What is Alcohol Use Disorder? Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a chronic medical condition characterised by an individual's inability to control or stop their drinking despite adverse consequences. It is a severe form of problem drinking. It is diagnosed based on a set of criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), which mental health professionals use for diagnostic purposes. The DSM-5 criteria for diagnosing Alcohol Use Disorder include: Impaired control The person often drinks more or for a more extended period than intended, and there is a persi ..read more

What Are Common Sexually Transmitted Infections for Australian Men? Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can affect individuals of any gender, including men, and their prevalence can vary by region and population. In Australia, as in many other countries, several STIs are common among men. These include: Chlamydia Chlamydia is one of the most common STIs in Australia and affects both men and women. It often presents without symptoms, which makes regular testing important. Gonorrhea Gonorrhea is another prevalent STI in Australia, and it can cause symptoms like painful urination and discharge ..read more

Introduction Maintaining good health is a priority for everyone, and regular screening tests are crucial in the early detection and prevention of various health conditions. Men, like women, benefit from routine screenings to catch potential issues in their early stages when treatment is often more effective. This comprehensive guide will explore the essential screening tests that every man should consider to safeguard his health and well-being. Blood Pressure Measurement High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a silent killer that can lead to serious health problems, including heart disease a ..read more

What is High Cholesterol? High cholesterol, also known as hypercholesterolemia, refers to an elevated cholesterol level in the blood. Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance produced by the liver and obtained through certain foods. It is essential to cell membranes, hormone production, and bile acid synthesis. Cholesterol travels through the bloodstream in particles called lipoproteins. There are two main types of lipoproteins involved in cholesterol transport: Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) Often called "bad" cholesterol, LDL carries cholesterol from the liver to cells throughout the body. S ..read more

Statistics on Male Depression in Australia According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the prevalence of depression among males in Australia varies depending on the age group. In 2017-18, the prevalence of depression among males aged 18 years and over was: 4.6% for males aged 18-24 years 5.5% for males aged 25-34 years 6.2% for males aged 35-44 years 5.7% for males aged 45-54 years 4.6% for males aged 55-64 years 3.3% for males aged 65-74 years 2.4% for males aged 75 years and over. It is important to note that depression is often underreported, and these statistics may not capture the ..read more

“I don’t know what to do, I feel lost and alone.”  Steve (not his real name) is a 38-year-old man, who is married with 3 kids, working at a local factory.  “I have no energy and don’t want to do anything; I don’t play touch anymore and I think my wife is going to leave me.” Steve, by attending his doctor, is doing more than many men do.  Many men, unfortunately, do not seek help to address what is often a medical condition that is impacting on their personal lives -  depression.  Men commit suicide, abuse alcohol and use drugs at a much higher rate than women.  Th ..read more

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a broad term that covers many different conditions. It is essentially any condition that affects your heart and blood vessels. This includes coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease, stroke, high blood pressure, congenital heart defects, cardiomyopathy (weakness of the heart muscle), rheumatic heart disease (an autoimmune condition), Kawasaki disease (a type of vasculitis), heart arrhythmia, congenital valve conditions, and other conditions involving valves or cardiac rhythm disturbances. Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) is one of the Leading Causes of Dea ..read more

Brad (not his real name) is a a 34 ear old man who came to see me this week.  Brad has been attempting to lose weight, going slowly losing about 500g a week, on average, for the past 3 months  “Doc, I am thinking about going to the gym and lifting weights, but don’t know where to start.”.  He is married with 2 kids and has no other physical or mental health concerns.  He works in an office and has not been in a gym previously.  He denies any shoulder, knee or hip issues currently or in the past. Many gyms offer a personal trainer, for one-on-one sessions when joining t ..read more

Joe (not his real name), a 45 year old male presented to the practice concerned about his memory.  He had found that over the last couple of months that he had been forgetting to complete job’s at work and at home, even once forgetting to pick up his children from school, usually a regular task. He had not been in any trouble at work yet but had heard one of his managers talking to a colleague about how his quality of work was not what it used to be.  He also said that his partner was getting frustrated with him as he was not paying bills on time and was not exercising as often. Joe ..read more

Mental Health Case Study Joe (not his real name), a 44 year old man came to see me (Dr Clem Bonney) for a general check-up.  He appeared slightly anxious and worried.  It is not unusual for men to present for a general check-up as a way of reaching out for someone to ask how they are.  In Joe’s case, he was not doing so well.  He is married, with 2 children age 8 and 10 years and works in a factory.  When I asked what else he did, he looked perplexed.  “Things for yourself, exercise, hobbies, going out with your mates, that type of thing.” I suggested.  “Doc ..read more