There is only one "R" in PROSTATE!

It would seem a common misunderstanding within the male population the pronunciation and spelling of PROSTATE. I have no idea why, but it seems that the majority refer to their PROSTATE as their PROSTRATE! Why the extra “R”?  I have no idea! Whilst to me this has become a bit comical at times; it also concerns me. Whilst this might seem trivial; it suggests to me that men simply don’t understand their bodies and their anatomy. It may be an indication that there is a bigger problem at play and that there is a lack of education provided to men about their own anatomy. Then again, I might also be over thinking it and men find it easier to say PROSTRATE than PROSTATE.

So to set the record straight…..

The walnut-sized gland down near your nether regions that might be making peeing difficult and in those unfortunate men may have cancer in is called your PROSTATE.

There is actually a word in the English language, PROSTRATE. The word PROSTRATE has absolutely nothing to do with any part of the male anatomy. The definition of PROSTRATE, according to www.dictionary.com is as follows:

1. lying flat or at full length, as on the ground.
2. lying face down on the ground, as in token of humility, submission, oradoration.
3. overthrown, overcome, or helpless.
4. physically weak or exhausted
5. submissive.
6. utterly dejected or depressed; disconsolate.
7. Botany. (of a plant or stem) lying flat on the ground.

For all you men out there who have been referring to your PROSTATE as your PROSTRATE, I hope you can see that this trivial extra “R” in a word has a distinctly different meaning in the English language. I would like to see men being proud of their bodies and as part of this I believe having an understanding of your distinctly male anatomy is important. So, let’s put this matter to bed and refer to that walnut-sized gland in your pelvis by its proper name – PROSTATE!

To view on the Northern Sydney Men's Health Physiotherapy website, click here.

Do supermarkets reflect societal attitudes towards men’s health issues?

I was strolling through my local Coles supermarket recently and as I made my way down the personal hygiene aisle I noticed something I hadn’t noticed before. It left me rather surprised, bemused and with a number of questions. No, it wasn’t that I noticed that they stocked men’s incontinence pads (if you weren’t aware, they do!). No, it wasn’t that these pads were right in amongst women’s incontinence and sanitary pads. It was the signage right above these products – FEMININE CARE (along with the stereotypical pink colours representing all things female).

I am aware enough to know that not every product in a major supermarket can be cleared signed and that the major supermarkets likely sell vastly more feminine care products than male sanitary pads (hence in the interest of the supermarket to ensure that female pads are easily found by consumers). It also doesn’t bother me that male products are being stocked under the signage of female products – some men may see this as a positive as the products are discreetly positioned in the supermarket. Others may take offence though.

My first thoughts upon noticing this placement of male incontinence pads under the signage of FEMININE CARE, was that this clearly reflects the awareness and attitudes of the broader society towards men’s health issues like incontinence in that:

• Both men and women experience incontinence issues;
• Men don’t talk about their issues or seek the help they need;
• Services for specific men’s health issues are less readily available, less frequently spoken about, less frequently referred for and under utilised by men who need them.

Now, I don’t know this for sure, but I suspect that the average man walking through the supermarket may not know that male incontinence pads even exist. Or even if they did, they may not realise that they are stocked in major supermarkets in Australia. I would then hazard a guess that a larger proportion of men would be aware that women’s incontinence is an issue affecting many women and that women’s incontinence pads are stocked in major supermarkets.

Just a thought – wouldn’t it be nice if male health product like incontinence pads weren’t seemingly tucked away in the bottom corner under signage for FEMININE CARE products. Perhaps a greater number of men and women may become aware that male incontinence is a real issue affecting a large number of men in Australia. In turn, this could help change the perception of men’s health in Australia, helping more men to access appropriate health services and to know where they can even find products like male incontinence pads.

On another point – I don’t know what the men purchasing these products think when they see male incontinence pads under the signage for FEMININE CARE. Perhaps they like that they are discreetly positioned without the fanfare, perhaps they do think it is sexist, perhaps they see the humorous side to it and have a bit of a chuckle.

My only concern is potentially for the men with incontinence issues, who may not realise that male incontinence products even exist or that they are so easily accessible in major supermarkets.

In time, I hope that societal attitudes towards men’s health issues change for the better (I do think that this is slowly happening) and that perhaps in years to come my experience strolling the supermarket aisles might be a different experience.

To view on the Northern Sydney Men's Health website, click here.