What leaves men red-faced?
2001-06-13 11:49
London - Sexual problems, weak bladders and
smelly feet are the most embarrassing topics for British and
European men to discuss with their doctors, according to a
survey released on Tuesday.
Hair loss, weight gain and skin conditions also make men
uneasy, but "below the belt" problems are by far the most
difficult issues to share with health professionals, according
to results of the survey commissioned by the Japanese
pharmaceutical firm Yamanouchi.
"It is a British phenomenon and to a lesser extent a
European and worldwide phenomenon. It is part of the way we are
brought up and our educational system," said Mark Speakman, a
urologist at Taunton and Somerset Hospital in western England.
He believes women are more open about sexual and health
issues because of their experiences in pregnancy and
childbirth. But men seldom discuss personal hygiene, health or
sexual difficulties.
"We shouldn't be surprised that men are so bad. It's the
fact that women are so good at discussing delicate issues,"
Speakman added.
Forty-six percent of the 3 500 men questioned in Britain,
France, Poland, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands and Germany said
sex was the most difficult topic to talk about.
Some 25% of the men said they were uncomfortable discussing
bladder problems, and 24% of men said smelly feet was the most
embarrassing topic.
British men were more reluctant than their European
counterparts to discuss sexual topics. Men from the Netherlands
were the least embarrassed about sex, but listed stress among
their top three red-faced issues - instead of smelly feet.
Older men said heart and lung disease and cancer were their
most serious concerns, while younger men rated sexual potency,
careers and relationships as serious concerns, according to the
survey.
Spanish and Italian men were more concerned about impotency
and sexual performance than about prostate and bladder
problems.
Difficulty talking about sexual issues seemed to diminish
with age, but older men also displayed a lack of knowledge
about the prostate gland.
Only 37% knew the prostate gland maintains healthy sperm.
Most of the men knew it was found in the genitourinary tract
but some thought it was in the chest, brain or digestive
system.
"If men discussed problems with each other in the pub,
instead of football and motor cars, there would be no
reluctance to talk to doctors," Speakman said.