Men’s Health in focus

Each year, the Movember Foundation campaign highlights men’s health, both physical and mental, and encourages men to take charge of their wellbeing. Regular health checks are one of the best ways to stay on top of your long-term health.

At EssexPrivateGP, we offer personalised men’s health services designed to give you a clear picture of your wellbeing and the reassurance that everything’s working as it should.

Men’s prostate health checks

The PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test measures the amount of PSA in your blood. This is a protein produced by the prostate gland. A raised PSA level doesn’t always mean prostate cancer, but it can indicate that something needs further investigation, such as an enlarged prostate or inflammation.

Since prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK, regular testing is a sensible part of routine health monitoring, particularly if you’re over 50 or have a family history of the disease.

Research carried out by Aviva found that a quarter of men aged 25-54 were not aware of the symptoms of prostate cancer. Symptoms including frequent, weak or painful urination, difficulty starting or stopping urination, feeling the bladder has not emptied fully, or blood in urine or semen should always be checked out. However, prostate cancer doesn’t always show symptoms in the early stages, so a regular screening is crucial.

At EssexPrivateGP, we take a balanced approach to PSA testing. We’ll discuss the benefits and limitations of the test with you, review your individual risk factors, and guide you through what your results mean. If further tests or referrals are needed, we’ll make sure you have clear information and ongoing support at every step.

Cardiovascular health checks

Heart health plays a major role in men’s overall wellbeing. Regular blood pressure and cholesterol checks can help identify early signs of cardiovascular problems before symptoms appear. High blood pressure and elevated cholesterol are two of the biggest risk factors for heart disease, but both are manageable through early intervention, healthy eating, regular exercise, and, if necessary, medication.

Our Well Man Checks include a comprehensive review of your cardiovascular health, along with blood glucose and other key markers. These assessments are designed to give you an honest, detailed overview of your health, so you can make informed choices about how to maintain or improve it.

Supporting your mental health

In the UK, men are still less likely than women to seek help for mental health concerns, even though stress, depression, and anxiety are incredibly common. According to Movember statistics, three out of four suicides in the UK are by men, and around one in eight men experience a mental health problem at any given time.

There are ways to help reduce stress and improve mood, including spending time outdoors, regular exercise and getting enough sleep (adults should aim for seven to nine hours each night). A recent study found that spending at least two hours a week in nature significantly boosts psychological wellbeing and physical health.

It’s important to know that you’re not alone, and connecting with others is especially important when going through a rough patch with your mental health. If you are really struggling with your mental health, Samaritans offers a 24-hour free hotline (phone 116 123), or call NHS 111 option 2.

At EssexPrivateGP, we provide a safe, confidential space to discuss mental health openly, and we can connect you with counselling or further support where needed.

Book your Well Man Health Check today and take the next step toward a healthier, more balanced you.