THE FUSE

Did you know that a Cleveland Clinic survey found most men say they would rather do chores, like cleaning the bathroom or mowing the lawn, than see a doctor?¹ Many of my male patients tell me they avoid medical visits because they do not want to hear bad news or be confronted with health terms they don’t understand. Some say they are embarrassed or uncomfortable, or they worry they would be judged, particularly if the concern is related to sexual health or fertility. Ideally, medical staff could help men feel more comfortable talking about these concerns, but when I teach medical students and staff, many admit that even they feel awkward asking about sexual functioning and family planning with male patients, so they wait for them to bring up the topics.