Table Of Content00_MHB-Prelims:Layout 1 17/02/2009 12:19 Page i
The Men’s Health Book
00_MHB-Prelims:Layout 1 17/02/2009 12:19 Page ii
Disclaimer
This book is designed to increase knowledge, awareness and under-
standing of men’s health issues. It is not intended to replace the
advice that your own doctor can give you. If you are concerned by
any of the issues raised in this book make sure you consult your GP,
who is there to help you.
Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the
information and material contained in this book, nevertheless it is
possible that errors or omissions may occur in the content. The
author and publishers assume no responsibility for and give no
guarantees or warranties concerning the accuracy, completeness or
up-to-date nature of the information provided in this book.
00_MHB-Prelims:Layout 1 17/02/2009 12:19 Page iii
THE MEN’S HEALTH BOOK
A Guide for the Irish Man
D M R
R ARK OWE
00_MHB-Prelims:Layout 1 17/02/2009 12:19 Page iv
Blackhall Publishing
Lonsdale House
Avoca Avenue
Blackrock
Co. Dublin
Ireland
e-mail: [email protected]
www.blackhallpublishing.com
© Mark Rowe, 2009
ISBN: 978-1-84218-165-2
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced,
stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means,
electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise,
without the prior, written permission of the publisher.
This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or
otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out, or otherwise circulated without the
publisher’s prior consent in any form of binding or cover other than that in which
it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being
imposed on the subsequent purchaser.
Printed in Ireland by ColourBooks Ltd.
00_MHB-Prelims:Layout 1 17/02/2009 12:19 Page v
I dedicate this book to Edel and our children
Malcolm, Tony and Lydia.
I also dedicate it to my late father, Brendan Rowe,
who inspired me to write it.
Finally, I dedicate this book to the many heroes out there who work
hard on a daily basis to make a difference to the lives of others.
00_MHB-Prelims:Layout 1 17/02/2009 12:19 Page vi
Dr Mark Rowe – Biographical Information
Mark Rowe is a General Practitioner with a special interest in men’s
health. He graduated from UCD Medical School in 1991 and went on
to specialise in family practice and became a qualified member of the
Irish College of General Practitioners in 1995, achieving the first
place ‘Ellerd Eppel’ award. Since then he has practised as a GP in
Waterford City. He also runs a men’s health programme at the
Waterford Health Park where his practice is based.
He is a trainer with the South-East GP Training Programme. He
is also an examiner with the Irish College of General Practitioners.
Dr Rowe has published a number of national guidelines and articles
Forum
in the Irish College of General Practitioners’ journal, .
He has given seminars and has acted as guest speaker on the topic
of men’s health at a number of events.
He ran the New York Marathon in 2007 and fundraised for two
charities. His current research interest is in the area of ‘generative
space’, which means that by providing inspiring surroundings in the
primary healthcare setting you can enhance the esteem and feel-good
factor of both patients and staff, with resultant long-term health
improvements.
vi
00_MHB-Prelims:Layout 1 17/02/2009 12:19 Page vii
Acknowledgements
It is with deep gratitude that I express my appreciation to the
Men’s Health Book
following for their contributions to the :
• To my patients, whom I am privileged to serve on a daily basis.
Also to my colleagues and staff, who assist in that care.
• To all the team at Blackhall Publishing: to Elizabeth Brennan for
her initial encouragement and to Eileen O’Brien, who reviewed
the chapters, set deadlines and suggested improvements.
• To Richard Murphy for his creativity, which is evident in the
illustrations throughout the book.
• Finally, to my dear wife Edel, for her help, support and encour-
agement in this, as in all things.
vii
00_MHB-Prelims:Layout 1 17/02/2009 12:19 Page viii
00_MHB-Prelims:Layout 1 17/02/2009 12:19 Page ix
Contents
Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xiii
1. The Health Hazards of Being Male . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
2. A Man’s Got to Chew What a Man’s Got to Chew . . . 13
3. When Size Really Does Matter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
4. Exercise – Probably the Best Pill of All . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
5. A Good Heart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
6. Conquer Your Cholesterol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
7. Cancer – The Big ‘C’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .107
8. The Prostate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .143
9. When It Won’t Stay Up – Erectile
Dysfunction (Impotence) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .167
10. Male Infertility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .183
11. Watch What You Catch! Close the Door on
Sexually Transmitted Infections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .197
12. Know Your Balls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .211
13. Alcohol and Drugs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .231
14. Stress and Distress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .255
15. Depression . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .271
16. Common and Embarrassing Men’s Health Problems . .289
17. Conclusion – Time to Change for Your Better Health .321
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .333
ix
00_MHB-Prelims:Layout 1 17/02/2009 12:19 Page x
