Men’s Health
Men’s Health Melbourne
Straight Up Men’s Health Advice
It’s great to see more blokes in Melbourne taking charge of their health and getting to the GP.
Old-school attitudes around ‘toughing it out’ are thankfully changing, and with a bigger focus on mental health, fitness, and general well-being, more men are taking their health more seriously.
That’s a good thing because males* are at higher risk for heart disease, prostate cancer, and Alzheimer’s. Early detection and prevention truly make a significant difference.
Each GP at Doctors of South Melbourne offers practical support and care for all kinds of men’s health concerns, including:
- Cardiovascular health
- Diet and weight management
- Erectile dysfunction and sexual health
- Family planning
- Fertility issues
- Iron infusions
- LGBTQI+ health
- Mental health difficulties
- Musculoskeletal pain
- Prostate checks
- Substance abuse
Reach out if you’re in need. You can make an appointment online or call us on 8579 6838.
* We recognise and appreciate that not everyone identifies with binary genders.
Frequently Asked Questions
What health checks should every man have, and when?
Men’s health checks are best done by a GP to help detect problems before symptoms develop.
Blood pressure checks, skin checks, mental health advice, and vaccinations are generally done at every life stage.
Other health checks are more relevant at particular ages, including:
- 18-29 years: Blood pressure, healthy weight, mental health, sexual health, STI screening, skin checks, testicular health, and vaccinations.
- 30-39 years: Cholesterol (if risk factors), diabetes risk, sexual health, and fertility concerns.
- 40-49 years: Heart disease risk assessment, cholesterol, diabetes screening, bowel cancer risk assessment, prostate discussion if at increased risk.
- 50-74 years: Bowel cancer screening every two years, cardiovascular risk assessment, diabetes screening, prostate health discussion, hearing and vision.
- 75+ years: Falls risk, bone health, medication review, cognitive health, hearing and vision, and ongoing chronic disease management.
👉 Read our fact sheet on the free 45–49-year-old health assessment.
What STI tests should men get and how often?
Most guidelines recommend STI testing based on risk and symptoms rather than a blanket schedule.
The right STI tests depend on your sexual practices and risk factors. Your GP may recommend testing for:
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhoea
- Syphilis
- HIV
- Hepatitis B or C
- Monkey pox
Sexually active men should have regular sexual health checks, especially if they have new or multiple partners.
GPs test men taking PrEP every three months, or more often if clinically indicated.
When should I see a GP about erectile dysfunction (ED)?
If erectile dysfunction occurs regularly, lasts more than a few weeks, or is affecting your confidence and relationships, it’s likely time to visit your GP.
ED can be an early sign of conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, low testosterone or high blood pressure. It can also indicate underlying mental health issues that may need to be addressed.
A GP can help identify underlying causes and discuss effective treatment options tailored to your needs and circumstances.
👉 Read Dr James Redwood’s post on ED treatment.
Can a GP help with prostate health concerns?
Yes, a GP can assess and help treat symptoms related to prostate health, including:
- Difficulty urinating
- Frequent urination
- Blood in the urine
- Pelvic discomfort
Your doctor will also discuss your risk of prostate conditions, including prostate cancer.
They can perform an initial assessment, arrange appropriate tests, prescribe treatment and refer you to a specialist when necessary.
Regular prostate health discussions become increasingly important as men age.
👉 Read Dr Michael Macpherson’s post on prostate cancer tests.
Can a GP help with hair loss or male pattern baldness?
Yes, your GP can assess the cause of your hair loss and determine whether it is male pattern baldness or related to another underlying health condition, lifestyle factor, or medication side effect.
They will discuss evidence-based treatment options, prescribe medications where appropriate, and refer you to a specialist if further assessment is required.
Male pattern baldness affects around 50% of men by age 50. Though we can’t completely reverse symptoms, early assessment and treatments such as finasteride tablets can help slow hair loss and promote regrowth.
👉 Read Dr Zack Bukhari’s post on hair loss treatments.
What health checks should every man have, and when?
Men’s health checks are best done by a GP to help detect problems before symptoms develop.
Blood pressure checks, skin checks, mental health advice, and vaccinations are generally done at every life stage.
Other health checks are more relevant at particular ages, including:
- 18-29 years: Blood pressure, healthy weight, mental health, sexual health, STI screening, skin checks, testicular health, and vaccinations.
- 30-39 years: Cholesterol (if risk factors), diabetes risk, sexual health, and fertility concerns.
- 40-49 years: Heart disease risk assessment, cholesterol, diabetes screening, bowel cancer risk assessment, prostate discussion if at increased risk.
- 50-74 years: Bowel cancer screening every two years, cardiovascular risk assessment, diabetes screening, prostate health discussion, hearing and vision.
- 75+ years: Falls risk, bone health, medication review, cognitive health, hearing and vision, and ongoing chronic disease management.
👉 Read our fact sheet on the free 45–49-year-old health assessment.
What STI tests should men get and how often?
Most guidelines recommend STI testing based on risk and symptoms rather than a blanket schedule.
The right STI tests depend on your sexual practices and risk factors. Your GP may recommend testing for:
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhoea
- Syphilis
- HIV
- Hepatitis B or C
- Monkey pox
Sexually active men should have regular sexual health checks, especially if they have new or multiple partners.
GPs test men taking PrEP every three months, or more often if clinically indicated.
When should I see a GP about erectile dysfunction (ED)?
If erectile dysfunction occurs regularly, lasts more than a few weeks, or is affecting your confidence and relationships, it’s likely time to visit your GP.
ED can be an early sign of conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, low testosterone or high blood pressure. It can also indicate underlying mental health issues that may need to be addressed.
A GP can help identify underlying causes and discuss effective treatment options tailored to your needs and circumstances.
👉 Read Dr James Redwood’s post on ED treatment.
Can a GP help with prostate health concerns?
Yes, a GP can assess and help treat symptoms related to prostate health, including:
- Difficulty urinating
- Frequent urination
- Blood in the urine
- Pelvic discomfort
Your doctor will also discuss your risk of prostate conditions, including prostate cancer.
They can perform an initial assessment, arrange appropriate tests, prescribe treatment and refer you to a specialist when necessary.
Regular prostate health discussions become increasingly important as men age.
👉 Read Dr Michael Macpherson’s post on prostate cancer tests.
Can a GP help with hair loss or male pattern baldness?
Yes, your GP can assess the cause of your hair loss and determine whether it is male pattern baldness or related to another underlying health condition, lifestyle factor, or medication side effect.
They will discuss evidence-based treatment options, prescribe medications where appropriate, and refer you to a specialist if further assessment is required.
Male pattern baldness affects around 50% of men by age 50. Though we can’t completely reverse symptoms, early assessment and treatments such as finasteride tablets can help slow hair loss and promote regrowth.
👉 Read Dr Zack Bukhari’s post on hair loss treatments.
Helpful Links & Websites
- Healthy Male (formerly Andrology Australia)
Wide-ranging men’s health information. - MensLine Australia
Support for Australian men impacted by relationship issues and family breakdown. - Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia
Prostate cancer information, support and counselling. - Spanner in the works?
Health initiative by the Australian Men’s Shed Association.
Other Services Patients Value
WOMEN'S HEALTH
MEN'S HEALTH
LGBTQIA+ HEALTH
KID'S HEALTH
MENTAL HEALTH
SEXUAL HEALTH
CHRONIC CONDITIONS
PREGNANCY CARE
SKIN HEALTH
IMMUNISATIONS
TRAVEL CLINIC
MINOR SURGERY
INJURIES
HEART HEALTH
PREVENTIVE CARE
