men's health · 2025 · 6 min read

Men's health matters

Why should men check in with a GP more often?

Because men in Australia die on average 4 years earlier than women, often from causes that were preventable. Yet many men avoid regular check-ups or delay getting help when something feels wrong. Let's talk about it guys.

As your trusted GP, I am really passionate about preventative health and starting honest, practical conversations with men to help them stay on top of their physical and mental wellbeing.

Why men need to check in more often

• Men are less likely to visit a doctor regularly.
• Around 1 in 8 men will experience depression.
• 1 in 5 will experience anxiety during their lifetime.
• Many health issues that affect men are treatable or manageable, especially if caught early.

The key areas of men's health

I believe every man should have a trusted doctor, one they can talk with openly about all topics, especially the ones that men often shy away from.

Some of the most common issues that I try to discuss openly with my patients are below.

Heart health and blood pressure checks

• High blood pressure is often silent, no symptoms, but a serious risk.
• Heart disease is one of the top killers of Australian men.
• A quick check can help prevent stroke, heart attack, and kidney damage.

General fitness and physical health

• Lack of regular exercise increases the risk of diabetes, obesity, low mood, and erectile dysfunction.
• We help you set simple, achievable goals to move more and stay active.

Prostate health and urinary issues

• Symptoms like frequent urination or a weak stream are surprisingly common, and most men will face them as they get older and wiser!
• A PSA blood test (and sometimes a digital rectal exam) may be recommended, especially after age 50, or earlier if you have a family history of prostate cancer.

Sexual health and testosterone

• Erectile dysfunction is common, especially after 40, and can be a sign of heart disease or diabetes.
• Testosterone deficiency can cause very non-specific symptoms like low energy, low libido, and mood changes.
• I offer evidence-based assessment and management, not hype or fads.

Male fertility check-ups

• If you're planning to start or grow your family, we can check semen quality, hormones, and lifestyle factors that may affect fertility.

Weight management

• Carrying extra weight increases the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, and sleep apnoea.
• I am one of the founders of our weight management clinic, and I have completed multiple courses in this area, including a certificate of obesity management from the University of Melbourne. This helps me offer a practical, non-judgemental, multi-disciplinary approach to helping people reach their goals when it comes to a healthier weight.

Mental health and wellbeing

• We all know it, men often bottle things up. It's an extremely common issue in this day and age.
• Over the years I have developed a set of skills that help me approach this often-less-talked-about topic with (what I believe is) ease and openness.
• We can talk about topics like stress, anger, relationship strain, and depression or anxiety.
• No labels, no pressure, just a safe space to talk and get support.

Drugs and alcohol

• Concerned about how much you're drinking or using substances?
• Early support can make a big difference for your health, relationships, and future.
• Again, no judgements here, just a good open discussion.
• Dr Ahmed Al-Obaidi works in a drug and alcohol facility in Victoria, as he wants to broaden his skills and expertise in this area.
• Dr Al-Obaidi can offer a range of treatment options here, including counselling, life coaching, referrals, and opioid replacement therapy (ORT).

Chronic pain

• Chronic pain (lasting longer than 3 months) affects 1 in 5 Australian adults.
• It is often underdiagnosed in men.
• It can lead to sleep problems, mood disorders, and a reduced ability to work or exercise.
• We focus on evidence-based treatment, lifestyle support, and medication review.

Bowel (colon) cancer screening

• Bowel cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in Australian men.
• A free bowel screening test is mailed to Australians aged 50 to 74 every 2 years.
• Early detection can save lives, and many cases are treatable if caught early.
• Some higher-risk men will need a colonoscopy (camera down the bottom) to help detect cancers early.

Take the first step

You don't have to be sick to see your GP. A 15-minute check-up could make a major difference to your quality of life. Whether it's a private chat about something worrying or a full health check, I am here to help!

Your health matters. Make it a priority.

Great resources to read

• Men's Line, a great comprehensive resource for men.
• QuitLine, to help with smoking (and vaping!).
• DirectLine, a confidential, free drug and alcohol support line and service in Victoria.
• Men's Shed.
• Beyond Blue, a great resource for everything mental health.
• Switchboard, resources for the LGBTIQA+ community.

References

• Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), "The health of Australia's males," 2022
• Beyond Blue, "Men's mental health statistics," 2022
• Heart Foundation, "High blood pressure," 2023
• Cancer Australia, Prostate Cancer Statistics, 2023
• Andrology Australia, Erectile Dysfunction & BPH info
• Your Fertility, Australian Government
• ABS, Causes of Death, 2022
• Pain Australia, National Pain Strategy
• Cancer Council Australia, Bowel Cancer Facts
• AIHW, Alcohol and Drugs in Australia, 2022

Dr Ahmed Al-Obaidi · FRACGP

General information only, not personal medical advice. Talk to your own GP about what suits you.