7 common men’s health issues (and how to solve them)

We all know men can be a fairly secretive bunch. It’s not until we catch them nose deep in our product cabinets that we realise that perhaps they actually have an interest in grooming – or have a men’s health issue or two they want sorted.

What kind of issues, you ask? The embarrassing kind. The kind they don’t want to go to you for help with, or ask their best mates down at the pub for a solution to.

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So because we know guys don’t exactly like to talk about them, we thought we’d address some of the most common (and embarassing) men’s health problems and come up with a few solutions to help.

Whether you’re after some tips to help out your other half – or you’re a guy who just wants a bit of advice on anything from men’s sexual health and to sweating, take a peek at our tips below…

#1: Snoring

Being woken nightly from pushing and shoving by your loved one isn’t a great feeling. Neither is the feeling you’re interrupting your bed buddy’s sleep. Thankfully, there are solutions available! First, side-sleeping can really make a difference. Did you know that most snoring occurs while a person is sleeping on their back? True story. This occurs because the airway is more subject to collapsing due to the pressure of the chest. If changing positions doesn’t immediately fix the problem, then Original SnoreStop ($16.95, snore-stop.com.au) – an anti-snoring medication that shrinks swollen soft tissue that blocks air passages in the back of the throat – could be just the thing.

#2: Erectile dysfunction

Okay, so this is usually the men’s health issue men want to talk about least, but in order to fix it, it’s best to address it. This is more common than most people think, meaning it happens to lots of guys from time to time during their lives. There are a couple of things to try at home in order to solve the problem, such as de-stressing. Eliminating stress from life by taking a break or generally just slowing down and taking time out can work wonders, as can limiting alcohol intake. If the issue persists, or you’re unsure of how to last longer during sex, naturally, it’s best to seek advice from a GP (who I guarantee has definitely dealt with many men’s sexual issues like this before).

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#3: Body odour

Lots of people – men and women alike – can get a little whiffy from time to time. Maybe it’s even more often than that (especially if any of these reasons you smell bad apply). Perhaps some of the regular deodorants available just aren’t cutting the mustard – and that’s okay. Everyone sweats at a different rate, and the different pH balance of people’s skin mean different odours can be produced, too. Perhaps it’s time to try some clinical protection. We like Rexona Clinical Protection Anti-Perspirant deodorant for men as it includes trisolid body response technology, which works to effectively protect against wetness and odour more effectively than other deodorants.  

#4: Smelly feet

Sneakers and loafers may be très fashionable, but they’re also the culprit behind that dampish stench that guys can get after rocking closed-in shoes for a while. Feet can become so smelly – even cotton socks can’t save them. Using an odour-killing foot spray before (as a preventative) and after wearing any of the aforementioned closed-in shoes will help solve this embarassing men’s health problem. We love Footcare Odour Stop Foot & Shoe Spray, Nutri-Synergy NS-8 Foot & Shoe Deodoriser and Deo Fresh Deo Foot Fresh, as they work to kill odour causing bacteria instantly and freshen your feet and shoes.

#5: Hair loss and balding

Hair loss is one of the most common men’s issues ever, plaguing some men from as early as their 20s onwards. So, how do you fix it? While there isn’t an over-the-counter, overnight solution, there are products that can help promote hair growth. bh recommends early prevention – try Viviscal Man Dietary Hair Growth Supplements, which is formulated to support hair growth and help postpone the hair loss process. Alternatively, L’Oreal Professionnel Homme Renaxil Advanced and évolis® topical hair loss treatment for men can help improve scalp health and treat men with advanced signs of hair loss, such as front recessional balding, sparse hair and balding on the crown.

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#6: Belly button fluff

While definitely the least concern of all the big men’s health issues, belly button fluff is just not hot. Red faces can be spared by using a manly-smelling, nourishing body wash in the shower, paying special attention to the belly button area. We like Dove Men+Care Extra Fresh Body and Face Wash and The Body Shop White Musk SPORT Hair & Body Wash for their extra fresh scents and two-in-one cleansing capabilities. Less fuss – a big plus for blokes! Also, using a lint remover on any kind of jumper or knitwear that may shed fibres (both inside and outside) – will help with the prevention of icky belly button fluff!

#7: Ingrown hairs

Men tend to get more ingrown hairs than women. Why? Well, a combination of coarser hair, constant shaving and a lack of proper skin exfoliation can exacerbate the problem.  Unfortunately, when left to fester, ingrown hairs tend to unsightly imperfections, lumps and bumps, which many men find embarassing. We recommend an ingrown hair treatment such as Extract It or Bump eRaiser Triple Action Lotion to help strengthen the hair follicle and keep it open, so hair grows out instead of inward. Alternatively, a cooling post-shave gel such as Lab Series 3-in-1 Post-Shave can also work wonders.

Do you have any tips to help remedy any of the issues above?