It can be an incredibly isolating feeling when you have a health issue that affects how you feel about yourself. It is even worse when it is an issue that is tough to talk about. It is a sad fact that in 2023 there are still so many incredibly common health concerns that have a stigma attached to them. That there is still this idea of shame and secrecy around these issues when there really doesn’t need to be. And when you aren’t talking about the things that worry you, your mental health will start to suffer.
One of the main reasons why people feel like they can’t talk about these issues, whether it is to a doctor or to the people who are closest to them, is that they do not realise quite how common they are. Stigmas arise when it feels like something must be kept hidden, or that they should not talk about it. The more that these issues are discussed, and the more that treatment options are explained, the healthier the understanding of them will be. Here are a few of the most common health issues that we don’t talk about enough.
Urinary Incontinence
This is an issue that affects men and women, and there are so many different reasons why it may occur. The most common types of urinary incontinence include overflow incontinence (which is when you experience spotting or dribbling), urge incontinence (when you suddenly need to go urgently, and you need to go often), and stress incontinence (when you leak urine when you sneeze, cough, laugh, lift a heavy object or exercise). It can arise as the result of a medical procedure, new medication, pregnancy, or another illness, but several lifestyle factors can play a part. If you suffer from this issue, talk to your doctor about what the next steps could be. They will suggest what you can remove from your diet (such as alcohol and caffeine), how more exercise could help, and talk you through pelvic floor exercises.
Erectile Dysfunction
This is such a common issue for men of all ages, and it is one that men often struggle to talk about. There are a lot of different reasons why you may be suffering from erectile dysfunction, and they range from stress and mental health issues to obesity and heart conditions. If anything is interfering with anything involved from the blood vessels to your stress levels, it is so easy for an erection to fail to be achieved. It is something that will happen to a lot of men from time to time, but if you have noticed that you have been suffering persistently from erectile dysfunction, it may be time to look at medication or talk to your GP. There are a lot of different prescription options out there which may help you.
Male Pattern Baldness
Speaking of issues that men feel ashamed about, hair loss continues to be something that people feel like they can’t open up about. Hair loss is not just an issue that affects men, and it is important to note that there are a lot of reasons why women will start to suffer from it too. But when it comes to male pattern baldness, it can feel like an issue that is waiting to happen for a lot of men out there. Baldness can occur for reasons including stress and other factors, but it is often genetic. If you have been looking at family photos, not to mention your parents, and noticing a lot of men without a lot of hair, it can seem like you have no options other than to wait for it to happen. But there are treatments available than can address it. Medications like Finasteride and Minoxidil can stimulate hair growth, and you can learn more about them and shop options at Oxford Online Pharmacy. They offer fast and discreet service to ensure that you get the medication you need.
Depression And Anxiety
Over the last couple of years, there has been a real boom in the general understanding of just how many people deal with mental health issues on a daily basis. However, now that the chaos of that period is largely behind us, it is so important that people do not lose sight of how important it is to keep a close eye on those issues. Depression and anxiety affect so many people, especially during periods of great stress (and with the cost-of-living crisis, that certainly applies right now). It can feel difficult to open up to people, especially if you feel like you are someone who generally just gets on with things without complaining. It is vital that an open discussion continues around these issues, and that people who are suffering feel like they can talk to their family, friends, or a medical professional if necessary.
