Men with Migraine – The Double Standard
According to a study conducted by the Cleveland Clinic, only about 60% of men attend yearly doctors’ checkups. Another 61% of men stated they only go to a doctor or physician when a medical issue becomes unbearable for them to handle on their own. For minor problems such as colds or the flu, most men seem to prefer to deal with them on their own.
With this in mind, it’s no wonder that many men who suffer from migraine don’t address or report them. Given that a smaller percentage of men than women struggle with migraine attacks, it’s easy to assume that it’s not much of an issue among men. We can argue that this smaller percentage of men who present with migraine could be a result of men’s tendency not to report medical problems or even admit to them. What exactly creates this stigma amongst men, and why is it so dangerous when talking about migraine?
Just Walk It Off!
From an early age, many men are presented with the expectations that stem from toxic masculinity. They’re expected to handle minor injuries, such as bumps and bruises, with ease. The expectation is toughness, along with the ability to keep going despite the hurt. This is somewhat less common nowadays with young boys. However, the impact it had on those who are now adults has lingered on. It’s common for men not only to disregard medical issues they’re having, but even to take some pride in functioning despite those ongoing issues! It goes without saying that this behavior only makes the problems worse. In fact, it can be especially concerning with conditions like migraine.
Well, It Won’t Kill Me
Migraine, for many men, is something they consider harmless. To them, it causes pain and discomfort, but not necessarily to a problematic degree. Since it’s an invisible disability, it makes it easy for them to disregard it as harmless—something they don’t need to address or discuss. In addition, the comorbidities that come along with migraine might not strike them as related. Since many of those comorbidities could also be considered invisible disabilities, that makes it even easier to disregard them. It’s best to ignore or work through these disabilities silently.
While women are often encouraged to share their thoughts and feelings from a young age, men are often encouraged to do the opposite. The idea that pain is something to be dealt with is usually instilled at an early age. For many young men, this reduces the likelihood of them discussing something like migraine even further.
Normalize Not Being Okay
In contrast to how many men were raised, what’s important is to teach them how to handle pain. Everyone struggles with sickness and discomfort, and it’s essential to be open and honest about it. We need to teach our young men that it’s okay not to be OK. It’s ok to show weakness! If they’re in pain, encourage them to tell someone so it can be addressed. People are generally ready and willing to help if they understand. Creating judgment-free spaces for them to discuss how they’re doing will help young men feel safe and willing to talk. The standard for WHEN something needs to be addressed is not just when it becomes life-threatening. There’s so much more to being alive than just surviving.
Consider Seeking Effective Treatments
Thomas Berk, MD FAHS: Neura Health’s Medical Director, is a certified headache specialist with migraine disease. He understands the unique challenges men face from both the patient and clinical sides of migraine management. In this video, he discusses these challenges and how men can better manage stigma, talk with their doctors, and access effective treatments.
Let Us Know!
Are you a man who has trouble opening up to friends and loved ones about your health or migraine? What is the biggest challenge in that for you? Do you know someone who refuses to seek treatment or doesn’t take their own health seriously and needs advice?