Student Health Services at Moffitt Health Center
Men's Health
Page Content
Men's Health Screenings
| Screening Tests | Ages 18-39 |
| General Health/Physical Exam: Full check-up, including weight and height | Discuss with your doctor or nurse; typically every 3 years |
| Heart Health: | |
| Blood pressure check | At least every year. |
| Cholesterol Test | Start at age 20, typically every 3 years. Discuss with your doctor or nurse. |
| Diabetes: Blood sugar test | Typically every 3 years. Discuss with your doctor or nurse. |
| Reproductive Health: | |
| Testicular exam | Monthly self-exam; part of general check-up |
| Chlamydia test | Discuss with your doctor or nurse. |
| Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) | Both partners should get tested for STIs, including HIV, before initiating sexual intercourse. |
| Eye and Ear Health: | |
| Eye exam | Get your vision checked if you have problems or visual changes. |
| Hearing test | Starting at age 18, then every 10 years. |
| Skin Health: Mole exam | Monthly mole self-exam; by a doctor every 3 years, starting at age 20. |
| Oral Health: Dental exam | One to two times every year. |
| Mental Health: mental health screening | Discuss with your doctor or nurse. |
| Immunizations: | |
| Influenza vaccine | Annually. Discuss with your doctor or nurse. |
| Pneumococcal vaccine | Discuss with your doctor or nurse. |
| Tetanus-Diphtheria Booster vaccine |
Every 10 years. |
| Meningitis vaccine |
1-2 doses depending on when you get your first dose. |
Men should examine themselves regularly for testicular cancer beginning at age 15.
Warning signs for testicular cancer are:
- one testicle may swell, or feel abnormally heavy
- a small painless lump may develop on a testicle
- male breast may enlarge and feel tender
- pain/discomfort in the scrotum
- swelling in the scrotum
- dull ache in the scrotum or abdomen
Half of sexually active people will contract an STI by age 25. Men can transfer STI’s through vaginal, anal, and oral sex. Effects of STI’s can cause serious medical conditions. It is important to get tested because many times STI’s do not have any symptoms.
Check with your doctor if you have:
- A need to urinate often
- Burning while urinating
- Drip or discharge from penis
- Sores, bumps, or blisters
- Pain or itching
- Warts
Steroids may seem like a quick way to build that extra muscle or improve athletic performance. However, steroids have many physical and psychological side effects that are often irreversible.
These include:
- Kidney damage
- Heart damage
- Penis and testicle damage
- Infertility
- Ligaments and tendons damage
- Liver cancer
- Depression
- Paranoia
- Mood swings
- Aggressive behavior
Men suffer from depression just as much as women but are less likely to ask for help. Men are more likely to commit suicide due to depression.
Signs of depression that may be prevalent in men are:
- Irritability
- Sudden Anger/Aggression
- Increased loss of control
- Greater risk taking
- Sad, hopeless or empty feeling
- Fatigue/tiredness
- Difficulty Sleeping
- Withdrawn, spending more time at work or alone
- Alcohol/drug abuse