Why don't men go to the doctor?

A new national survey reveals why a lot of men avoid going to the doctor and why some men hold back on certain issues once they’re at the doctor’s office.
In an online survey among approximately 1,174 U.S. males 18 years or older, Cleveland Clinic found that 72% of men would rather do household chores, like cleaning the bathroom or mowing the lawn, than go to the doctor.
In fact, 65% of the men surveyed said they tend to wait as long as possible to see a doctor, even if they have prolonged symptoms or an injury.
Even for the men who take their health more seriously, some are holding back: 20% of men admit they have not been completely honest with their doctor before.
Those statistics don’t come as too much of a shock to Robert Smitherman, M.D., a primary care physician on the medical staff at Texas Health Arlington and at Texas Health Family Care, a Texas Health Physicians Group practice; although, he notes the disparity between genders may be closer than studies show.
“Honestly, I see it in both genders, but I will say, male patients tend to be a bit more closed off than women,” he says. “I just have to approach the visit a little differently sometimes with men to get the answers I need or to figure out really what’s going on.”
According to the survey, one-quarter of men have felt judged by their doctor.
“I’ve seen patients who have not had doctors that were personable, or they’ve been in situations in which they felt like they could not trust their physician, or they were talked down to in the past,” Smitherman explains. 
This hesitation can lead to withholding information even when they do head in to see someone. Among those who confessed to not being completely honest with their doctor in the past, the top reasons why include:
•They were embarrassed (46%)
•They felt uncomfortable (40%)
•They didn’t want to be judged (39%)
“In my world, I like to see people pretty regularly so that I, at the very least, have a rapport with them so they’re more apt to go ‘Oh, I know Dr. Smitherman, he’s not going to judge me or belittle me; I can trust him, and he knows what he’s talking about,’” Smitherman adds.
When asked about a range of health issues, 46% of men are most uncomfortable talking to their doctors about sex-related concerns, such as skin irritations, erectile dysfunction, sexually transmitted infections or their sexual history. In fact, twice as many men surveyed noted this as their primary reason for lack of comfortability than the next runner up, which was talking about their weight or diet (26%). 
Here’s some information in Q&A form from Thomas Falletta, DNP, RN, ANP-BC, clinical coordinator of MSN/FNP Programs for the University of Phoenix College of Nursing.
Q. Why is this conversation especially important right now?
A. The basic numbers still aren’t where they should be. In the most recent CDC data, men in the U.S. live about 4.9 years less than women on average, 76.5 years versus 81.4. A large share of that gap traces back to conditions we already know how to catch early: heart disease, several cancers, diabetes, and the downstream effects of untreated high blood pressure. Heart disease, cancer and unintentional injuries together account for roughly 70% of all deaths.
This is important because the data suggest men are not taking advantage of prevention and disease interventions that can certainly help to mitigate these common chronic diseases. 
Q. Why do you think many men continue delaying routine checkups, screenings, and preventive care?
A. Part of this is related to health care accessibility, which is another topic in itself. Men may be more likely to not complain about issues and may feel pressured to be "stoic." 
In my opinion, another important distinction is that disease (and prevention) may not be well explained to men or patients in general, at least to a point where they can understand the importance of prevention and early intervention. 
Q. What are some of the most common health concerns men may be overlooking or avoiding?
A. Cardiovascular disease is the big one, and it’s often silent until it isn’t. High blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, and rising blood sugar can go unnoticed for years, which is exactly why they get missed without routine labs. Early type 2 diabetes works the same way.
Cancer screening is another gap, especially colorectal cancer, which is showing up in younger men now and is highly preventable through screening. Prostate health deserves a real conversation with a clinician rather than guesswork or avoidance. Beyond those, I’d add mental health, sleep problems, and alcohol use. Men tend to underreport all three, and they quietly drive a lot of the physical problems that surface later.
Q. Many men are taught to “push through” discomfort or avoid vulnerability. How does that mindset sometimes create long-term health risks?
A. This is extremely important! There are certain societal pressures and "expectations" from men. This can simply be men trying to live up to what they think the image of a man should be. This often includes being stoic, showing toughness, and essentially being immune to ailments. I think this is slowly shifting in the other direction but not enough. 
Everything in healthcare is essentially about risk. How do we screen for it, recognize it, and modify it. Anything that gets in the way of that threatens us all as humans. 
Q. What are some simple, realistic steps men can take to become more proactive about their health and wellness?
A. Start by having a primary care clinician you actually see, even once a year. That one relationship is what connects the dots between your blood pressure, your labs, your family history, and the screenings you’re due for. If scheduling is the barrier, many practices now offer evening hours and virtual visits. Accessibility is still an issue all over the country, in different ways. 
Two easy recommendations would be to look for a practice (if possible) that offers flexibility and a provider that takes the time to listen and engage. Secondly, men need to do the same.
They need to plan to engage and educate themselves on some basic risk factors and screenings. The information is publicly available but should really be guided by a provider in that relationship.