Nagpur: November 19 is World Men's Day. While Women's Day receives attention with celebrations and discussions, Men's Day remains low-key. This year, TOI spoke to leading doctors about pressing health concerns faced by men, from physical ailments to mental health struggles.
"Why do we mostly hear about men suffering sudden heart attacks, while rarely about women?" asked Dr Amar Amale, interventional cardiologist.
"One reason is that women have hormonal protection until menopause, which men lack. Combine that with men's higher addiction rates to tobacco and smoking, and it creates a deadly combination."
Dr Amale further explained that stress plays a significant role in increasing heart diseases among men. "Men face stress in both professional and personal life, leading to higher incidences of heart diseases. Lifestyle choices and societal pressures exacerbate this risk."
According to sexologist, Dr Sanjay Deshpande, sexual health is a vital indicator of a man's overall health. "Sexual health acts as a mirror of a man's physical and mental well-being. As long as men are enjoying a healthy and fulfilling sexual life, it's a sign that their overall health is on track. However, once they start experiencing problems in their sexual life — whether it's difficulty in performance, lack of desire, or other issues — it's time to consult a doctor and assess their general health," he said.
Dr Deshpande stressed that these problems often signal underlying conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, or cardiovascular issues, making it crucial not to ignore them.
Diabetologist, Dr Sunil Gupta, highlighted the findings of a 2021 NFHS survey. "Nearly 46% of Indian men are unhealthy or suffer from illnesses like diabetes or heart problems. Men are also more likely to succumb to lifestyle diseases due to genetic vulnerabilities, substance abuse, and environmental hazards. Their lifespan is three to five years less than women's," he said.
The 2024 theme of World Men's Day is ‘Positive Male Role Models'. It emphasises the importance of men's mental health and emotional well-being. Psychiatrist, Dr Kanak Gillurkar, pointed out a startling contrast. "While women are twice as likely to experience depression, men are twice as likely to die by suicide."
The underlying cause lies in societal conditioning. "From a young age, men are taught not to express emotions — ‘Mard ko dard nahi hota'. This stigma prevents men from seeking help or expressing their feelings as they fear judgment and ridicule."
Dr Gillurkar emphasised the need for societal change. "We need to create safe spaces where men can express vulnerability and emotions without being labeled weak," she said.