What diseases are most often overlooked by men after 40 years old?

      After the age of 40, the risk of developing cardiovascular, endocrine, and oncological diseases in men begins to noticeably increase. At the same time, many dangerous diseases do not manifest themselves in any way at early stages. Urologist Fedor Derish from INVITRO explained what examinations are necessary after the age of 40.

      According to the specialist, it is precisely after the age of 40 that men's testosterone levels gradually decrease, vascular elasticity worsens, and the likelihood of developing atherosclerosis, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes increases. In addition, the risks of prostate diseases also increase.

      Even with good health, doctors recommend undergoing a basic examination annually. This includes general and biochemical blood tests, a lipid profile, a blood sugar test, and glycated hemoglobin, blood pressure monitoring, and an electrocardiogram.

      Special attention is advised by specialists to the condition of the cardiovascular system. According to the urologist, heart and vascular diseases remain one of the main causes of serious health problems in men over 40. Furthermore, doctors recommend monitoring testosterone levels, as its decrease can manifest as chronic fatigue, apathy, loss of muscle mass, and decreased libido.

      Particular attention should be paid to cancer screening. Prostate cancer is considered one of the most common oncological diseases in men. A blood test for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is used for its early detection. As part of health monitoring, this test is conducted at a certain age; however, many specialists recommend starting regular monitoring after 40-45 years, especially if there are cases of the disease among close relatives.

      Additionally, after the age of 45-50, men are advised to undergo examinations for the early detection of colorectal cancer. In particular, they should take a stool test for hidden blood or undergo a colonoscopy.

      As Fedor Derish noted, problems with potency or decreased libido often become the first signs of more serious diseases — diabetes, atherosclerosis, or hormonal disorders. Therefore, checking reproductive health is important even for those men who do not plan to have children.

      The specialist reminded that many examinations can be done for free under the compulsory health insurance policy as part of health monitoring. According to him, prevention and regular check-ups allow for the detection of most diseases at early stages and help avoid severe complications.