Why Men Won't Go to the Doctor and How to Change That

Dr. Constance Odom, MD

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Constance Odom, MD

Dr. Constance Odom, MD

About

Constance Tambakis Odom, MD graduated in 1987 with her Doctorate of Medicine from the New York Medical College, and was an Anesthesiologist Resident from 1988 to 1991 at the Brookdale Medical Center PGY II (CA-I)-PGY IV (CA-III). She is Board Certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology since 1998 and American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine since 2002. Constance Odom, MD is affiliated with the American Medical Association, American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, American Society of Anesthesiology, Georgia Society of Anesthesiology, Hellenic Medical Society of New York, North Carolina Society of Anesthesiology, and Society of Ambulatory Anesthesia.

Credentials

Medical Director At:

• Nu Image Medical
• MetroMedispa P.A.

Staff Anesthesiologist at:

• Betsy Johnson Regional Hospital in Dunn, NC
• Onslow Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville, NC
• Duplin General Hospital in Kenansville, NC

Director of Anesthesia Services at:

• Jacksonville Surgery Center in Jacksonville, NC

Written by our editorial team.

Last Edited 4 years ago · 8 min read

The battle of the sexes has been going on since the beginning of time. The battleground holds skirmishes of household chores, diaper changing, stay-at-home parents and asking for directions. But the bloodiest battle is one that incites outrage and confusion from both parties. The battle of the doctor’s visit.

You probably can make a list right now of all the men in your life that refuse to visit the doctor. From your brother who has never had a yearly checkup, to your husband who believes “sweating it out” is the only cure for the common cold. All these men are obviously ailing, but consistently brush off your concern with “I’m fine” as they swallow their pain with the cheapest over the counter medication they could find at the drugstore.

But is there a method to the madness? Is there a reason men hate visiting doctors? And are there any magic potions that could convince the men in your life to step off their high horse and get their yearly blood test?

The Statistics

On average, men die earlier than women, they smoke and drink excessively and they practice riskier behavior. They also have worse health and higher rates of suicide than the average woman. When faced with the statistics, you would think more men would be running to their doctor appointments. But yet, men are twice as likely to say they’ve never visited a health care professional as an adult. They are also more than three times as likely to admit going more than five years without a visit. That’s a pretty chancy move for sex fraught with health problems and early death.

The Reasoning

It’s probably easier to brush off your man’s wiles and complain about his stubbornness at your weekly “Wine and Whine” meeting. But there are certain reasons behind his reluctance to step foot in the dreaded doctor’s office. According to a survey conducted by Orlando Health, there are several common excuses used when faced with a suggested doctor’s visit:

• Too busy – 22 percent of responders
• Afraid of finding out what’s wrong – 21 percent of responders
• Prostate or rectal exams – 18 percent of responders
• Personal questions – 8 percent of responders
• Weighing – 7 percent of responders
• Being naked under the gown – 7 percent of responders
• The temperature of exam room – 4 percent of responders

There are several reasons why men hide between these excuses — most of which can be traced back to toxic masculinity. Men who hold traditional masculine beliefs are less likely to admit to pain. This means they will refuse to visit a doctor and will downplay their pain.

The Solution

Men should be visiting their doctors at least every two years. These involve visits to check blood work (every two years); a diabetes screening (every three years); cholesterol and heart disease screenings (every five years) and colon cancer screenings (every ten years). Men's sexual health examinations should also be performed routinely. If they haven’t visited any doctor in several years, they should make an appointment as soon as possible.

If you’re worried about your loved one, there are a few gentle techniques you can use to try and convince him to take the necessary steps for maintaining his health.

1. Figure out why he’s avoiding the doctor. There are several reasons why men avoid the dreaded doctor’s appointment, from fear to embarrassment. Be understanding and let them know that you recognize their concerns.
2. Discuss discreet at-home treatments. For some embarrassing issues, such as erectile dysfunction (ED) or hair loss, there are some discreet options. There are some medical providers that can provide a diagnosis without an in-person consultation. For example, Nu Image Medical provides discreet treatments that can be used in the comfort of home, such as Mt. Everest for ED. 
3. Make it simple. Why you probably shouldn’t make an appointment without his knowledge, you can make the process easier by locating a good doctor. Many men who still hold traditional male beliefs prefer to speak to masculine doctors, believing they can be more honest about their pain with someone who has experienced similar symptoms.
4. Be prepared. Many men avoid doctor’s offices because of the in-depth questionnaire they are required to fill out before the appointment. Not only do these ask deeply personal questions, but they also require him to rate his pain—something difficult to do for many men. Before the appointment, try and gather as much information as possible. Inquire about family history and gently try and determine symptoms. Chances are, he’s more comfortable disclosing information to you than to a piece of paper.

Visiting the doctor can be an uncomfortable experience for many men—especially those who grew up believing in traditional male values. These men need to redefine their ideas of strength and bravery, especially when faced with physical pain. A strong individual should be one who puts their health at the forefront, protecting their body with daily habits and yearly consultations. And at the end of the day, this is something the men in your life will have to understand. The least you can do is hold their hand as they go through the process.

Nu Image Medical® offers a new and futuristic approach to achieving optimal health and wellness. The company has been a weight loss, anti-aging and wellness provider since 2004 and offers medically supervised programs for medical weight loss, peptides, erectile dysfunction, scream cream, and hair loss (NuDew) 

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your physician about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Nu Image Medical may not offer the medications or services mentioned in this article.