Men's health topics

Alcohol use disorder

Alcohol use disorder is the medical term for having a drinking problem. Find out the symptoms and where to get help.

Anger

Anger is a normal feeling that everyone experiences. Understanding how to avoid high levels of anger and express it in h ...

Anxiety

Anxiety is a normal feeling but it can be a problem when we experience it in excess, and it impairs our daily functionin ...

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a developmental condition that affects people’s ability to communicate and t ...

Balanitis and balanoposthitis

Balanitis is inflammation of the head of the penis. Balanoposthitis is inflammation of the head & foreskin of the penis. ...

Blood in semen

Haematospermia is when blood shows up in semen. It’s usually harmless but should be checked by a doctor.

Body dysmorphic disorder

Body dysmorphic disorder is when worries about your appearance disrupt daily activities.

Breast cancer

Breast cancer is caused by the abnormal growth of breast tissue cells. Men can get breast cancer, but it’s rare compared ...

Cardiovascular disease

Cardiovascular disease is a term used to refer to a group of disorders that affect the heart and blood vessels.

Circumcision

Circumcision is the surgical removal of the foreskin to expose the head of the penis.

Delayed ejaculation

Delayed ejaculation is when it takes longer than usual to ejaculate during sexual activity.

Depression

Depression is common in men, but it might not be recognised because the symptoms go unnoticed.

Diabetes

Diabetes affects how the body regulates sugar in the blood, often due to low insulin levels or its ineffective action.

Epididymitis

Epididymitis is caused by infection, irritation, or injury of the thin, coiled tube that is found behind the testes.

Erectile dysfunction

If you have erectile dysfunction, you might have difficulty getting or keeping an erection.

Exercise

Exercise is any physical activity that’s done to build skill levels or fitness and it’s important for your health.

Fordyce spots

Fordyce spots are small, pale spots found on your penis and scrotum. They’re normal and caused by natural oil glands.

Foreskin problems and circumcision

You might have a problem with your foreskin if it becomes hard to pull back, red, swollen, inflamed, or develops lumps.

Genital warts

Genital warts are small, raised bumps on the scrotum, penis or anus, caused by human papillomavirus.

Gynaecomastia

Gynecomastia is when male breast tissue grows larger than usual. It usually occurs on both sides of the chest.

Hair loss

Male hair loss happens when hair follicles shrink over time, leading to thinning or baldness.

Health literacy

What is health literacy? A person’s health literacy is their ability to find, understand and use information and service ...

Healthy eating

Healthy eating means having a variety of healthy food and drinks in your diet and avoiding unhealthy ones.

Hormones

You need hormones for growth, reproduction and wellbeing. Androgens are male sex hormones that increase at puberty.

Itchy penis

Many things can cause itching on and around your penis including, infections, allergies and other conditions.

Keeping fit

There are many things you can do to keep healthy and prevent disease. A healthy diet and physical activity are important ...

Klinefelter syndrome

Klinefelter syndrome is the collection of characteristics in males that are caused by having two or more X chromosomes.

Lichen sclerosus

Lichen sclerosus in men is a skin disorder characterised by white patches on the head and foreskin of the penis.

Loneliness and social isolation

Loneliness comes from unmet social needs in relationships, while social isolation is minimal contact with others.

Low sex drive

Low sex drive means a lack of interest in sex, which can be caused by biological, personal and relationship factors.

Low testosterone

Androgen deficiency is when the body does not make enough testosterone, which has wide-ranging effects on wellbeing.

Lower urinary tract symptoms

Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) are symptoms related to problems with your bladder, prostate and urethra.

Male infertility

Male fertility is the ability to father a child, which depends on healthy sperm production and function.

Migraine

Migraine is a complex brain disorder that involves problems processing sensory information like light, sound or smells.

Molluscum contagiosum

Molluscum contagiosum is a skin condition that causes small dome-shaped bumps with a ‘dimple’ or ‘pit’ in the middle.

Orchitis

Orchitis is inflammation of one or both testes (testicles), usually due to infection, injury or inflammation

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a condition that weakens bones, making them fragile and more likely to break.

