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Men's Health
Health exams for men Which ones are recommended?
May 20, 2026
Estimated Reading Time: 7m
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Self‑sufficiency and strength could be one of the reasons why many Latino men avoid going to the doctor, according to an article from the American Heart Association. However, not going to the doctor and not paying attention to preventive medicine can have much more serious consequences than showing "signs of male vulnerability".
What is the purpose of a medical consultation if someone feels well?
- Detecting health problems
- Assessing risk for future health problems
- Promoting a healthy lifestyle
- Updating vaccines
- Helping you become familiar with your provider in case of illness
Even if a man feels well, he should visit his healthcare provider for regular checkups. These consultations can help you avoid problems in the future. For example, the only way to find out if you have high blood pressure is through regular checkups. High blood sugar and high cholesterol levels may not have symptoms in the early stages. A simple blood test can detect these conditions.
There are specific moments in a man's life that require specific screening tests. The guidelines for screening tests for men are listed below, based on grade A scientific evidence (i.e., with substantial certainty), according to the updated guidance of the United States Special Preventive Services Group.
Early detection of cancer
- Colorectal Cancer: It is strongly recommended for all adults aged 50 to 75. In the US there is moderate certainty that studies should begin at age 45. Options include annual stool tests (such as FIT or virtual colonoscopy) or a colonoscopy every 10 years.
- Lung Cancer: Recommended annually by low‑dose computed tomography (LDCT) only for men aged 50 to 80 who have a smoking history of 20 packs per year, i.e. one pack a day for 20 years.
Cardiovascular Health and Metabolic Syndrome
- High Blood Pressure: Periodic screening for all adults over 18 years of age. In practice, it is done by taking blood pressure at each routine medical visit.
- Type 2 Diabetes and Prediabetes: It is recommended to measure blood glucose (or Hemoglobin A1c) in adults aged 35 to 70 who are overweight or obese. Testing should be more frequent if there are other risk factors for diabetes, such as:
- A first‑degree relative with diabetes
- You are overweight or obese, have high blood pressure, prediabetes, or a history of heart disease
- Dyslipidemia / Cholesterol: Lipid profile monitoring to assess cardiovascular disease risk and determine if preventive therapy (such as statins) is required.
- If cholesterol levels are normal, it is recommended to have them checked every 5 years. If there are changes in lifestyle (including weight gain and diet), cholesterol testing should be done every year.
- Men over 60 who smoke should talk to their doctor about having an ultrasound to check for abdominal aortic aneurysms.
Blood pressure
It is necessary to have your blood pressure checked at least once a year. You can also check your blood pressure at home, if you have a good automatic blood pressure monitor, or at pharmacies or community health centers.
Blood pressure should be kept between 120 mm Hg or less (systolic or high), and below 80 mm Hg (low or diastolic), according to the recommendations of the American Heart Association.
In some cases, the doctor may recommend checking blood pressure more frequently if the person:
- Has diabetes, heart disease, kidney problems, is overweight, or has other specific conditions
- Has a close relative with high blood pressure.
Dental exam
Many diseases originate in the mouth. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that adults, as well as children, visit the dentist regularly for cleanings and examinations, and emphasizes a schedule based on risk level:
- Adult men with impeccable oral health may only need to visit once or twice a year, while those with a history of cavities, gum disease, or diabetes may require much more frequent visits.
Vaccines
Commonly needed vaccines include:
- Flu vaccine: get one every year
- Pneumococcal vaccine: You should get this vaccine
- Tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine: Get a tetanus and diphtheria vaccine if you did not get one as a teenager.
- Tetanus and diphtheria booster (or Tdap) every 10 years.
- Shingles is routinely recommended from age 50.
Detection of infectious diseases
- Single screening test for hepatitis C. The recommendation is for all adults aged 18 to 79 years.
- HIV screening test: Everyone aged 15 to 65 should get a one‑time HIV test.
Depending on lifestyle and medical history, people may need screening tests for infections such as syphilis, chlamydia, and others.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is often thought of as a women's problem, but men are also at risk and the consequences are often severe. If you are between 50 and 70 years old, you should talk to your doctor about screening tests. Risk factors may include:
- Prolonged steroid use
- Low body weight
- Smoking
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Having a fracture after age 50
- Family history of hip fracture or osteoporosis
Regular physical examinations
In addition to checking blood pressure at least once a year, cholesterol every 5 years or more frequently if you have diabetes or other conditions, the doctor will check height, weight and body mass index (BMI) at each exam. During your evaluation, your provider may ask you about:
- Depression and anxiety
- Diet and exercise, including exercises to improve balance
- Alcohol consumption and smoking
- If there have been falls
- Medications and the risk of interactions
Prostate cancer screening test
Men aged 55 to 69 should talk to their healthcare provider about the pros and cons before having a PSA test. It is important to ask the doctor:
- If the exam reduces your chances of dying from prostate cancer.
- If there is any harm caused by the prostate cancer examination, such as side effects from the examination or overtreatment when cancer is detected.
- If there is a higher risk of prostate cancer compared to others.
For men aged 70 or older, the physician should very carefully evaluate the balance between the actual benefit and the health risks at that age. If he decides to go ahead, the PSA blood test is repeated over time (annually or less frequently), although the best frequency is unknown.
- Routine prostate exams are no longer performed on men without symptoms.
Skin exam
- Your provider may examine your skin for signs of skin cancer, especially if you are at high risk.
- People at high risk include those who have had skin cancer, have close relatives with skin cancer, or have a weakened immune system.
Testicular exam
- Self‑examination has been shown to have little or no benefit, according to an assessment by the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). It is recommended to consult a doctor if you experience any discomfort.
Eye exam
The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) recommends that all adults have a comprehensive eye exam at age 40.
- After age 40, the examination should be repeated every 1 to 2 years and include an evaluation of the retina (back of the eye) at least annually if the person has diabetes.
Hearing test
Age‑related sensorineural hearing loss is a common health problem among all adults. It can negatively affect a person's quality of life, as well as their ability to function independently. For this reason, it is advisable to have your hearing evaluated if you have symptoms of hearing loss, regardless of age.
Sources consulted:
Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Recommended immunization schedule for adults aged 19 years or older, United States, 2024.https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/imz‑schedules/adult‑schedule‑vaccines.html
American Academy of Ophthalmology. Clinical statement: Frequency of ocular examinations ‑2022 www.aao.org/clinical‑statement/frequency‑of‑ocular‑examinations.
American Dental Association. Your top 9 questions about going to the dentist ‑ answered. www.mouthhealthy.org/en/dental‑care‑concerns/questions‑about‑going‑to‑the‑dentist.
American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee: Classification and Diagnosis of Diabetes: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes‑2022. Diabetes Care. 2022 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34964875/
Atkins D, Barton M. The periodic health examination. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds.Goldman‑Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020: chap 12.
AHA Recent Guidelines and Statements, 2026 https://professional.heart.org/en/guidelines‑statements
US Preventive Services Task Force Final Lung Cancer recommendations. https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/lung‑cancer‑screening
US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendations, Grade and Category: https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/topic_search_results?topic_status=P
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