Male physical exam

Getting an annual exam is an important tool for staying healthy. During a male physical exam, your provider gives you recommendations and screenings specific to your health risks as a man.

These visits are an opportunity to check your overall health – and they could increase your chances of detecting chronic diseases in their early stages, when they’re easier to treat. At Advocate Health Care, you have easy access to preventive care in multiple convenient locations throughout the Chicago metro area.

What’s a male annual physical?

A male annual physical is a doctor’s visit to check your overall health, even if you feel perfectly fine. During the visit, your primary care provider checks health markers such as your blood pressure, weight and respiration rate. They also screen for early signs of heart and lung problems, check that you’re up to date on vaccinations and screen for mental health problems.

Why do men need an annual physical exam?

If you feel healthy and have good habits, you may wonder why you need to go to the doctor. But many factors can increase your risk of chronic diseases, including your family history and age. When you go for your annual exam, your provider assesses these risk factors and gives you personalized recommendations to lower your overall health risks.

Additionally, many chronic diseases don’t cause symptoms in the early stages. Your health care provider uses screenings that check for these diseases before you start to experience signs of a problem. Screenings can increase your chances of receiving effective treatment for conditions such as heart disease, diabetes or cancer.

How often should men get a physical?

Most men should get a physical once a year, especially after age 50. If you’re younger than 50 and in good overall health, your provider may advise having a physical exam every other year. If you’re older than 50 or have chronic health conditions, you may need to visit the doctor more often. Your provider can guide you on how often you need a physical exam based on your general health and risk factors.

What does a male physical include?

A male physical includes all the components of an annual exam, plus some screenings for diseases that more commonly affect men. In general, your physical may include:

Health history update

Your provider asks you to fill out a form or answer questions related to your health risk factors, including your:

• Alcohol and tobacco intake
• Diet
• Exercise habits
• Family history
• Past health problems or surgeries
• Vaccinations

Mental health screening

An annual exam may also include a screening to check your mental and emotional well-being. Your provider may ask you questions about your moods, energy and social relationships. If you have signs of anxiety or depression, your provider can give you treatment recommendations or direct you to resources such as therapy.

Physical exam

Your provider will check your vital signs at every physical exam, including your:

• Blood pressure: Your provider uses a blood pressure cuff to measure the force of your blood moving through your blood vessels. Your blood pressure is in a healthy range if it's 120/80 mmHg or less. Blood pressure above 140/80 mmHg may require treatment.
• Heart rate: Your provider takes your pulse by placing two or three fingers on the inside of your wrist. For most people, a healthy pulse is between 60 and 100 beats per minute. Yours may be slightly higher or lower.
• Respiration rate: Respiration rate refers to how many breaths you take each minute. Between 12 and 16 breaths is considered a healthy range for adults. Taking more than 20 breaths per minute could be a sign of a heart or lung problem.
• Temperature: A healthy temperature is generally around 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. However, many healthy people have an average temperature that’s slightly higher or lower.

Your provider also records your height and weight to calculate your body mass index (BMI). They listen to your chest and back for signs of heart or lung problems. They also look inside your mouth, nose and ears and feel the lymph nodes in your neck to check for any lumps or other signs of health problems.

Vaccinations

Your provider updates your vaccine record and checks to see if you’re due for any immunizations. They may give you necessary vaccines at your exam, such as the:

• Annual flu shot
• COVID vaccination
• Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination
• Tetanus booster
• Shingles vaccine, after age 50
• Pneumococcal vaccine, after age 65

Preventive screenings for men

During your annual exam, your provider also discusses preventive screenings with you. They may perform some of these screenings during your exam or direct you to get them done at another time. You may need:

• Cholesterol screening: Your provider will likely recommend checking your cholesterol by age 35 and then every four to six years thereafter. You may need cholesterol checks earlier if you have risk factors for coronary artery disease. A blood test can check your levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL or “bad” cholesterol) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL or “good” cholesterol), along with another type of fat called triglycerides.
• Colon cancer screening: After age 45, most people need to start colon cancer screenings. The gold standard colon cancer screening is a colonoscopy. Your provider may allow you to get other colon cancer screenings instead if you have a low risk of colorectal cancer.
• Diabetes screening: Men with no risk factors for diabetes should start screening at age 35 with repeat testing every three years. You may need earlier diabetes screenings if you have risk factors for the condition, such as high blood pressure, obesity or a family history of diabetes.
• Lung cancer screening: You may need a lung cancer screening if you are over 50 and have a history of smoking. Your provider will give you personalized guidance about whether you need a lung cancer screening.
• Prostate cancer screening: Some men need prostate cancer screenings after age 50. African American men may need screening earlier due to increased risk. Your provider will discuss screening options and help you understand whether it's right for you.
• Testicular exam: Your provider may examine your testicles to check for tenderness, lumps or other changes. Some providers only perform a testicular exam if you’ve noticed signs of a potential problem, while others may advise including it in your annual exam.