As a health practitioner, I am genuinely interested in this topic but, as a woman, my thoughts are largely observational. So, if you're a man reading this, I'd openly welcome your perspective - do commnet below.
For women, conversations about our bodies become familiar from a relatively young age. We are encouraged to discuss them openly in order to understand menstruation, contraception, cervical screening and breast awareness, all the way through to pregnancy, childbirth and menopause. We are also more accustomed to articulating our feelings of discomfort, discussing pain and sharing our emotional experiences, without necessarily feeling that doing so represents a sign of weakness
These life stages prompt conversations, encourage us to notice changes and help us to become more familiar with what is physically and emotionally 'normal'.
For men, the experience is often very different. There is no equivalent routine pathway encouraging them to talk about their testicles, prostate or urinary symptoms. The absence of open conversation can contribute to an often-familiar situation: men putting their health towards the bottom of the to-do list.
Societal expectations play into this too. Boys may grow up hearing that they should be tough and able to cope. Expressions such as 'man up' or 'get some balls' (a strange phrase in so many ways) can leave a lasting impression, making it harder to acknowledge vulnerability, discuss symptoms or ask for help.
Perhaps this helps to explain why research informing the Government's first Men's Health Strategy for England found that 54% of men surveyed had, at some point in the previous three years, not sought medical help for a health concern. More than a third said they had avoided dealing with the issue altogether. This stat certainly reflects what I see in my nutrition clinic.
Movember offers an opportunity to change this discrepancy.
Testicular awareness, prostate health and mental wellbeing all deserve greater attention. Knowing what is normal, recognising changes and seeking medical advice when something isn't right are important aspects of preventative health.
There is also much to explore from a nutritional perspective. Good nutrition, regular movement, restorative sleep and appropriate health checks all contribute to the foundations of male health. Specific phytonutrients, plant compounds and medicinal mushrooms are also attracting research interest for their potential physiological benefits, including areas such as prostate health, energy metabolism and stress resilience.
The science is always interesting, but perhaps the key element is making conversations about health a more familiar part of everyday life, rather than something prompted only when a problem arises.
And that’s what Movember is designed for.
I am offering 10% off all consultation with male client booked this Movember