Painful ejaculation

Painful ejaculation is when you experience painful, burning sensations during or after ejaculation.

Painful erections

Many things can cause painful erections, including priapism, Peyronie’s disease, penile tumours and phimosis.

Pearly penile papules

Pearly penile papules are painless, dome-shaped bumps that usually occur where the head of the penis meets the shaft.

Penis cancer

Penile cancer can occur on the foreskin, the head or shaft of the penis. It’s uncommon and can be cured if found early.

Penis fracture

A fractured penis occurs when there’s too much force on an erect penis, causing the tissue inside the penis to rupture.

Penis lumps

There are many types of penis lumps including cysts, ulcers, genital warts, penis papules, pimples and cancer.

Perinatal depression

A father’s mood and mental health can be affected during their partner’s pregnancy and in the months after their child’s ...

Peyronie’s disease

Peyronie’s disease is when tissue in the penis hardens permanently, causing the penis to bend when erect.

Phimosis

Phimosis is a condition in which the foreskin can’t be pulled back over the head of the penis.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Experiencing severely traumatic events can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder in some people.

Premature ejaculation

Premature ejaculation is when you regularly ejaculate sooner than you wish and it’s a problem for you and your partner.

Priapism

Priapism is a prolonged erection (lasting more than four hours) that occurs without any type of sexual stimulation.

Prostate cancer

Prostate cancer means there is a potentially harmful growth of cells in the prostate gland.

Prostate enlargement

Benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH is a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland.

Prostatitis

Prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate gland that can cause pain and discomfort.

Reproductive system

The male reproductive system is a collection of body structures and tissues that regulate body development and function. ...

Retrograde ejaculation

Retrograde ejaculation is when semen travels backwards into the bladder when you have an orgasm.

Risk factors

Risk-taking behaviours and normal characteristics of boys and men that can have positive or negative effects on health, ...

Risk-taking

Risk-taking behaviours and normal characteristics of boys and men that can have positive or negative effects on health, ...

Scrotal lumps

Many things can cause lumps on your scrotum including hydrocele, varicocele, warts, cysts and STIs.

Semen analysis

Semen analysis is when semen is tested in a laboratory to assess the number, shape and movement of sperm.

Sexually transmitted infections

A sexually transmitted infection is caused by viruses, bacteria or parasites and shared through sexual activity.

Sleep

Sleep is when your body has a temporary lack of awareness of yourself and your surroundings.

Smoking

When you smoke tobacco in cigarettes you absorb toxic and cancer-causing chemicals that affect your health.

Social connection

Risk-taking behaviours and normal characteristics of boys and men that can have positive or negative effects on health, ...

Sperm freezing

Find out more about sperm storage and fertility preservation.

Sperm health

Learn about sperm health and the implications in can have on your fertility.

Steroid misuse or abuse

Steroid misuse is using testosterone or similar drugs without medical need; abuse is for enhancing image or performance. ...

Stress

Stress is when you feel worried or overwhelmed due to a difficult situation. Ongoing stress can affect your health.

Substance use disorder

Substance use disorder is the medical term for having a drug problem that affects thinking and behaviour.

Suicide

Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in Australian men but it can be prevented if you know what to look out for an ...

Testicular cancer

Testicular cancer is when abnormal cells grow in the teste. A common symptom is a lump on or swelling or hardening of a ...

Testicular torsion

Testicular torsion is when the spermatic cord twists, cutting off the blood supply and causing severe pain and swelling. ...

Testosterone

Testosterone is the main androgen (sex hormone) in men and normal levels are needed for physical and mental health.

Undescended testes

Cryptorchidism, also known as undescended testes, is when one or both testicles aren’t in the scrotum where they should ...

Varicocele

Varicocele is when veins in the scrotum become enlarged and they may look or feel like ‘a bag of worms’.

Vasectomy

A vasectomy is a surgical procedure that causes permanent sterilisation of men, preventing them from fathering children. ...