men's health#mental health

Men's health refers to the state of physical, mental, and social wellbeing of men, and encompasses a wide range of issues that are unique to men or that affect men differently than women. This can include issues related to reproductive health, sexual health, cardiovascular health, mental health, and cancer prevention and treatment. Men's health also encompasses lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, and stress management, as well as access to healthcare and preventative measures.{{cite journal |vauthors=Bardehle D, Dinges M, White A |title=Was ist Männergesundheit? Eine Definition |journal=Gesundheitswesen |volume=78 |issue=7 |pages=e30–9 |date=July 2016 |pmid=26492389 |doi=10.1055/s-0035-1564077 |language=de |type=Review|url=http://eprints.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/1352/7/Was%20ist%20M%C3%A4nnergesundheit%20-%20Eine%20Definition%20Upload.pdf }}

Despite overall increases in life expectancy globally, men's life expectancy is less than that of women, regardless of race and geographic region.{{cite web |title=Life Expectancy by Country 2019 |url=http://worldpopulationreview.com/countries/life-expectancy-by-country/ |website=World Population Review |access-date=31 October 2019}}{{cite web |title=Mars vs. Venus: The gender gap in health |url=https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/mars-vs-venus-the-gender-gap-in-health |website=Harvard Medical School |date=January 2010 |publisher=Harvard Health Publishing |access-date=31 October 2019}} The global gap between the life expectancy of men and women has remained at approximately 4.4 years since 2016, according to the WHO.{{cite web |title=Global Health Observatory data on Life Expectancy |url=https://www.who.int/gho/mortality_burden_disease/life_tables/situation_trends_text/en/ |website=World Health Organization}} Life expectancy is a statistical measure that represents the average number of years that a person is expected to live, based on the current mortality rates. It is typically calculated at birth and can vary depending on factors such as gender, race, and location. For example, life expectancy in many developed countries is higher than in developing countries, and life expectancy for women is generally higher than for men.

However, the gap does vary based on country, with low-income countries having a smaller gap in life expectancy.{{cite journal |last1=Thornton |first1=Jacqui |title=WHO report shows that women outlive men worldwide |journal=BMJ |volume=365 |date=5 April 2019 |pages=l1631 |doi=10.1136/bmj.l1631 |pmid=30952650 |s2cid=96448990 |url=https://www.bmj.com/content/365/bmj.l1631}} Biological, behavioral, and social factors contribute to a lower overall life expectancy in men; however, the individual importance of each factor is not known.{{cite web |last1=Ortiz-Ospina |first1=Esteban |last2=Beltekian |first2=Diana |title=Why do women live longer than men? |url=https://ourworldindata.org/why-do-women-live-longer-than-men |website=Our World in Data |access-date=31 October 2019}} Overall attitudes towards health differ by gender. Men are generally less likely to be proactive in seeking healthcare, resulting in poorer health outcomes.{{cite journal |last1=Baker |first1=Peter |last2=Dworkin |first2=Shari L |last3=Tong |first3=Sengfah |last4=Banks |first4=Ian |last5=Shand |first5=Tim |last6=Yamey |first6=Gavin |title=The men's health gap: men must be included in the global health equity agenda |journal= Bulletin of the World Health Organization|volume=92 |issue=8 |pages=618–620 |date=March 6, 2014 |doi=10.2471/BLT.13.132795 |pmid=25197149 |pmc=4147416 |url=https://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/92/8/13-132795/en/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141116024450/http://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/92/8/13-132795/en/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 16, 2014 |access-date=31 October 2019}}

File:Comparison of male and female life expectancy -world.svg Men are difficult to recruit for health promotion interventions. The value of adopting a gender-sensitive approach to engage and retain men in health promotion interventions has been reported.{{cite journal |last1=Nicolson |first1=Gail Helena |last2=Hayes |first2=Catherine B. |last3=Darker |first3=Catherine D. |title=A Cluster-Randomised Crossover Pilot Feasibility Study of a Multicomponent Intervention to Reduce Occupational Sedentary Behaviour in Professional Male Employees |journal=International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health |date=2 September 2021 |volume=18 |issue=17 |pages=9292 | pmid=34501882| doi=10.3390/ijerph18179292 | pmc=8431104|doi-access=free }}

