Seeing a doctor for a physical exam isn’t about assuming something’s wrong, it’s about staying in control of your health. Getting regular physical exams is important preventive care, helping to identify risks early, track your health over time and keep small issues from becoming bigger ones.
The good news is that a physical exam is straightforward, usually takes less than an hour and might only happen every couple of years. But if it’s been a while since your last annual checkup, you may not know what to expect. Read on to learn more.
Here’s a checklist for what men can expect at a physical exam
A physical exam is a good way to get a comprehensive overview of your health, and it’s valuable even if you don’t have questions about your health or conditions you’re managing. Here’s what may happen during the exam.
Your doctor will begin by reviewing your health history and habits
When you’re speaking to your doctor about your health and habits, it’s important to be open and honest. No detail is too small. Anything they’re able to learn about you helps them support you and make sure you stay as healthy as possible. Topics your doctor may ask about include:
- Your health history – Your doctor will review your personal and family health history, including past illnesses, surgeries, medications and any conditions that run in your family. This information helps identify inherited risks and guides decisions about screenings, tests and preventive care.
- Medications you use – Tell your doctor about every medication and supplement you use, including over‑the‑counter ones. Some drugs can interact with each other, so sharing this information helps your doctor prevent unwanted side effects.
- Your diet and exercise habits – Speak with your doctor about your food and exercise routines. They’ll let you know if you’re on the right track, and they can give you some tips to improve your habits if you’d like.
- Your mental health – Depression and anxiety are two of the most common mental health conditions worldwide. But men with depression and anxiety are less likely to seek treatment due to social pressure. Your annual exam is the perfect opportunity to speak with your doctor privately about sensitive subjects if you feel you need help, no extra appointment needed.
- Your alcohol, tobacco and substance use – It’s important to be as specific, open and as honest as possible when speaking to your doctor about these topics. Your doctor is there to listen to you, not to judge. And if you have concerns, they’ll be able to help connect you with the support you need.
Your care team will check your basic health measurements (vital signs)
During your visit, your care team will measure key vital signs like your blood pressure, heart rate and more. These measurements provide a snapshot of your overall health and help identify potential issues early. Measurements may include:
- Blood pressure – Your blood pressure is an important indicator of heart and overall health. The goal of a blood pressure check is to see how strongly your blood pushes against the walls of your arteries, and helps determine if you have blood pressure numbers that are too high or too low.
- Heart rate – Your heart rate helps your doctor understand how well your heart is functioning. Abnormal heart rates can be a sign of stress, dehydration, heart arrhythmia or other health concerns.
- Height and weight – Your height and weight can influence your chances of developing certain health conditions. Tracking changes over time can help identify risks related to heart disease, diabetes and other chronic conditions.
- Temperature – An elevated temperature can be a sign of infection or illness, while a low temperature may point to other medical concerns.
Your doctor will do a physical exam to see how healthy you are
In order to get a robust picture of your health, your doctor will perform a head-to-toe physical exam that may include:
- Head, neck and skin exam – Looking at your ears, nose, throat, eyes, skin and lymph nodes helps to identify signs of infection, swelling, skin changes or other potential health concerns.
- Heart and lung exam – Listening to your heart and lungs allows your doctor to check your heart rhythm and ensure your breathing sounds clear and unlabored.
- Abdominal exam – Gently pressing on your abdomen will help your doctor determine if there is tenderness, pain or unusual lumps that could indicate digestive or other issues.
- Hernia check – Your doctor may check for signs of a hernia, such as a weakness or bulging in the abdominal or groin area. If needed, your doctor can connect you with a specialist in hernia surgery.
- Testicular exam – Your doctor may examine your testes to check for lumps, swelling or other abnormalities that could be early signs of testicular cancer. This exam typically begins in adulthood and may be done based on age, risk factors or symptoms.
Your physical exam is individual to you, and you may not receive every test and screening listed above, depending on your health history and risk factors. Your care team will work with you to determine what your exam will look like so you can live as healthily as possible.
You may get other tests and screenings based on your health, age and doctor recommendation
Men’s health screenings can find conditions early (often before symptoms appear) and monitor ongoing health risks. Many screenings are done with a simple blood test during your physical exam, though some (like colorectal cancer screening) require a separate appointment.
Based on your health history and age, your doctor may screen you for:
Immunizations and vaccines you may receive at your appointment
Physical exams are a perfect time to get vaccines and review the ones that you need or may be missing or delayed. Vaccines are important because they prevent you from contracting a preventable illness, guard against seasonal illnesses and more. The following are types of vaccines to talk to your doctor about:
How often men should get a physical exam (and when to start)
If you’re under the age of 45, you may only need to have a physical exam every couple of years, unless you have a medical condition you’re managing, certain risk factors or have questions about your health. If you’re over the age of 45, you should try to schedule your physical exam yearly, regardless of health factors.
If it’s been a while since you’ve seen the doctor, now’s the perfect time to make an appointment for a physical exam. This can give you a good sense of how your health is and how often you should check in with your doctor.
Make an appointment and take control of your health
When you feel good and your body is working as it should, it’s easy to let your health take a backseat. That’s why making time to schedule your annual physical exam is so important.
When you share the full picture of your physical and mental health with your doctor, you’ll have peace of mind knowing you’re in good shape, or you have steps in place to get there. Remember, your physical exam is a judgement-free space for you to speak freely with your doctor. You can get your questions answered, learn how to manage conditions and so much more.