Loss of control: Why men don't go to the doctor

Filed in archive Studies on July 22, 2005

A survey of over 600 men explored why men don't like going to the doctor:

Men's need for control and self-reliance is a big reason for not wanting to go, with a good number of the nearly 600 men surveyed agreeing with statements such as "I don't like feeling controlled by other people" or "I don't like other people telling me what to do."

Other reasons men say they don't want to visit the doctor's office:

* Their problems aren't big enough to worry about.
* Their problems are embarrassing, and they'd rather keep them private.
* They dislike discussing things that might bring up emotions.
* They're worried about the cost or other practical issues such as transportation.

(Querna, "Sex Matters: Why men won't see the doctor", US News and World Report, Jul.22)