Biological influences on lower male life expectancies include genetics and hormones. For males, the 23rd pair of chromosomes are an X and a Y chromosome, rather than the two X chromosomes in females. The Y chromosome is smaller in size and contains fewer genes. This distinction may contribute to the discrepancy between men's and women's life expectancy, as the additional X chromosome in females may counterbalance potential disease-producing genes from the other X chromosome. Since males don't have the second X chromosome, they lack this potential protection. Hormonally, testosterone is a major male sex hormone important for several functions in males, and to a lesser extent, females.{{cite web |title=Testosterone — What It Does And Doesn't Do |url=https://www.health.harvard.edu/drugs-and-medications/testosterone--what-it-does-and-doesnt-do |website=Harvard Medical School |date=16 July 2015 |publisher=Harvard Health Publishing |access-date=31 October 2019}} Low testosterone in males is a risk factor of cardiovascular-related diseases.{{cite journal |last1=Morris |first1=Paul D |last2=Channer |first2=Kevin S |title=Testosterone and cardiovascular disease in men |journal=Asian Journal of Andrology |date=23 April 2012 |volume=14 |issue=3 |pages=428–435 |doi=10.1038/aja.2012.21|pmid=22522504 |pmc=3720171 }} Conversely, high testosterone levels can contribute to prostate diseases. These hormonal factors play a direct role in the life expectancy of men compared to women.

In terms of behavioral factors, men have higher levels of consumption of alcohol, substances, and tobacco compared to women, resulting in increased rates of diseases such as lung cancer, cardiovascular disease, and cirrhosis of the liver.{{cite web |title=World Health Report 2014 |url=https://www.who.int/whr/2004/annex/topic/en/annex_2_en.pdf |website=World Health Organization |access-date=31 October 2019}} Sedentary behavior, associated with many chronic diseases seems to be more prevalent in men.{{cite journal |last1=Nicolson |first1=Gail |last2=Hayes |first2=Catherine |last3=Darker |first3=Catherine |title=Examining total and domain-specific sedentary behavior using the socio-ecological model – a cross-sectional study of Irish adults |journal=BMC Public Health |date=22 August 2019 |volume=19 |issue=1 |pages=1155 |doi=10.1186/s12889-019-7447-0|pmid=31438911 |pmc=6704626 |doi-access=free }} These diseases influence the overall life expectancy of men. For example, according to the World Health Organization, 3.14 million men died from causes linked to excessive alcohol use in 2010 compared to 1.72 million women. Men are more likely than women to engage in over 30 risky behaviors associated with increased morbidity, injury, and mortality.{{cite journal |last1=Courtenay |first1=W. H. |title=Constructions of masculinity and their influence on men's well-being: a theory of gender and health |journal=Social Science & Medicine |date=2000 |volume=50 |issue=10 |pages=1385–1401 |doi=10.1016/s0277-9536(99)00390-1 |pmid=10741575 |s2cid=15630379 |issn=0277-9536}}{{cite journal |last1=Williams |first1=David R. |title=The Health of Men: Structured Inequalities and Opportunities |journal=American Journal of Public Health |date=May 2003 |volume=93 |issue=5 |pages=724–731 |doi=10.2105/ajph.93.5.724 |pmid=12721133 |pmc=1447828 }} Additionally, despite a disproportionately lower rate of suicide attempts than women, men have significantly higher rates of death by suicide.{{cite journal |last1=Freeman |first1=Aislinné |last2=Mergl |first2=Roland |last3=Kohls |first3=Elisabeth |last4=Székely |first4=András |last5=Gusmao |first5=Ricardo |last6=Arensman |first6=Ella |last7=Koburger |first7=Nicole |last8=Hegerl |first8=Ulrich |last9=Rummel-Kluge |first9=Christine |title=A cross-national study on gender differences in suicide intent |journal=BMC Psychiatry |volume=17 |issue=1 |pages=234 |doi=10.1186/s12888-017-1398-8 |pmid=28662694 |pmc=5492308 |date=29 June 2017 |doi-access=free }}{{cite journal |last1=Moore |first1=Fhionna |last2=Taylor |first2=Shanice |last3=Beaumont |first3=Joanna |last4=Gibson |first4=Rachel |last5=Starkey |first5=Charlotte |last6=DeLuca |first6=Vincenzo |title=The gender suicide paradox under gender role reversal during industrialisation |journal=PLOS ONE |date=23 August 2018 |volume=13 |issue=8 |pages=e0202487 |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0202487 |pmid=30138465 |pmc=6107173 |bibcode=2018PLoSO..1302487M |doi-access=free }}{{cite journal |last1=Miranda-Mendizabal |first1=Andrea |last2=Castellví |first2=Pere |last3=Parés-Badell |first3=Oleguer |last4=Alayo |first4=Itxaso |last5=Almenara |first5=José |last6=Alonso |first6=Iciar |last7=Blasco |first7=Maria Jesús |last8=Cebrià |first8=Annabel |last9=Gabilondo |first9=Andrea |last10=Gili |first10=Margalida |last11=Lagares |first11=Carolina |last12=Piqueras |first12=José Antonio |last13=Rodríguez-Jiménez |first13=Tiscar |last14=Rodríguez-Marín |first14=Jesús |last15=Roca |first15=Miquel |last16=Soto-Sanz |first16=Victoria |last17=Vilagut |first17=Gemma |last18=Alonso |first18=Jordi |title=Gender differences in suicidal behavior in adolescents and young adults: systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies |journal=International Journal of Public Health |date=12 January 2019 |volume=64 |issue=2 |pages=265–283 |doi=10.1007/s00038-018-1196-1 |pmid=30635683 |pmc=6439147 }}

