An unhealthy silence

May 2005

Men's health is a subject that has almost been taboo, but Andrology Australia is hoping to get the whole country talking about it.

Report: Diane Squires and Cassy Bezeruk
Photography: Janusz Molinski

In all areas of health including obesity, drug and alcohol addiction, skin and lung cancer, high blood pressure and cholesterol, men record a higher percentage of problems than women.

Andrology Australia: putting men's reproductive health on the agenda.

On average, women live four years longer than men, are more likely to visit a doctor and will talk to friends and family about their health issues. Men, meanwhile, resist visiting the doctor, and, for the most part, will not discuss their health issues with anyone.

Professor David de Kretser, the director of Andrology Australia, says if men are reluctant to speak about their general health, they are even more silent on issues related to reproductive health.

"Women's health is leagues ahead," Professor de Kretser says. "They have targeted education campaigns, and there are many support groups for women and their friends and family. But men rarely even speak to their mates about health issues, particularly when it comes to difficulties related to sexuality and reproduction."

In 1999, the Federal Government funded the Australian Centre of Excellence in Male Reproductive Health, now known as Andrology Australia, a centre within the Monash Institute of Medical Research.

The centre brings together Australian researchers who work in men's reproductive health and focuses on prostate disease, testicular cancer, erectile dysfunction, deficiency in androgens (a hormone associated with male sexual development) and male infertility. As well as advancing research in these areas, the centre provides education programs for the community and health care professionals.

It is estimated that in Australia, one in 20 men are infertile, one in 200 suffer from testosterone deficiency, about 50 per cent of men will experience prostate problems and one million will have erectile dysfunction. On top of that, 550 Australian men are diagnosed with testicular cancer each year.

Despite these alarming statistics, a study released last year by Andrology Australia found that men were unable or unwilling to locate information about their reproductive health.

The reasons included negative community attitudes towards male reproductive health issues and traditional masculine attitudes that discouraged men from seeking information. Furthermore, it found that insufficient training of general practitioners in men's health issues and limited community education on male reproductive disorders meant that even if men did seek information, it was difficult to come by.

Professor de Kretser says that in the past there has been a lack of good quality and unbiased information available to men suffering from reproductive health disorders but that it is essential men have access to this information.

"Obviously, reproductive health disorders are affecting large numbers of the Australian population, and so it is vital to provide information describing the causes, symptoms and treatments," he says. "Over the next four years our primary objective will be to cultivate an understanding of men's reproductive health in the community and to encourage men to seek advice on treatment and management."

Professor de Kretser admits there is still much that is unknown in areas of men's reproductive health and that ongoing research is necessary if better treatments are to be developed.

Action: For information on Andrology Australia or men's reproductive health issues, go to the Andrology Australia website, consult your doctor, or contact Andrology Australia on 1300 303 878.

Men's health in Australia

• One in 20 men are infertile.
• Fifty per cent of all men will experience prostate problems.
• One million men currently experience erectile dysfunction.
• One in 200 men suffer testosterone deficiency.
• Testicular cancer is the second most common cancer in men aged 18 to 39.
• The average life expectancy for men is 81.4 years compared with 85.7 for women.