Men’s Health

1200 North 7th Street, Chariton, Iowa 50049
Phone: (641) 774-8103

Men often delay routine care — especially when they feel healthy. But many of the most serious health conditions affecting men, including heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers, develop quietly over time. Preventive care helps identify risks early, when they are easiest to treat.

Your healthcare needs change as you age. The screenings, lab work, and conversations you have in your 20s will look different from those in your 40s, 50s, and beyond. This guide outlines what men should consider at each stage of adulthood — including recommended screenings, at-home self-checks, vaccines, and lifestyle priorities.

Click your age group below to learn what you should be discussing with your provider.

Ages 18 - 29

Your 20s are about building a strong foundation for long-term health. Even if you feel great, this is the time to establish care with a provider, track baseline numbers like blood pressure and cholesterol, and develop healthy habits that reduce your risk of chronic disease later in life. Preventive visits during this stage focus on mental health, sexual health, lifestyle choices, and early risk detection.

What to Discuss at Your Annual Visit

  • Blood pressure check (at least every 2 years if normal)
  • Height, weight, BMI
  • Mental health screening (anxiety, depression)
  • STI screening based on risk
  • Testicular exam
  • Tobacco, vaping, and alcohol use
  • Fitness and nutrition habits
  • Screenings to Consider
  • Cholesterol (if family history or risk factors)
  • Diabetes (if overweight or family history)

At-Home Health Checks

  • Monthly testicular self-exam (report lumps, swelling, heaviness)
  • Monitor skin for new or changing moles
  • Pay attention to persistent fatigue, mood changes, or sleep issues

Vaccines

  • Tdap (every 10 years)
  • HPV (if not completed)
  • Annual flu shot
  • COVID vaccine (as recommended)
Ages 30 - 39

During your 30s, small health risks can begin to develop — often without symptoms. Annual visits help monitor blood pressure, cholesterol, weight, and stress levels. This is also an important decade to evaluate family history and assess heart disease and diabetes risk. Staying proactive now helps prevent more serious issues later.

What to Discuss at Your Annual Visit

  • Blood pressure (yearly)
  • Cholesterol screening (starting around 35, earlier if risk factors)
  • Diabetes screening if at risk
  • Mental health
  • Sexual health and testosterone concerns
  • Family history updates

Screenings to Consider

  • Baseline heart risk assessment
  • Skin exam if high sun exposure

At-Home Health Checks

  • Continue monthly testicular self-exams
  • Monitor changes in urination
  • Watch for erectile changes
  • Track unexplained weight gain or loss

Lifestyle Focus

  • Stress management
  • Sleep quality (7–9 hours)
  • Heart-healthy diet and regular exercise
Ages 40 - 49

Your 40s are a critical turning point for preventive care. Screening for conditions like colon cancer and heart disease becomes increasingly important, and discussions about prostate health may begin. Many chronic conditions begin developing in this decade, so regular checkups and lifestyle adjustments can significantly impact long-term outcomes.

What to Discuss at Your Annual Visit

  • Blood pressure and cholesterol
  • Diabetes screening
  • Colon cancer screening (starting at age 45)
  • Prostate cancer screening discussion (PSA test)
  • Skin cancer screening
  • Heart disease risk

Screenings to Consider

  • Baseline EKG (if recommended)
  • Testosterone levels (if symptomatic)

At-Home Health Checks

  • Monitor bowel habit changes
  • Watch for urinary urgency or weak stream
  • Report chest discomfort or shortness of breath
  • Continue skin checks
Ages 50 - 64

Preventive care becomes increasingly important in your 50s and early 60s. Screenings help detect cancer, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic conditions early — when treatment is most effective.

At Your Annual Visit

  • Colon cancer screening (colonoscopy or alternative methods)
  • Prostate cancer screening (as recommended)
  • Blood pressure and cholesterol
  • Diabetes screening
  • Lung cancer screening (if smoking history)
  • Shingles vaccine (beginning at 50)

At-Home Health Checks

  • Monitor for chest pain or shortness of breath
  • Watch for unexplained weight loss
  • Report persistent fatigue
  • Stay alert to changes in memory or balance

Lifestyle Priorities

  • Maintain muscle strength
  • Heart-healthy diet
  • Fall prevention awareness
Ages 65+

After age 65, the focus shifts toward maintaining independence, mobility, and cognitive health. Preventive care helps manage chronic conditions and prevent complications.

At Your Annual Visit

  • Blood pressure and cholesterol monitoring
  • Colon cancer screening (based on prior results)
  • Bone density screening (if indicated)
  • Fall risk assessment
  • Vision and hearing screening
  • Medication review

Vaccines

  • Shingles (if not already received)
  • Pneumonia vaccine
  • Annual flu shot
  • COVID booster (as recommended)

At-Home Focus

  • Fall prevention strategies
  • Stay physically active
  • Maintain social connections
  • Monitor cognitive changes