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As research shows that men are more likely to delay seeing their GP, our expert breaks down some key signs to watch for and what to do next…
Summary
1If you have difficulty passing urine
Many men notice changes in their bathroom habits as they get older, including the constant feeling that they need to pee, no matter how many trips...
2If you have persistent back pain
Some causes of back pain are obvious: you sat at your desk too long or carried a heavy suitcase. But other times, the source of your spinal agony...
3If you have chest pain and shortness of breath
The sensation of chest pain can quickly send you into a panic but there are plenty of reasons why you might be experiencing discomfort...
Most of us are champions at ignoring stuff we probably shouldn’t, especially when it comes to our health. But while brushing off weird aches, changes or ‘probably nothing’ symptoms might seem harmless in the moment, it can sometimes lead to bigger issues down the line.
When it comes to regular health checks, the message from experts is clear: early detection saves lives. And when it comes to men1 in particular, there are a few key red flags your body might be waving that deserve your undivided attention.
We asked a GP to break down seven symptoms you should never shrug off, including what they might mean, why they matter and how to know if it’s time to book a check-up.
1. Difficulty passing urine
Many men notice changes in their bathroom habits as they get older, including the constant feeling that they need to pee, no matter how many trips they make to the toilet.
“Difficulty peeing is often down to things like an enlarged prostate2 or a urinary tract infection,”3 explains Dr Chun Tang, GP at Pall Mall.
“Difficulty peeing is often down to things like an enlarged prostate2 or a urinary tract infection,”3 explains Dr Chun Tang, GP at Pall Mall.
“As men get older, the prostate naturally grows2 and can press on the urethra, the tube urine passes through, making it harder to pee. And in rarer cases, it could be a sign of prostate cancer4 or other bladder issues.”
When to speak to your GP: “If you’re waking up a lot at night to pee, have a weak stream, feel like you’re not emptying your bladder properly, or spot any blood in your urine, it’s a good idea to check in with your GP,” says Dr Tang.
2. Persistent back pain
Some causes of back pain are obvious: you sat at your desk too long or carried a heavy suitcase. But other times, the source of your spinal agony might not be so clear.
“Back pain is typically caused by things like muscle strain, poor posture or disc problems,” says Dr Tang.5 “But if it lasts more than a few weeks, doesn’t improve with rest or is accompanied by numbness, weakness or changes in your bladder or bowel control, then it’s worth further investigation.
When to see your GP: “Book an appointment if your back pain is interfering with daily life or keeps returning,” says Dr Tang.
3. Chest pain and shortness of breath
The sensation of chest pain can quickly send you into a panic, and while chest pains are a common symptom of heart attacks,7 there are plenty of other reasons why you might be experiencing discomfort.
“It could be something as simple as indigestion8, a pulled muscle or even anxiety,” reassures Dr Tang. That said, it’s still worth checking out, especially since men are generally at a higher risk for heart-related issues than women but this gap shrinks as women age.9
When to see your GP: “If the pain feels tight, heavy or spreads to your arm or jaw, and especially if it comes with shortness of breath, sweating or nausea, call 999 immediately. These are all signs of a heart attack,” warns Dr Tang.7
Shortness of breath10 is another key symptom to watch. “If it comes on suddenly, gets worse with activity or you’re finding it harder to catch your breath than usual, it could point to something like heart disease, a lung issue such as a clot or even anaemia,” he adds.
4. Changes in bowel or bladder habits
Noticing more frequent trips to the loo, looser stools, constipation or blood in your poo?
“These kinds of bowel changes can be signs of common issues like IBS11 or infections,” says Dr Tang. “But if they persist or come with red flags like weight loss, fatigue or ongoing discomfort, they could be early symptoms of something more serious, like bowel cancer.”12
When to see your GP: “Keep an eye out for blood in your stool12 (especially if it looks dark or tar-like), ongoing changes in your bowel habits that last more than a few weeks, or a persistent feeling that you haven’t fully emptied your bowels,” says Dr Tang.
5. Fatigue or unexplained weight loss
Between waking up early, working all day, attempting to stay active and juggling endless amounts of life admin, most of us feel pretty tired all the time.
“Ongoing tiredness can be just life catching up with you,” says Dr Tang. “Or it can also be a subtle sign of more serious issues like anaemia or thyroid problems.”
“Tiredness could also point to diabetes,13 where your body struggles to regulate blood sugar or chronic infections that drain your energy over time.”
He continues: “Likewise, losing weight without trying can be an early warning sign that your body isn’t absorbing nutrients properly14 or that something more serious is going on.”
When to see your GP: “If you’re constantly exhausted, even after rest, or notice weight loss over a few weeks with no obvious reason, it’s time to get things checked,” says Dr Tang.
