June is Men’s Health Month
I’ll be honest—I probably don’t talk about men’s health enough.
Not because I don’t take care of men. And certainly not because I don’t care about their health.
And it’s not because men don’t care about their health either.
The truth? Men’s health often isn’t top of mind.
Many men don’t go to the doctor regularly. They tend to push through symptoms, brush things off, or assume they’re “just getting older.” Sometimes they don’t even recognize that what they’re experiencing are symptoms.
Low energy.
Poor sleep.
Weight gain around the midsection.
Less motivation.
Reduced strength or stamina.
Changes in mood, stress tolerance, or libido.
Many men normalize these things—or simply keep moving forward and deal with them later.
Until later comes.
A common refrain in my practice goes something like this:
A male patient joins the practice and tells me he had been putting off seeing a doctor for years—until his wife or partner encouraged him to schedule an appointment, something finally scared him, or symptoms became too difficult to ignore.
Sometimes it’s elevated blood pressure.
Sometimes it’s exhaustion.
Sometimes it’s chest discomfort, weight gain, worsening labs, or simply not feeling like themselves anymore.
And very often, I hear some version of:
“I probably should have done this sooner.”
This month, I want to change that conversation.
Because men’s health is about so much more than avoiding disease. It’s about energy, longevity, strength, confidence, mental clarity, and showing up for the people who matter most.
Throughout June, we’re going to talk about men’s health in a practical, approachable, no-shame way—from prevention and screenings to hormones, metabolism, sleep, and what many people call “manopause.”
Because taking care of your health isn’t weakness.
It’s one of the strongest things you can do.
The State of Men’s Health Today
Here’s the reality: men tend to delay healthcare longer than women. Research consistently shows that men are less likely to seek preventive care and more likely to wait until symptoms begin interfering with everyday life. And honestly, I see this play out all the time in primary care.
Many men are busy working, providing, parenting, caring for others, and simply trying to keep up with life. Health often gets pushed to the back burner. Symptoms are brushed off as stress, aging, lack of sleep, or “just part of getting older.” Sometimes men don’t even recognize what they’re experiencing as symptoms in the first place.
At the same time, we’re seeing some concerning health trends. More men are struggling with weight gain, insulin resistance, prediabetes, high blood pressure, poor sleep, chronic stress, burnout, and questions about hormones and energy. Sleep apnea is incredibly common and often overlooked, especially in men who snore, wake feeling exhausted, or rely heavily on caffeine to get through the day. Loneliness and chronic stress—things we don’t often associate with physical health—are also having real impacts on mental and cardiovascular health.
And here’s the difficult part: many of these issues develop quietly over time. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. Prediabetes can look like fatigue or stubborn belly weight. Cholesterol problems don’t “feel” like anything. Heart disease—the leading cause of death for men in the United States—often develops silently in the background.
You can feel “mostly fine” while risk is slowly building.
The “I’m Fine” Trap
Many men are incredibly resilient—or at least try to be. They push through discomfort, keep showing up for work and family, and often ignore things they would encourage someone else to get checked out.
That resilience is admirable, but sometimes it works against health.
One of the biggest misconceptions I hear is: “If something was wrong, I’d know.” Unfortunately, many important health problems are quiet until they aren’t.
This is why prevention matters.
Healthcare shouldn’t start only when things feel scary, exhausting, or impossible to ignore. The best time to address blood pressure, metabolic health, sleep, stress, or hormone concerns is often long before they become bigger problems. And the encouraging news? Many of these issues are highly treatable—and sometimes even reversible—with the right support.
Men’s Health Is About More Than Living Longer
When I think about men’s health, I’m not just thinking about adding years to life. I’m thinking about quality of life.
Having the energy to play with your kids or grandkids. Feeling mentally sharp at work. Sleeping better. Maintaining strength. Protecting your heart, brain, and independence as you age. Feeling motivated, capable, and more like yourself again.
Health is not just about avoiding disease. It’s about feeling well enough to fully live your life.
A Different Way to Think About Health
Instead of asking:
“Am I sick?”
Try asking:
“Am I functioning at my best?”
How’s your energy? Your sleep? Your focus? Your mood? Your stamina? Your stress level?
Sometimes the goal isn’t just treating disease.
Sometimes it’s helping people become the healthiest version of themselves before disease ever takes hold.
A Challenge for Men This Month
If it’s been a while since you’ve checked in on your health, consider this your gentle nudge: schedule the appointment, ask the questions, get the labs, and talk about the symptoms you’ve been brushing off.
You don’t have to wait until something feels “bad enough.”
And for the women reading this—sometimes the men you love need a little encouragement too.
Next week, we’re tackling one of the biggest questions I hear from men in midlife:
Is “manopause” real?
The information shared by Direct Primary Care of West Michigan is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Reading this content does not establish a physician-patient relationship and should not replace consultation with your healthcare provider regarding your specific medical concerns.