Social determinants of men's health involve factors such as greater levels of occupational exposure to physical and chemical hazards than women. Historically, men had higher work-related stress, which negatively impacted their life expectancy by increasing the risk of hypertension, heart attack, and stroke. However, as women's role in the workplace continues to be established, these risks are no longer specific to just men.

Although most stress symptoms are similar in men and women, stress can be experienced differently by men.{{Cite news|url=https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2010/gender-stress|title=Gender and Stress|publisher=American Psychological Association|access-date=2019-11-22}} The American Psychological Association says that men are not as likely to report emotional and physical symptoms of stress compared to women. They say men are more likely to withdraw socially when stressed and are more likely to report doing nothing to manage their stress. Men are more likely than women to cite that work is a source of stress; women are more likely to report that money and the economy are a source of stress.

Mental stress in men is associated with various complications which can affect men's health: high blood pressure and subsequent cardiovascular morbidity and mortality,{{Cite journal|last1=Schneider|first1=Robert H.|last2=Alexander|first2=Charles N.|last3=Staggers|first3=Frank|last4=Rainforth|first4=Maxwell|last5=Salerno|first5=John W.|last6=Hartz|first6=Arthur|last7=Arndt|first7=Stephen|last8=Barnes|first8=Vernon A.|last9=Nidich|first9=Sanford I.|date=2005|title=Long-Term Effects of Stress Reduction on Mortality in Persons ≥55 Years of Age With Systemic Hypertension|journal=The American Journal of Cardiology|volume=95|issue=9|pages=1060–1064|doi=10.1016/j.amjcard.2004.12.058|pmid=15842971|pmc=1482831|issn=0002-9149}} cardiovascular disease,{{Cite web|url=https://www.dynamed.com/prevention/cardiovascular-disease-possible-risk-factors|title=Cardiovascular Disease Possible Risk Factors|last=Oettgen|first=Peter|website=DynaMed}} erectile dysfunction (impotence){{Cite web|url=https://medzbox.com/product/cenforce-100-mg/|title=Erectile dysfunction (impotence)|date=Nov 30, 2018|website=Evidence-Based Medicine Guidelines}} and possibly reduced fertility (due to reduced libido and frequency of intercourse).{{Cite web|url=https://www.dynamed.com/condition/infertility-in-men-19#POSSIBLE_RISK_FACTORS|title=Infertility in Men|last=Rove|first=Kyle|website=DynaMed}}

