[WOMBAI]

Women are more likely to report ill health than men - why is this? What are men scared of?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8588686.stm

Is it just 'ostriches burying their heads in the sand' syndrome?

[Enid]

Men like being in charge, even of their own bodies. I guess being ill is a sign of weakness.

[WOMBAI]

Originally Posted by Enid

Men like being in charge, even of their own bodies. I guess being ill is a sign of weakness.

Isn't the real weakness - being afraid of looking weak?

[Vicky.]

Good god, my man is never away from the doctors...a sniffle and he is convinced he is dying.

[WOMBAI]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

Good god, my man is never away from the doctors...a sniffle and he is convinced he is dying.

[Scarlett.]

I dont see the need to go to the doctors everytime I feel ill

[hennessy]

I could be coughing blood and still think it'll pass in a day or two and go to work

[Scarlett.]

Originally Posted by hennessy

I could be coughing blood and still think it'll pass in a day or two and go to work

Same here, funny thing is, most things do pass in a day or two too

[Wildcat!]

That has nothing to do with being scared. On the contrary. Its the fact that we dont usually consider anything an illness unless youre about to die or something. I know thats how I am. I cant remember the last time I went to the hospital, or even told people I was ill. And its because most of the time its not necessary.

Women however, have a higher threshold for pain. But they do tend to go to the doctors more often, which is to me just women being more practical, and more cautious than men.

[Beastie]

Men are scared of not pleasuring their partner's enough.

[GypsyGoth]

I typed the first few words into google and got this

[Smithy]

Im scared of you claudia

[GypsyGoth]

Originally Posted by Smithy

Im scared of you claudia

You better be!!

[Smithy]

Originally Posted by GypsyGoth

You better be!!

-whimper-

[GypsyGoth]

Originally Posted by Smithy

-whimper-

That'll do you no good, you're still getting hit

[Smithy]

Originally Posted by GypsyGoth

That'll do you no good, you're still getting hit

Sowwy
Bitch

[Enid]

Originally Posted by GypsyGoth

That'll do you no good, you're still getting hit

Mmmm Dwight.

[WOMBAI]

I think we are all frightened by the reality of illness - but I think women tend to confront it head on as a preventative measure - whereas men tend to run away from it, and pretend it isn't happening. Women are more realistic about it!

[Scarlett.]

Originally Posted by WOMBAI

whereas men tend to run away from it, and pretend it isn't happening.

Uh not exactly, I just dont think its nessesary wasting mine and the doctors time just for him/her to tell me what I already knew, I'll get better in a few days

Obviously, if its something I deem 'serious' then I will go to the doctor, though both my parents worked in the medical profession, so I might as well go see them and ask what they think, rather than taking time out of my day to make an appointment

[WOMBAI]

Originally Posted by Chewy

Uh not exactly, I just dont think its nessesary wasting mine and the doctors time just for him/her to tell me what I already knew, I'll get better in a few days

Obviously, if its something I deem 'serious' then I will go to the doctor, though both my parents worked in the medical profession, so I might as well go see them and ask what they think, rather than taking time out of my day to make an appointment

That is the point though - men tend to ignore symptoms of more serious illness - hoping they will go away! It is common knowledge - and the medical profession have attempted health promotion for more common male cancers - in an attempt to get men to check themselves and go to the doctor!

[hennessy]

Originally Posted by WOMBAI

That is the point though - men tend to ignore symptoms of more serious illness - hoping they will go away! It is common knowledge - and the medical profession have attempted health promotion for more common male cancers - in an attempt to get men to check themselves and go to the doctor!

I think you'll find us men tend to check our nuts regularly
and I want dinner brought before I even think about a prostate exam

[Claymores]

Originally Posted by WOMBAI

That is the point though - men tend to ignore symptoms of more serious illness - hoping they will go away! It is common knowledge - and the medical profession have attempted health promotion for more common male cancers - in an attempt to get men to check themselves and go to the doctor!

As someone who has had the misfortune of testicular cancer and watched a couple of the guys on my Clinical Oncology rotation die, it is not that simple. It took the medical profession 3 years and a lot of me pressing them before they diagnosed my tumour. Contrary to the accepted wisdom, having a tumour doesn't suddenly make you as Viz's Buster Gonad.

As someone who has been thru the ringer, I can honestly tell you that the NHS is in flux and it is not really a male irrational response to hope 'it goes away' as they're not geared-up for many or the male cancers.

In a perfect world they'd have testicle screening clinics just as they have breast screening clinics for women. But the world if far from perfect.

[WOMBAI]

Originally Posted by Claymores

As someone who has had the misfortune of testicular cancer and watched a couple of the guys on my Clinical Oncology rotation die, it is not that simple. It took the medical profession 3 years and a lot of me pressing them before they diagnosed my tumour. Contrary to the accepted wisdom, having a tumour doesn't suddenly make you as Viz's Buster Gonad.

As someone who has been thru the ringer, I can honestly tell you that the NHS is in flux and it is not really a male irrational response to hope 'it goes away' as they're not geared-up for many or the male cancers.

In a perfect world they'd have testicle screening clinics just as they have breast screening clinics for women. But the world if far from perfect.

You were sensible and did the right thing. Hopefully the younger generation of men are becoming more aware of these things and facing such things head-on as you did! You set a good example!

The NHS need to be better prepared for these things as well - and yes I agree that testicle screening clinics would be a good idea. However, breast screening is not available across the board - it is only generally for women over 50 as that is when it is more common.

[setanta]

Wombai. Just kidding. I suppose we just avoid anything that may result in us accepting a weakness of any kind. We prefer to avoid such scenarios. Damn testosterone fecking with our minds.

[WOMBAI]

Originally Posted by setanta

Wombai. Just kidding. I suppose we just avoid anything that may result in us accepting a weakness of any kind. We prefer to avoid such scenarios. Damn testosterone fecking with our minds.

I think a big part of it with women is that, as mothers, they fear not being around to look after their children - so they become more proactive at tackling the problem!