Starting at 45, men often face serious health risks
A large number of men neglect their health for decades. That’s why, on average, they die younger than women. And yet, taking countermeasures is relatively easy, as Dr Tobias Jäger explains in this interview.
«Real men get checked» is how Aarau’s cantonal hospital’s trying to get men over 50 to undergo a prostate exam. One person who knows a thing or two about men is Dr Tobias Jäger. He’s a urology specialist and considered one of the top men’s health experts in Germany. His book is available in our shop (in German).
In an interview, I asked him how men could close that life expectancy gap.
Dr Jäger, women in Switzerland live almost five years longer than men. This isn’t predestined or down to genetics, is it?
Dr Tobias Jäger: No, lifestyle’s a major factor why men die earlier. There’s a very interesting study that analysed the life expectancy of men and women living in monasteries (page in German). It proved that men benefitted greatly from this environment as it allowed them to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Is that something men outside of those cloister walls are lacking?
The monastery study shows what happens when certain factors are taken out of the equation. They include smoking, drinking and accidents caused by high-risk activities. But there are also other things men can do to live longer.
Like what?
Two things stand out as so-called protective factors: sports and physical activity. However, many men don’t want to hear this. They’d rather take protein powder or vitamins than get their bodies moving.
What about all those blokes who religiously go to the gym every day?
Those trips aren’t always about exercising. Take a look around a gym and you’ll see that men who are working out for looks are in the majority. This means their focus is less on sustainable, demanding muscle building.
So what should they be doing instead?
I’m an advocate of a well-balanced workout that includes cardio and strength. Even a simple routine with pull-ups, push-ups and sit-ups is effective. Just make sure you’re doing this twice a week for 20 to 30 minutes.
There are also those men who turn to triathlons or marathons to run away from their midlife crisis.
If you’re going from zero to sixty because of a crisis, you’re putting yourself in danger. It’s those typical cases when someone dies of heart attack while running. I’m not saying you can’t try something new at 40 or 50, but it’s important to go for that medical checkup first.
Many men seem to be averse to taking care of themselves.
Yes, the data confirms this. Women go for regular health checkups from a young age, usually when they start their periods. For men, however, there’s no real reason to see a doctor for decades. It’s only from the age of around 40 that this starts to become relevant.
Not least because the prospect of having their prostate examined is either taboo or a nightmare for a lot of men.
Yes, many men are scared of a rectal examination. Ironically, it’s not even the best way to detect a tumour on the prostate.
So which method is the best?
There’s a new guideline on its way that focuses on the PSA value in the blood. It determines the initial PSA, or prostate-specific antigen, value in the blood and is carried out on men around the age of 40. Checking this value over a certain period of time can be helpful in catching prostate cancer in its early stages.
So no more need for a rectal examination?
It would definitely lose the importance it has today. I’m pretty sure this would help eliminate many men’s fear of going for that checkup.
In your book, you argue that testosterone levels should be examined during screening. Why?
People generally associate testosterone with muscles and sexuality. But it’s also immensely important in other areas. It’s key for your metabolism and mental well-being, for example. A colleague of mine once described it as the «hormone king of men».
How does a low testosterone level show?
Affected men often feel tired and exhausted, are irritable and sleep badly. This is often wrongfully diagnosed as burnout. Unfortunately, it’s still rather uncommon for medical professionals to examine testosterone levels. So it’s not surprising that low testosterone levels are rarely detected.
Is a low testosterone level unavoidable after a certain age? Or is there something you can do about it?
Truly healthy and fit men have a normal testosterone level into old age. So maintaining a healthy level isn’t impossible or down to fate or evolution. However, there is a big risk of going down a negative spiral between 45 and 50. Many men put on weight during this time. In turn, every gramme of extra fat reduces testosterone, which can then lead to a lack of drive, less physical activity and building up even more fat – it’s a vicious circle.
How do you avoid falling into this trap?
Being in a relationship’s a good thing. It tends to rub off on men if their significant other leads a healthy lifestyle. This includes eating healthily and going for checkups. Then there’s one thing men should consider investing in to stay healthy.
Which is?
Exercise. Middle-aged men who work out are highly likely to maintain their erectile function in old age. That’s bound to motivate most men. What’s more, tumours occur less frequently in men who are physically active.
Men and checkups
What's your take on looking after your health?
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Martin Jungfer
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Martin.Jungfer@digitecgalaxus.chJournalist since 1997. Stopovers in Franconia (or the Franken region), Lake Constance, Obwalden, Nidwalden and Zurich. Father since 2014. Expert in editorial organisation and motivation. Focus on sustainability, home office tools, beautiful things for the home, creative toys and sports equipment.