Fathers experience stress during the time shortly before and after the time of birth (perinatal period).{{Cite journal|last1=Philpott|first1=Lloyd Frank|last2=Leahy-Warren|first2=Patricia|last3=FitzGerald|first3=Serena|last4=Savage|first4=Eileen|date=2017|title=Stress in fathers in the perinatal period: A systematic review|journal=Midwifery|volume=55|pages=113–127|doi=10.1016/j.midw.2017.09.016|issn=1532-3099|pmid=28992554|hdl=10468/6074 |hdl-access=free}} Stress levels tend to increase from the prenatal period up until the time of birth, and then decrease from the time of birth to the later postnatal period. Factors that contribute to stress in fathers include negative feelings about the pregnancy, role restrictions related to becoming a father, fear of childbirth, and feelings of incompetence related to infant care. This stress negatively impacts fathers. Higher levels of stress in fathers are associated with mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, psychological distress, and fatigue.

Substance use disorder and alcohol use disorder can be defined as a pattern of harmful use of substances for mood-altering purposes.{{Cite web|url=https://www.who.int/topics/substance_abuse/en/|title=WHO {{!}} Substance abuse|website=WHO|access-date=2019-11-22}} Alcohol is one of the most common substances used in excess, and men are up to twice as likely to develop alcohol use disorder than women.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/mens-health.htm|title=CDC – Fact Sheets-Excessive Alcohol Use and Risks to Men's Health – Alcohol|date=2018-09-18|website=cdc.gov|access-date=2019-11-22}} Gender differences in alcohol consumption remain universal, although the sizes of gender differences vary.{{Cite journal|last1=Wilsnack|first1=Richard W.|last2=Wilsnack|first2=Sharon C.|last3=Kristjanson|first3=Arlinda F.|last4=Vogeltanz-Holm|first4=Nancy D.|last5=Gmel|first5=Gerhard|date=September 2009|journal=Addiction|volume=104|issue=9|pages=1487–1500|doi=10.1111/j.1360-0443.2009.02696.x|issn=0965-2140|pmc=2844334|pmid=19686518|title=Gender and alcohol consumption: Patterns from the multinational GENACIS project}} More drinking and heaving, binge drinking occurs in men, whereas more long-term abstention occurs in women. Moreover, men are more likely to abuse substances such as drugs, with a lifetime prevalence of 11.5% in men compared to 6.4% in women, in the United States.{{Cite web|url=https://www.addictioncenter.com/addiction/differences-men-women/|title=The Differences in Addiction Between Men and Women – Addiction Center|website=AddictionCenter|access-date=2019-11-22}} Additionally, males are more likely to be substance addicts and abuse substances due to peer pressure compared to females.

Substance and alcohol use disorders are associated with various mental health issues in men and women.{{Cite web|url=https://www.helpguide.org/articles/addictions/substance-abuse-and-mental-health.htm|title=Substance Abuse and Mental Health Issues - HelpGuide.org|last=Melinda|date=2018-11-02|website=helpguide.org|access-date=2019-11-22}} Mental health problems are not only a result from drinking excess alcohol; they can also cause people to drink too much. A major reason for consuming alcohol is to change mood or mental state.{{Cite journal|last1=ABBEY|first1=ANTONIA|last2=SMITH|first2=MARY JO|last3=SCOTT|first3=RICHARD O.|date=1993|journal=Addictive Behaviors|volume=18|issue=6|pages=659–670|issn=0306-4603|pmc=4493891|pmid=8178704|title=The relationship between reasons for drinking alcohol and alcohol consumption: An interactional approach|doi=10.1016/0306-4603(93)90019-6}} Alcohol can temporarily alleviate feelings of anxiety and depression, and some people use it as a form of self-medication in an attempt to counteract these negative feelings.{{Cite journal|last1=Crum|first1=Rosa M.|last2=Mojtabai|first2=Ramin|last3=Lazareck|first3=Samuel|last4=Bolton|first4=James M.|last5=Robinson|first5=Jennifer|last6=Sareen|first6=Jitender|last7=Green|first7=Kerry M.|last8=Stuart|first8=Elizabeth A.|last9=Flair|first9=Lareina La|last10=Alvanzo|first10=Anika A. H.|last11=Storr|first11=Carla L.|date=2013-07-01|title=A Prospective Assessment of Reports of Drinking to Self-medicate Mood Symptoms With the Incidence and Persistence of Alcohol Dependence|journal=JAMA Psychiatry|volume=70|issue=7|pages=718–726|doi=10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2013.1098|pmid=23636710|pmc=4151472|issn=2168-622X}} However, alcohol consumption can worsen existing mental health problems. Evidence shows that people who consume high amounts of alcohol or use illicit substances are vulnerable to an increased risk of developing mental health problems.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=v4oSb2Na4nQC&q=(substance+abuse+OR+alcohol)+AND+(mental)&pg=PA101|title=Violence and Mental Disorder: Developments in Risk Assessment|last1=Monahan|first1=John|last2=Steadman|first2=Henry J.|date=1996-05-15|publisher=University of Chicago Press|isbn=978-0-226-53406-0}} Men with mental health disorders, like post-traumatic stress disorder, are twice as likely as women to develop a substance use disorder.{{Cite web|url=https://pew.org/2wB03Jr|title=Men More Likely Than Women to Face Substance Use Disorders and Mental Illness|website=pew.org|date=3 June 2019 |access-date=2019-11-22}}

