Men's Health

The numbers that matter most, and why they are silent

The conditions that kill men in this country most often are, in their early stages, completely symptom free. High blood pressure does not hurt. High cholesterol does not hurt. Prediabetes does not hurt. By the time any of them produce a symptom, they have usually been doing damage for years.

That is the entire argument for a yearly visit when you feel fine. The visit is not looking for how you feel. It is looking for what has changed.

Core screening usually includes:

• Blood pressure, tracked over time rather than judged on one reading
• Lipid panel, including LDL, HDL, and triglycerides
• Glucose and A1C, to catch prediabetes while it is still reversible for many people
• Kidney and liver function
• Complete blood count
• Weight, waist circumference, and body mass index, understood as trends
• Colorectal cancer screening discussion, with timing based on your age and family history
• Prostate cancer screening discussion, which is a conversation about whether to screen, not an automatic test

Prostate screening is a decision, not a default

PSA screening is one of the clearest examples in medicine of a test that requires a conversation first.

Screening can find prostate cancer early. It can also find slow growing cancers that would never have caused harm, and lead to biopsies and treatments with real side effects. Major guideline bodies broadly recommend shared decision making rather than universal screening, with the conversation typically beginning somewhere in the fifties for average risk men, and earlier for men with a family history of prostate cancer or who are Black, both of which raise risk.

Your provider will walk you through what the test can and cannot tell you, what happens if the result is elevated, and what a reasonable choice looks like given your specific risk profile and your own preferences. Then you decide.

Testosterone: evaluation before treatment

Fatigue, low libido, erectile difficulty, loss of muscle, weight gain, low mood, and poor concentration are the symptoms men most often attribute to low testosterone. They are also the symptoms of sleep apnea, depression, thyroid dysfunction, anemia, uncontrolled diabetes, alcohol use, chronic sleep deprivation, and several common medications.

Evaluation therefore means: history, exam, and appropriate labs including morning testosterone measurement, since levels vary through the day, plus testing that looks for the other causes. If a genuine deficiency is confirmed, treatment options and their risks are discussed, including effects on fertility, red blood cell count, and the need for ongoing monitoring.

Testosterone therapy is not a performance supplement and is not appropriate for men with normal levels. See Hormone Replacement Therapy and Thyroid Balance.

Sexual health

Erectile dysfunction is worth bringing up for a reason most men do not expect: it is frequently an early warning sign of cardiovascular disease. The blood vessels involved are smaller and show endothelial dysfunction earlier than the coronary arteries do. Men presenting with new erectile dysfunction are appropriately evaluated for cardiovascular risk factors, diabetes, blood pressure, lipids, medication effects, hormone levels, and psychological contributors.

Sexually transmitted infection screening is available and is a routine part of preventive care rather than a judgment.

Mental health

Men in the United States die by suicide at a substantially higher rate than women, and are less likely to seek mental health care. Depression in men frequently presents as irritability, anger, withdrawal, risk taking, sleep disruption, or increased alcohol use rather than obvious sadness, which is part of why it goes unrecognized.

Mental health is part of every visit here. If you are struggling, say so. Your provider will take it seriously, evaluate it properly, and connect you with the right level of support.

If you are in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or go to the nearest emergency department.

What we ask of you

Come in before something breaks. Bring your medication list and any supplements, including anything you bought at a gym or ordered online. Be honest about alcohol, tobacco, and sleep, because your provider is trying to solve a problem, not grade you. And if something has been bothering you for six months, mention it at the visit rather than three visits from now.

Payment

Seaside Family Wellness participates with some insurance plans, but not all. Participating plans change frequently, so call (772) 678-0011 before your visit to confirm whether we currently participate with your specific plan. Self-pay options are available, and labs and diagnostics can sometimes be billed through your insurance when medically appropriate.

Contact

Seaside Family Wellness 1657 SE Port St Lucie Blvd, Port St. Lucie, FL 34952 Phone: (772) 678-0011 Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Common questions

This page is general health education. It is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified provider who knows your history. Always talk with your provider about your own health questions. If you think you are having a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.

Reviewed by Amy Weber, APRN and Stephanie Hoppy, APRN, September 2026.