June is Men’s Health Month, and this year’s focus on support and connection is a reminder that men’s health affects families, workplaces, relationships, and everyday life across Australia.
Did you know? Men are becoming far more proactive about areas like mental health, skin health, sexual health and preventive care than they were even five years ago.
More men are starting to realise healthcare doesn’t mean “if it’s not broken, don’t fix it”.
In this article:
- 5 practical ways men can support their health.
- 3 common myths that stop men getting support.
- How men’s mental health support has changed.
- What services men are actually using.
1. Don’t normalise being exhausted all the time
Some men assume constant fatigue is just part of working hard or getting older.
Sometimes it’s lifestyle related. Other times, blood tests reveal things such as low iron, thyroid problems, vitamin deficiencies, low testosterone, poor sleep quality, or ongoing stress affecting their physical health.
As part of men’s health, a GP can assess this through a combination of symptom history, blood pressure checks, and targeted blood tests.
In many cases, there’s a reason you’ve felt flat for months. And in many cases, it’s fixable with the right support and understanding.
2. Sitting all day is becoming a bigger men’s health issue than people realise
Even men who train regularly can still be affected by long hours sitting at desks, driving, or commuting.
Research increasingly links prolonged sitting with higher risks of heart disease, circulation issues, weight gain, and back pain; even in people who exercise.
Simple changes help more than most people think:
- Walking around during phone calls.
- Standing up regularly throughout the day.
- Short walks after meals.
- Stretching tight hips and lower backs.
- The “50 minutes working, 10 minutes moving” approach.
You don’t have to go for a jog at lunchtime or hit the gym every day to see meaningful improvements.
3. Heart health checks are more straightforward than most men think
Many men avoid health checks because they assume they’ll involve scans, complicated testing, or bad news.
In reality, early heart health assessments are often simple, and include:
- Blood pressure checks.
- Cholesterol blood tests.
- Family history reviews.
- Lifestyle and risk factor assessments.
High blood pressure and cholesterol usually don’t cause symptoms early on, which is why many men don’t realise there’s an issue until much later.
One early morning fasting blood test and a quick 15 minute appointment now can provide clarity about your long term health.
Yarra Medical offers heart health checks for men of all ages and lifestyles, and we encourage you to schedule one of these simple appointments.
IMPORTANT: If something feels seriously wrong, in particular; chest pain, sudden shortness
of breath, or fainting, do not wait to see if it settles. Call 000 immediately.
4. Skin checks are for everyone
Australia’s skin cancer rates affect men heavily, particularly those who spend time outdoors, drive frequently, play sport, or grew up without using sun protection.
A lot of sun damage comes from everyday exposure rather than serious sunburns.
Professional skin checks are quick and painless, and many men book them simply for peace of mind, or because their partner noticed a spot changing.
5. Men’s mental health support has changed a lot
Over the last several years, mental health support for men has become a major part of general practice healthcare.
At Yarra Medical, we see men from all backgrounds regarding anxiety, burnout, concentration issues, ADHD concerns, sleep problems, work stress, relationship breakdowns, and feeling mentally overloaded.
Seeing a GP is often the first step towards understanding what support options are available.
3 common men’s health myths:
- “If something was wrong, I’d know.”
Not necessarily.
Conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and early diabetes can develop without obvious symptoms. Preventive health checks help identify risks earlier, often before daily life is affected.
- “Going to the doctor means something serious is happening.”
Most appointments are preventive, practical, and fairly routine.
Many men now book appointments for travel vaccines, sexual health testing, mental health support, fatigue investigations, or skin checks simply to stay on top of things.
- “Men’s health is mostly about fitness.”
Exercise is important, but men’s health also includes sleep, mental health, hormones, sexual health, preventive screening, and skin health.
A person can train regularly and still have health concerns worth investigating.
Support Men Are Actually Using:
At Yarra Medical, men commonly book appointments for:
- Skin checks and mole assessments: These appointments are useful for detecting skin cancers early, particularly in Australia’s high UV environment.
- Sexual health testing and STI screening: These appointments are fast and discreet, and help protect both the individual’s and partner’s health.
- Mental health support and ADHD assessments: These appointments provide support for stress, burnout, concentration, and work-related pressures.
- Heart health and preventive checks: These appointments help identify risk factors before symptoms develop.
If you’re based in Abbotsford, Collingwood, Richmond, or the Melbourne CBD, Yarra Medical offers comprehensive men’s health support with experienced GPs in a modern inner-city clinic.