There have been identified gender differences in seeking treatment for mental health and substance abuse disorders between men and women.{{Cite web|url=https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/substance-use-in-women/sex-gender-differences-in-substance-use-disorder-treatment|title=Sex and Gender Differences in Substance Use Disorder Treatment|last=Abuse|first=National Institute on Drug|website=drugabuse.gov|access-date=2019-11-22}} Women are more likely to seek help from and disclose mental health problems to their primary care physicians, whereas men are more likely to seek specialist and inpatient care.{{Cite web|url=https://www.who.int/mental_health/prevention/genderwomen/en/|title=WHO {{!}} Gender and women's mental health|website=WHO|access-date=2019-11-22}} Men are more likely than women to disclose problems with alcohol use to their health care provider.{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh291/55-62.htm|title=NIAAA Publications|website=pubs.niaaa.nih.gov|access-date=2019-11-22}} In the United States, there are more men than women in treatment for substance use disorders. Both men and women receive better mental health outcomes with early treatment interventions.{{Cite book|url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK424859/|title=EARLY INTERVENTION, TREATMENT, AND MANAGEMENT OF SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS|last1=Administration (US)|first1=Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services|last2=General (US)|first2=Office of the Surgeon|date=November 2016|publisher=US Department of Health and Human Services}}

File:Male-Female suicide ratios 2015 (age-standardized).png

Suicide has a high incidence rate in men but often lacks public awareness.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bcmj.org/articles/silent-epidemic-male-suicide|title=The silent epidemic of male suicide {{!}} British Columbia Medical Journal|website=bcmj.org|access-date=2019-11-22}}{{Cite journal|last1=Ritchie|first1=Hannah|author1-link=Hannah Ritchie |last2=Roser|first2=Max|author2-link=Max Roser |last3=Ortiz-Ospina|first3=Esteban|date=2015-06-15|title=Suicide|url=https://ourworldindata.org/suicide|journal=Our World in Data}} Suicide is the 13th leading cause of death globally, and in most parts of the world, men are significantly more likely to die by suicide than women, although women are significantly more likely to attempt suicide.{{Cite journal|last1=Freeman|first1=Aislinné|last2=Mergl|first2=Roland|last3=Kohls|first3=Elisabeth|last4=Székely|first4=András|last5=Gusmao|first5=Ricardo|last6=Arensman|first6=Ella|last7=Koburger|first7=Nicole|last8=Hegerl|first8=Ulrich|last9=Rummel-Kluge|first9=Christine|date=2017|title=A cross-national study on gender differences in suicide intent|journal=BMC Psychiatry|volume=17|issue=1|pages=234|doi=10.1186/s12888-017-1398-8|issn=1471-244X|pmc=5492308|pmid=28662694 |doi-access=free }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.uptodate.com/contents/suicidal-ideation-and-behavior-in-adults|title=UpToDate|website=uptodate.com|access-date=2019-11-22}} This is known as the "gender paradox of suicidal behavior". Worldwide, the ratio of suicide deaths was 1.8:1 men per woman in 2016 according to the World Health Organization.{{Cite web|url=https://www.who.int/gho/mental_health/suicide_rates_male_female/en/|title=WHO {{!