"Men, Don't Be Shy Today"-A Report from the Shenzhen Men's Health Day Promotion and Consultation Event

"Men, don't be shy today."

-Observations on the "Men's Health Day" publicity and consultation activities in our city

Yu Hairong, Wu Zhiqiang, Zhou Shunan and Xiaofeng

Yesterday, at a "Men's Health Day" promotional and consultation event held at the Workers' Cultural Palace in our city, a reporter witnessed a novel sight: a temporary, secluded consultation room, enclosed by green screens and white curtains, had been set up under a large tree next to the consultation point. This was unprecedented in all previous free clinics in our city. A family planning official told the reporter that this consultation room was specially set up because: "Men are sometimes even more shy than women!"

Both the family planning and health departments attach great importance to "Men's Health Day." Yesterday's publicity and consultation event was very grand. Staff from the Municipal Family Planning Office, the Municipal Family Planning Service Center, the Municipal Family Planning Association, and the Luohu Family Planning Office brought a large amount of promotional materials and various contraceptives for free distribution. The Shenzhen Andrology Committee also organized andrology experts from various hospitals in the city to provide free consultations on-site. However, the level of public participation was not as enthusiastic as expected. Reporters at the scene observed that among the flowing crowd, many men remained shy and hesitant to approach. When family planning personnel proactively distributed contraceptives, some men took them and quickly walked away; others wanted to learn more but were too embarrassed to speak, taking brochures and leaving with their heads down.

Due to factors such as environmental pollution, sexual openness, unhealthy lifestyle habits, and life stress, men's health has suffered from numerous problems, particularly a declining fertility, making men's health an increasingly important social concern. However, compared to women, men have a lower rate of seeking medical attention. Tao Lin, director of the Department of Sexual Medicine at the Municipal Kangning Hospital, points out two main reasons: First, there is the issue of "face"-some men believe that being diagnosed with erectile dysfunction would be a huge loss of face and psychological burden, leading them to delay seeking treatment. Second, some male diseases currently lack effective treatments, and male patients who seek medical help but cannot find a cure often give up, resulting in a low rate of repeat visits.

Among Tao Lin's patients was a young man who, due to frequent nocturnal emissions, mistakenly believed he had an illness. Embarrassed to see a doctor, he took it upon himself to avoid sexual intercourse with his wife, neglecting her. This led to disharmony and conflict in their relationship. Too ashamed to seek treatment at a proper hospital, he secretly visited a private clinic. The doctor prescribed some tonics, but his condition worsened, and his anxiety increased. Finally, encouraged by his wife, he went to the Department of Sexual Medicine at the Municipal Kangning Hospital. The doctor explained that his nocturnal emissions were not a disease, but simply a lack of a normal outlet. Increasing the frequency of sexual activity would resolve the issue. Sure enough, after the couple resumed normal sexual activity, the young man's nocturnal emissions stopped, and their family life became harmonious again.

This year's Men's Health Day theme is "Men's Health and Civilized Families." Experts point out that men should have the courage to face their illnesses correctly and seek early prevention and treatment. Although there are no specific cures for male diseases such as premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction, there are treatment methods to alleviate these conditions, enabling couples to have normal sexual lives and maintain family harmony.

Excerpted from Shenzhen Special Zone Daily, 2001