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Most men are afraid to go to the doctor's office
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
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Many adult men do not measure their blood pressure, cholesterol, pulse, or even have their teeth checked every year. They are afraid to go to the doctor in case they hear something unpleasant.
Men are usually perceived as strong, courageous and resilient creatures. But when it comes to their own health, most representatives of the stronger sex behave rather cowardly. Men are afraid to go for preventive examinations, lest doctors tell them something "nasty" about their health.
"It's amazing how many men are afraid of doctors," says US family doctor Aaron Michelfelder. "But ignoring the problem won't solve it, it will only make it worse. In fact, the earlier a diagnosis is made for conditions like diabetes, hypertension or cancer, the better our chances of successful treatment."
Dr. Michelfelder insistently convinces his patients to see him at least once a year. When someone reminds him that medicine in the United States is paid for, and each such visit is not cheap, the doctor is amazed at the short-sightedness of such people. "Let's do a few tests now, which will cost you fifty to a hundred dollars, than start spending tens of thousands on treatment later," the doctor says. "Preventive examinations are very beneficial to the family budget. If you do not carry out preventive maintenance on your car, sooner or later it will break down so seriously that you will have to dig into your stash."
According to Dr. Michelfelder, many men also have a misconception about the age at which they should start getting checked. For example, blood pressure should be measured once a year for all men over 18 (not after 50 or 60), cholesterol levels should be measured starting at age 35 (every five years), colon cancer should be checked once a year starting at age 50, and the dentist should be visited every six months after 40.
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