}} Suicide rates (per 100 000 population)|website=WHO|access-date=2019-11-22}} This gender disparity varies greatly between countries. For example, in the United Kingdom and Australia, this men/women ratio is approximately 3:1, and in the United States, Russia, and Argentina approximately 4:1.{{Cite news|url=https://www.apa.org/research/action/men|title=Men: A Different Depression|publisher=American Psychological Association|access-date=2019-11-22}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/bulletins/suicidesintheunitedkingdom/2017registrations|title=Suicides in the UK – Office for National Statistics|website=ons.gov.uk|access-date=2019-11-22}}{{Cite web|url=http://gamapserver.who.int/mapLibrary/Files/Maps/Global_AS_suicide_rates_male_female_ratio_2016.png|title=Male:Female ratio of age-standardized suicide rates|date=2016|website=World Health Organization}}World Health Organization. Preventing suicide: A global imperative. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2014. 1–88 p. In South Africa, the suicide rate amongst men is five times greater than women.{{Cite web|url=https://africacheck.org/reports/5facts-sad-extent-suicide-south-africa/|title=#5facts: The sad extent of suicide in South Africa|website=Africa Check|access-date=2019-11-22}} In East Asian countries however, the gender gap in suicide rates are relatively smaller, with men to women ratios ranging from 1:1 to 2:1.{{Cite journal|last1=Chen|first1=Ying-Yeh|last2=Chen|first2=Mengni|last3=Lui|first3=Carrie S. M.|last4=Yip|first4=Paul S. F.|date=2017|title=Female labour force participation and suicide rates in the world|journal=Social Science & Medicine|volume=195|pages=61–67|doi=10.1016/j.socscimed.2017.11.014|pmid=29154181|issn=0277-9536|doi-access=free}} Multiple factors exist to explain this gender gap in suicide rates, such as men more frequently completing high mortality actions such as hanging, carbon-monoxide poisoning, and the use of lethal weapons.{{Cite journal|last1=Hunt|first1=Tara|last2=Wilson|first2=Coralie J.|last3=Caputi|first3=Peter|last4=Woodward|first4=Alan|last5=Wilson|first5=Ian|date=2017-03-29|editor-last=Voracek|editor-first=Martin|title=Signs of current suicidality in men: A systematic review|journal=PLOS ONE|volume=12|issue=3|pages=e0174675|doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0174675|issn=1932-6203|pmc=5371342|pmid=28355268|bibcode=2017PLoSO..1274675H|doi-access=free}}{{Cite journal|last=Beautrais|first=Annette L.|date=2002|title=Gender issues in youth suicidal behaviour|journal=Emergency Medicine|volume=14|issue=1|pages=35–42|doi=10.1046/j.1442-2026.2002.00283.x|issn=1035-6851|pmid=11993833}} Additional factors that contribute to the disparity in suicide rates between men and women include the pressures of traditional gender roles for men in society and the socialization of men in society.{{Cite web|url=https://www.suicideinfo.ca/resource/men-and-suicide/|title=Men and Suicide|website=Centre for Suicide Prevention|access-date=2019-11-22}}{{Cite journal|last1=Seidler|first1=Zac E.|last2=Dawes|first2=Alexei J.|last3=Rice|first3=Simon M.|last4=Oliffe|first4=John L.|last5=Dhillon|first5=Haryana M.|date=2016|title=The role of masculinity in men's help-seeking for depression: A systematic review|journal=Clinical Psychology Review|volume=49|pages=106–118|doi=10.1016/j.cpr.2016.09.002|pmid=27664823|issn=0272-7358}}

