Free Bertyona Life health guide
Men's Health
Practical, respectful information to help you recognise changes, look after your wellbeing and access reliable healthcare.
Looking after your health
Regular activity, balanced meals, enough sleep and reducing tobacco and excess alcohol can support health. You do not need an expensive fitness plan. Choose manageable habits that suit your abilities, work and finances.
Seek medical advice about new, persistent or worrying symptoms rather than relying on social media claims or self-diagnosis.
Prostate health and urinary changes
The prostate can cause urinary symptoms, particularly with age, but symptoms can have different causes. Speak to a GP about difficulty starting to urinate, a weak stream, needing to urinate more often, pain or blood in urine. Inability to pass urine needs urgent medical assessment.
In the UK, there is no routine national prostate cancer screening programme. PSA testing has benefits and limitations; discuss your individual risk, family history and whether testing is appropriate with a GP. See NHS prostate cancer information.
Testicular health
Be familiar with what is normal for your testicles and seek prompt medical advice for a lump, swelling, persistent ache or other change. Sudden severe testicular pain is a medical emergency: seek immediate help. See NHS testicular cancer information.
Mental health matters
Men can experience depression, anxiety, stress, grief and loneliness. Talking to someone and seeking professional support is a sign of self-care, not weakness. A GP can help you explore treatment and support options.
In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans offer listening support on 116 123. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999. In England, NHS 111 can direct you to urgent mental health support. See our Mental Health & Wellbeing guide.
Sexual health and relationships
Sexual health concerns, including erectile difficulties, pain, STI symptoms or changes in sexual function, are valid reasons to seek medical advice. Confidential sexual health clinics and GPs can discuss testing, contraception, treatment and relationships. Do not purchase unregulated medicines online.
Preventive care and finding NHS help
Check whether you are eligible for bowel screening, recommended vaccinations and health checks based on your age, health history and where in the UK you live. Screening invitations and programmes vary across the four UK nations. See NHS bowel screening, vaccinations and NHS services.
If you are new to the UK, register with a GP and ask about interpretation or accessibility support if needed. For urgent non-life-threatening concerns in England, use NHS 111. For immediate life-threatening emergencies call 999.
My health check-in
One health concern or question I would like to discuss:
One small habit that could support my wellbeing:
One appointment or preventive care item to check:
Feeling unwell? Seek help and stay connected
Do not ignore symptoms that concern you. Contact your GP practice if you feel unwell, especially when symptoms are persistent, worsening or affecting daily life. If you need urgent help and cannot wait for a GP appointment, use the appropriate urgent care service. In England, NHS 111 can advise on urgent but non-life-threatening concerns. For a life-threatening emergency, call 999.
Keep someone you trust informed, if it is safe and you wish to. A family member or friend can check on you, help with appointments, collect essentials or offer emotional support. You decide what personal health information to share. If family contact is unsafe or difficult, choose another trusted person or professional service.
If you live alone, consider arranging a simple check-in with someone you trust when you are unwell.
General educational information, not individual medical advice. Healthcare eligibility and services may vary by location. Anyone with relevant anatomy or symptoms may benefit from the guidance, regardless of gender identity.