Why Men Should Talk About Their Health

StatePoint) American men may be neglecting their health and wellness, particularly when it comes to their urological health. But an open line of communication between men and their healthcare providers, and among family members, can lead to better care.

A Cleveland Clinic survey found that only 3 out of 5 men get annual physicals and 55% do not get regular health screenings. What's more, many men shy away from the subject of their health, with 77% reporting that they don't know their complete family history when it comes to urological issues.

"There is a clear need to fill care gaps and destigmatize men's health issues," says Shaun Noorian, CEO and founder of Empower Pharmacy, a compounding pharmacy that supports patients with men's health concerns such as testosterone, sexual wellness, prostate health and gynecomastia.

Fortunately, innovations in the health care industry that are expanding access to tailored care are helping fill these gaps and helping health care providers support their patients' needs more effectively.

Noorian's own story shows how a compounding pharmacy helped him optimize his health. His doctor recommended compounded medications after a health and wellness check of his hormones. The compounded medications provided the exact dosage and strength prescription he needed, which can't always be found through traditional medicines. But compounding goes beyond hormones. Noorian discovered it could also address various men's health concerns like testosterone, sexual wellness, urology and dermatology.

Noorian says that men can use these tips for a happy, healthier life:

• Don't wait until you have a serious medical condition to see your doctor. Schedule annual physicals and all recommended health care screenings.

• Destigmatize men's health issues by talking to male family members about prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths for men in the United States and a man is two to three times more likely to get prostate cancer if his father, brother or son had it. You should also talk to your primary care doctor or urologist about having a blood test and examination, particularly if you have a family history of the disease.

• Erectile dysfunction affects nearly 30 million men of all ages across the United States, according to the Indiana University School of Medicine, which notes that it could be the sign of another underlying health issue. Your urologist can help rule out causes, like heart disease and high blood pressure.

• When dealing with men's health issues, talk to your healthcare provider about all available treatment options, including the potential benefits of using a compounding pharmacy. Compounded medicine enables healthcare providers to prescribe treatments that are specifically tailored to individual biomarkers (biological molecules found in body fluids or tissues that are a sign of a condition or disease) by dosage and formulation. By analyzing biomarker data, compounded medications can be formulated with precise dosages and combinations of more than one active pharmaceutical ingredient, optimizing therapeutic outcomes for a wide range of health conditions.

To learn more about how compounding pharmacies can support men's health, visit empowerpharmacy.com.

"For the best care possible, men should be proactive about their health, and providers should explore with their patients all available treatment options, including personalized solutions," says Noorian.