Why Do Men Dodge Going to the Doctor? 

A recent study from Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center in Ohio reveals some startling truths.  The survey found that 72% of men would rather do chores around the house than see their primary care provider.  

The online survey collected responses from 1,174 American males, aged eighteen (18) years and older.   And what was more alarming about the results of the survey, was that 20% of men are not honest with their doctors. They may withhold and downplay symptoms that can be early warning signs of serious health problems. 

Early detection of certain chronic diseases is not only important, but it’s also lifesaving. And one of the reasons why #MOVEMBER or “Men’s Health Month” matters, is to help get the message out to create more than awareness, but behavioral changes that could save lives. 

But why do some men completely avoid getting checkups, doing diagnostic testing, or investigating new symptoms with their doctor? The reasons are both practical and sociological. And an opportunity to change men’s healthcare to overcome barriers to treatment. 

Here are some of the most common reasons why men do not visit a doctor.  Or investigate new or uncomfortable symptoms with a primary care provider. 

Wait Times Are Too Long in Medical Clinics

When was the last time you scheduled a doctor’s appointment, and walked right into the consultation room on time?  Some people can experience an additional waiting time of one hour or longer for their appointment.  And walk-in clinics that triage based on emergency needs? You could end up waiting several hours to be seen. 

The Cleveland Clinic Study revealed that men find doctor’s appointments inconvenient.  Both scheduling, and in terms of delays in the waiting room before their appointment.  Another factor shared was that some men find it very difficult to take time off for a medical appointment.  They don’t want to jeopardize their job by being absent.  Or in some cases, use vacation time for routine checkups, since few appointments are available after business hours.

But men in the survey also indicated that they find telemedicine or telehealth appointments to be accessible and convenient.  However, in the last U.S. Census Bureau Household Pulse Survey (January 26th to February 7th, 2022), only 22% of Americans used telehealth services.  Respondents were asked if they had used telehealth in the four weeks prior to the survey.

Men Are Conditioned to Not Complain About Symptoms

In society, men are often taught to be “the strong silent type”.  That means if they are hurting, or feeling unwell, they have been trained since an early age to stay quiet about it.  And while this is not true for all men, it is a pervasive stigma.  Something many men think about, before acting on a symptom or health concern. 

Being aware of symptoms is the first step.  We all know when something feels different, whether it is our energy level, appetite, sleep habits, or new aches and pains. But without investigating a symptom, men place themselves at significant risk.  Because early intervention for diseases like diabetes, cancer, or cardiovascular problems can’t happen if they don’t talk to a doctor. 

More education is needed to create a social shift and end the stigma. It is better to know and detect a health problem than it is to pretend it doesn’t exist and allow it to worsen.  Also, with early detection, there are more treatment options available to help the patient. 

No Health Insurance or Poor Quality Coverage

When something unexpected happens with your health, that’s when you need healthcare insurance the most.  But did you know that the number of Americans who have health insurance has been in decline for years?

According to the U.S. Census reports, between 2018 and 2020, the number of people with insurance coverage dropped by 0.80%.  And in 2020, that meant 66.5% of Americans had no health insurance. 

It is no surprise that healthcare costs are expensive in the United States.  And without insurance to discount or cap those costs, a serious illness can be financially catastrophic.  It is also no surprise that some people choose to bypass medical care if they feel it will create financial hardship for them and difficult out-of-pocket expenses. 

The unfortunate result of avoiding healthcare services is the potential to develop a worsening problem.  Which inevitably leads to higher healthcare costs, for patients, employers, and providers.  

Men May Feel Embarrassment About Certain Symptoms

With age comes changes to the body.  And for some men, that can mean struggles with erectile dysfunction (ED). Sexual performance is important to most people, and part of their personal identity.  Being unable to engage in sex can make men feel less virile and embarrassed.

There are many symptoms associated with erectile dysfunction, including difficulty urinating. But sexual dysfunction can also be a sign of potentially life-threatening diseases like diabetes, prostate cancer, and heart disease. 

Because some men want to conform to society’s definition of the “superhero tough guy” admitting sexual dysfunction can be emotionally distressing. It is personal, and it can feel very vulnerable for men, and make them hesitate to talk to a doctor about their symptoms. 

Fear of a Serious Diagnosis

Is it better to know, or would you rather not know if you have a life-threatening health condition?  Many of us would agree that we would rather know so that we can take steps to address the problem. And achieve a favorable outcome and recovery.

But imagine that you had a family history of chronic diseases. Or that you have lost family members or friends to cancer, or another chronic illness.  Detecting similar symptoms, you may feel paralyzed by fear of a diagnosis.  Particularly one that might indicate a terminal condition.

It is understandable to have a fear of the unknown.  But without diagnosing a problem, it is impossible to fix it.  And with advances in medical technology and research, there are more treatment options available today than ever before.  If a patient acts quickly when symptoms are first noticed. 

Why Do Some Men Withhold Information From Their Doctor?

The Cleveland Clinic survey also revealed that many men do not disclose all the information about their health or symptoms.  The ones that do schedule an appointment and visit a physician may be hiding some important information. 

There are many emotional reasons (as discussed above) why men may not feel comfortable with full disclosure of their state of health.  But there are also some financial reasons why men may choose to withhold critical diagnostic information.

Health insurance and life insurance rates can vary, depending on the diagnosis.  So, if you are paying a high premium that you find difficult to afford, a diagnosis could cause you to be “rated up” for insurance. 

While health information is protected by HIPAA, Americans have a legal obligation to be truthful with their insurance providers.  About important issues such as family history, previous diagnoses and current symptoms.  

Unfortunately, when you fail to disclose your real health history or current condition, you may temporarily circumvent the problem. But if you experience an emergency health situation, and you have not disclosed diagnoses or treatments, you may not be covered.  This includes obesity, cancer, tobacco use, alcohol use, cardiovascular problems, and other high-risk factors. 

Attempting to hide a diagnosis by not reporting symptoms to your doctor, also means that the patient is not being treated for the condition.  And that can lead to more aggravated health problems in the future.

The Movember Message Every Doctor Wants You to Hear

Movember is about creating awareness for men, who may not be taking the right steps to protect their health.  That includes regular visits to your doctors, talking about changes in symptoms, and completing diagnostic tests to check for problems.  

Consider a regular visit to the doctor as important as maintenance on a car.  Sure, you can keep driving the car with no preventative maintenance, and save a lot of money.  But eventually, things can start breaking down.  Or worse, the transmission or engine “can blow” causing a challenging and possibly life-threatening situation. 

Preventative maintenance for men means regular visits to the doctor.  It includes following up on symptoms that are new, or unusual (as they can be important early-warning signs).  It means putting “good fuel” in your tank and eating a healthy diet.  Staying hydrated, and getting enough sleep.  The key to “keeping your car on the road” is to not ignore the “check engine” light when it comes to your health.

During November, DocMJ will be sharing helpful healthcare tips for men, as we celebrate Movember.  And work to improve awareness of men’s health issues and needs, as well as the importance of preventative care. 

Let’s create a new way of thinking about going to the doctor.  And encourage men to put their health first, and schedule a checkup with a provider in November.