In the world of health and wellness, various myths and misconceptions get repeated, leading to holding the information as truth. When it comes to male wellness, these myths can be particularly damaging, perpetuating stereotypes and preventing men from getting the healthcare they need. Debunking these myths is crucial to promote a comprehensive understanding of male wellness. In this article, we’ll shed light on ten common myths so you can make informed decisions regarding your health.
10 Common Male Wellness Myths to Stop Believing
1. You don’t need sunscreen
While sunscreen is often marketed towards women, men are just as susceptible to forms of skin cancer. There are plenty of sunscreens for your face and body on the market, and everyone should be using one daily. There are also plenty of different formulas to try until you find the perfect product for you and your skin type. Remember to apply your sunscreen daily, not just during the summer when you spend time outdoors. Everyone should have a skincare routine that integrates sunscreen.
2. Men don’t get depression
Millions of people around the world struggle with managing depression symptoms, including men. However, many men continue to suffer from depression due to the stigma surrounding it. Many men may feel unsafe discussing their feelings, leading to pent-up feelings that can result in depression if left unaddressed and untreated.
The role of toxic masculinity in our culture prevents people from getting the help they need and deserve. In our culture, boys are taught to “man up,” translating to aggression, power, control, and never showing emotion or weakness. With some of these ideologies ingrained into young boys, it’s no surprise that they grow up unable to express their feelings. This reason is why it is so important to encourage men to express their feelings without fear of judgment.
3. Erectile dysfunction only affects men over 70
Erectile dysfunction is a sexual disorder causing men to be unable to hold or keep an erection long enough to reach an orgasm. Many believe erectile dysfunction only affects males in their elderly years. However, this isn’t the case. Erectile dysfunction affects men of all ages and includes psychological and physiological symptoms contributing to the inability to hold an erection.
While men over 70 may experience erectile dysfunction due to physiological components, many aspects can contribute to the dysfunction for men of all ages. If you find yourself experiencing symptoms of ED, it is crucial to consult your doctor. Your doctor can provide you with a prescription to treat the condition, such as Cialis or Viagra, but may also suggest consulting a psychologist to weed out any mental components.
4. Leg day is for women
If you’ve ever been to the gym, you probably see crowds of men hogging the weight-lifting sections, while avoiding the leg machines. Many males find exercising the lower half of their body unnecessary and leave those workouts to the woman gym-goers. However, a comprehensive workout plan is necessary for both men and women hoping to physically perform at their best.
While solely exercising your upper half is tempting, conducting a well-rounded workout that includes leg and hip exercises will leave you better for it. Training your legs corrects muscle imbalances, burns more calories, and improves your cardiovascular performance.
5. Low-carb beers prevent beer belly
While low-carb beers may market themselves as the healthier option, the truth is, they will still contribute to that beer belly you’re trying to avoid. Lower-carb beer only slightly reduces the amount of carbohydrates you end up drinking, so avoiding beer entirely gives you a much better chance of avoiding the extra weight. The carbohydrates found in beer aren’t the main contributor to an increasing waistline, so if you’re trying to avoid those extra inches, opting for a lower-calorie beverage will give you a much better fighting chance.
6. Hair loss comes from maternal genes
The idea of balding genes getting passed down from your mother’s side of the family is a widely believed, yet untrue myth. Many factors play a role in male alopecia, some of which get passed down from genetics, not just your mother’s genes. Male pattern baldness is polygenic, meaning it involves multiple genes to result in hair loss. Aside from genetics, stress, diet, hormonal changes, and some diseases can increase your risk of losing hair. So while genetics may play an important role, they aren’t the sole cause of a balding head.
7. Poor health won’t affect reproduction
The discourse surrounding reproduction tends to focus on female reproduction issues over men, however, many factors contribute to an increase in impotency in males as well. Studies show semen quality (the amount of sperm found in semen) shows a 50-60% reduction in the last 40 years, proving reproduction issues aren’t just affecting women.
Many health conditions and lifestyle factors affect male reproduction. Prostate inflammation, injury to the testicles, puberty irregularity, hernias, and some prescription medications can affect a male’s ability to reproduce. Additionally, obesity, tobacco, and alcohol use can lower the quality of sperm.
8. Men can’t develop breast cancer
While breast cancer primarily affects women, in some rare cases, men can also develop breast cancer. While men may not have breasts, they do have breast tissue that can develop cancerous cells. Male breast cancer is more common in older men; however, it can affect men of all ages. Like the treatment protocols for women with breast cancer, males with breast cancer also undergo surgery to remove the tumor, which may be followed up with rounds of chemo or radiation.
9. You need protein powder to build muscle
Protein powder is popular amongst athletes and fitness enthusiasts, especially in the last decade. While protein powder is a convenient way to get a surplus of protein in your body, it is unnecessary for most people, including men.
While protein is necessary to build muscle, too much protein in one sitting converts into fat. So while you may think those protein powder drinks are contributing to your muscle mass after an intense workout, they may end up just adding extra calories to your diet.
10. Men can’t get UTIs
Similar to breast cancer, urinary tract infections most commonly affect women. This is due to the fact the urinary tract in women is much more susceptible to bacteria finding its way in due to the length and position of the tract. However in men, because the urinary tract is longer, bacteria find it much harder to make its way in to cause an infection. While UTIs most commonly affect women, men can contract them as well.
Breaking Myths and Misconceptions about Men’s Health
By challenging and spelling out some of the myths surrounding men’s health, you promote a more accurate and empathetic understanding of how to care for your health as a man. By moving away from some of these harmful stereotypes, we can embrace a more inclusive approach to wellness allowing men to thrive through informed, healthy choices.
Megan Isola
Megan Isola holds a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality and a minor in Business Marketing from Cal State University Chico. She enjoys going to concerts, trying new restaurants, and hanging out with friends.