Because variations exist in the risk factors associated with suicidal behavior between men and women, they contribute to the discrepancy in suicide rates.{{Cite journal|title=Gender differences and psychological factors associated with suicidal ideation among youth in Malaysia|last1=Ibrahim|first1=Norhayati|last2=Amit|first2=Noh|date=2017-04-28|journal=Psychology Research and Behavior Management|volume=10|pages=129–135|doi=10.2147/prbm.s125176|pmc=5417667|pmid=28496374|last3=Din|first3=Normah Che|last4=Ong|first4=Hui Chien |doi-access=free }}{{Cite journal|last1=Donker|first1=Tara|last2=Batterham|first2=Philip J|last3=Van Orden|first3=Kimberly A|last4=Christensen|first4=Helen|date=2014|title=Gender-differences in risk factors for suicidal behaviour identified by perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belongingness and acquired capability: cross-sectional analysis from a longitudinal cohort study|journal=BMC Psychology|volume=2|issue=1|pages=20|doi=10.1186/2050-7283-2-20|issn=2050-7283|pmc=4363058|pmid=25815191 |doi-access=free }} Suicide is complex and cannot simply be attributed to a single cause; however, there are psychological, social, and psychiatric factors to consider.{{Cite journal|last=Platt|first=Stephen|date=2017|title=Suicide in men: what is the problem?|journal=Trends in Urology & Men's Health|volume=8|issue=4|pages=9–12|doi=10.1002/tre.587|issn=2044-3749|doi-access=free}}

Mental illness is a major risk factor for suicide for both men and women.{{Cite journal|last=Brådvik|first=Louise|date=2018-09-17|title=Suicide Risk and Mental Disorders|journal=International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health|volume=15|issue=9|pages=2028|doi=10.3390/ijerph15092028|issn=1660-4601|pmc=6165520|pmid=30227658|doi-access=free}}{{Cite journal|last1=Too|first1=Lay San|last2=Spittal|first2=Matthew J.|last3=Bugeja|first3=Lyndal|last4=Reifels|first4=Lennart|last5=Butterworth|first5=Peter|last6=Pirkis|first6=Jane|date=2019|title=The association between mental disorders and suicide: A systematic review and meta-analysis of record linkage studies|journal=Journal of Affective Disorders|volume=259|pages=302–313|doi=10.1016/j.jad.2019.08.054|pmid=31450139|issn=0165-0327|doi-access=free|hdl=11343/238619|hdl-access=free}} Common mental illnesses that are associated with suicide include depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and substance abuse disorders.{{Cite journal|last1=Breet|first1=Elsie|last2=Goldstone|first2=Daniel|last3=Bantjes|first3=Jason|date=2018|title=Substance use and suicidal ideation and behavior in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review|journal=BMC Public Health|volume=18|issue=1|pages=549|doi=10.1186/s12889-018-5425-6|issn=1471-2458|pmc=5921303|pmid=29699529 |doi-access=free }} In addition to mental illness, psychosocial factors such as unemployment and occupational stress are established risk factors for men.{{Cite journal|last1=Boettcher|first1=Nick|last2=Mitchell|first2=Jennifer|last3=Lashewicz|first3=Bonnie|last4=Jones|first4=Erin|last5=Wang|first5=JianLi|last6=Gundu|first6=Sarika|last7=Marchand|first7=Alain|last8=Michalak|first8=Erin|last9=Lam|first9=Ray|date=2019|title=Men's Work-Related Stress and Mental Health: Illustrating the Workings of Masculine Role Norms|journal=American Journal of Men's Health|volume=13|issue=2|pages=155798831983841|doi=10.1177/1557988319838416|doi-access=free|issn=1557-9883|pmc=6438430|pmid=30880590}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/suicide_prevention/docs/Literature_Review_FSTP_Unemployment_FINAL_508_8-19-2019.pdf|title=The Effect of Unemployment on Suicide Risk|website=US department of veteran affairs}} Alcohol use disorder is a risk factor that is much more prevalent in men than in women, which increases risks of depression and impulsive behaviors.{{Cite journal|last1=Gilman|first1=Stephen E|last2=Abraham|first2=Henry David|date=2001|title=A longitudinal study of the order of onset of alcohol dependence and major depression|journal=Drug and Alcohol Dependence|volume=63|issue=3|pages=277–286|doi=10.1016/S0376-8716(00)00216-7|pmid=11418232|issn=0376-8716}}{{Cite journal|last1=Norström|first1=Thor|last2=Rossow|first2=Ingeborg|date=2016|title=Alcohol Consumption as a Risk Factor for Suicidal Behavior: A Systematic Review of Associations at the Individual and at the Population Level|journal=Archives of Suicide Research|volume=20|issue=4|pages=489–506|doi=10.1080/13811118.2016.1158678|pmid=26953621|issn=1381-1118|hdl=11250/2387826|s2cid=12224015|hdl-access=free}} This problem is exacerbated in men, as they are twice as likely as women to develop alcohol use disorder.{{Cite web|url=https://www.elsevier.com/about/press-releases/research-and-journals/why-are-men-more-susceptible-to-alcoholism|title=Why Are Men More Susceptible to Alcoholism?|website=elsevier.com|access-date=2019-11-22}}

