Movember, or No Shave November, is a social movement that’s intended to spark conversations about men’s health, and it’s represented by the iconic mustache (or facial hair). Every November, men around the globe ditch their razors and clean-shaven faces in exchange for mustaches or beards that serve as a significant reminder about the importance of men’s health.

UCA has joined in the fight to raise awareness about several men’s health issues that males currently face. It’s important for men to stay aware of the signs and symptoms of these conditions, and know there is a solution to these problems.  You are not alone.

• Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH) -This is a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate, which affects a majority of men over the age of 50. Some of the symptoms of BPH include a weak urine stream, difficulty starting urination, interruption of the urine stream, dribbling at the end of urination, urgency related to urination, nocturia (waking up to urinate), and a feeling that the bladder is not completely empty after urination.
• Low Testosterone – Also referred to as “Lot T”, Low Testosterone refers to abnormally low levels of the male sex hormone testosterone in the blood. Testosterone is produced by the testes and to a lesser extent by the adrenal glands. These levels peak in early adulthood and then begin to drop about 1%-2% a year beginning in the 40s. Symptoms of Low T could include fatigue, low sex drive, irritability, reduced lean muscle mass, erectile dysfunction, and depression.
• Erectile Dysfunction (ED) – ED is the inability to obtain an erection that is sufficient for satisfactory intercourse.
• Peyronie’s Disease – Peyronie’s disease is the development of fibrous scar tissue inside the penis that causes curved, painful erections. Penises vary in shape and size, and having a curved erection isn’t necessarily a cause for concern. But Peyronie’s disease causes a significant bend or pain in some men.
• Male Incontinence – There are several types of incontinence, but the most common are urinary urge incontinence, stress incontinence, and mixed incontinence. This is a very common condition and the prevalence does increase as the patient ages. Cause of incontinence can be related to infection, hormone status, or pelvic surgeries.
• Prostate Cancer – The prostate is a small walnut shaped gland in the pelvis of men. It is located next to the bladder and can be examined by getting a digital rectal exam. Prostate cancer is a form of cancer that develops in the prostate gland. It is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths for men in the U.S. About 1 in 7 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. This type of cancer develops slowly and is initially confined to the prostate gland. While in the prostate gland, the cancer may not cause any harm to the individual. While some types of prostate cancer grow slowly and may require minimal or no treatment at all, other types are more aggressive and can spread throughout the body at a more accelerated rate.
• Testicular Cancer – This form of cancer does not follow the common risks associated with age. Instead, testicular cancer is most common in younger males between puberty and age 35. This type of cancer is associated with lump or growth located within the scrotum.

Movember serves as a way to start the not-so-easy conversation about men’s health and the risks associated with it. Wearing a mustache or beard for the 30 days of November allows you to be a part of a proactive group of men who want to take action and aid in decreasing the mortality rate of men around the world. If you or someone you know may be affected by one of the issues we’ve touched on, contact UCA to schedule a consultation and get back on the road to a healthier you.