6. Mood changes or mental health struggles
From negative news headlines to the cost of living crisis, it's been an incredibly tough few years.
“Mental health is just as important as physical health,” says Dr Tang. “Men often feel the need to ‘tough it out’, but things like feeling low, irritable, unmotivated or hopeless shouldn’t be brushed off.
“These could be signs of depression or anxiety, or even linked to something physical, like low testosterone15 or neurological16 conditions.”
When to see your GP: “If your mood’s been off for more than a couple of weeks, or if it’s affecting your sleep, appetite, work or relationships, it’s worth reaching out,” advises Dr Tang.
7. Skin changes or unusual moles
It’s pretty common to have moles or freckles on your skin and the majority of the time they aren’t cause for concern.
However, if a mole changes appearance, it’s important to get it checked out, as this can be an early sign of skin cancer.
“You should check your skin monthly, especially if you spend time outdoors,” advises Dr Tang. “Look out for moles17 that change in size, shape or colour, or start itching or bleeding.”
When to see your GP: “If a mole looks suspicious, book in with your GP or a dermatologist,” advises Dr Tang. “Skin cancer, including melanoma, is more common in men, particularly those over 50,18 so early detection really can save lives.”
The final say
Research shows1 that men are less likely than women to seek medical advice, but when it comes to health, no one should suffer in silence.
It's important to be vigilant of any changes to your health or body, as while most of the time they’re nothing to worry about, getting checked can give you peace of mind and, in some cases, could help catch something serious early.
This article provides informational advice and is not a substitute for medical care. Curated by experts for accuracy, we take great care to ensure the information is up-to-date and relevant. However, you should always consult your GP or healthcare professional before using supplements or alternative products, particularly if you have medical conditions or are under supervision.
1. Wang Y, Hunt K, Nazareth I, Freemantle N, Petersen I. Do men consult less than women? An analysis of routinely collected UK general practice data. BMJ Open [Internet]. 2013 Aug;3(8):e003320. Available from: https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/3/8/e003320
2. NHS website. Enlarged prostate [Internet]. nhs.uk. 2017. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/enlarged-prostate/
3. National Health Service. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) [Internet]. NHS. 2022. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/urinary-tract-infections-utis/
4. NHS. Prostate cancer - Symptoms [Internet]. nhs.uk. 2018. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/prostate-cancer/symptoms/
5. NHS . Back pain [Internet]. NHS. 2022. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/back-pain/
6. Lindsey T, Dydyk AM. Spinal Osteoarthritis [Internet]. PubMed. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK553190/
7. NHS . Symptoms - Heart Attack [Internet]. NHS. 2019. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/heart-attack/symptoms/
8. NHS . Chest pain [Internet]. NHS. 2020. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/chest-pain/
9. Gao Z, Chen Z, Sun A, Deng X. Gender Differences in Cardiovascular Disease. Medicine in Novel Technology and Devices [Internet]. 2019 Dec 1;4(100025):100025. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590093519300256
10. NHS . Shortness of breath [Internet]. NHS. 2024. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/shortness-of-breath/
11. NHS . Symptoms - Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) [Internet]. NHS. 2019. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/irritable-bowel-syndrome-ibs/symptoms/
12. NHS. Bowel Cancer - Symptoms [Internet]. nhs.uk. 2023. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bowel-cancer/symptoms/
13. NHS. Symptoms - type 2 diabetes [Internet]. NHS. 2020. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/type-2-diabetes/symptoms/
14. NHS. Symptoms - Malnutrition [Internet]. NHS. 2023. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/malnutrition/symptoms/
15. Kristian H.Reveles Jensen, Malene Ravn Aarestrup, Søren Vinther Larsen, Köhler-Forsberg K, Gitte Moos Knudsen, Martin Balslev Jørgensen, et al. Psychoneuroendocrine profiles of unmedicated men with major depressive disorder and associations to treatment effects and sexual side-effects. Neuroscience Applied. 2024 Feb 1;104050–0.
16. Pagonabarraga J, Álamo C, Castellanos M, Díaz S, Manzano S. Depression in Major Neurodegenerative Diseases and Strokes: A Critical Review of Similarities and Differences among Neurological Disorders. Brain Sciences. 2023 Feb 13;13(2):318.
17. NHS Choices. Moles [Internet]. NHS. 2020. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/moles/
18. UK CR. Men’s skin cancer rates increase by 50% over decade [Internet]. Cancer Research UK - Cancer News. 2021. Available from: https://news.cancerresearchuk.org/2021/06/24/mens-skin-cancer-rates-increase-by-50-over-decade/
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