than it is to have to rebuild it or any part of it. I get it, getting different aspects of your health checked isn't fun, no one wants to hear "bend over and cough", but let's face it you need to do it.
Since we are on the topic of bending over and coughing, prostate health is super important in men, especially as you age. The prostate is a small gland located below the bladder and in front of the rectum. Its main function is to produce fluid that nourishes and protects sperm. Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in men, but if caught early it's often very treatable. Men especially those over the age of 50 should be getting regular prostate screenings. So I know the digital rectal exam (coughing and bending test) isn’t number one on your to-do list, but it might save your life. There is also a blood test Prostate- Specific Antigen (PSA) that your healthcare provider might order to assess the health of your prostate.
So moving right along in our manscaping journey are the testicles, which may or may not be covered in hair depending on your preferences in the actual manscaping department. The testicles, well if you do not know what they are I don’t know if I should be the person to tell you. In all seriousness, they are an essential part of the male health and reproductive system. The testicles are responsible for producing sperm and testosterone. Unlike your prostate, you can check your testicles yourself !!! Just like how women do self-breast exams, men should do self-exams regularly. It is an improvement to check for lumps and swelling changes in shape and size. It is important to note that not all findings are bad or of concern, however, they should be brought to the attention of your primary healthcare doctor.
We have talked about your balls, which may or may not be manscaped so naturally we must talk about most men’s favorite body part- the schlong, the willy, the member, the good old tallywacker- also known by the medical community as the penis. A common condition that affects millions of men is erectile dysfunction (ED). There are many factors that can contribute to ED, including diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and high blood pressure. Side effects from certain mediation can also cause ED. Psychological issues such as anxiety and depression can also have an effect on penis health.
Again, men, if you feel like things are not working correctly, you are not alone and it is important to seek advice and help from a healthcare provider to make sure there isn’t a bigger underlying issue being ignored. At Owl Chiropractic we focus on alignment of the spine and nervous system, which can have a direct impact on sexual function. When the spine is misaligned, it can interfere with the flow of nerve signals to the reproductive organs, leading to issues with arousal and performance. By correcting these misalignments through chiropractic adjustments, many men have found relief from their erectile dysfunction symptoms.
To round out our manscaping conversation is the loss of hair to manscape conversation, yup you guessed it balding. The main cause of male pattern baldness is genetics. It is believed to be inherited from both the mother and father’s side of the family, with certain genes making individuals more susceptible to hair loss.
Other factors, such as hormonal imbalances, stress, and certain medical conditions, can also contribute to the development of male pattern baldness. One of the key characteristics of male pattern baldness is the miniaturization of hair follicles. Over time, the hair follicles become smaller and produce thinner, shorter hair strands, eventually leading to hair loss. This process is driven by the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is a byproduct of testosterone that can bind to hair follicles and cause them to shrink. In addition to medical treatments, there are also natural remedies and lifestyle changes that can help improve the health of the hair and scalp. Eating a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals, reducing stress levels, and avoiding harsh hair treatments can all contribute to healthier hair growth and potentially slow down the progression of male pattern baldness.
So men get to manscaping!!! Get your heads out of your, you know what, and get checked. Do not wait until things are broken and falling apart to get ahead of it. Maintain your health for you and your family. Make sure you are doing self-checks and scheduling routine checks with your healthcare providers and as always remember Owl Chiropractic has your back.
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