Men’s health
For men, and for anyone with a prostate, testicles or a penis.
Men are famously bad at this. Not because we do not care, but because booking is a hassle, the problem is embarrassing, and there is always something more urgent on.
So it waits. And then it waits some more.
Dr Morris keeps same-day appointments open, and a lot of what is on this page can be sorted out in a short phone call. The barrier is lower than you think it is.
A sexual health check can be arranged by phone or in person. The telehealth version is usually a short call to work out what you need, and then a pathology form. Medicare rebates apply to most consultations.
If your results are clear you will get a message saying so, usually within three to five business days.
Prostate testing: a conversation, not just a blood test
PSA testing is a blood test, and it is straightforward to do. What is less straightforward is deciding whether to have it, and what to do with the number when it comes back.
Australian guidance now asks GPs to raise this actively with men from around 50, and earlier for men with a family history or other risk factors. It also asks that the decision be made together, because PSA testing has real benefits and real trade-offs. A raised result does not mean cancer, and it often leads to further investigation that turns out to be unnecessary. Some cancers found this way would never have caused harm.
None of that is a reason to avoid the conversation. It is a reason to have it properly, with somebody who will explain both sides and then leave the decision with you.
Cancer Council: early detection of prostate cancer →
Erection problems
Almost every man deals with this at some point. It becomes more common through your thirties and forties, and it is one of the most frequently raised topics in general practice, even though almost nobody believes that while they are sitting in the waiting room.
It is also worth investigating rather than just treating, because erection problems can be an early sign of something else going on. Blood tests for testosterone, diabetes and cholesterol are usually part of the workup. Several treatment options are available and Dr Morris will talk you through what suits your situation.
Male pattern hair loss
Treatment is available here for adults aged 18 and over. You will have an actual consultation with a doctor who knows your medical history and can check that the treatment is appropriate for you, rather than filling in a form online.
Around half of couples having difficulty conceiving have a male factor involved. In roughly one in four cases it is the only factor, and in a similar proportion it sits alongside a female factor. It is worth checking early rather than last.
Sperm testing is simple, several sites in the eastern suburbs offer it, and a Medicare rebate applies. You need a referral from a GP, which can be arranged in a short appointment.
Things known to affect sperm quality
- Smoking and vaping
- Not exercising regularly
- Carrying excess weight
- Some medications
- Steroids, peptides and other performance enhancing or recreational drugs
- Drinking more than 14 units a week, which is around six pints or nine cans of beer
Most of these are worth a conversation rather than a lecture.
If you are not coping and not fit to be back at work, that is a medical issue and it can be treated as one. Medical certificates are available where clinically appropriate, and planning ahead with long service leave is often worth discussing with your employer.
Book in and talk it through before you are at the end of your rope, if you can manage it.
Feeling stressed, anxious, flat or genuinely low is one of the most common reasons men come to see a GP. Not the most common reason men say they are coming in, but one of the most common reasons they actually are.
Most of it can be managed in general practice. Dr Morris will assess what is going on, screen for underlying physical causes with blood tests, and talk through the options, which may include psychology, medication, exercise, sleep and diet, or some combination. If a psychiatrist is needed, he will refer.
If a psychiatrist started you on ADHD medication and you are stable on it, you may not need to keep paying specialist fees and waiting months for a script. Dr Morris is an authorised continuation prescriber for adults and teenagers 16 and over.
If you have never been assessed, book a mental health consultation to talk about screening, the physical checks and bloods needed, and referral to a psychiatrist for assessment. Waiting times for his preferred psychiatrists are currently around three weeks.