Reluctance to seek help is another prevalent risk factor facing men, stemming from internalized notions of masculinity.{{Cite journal|last=Goyne|first=Anne|date=2018|title=Suicide, male honour, and the masculinity paradox: its impact on the ADF|url=https://www.defence.gov.au/adc/adfj/Documents/issue_203/ADF%20Journal%20203_Article_Goyne.pdf|journal=Australian Defence Force Journal}} Traditional masculine stereotypes place expectations of strength and stoic, while any indication of vulnerability, such as consulting mental health services, is perceived as weak and emasculating. As a result, depression is under-diagnosed in men and may often remain untreated, which may lead to suicide.{{Cite journal|last1=Call|first1=Jarrod B.|last2=Shafer|first2=Kevin|date=2018|title=Gendered Manifestations of Depression and Help Seeking Among Men|journal=American Journal of Men's Health|volume=12|issue=1|pages=41–51|doi=10.1177/1557988315623993|issn=1557-9883|pmc=5734537|pmid=26721265}}

Identifying warning signs is important for reducing suicide rates worldwide, particularly for men, as distress may be expressed in a manner that is not easily discernable.{{Cite journal|last1=Rochlen|first1=Aaron B.|last2=Paterniti|first2=Debora A.|last3=Epstein|first3=Ronald M.|last4=Duberstein|first4=Paul|last5=Willeford|first5=Lindsay|last6=Kravitz|first6=Richard L.|date=2010|title=Barriers in Diagnosing and Treating Men With Depression: A Focus Group Report|journal=American Journal of Men's Health|volume=4|issue=2|pages=167–175|doi=10.1177/1557988309335823|issn=1557-9883|pmc=3140791|pmid=19477750}}{{Cite journal|last=Kilmartin|first=Christopher|date=2005|title=Depression in men: communication, diagnosis and therapy|journal=The Journal of Men's Health & Gender|volume=2|issue=1|pages=95–99|doi=10.1016/j.jmhg.2004.10.010|issn=1571-8913}} For instance, depression, and suicidal thoughts may manifest in the form of anger, hostility, and irritability. Additionally, risktaking and avoidance behaviors may be demonstrated more commonly in men.

The following is a list of diseases or conditions that have a high prevalence in men (relative to women).

Cardiovascular conditions:

• Cardiovascular disease
• Atherosclerosis
• Heart attack
• Hypertension
• Stroke
• High cholesterol

Respiratory conditions:

• Respiratory disease
• COPD
• Lung cancer
• Pneumonia

Mental health conditions:

• Autism
• Major depressive disorder
• Suicide
• Addiction

Cancer:

• Prostate cancer
• Testicular cancer
• Colorectal cancer
• Skin cancer

Sexual health:

• HIV/AIDS
• Erectile dysfunction
• Ejaculation Disorders
• Hypoactive sexual desire disorder

Other:

• Unintentional injuries
• Diabetes
• Influenza
• Liver disease
• Kidney disease
• Alcohol abuse

• Andrology
• Gender disparities in health
• International Journal of Men's Health
• International Men's Day November 19
• Movember
• National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• [http://www.menshealthnetwork.org Men's Health Network]
• [http://menshealth.uws.edu.au Men's Health Information and Resource Centre (Australia)]

{{Reproductive health}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Men's Health}}

Category:Andrology