ISMH – dedicated to the unmet need of improving men’s health

The International Society of Men’s Health (ISMH) is the only international organisation dedicated to the rapidly growing field of men’s health. The comprehensive scope of men’s health brings together multiple disciplines such as urology, cardiology, endocrinology, oncology, gerontology, psychiatry, psychology, sexual and reproductive medicine, public health and others.

  • Why do men tolerate bothersome urinary symptoms rather than seek medical advice?
    September 30, 2011

    Many men over the age of 50 experience clinical (or symptomatic) benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), but often delay in speaking to a healthcare professional about the bothersome urinary symptoms that accompany this condition.1,2 Why do men tolerate these symptoms? To answer this question, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has funded The BPH survey: a male perspective, a European survey that aims to reveal male attitudes and behaviours towards bothersome urinary symptoms. Professor Siegfried Meryn, General Secretary of the International Society of Men’s Health, explains: “Male attitudes towards urinary symptoms have been neglected in medical research and this is one of the very few surveys that asks ‘how do men feel?’ and ‘why don’t men seek help?’ This survey will provide a unique insight about men and their health and it is vital that we, as healthcare  professionals, understand the attitudes and behaviours of the men we are treating.” The BPH survey: a male perspective was developed by an expert steering group of urologists and GPs, and explores:

    • What discourages men from seeking medical attention
    • What prompts men to seek help
    • Who men consult about their bothersome urinary symptoms
    It is hoped that the insights will help healthcare professionals have more meaningful conversations with men about their prostate problems so that their condition can be rapidly diagnosed and managed. Findings from the survey should also help men to understand that bothersome urinary symptoms are not an inevitable part of ageing. First findings from the survey will be released online during the Men’s Health World Congress 2011 in Vienna, Austria. GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is committed to supporting research to help educate and increase understanding of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), a common prostate disorder. As part of this commitment GSK has developed and funded this project – “The BPH survey: a male perspective” through the creation of a steering group of healthcare professionals – urologists and GPs – to advise on the content of the survey, as well as the implementation of the project across the largest European markets (UK, France, Italy, Germany and Spain).  GSK has supported and paid the International Society of Men´s Health (ISMH) for the opportunity to launch the results of this project in the press contact section of their website during their annual Men´s Health World Congress, taking place in Vienna in 2011. All rights relating to the project and the data published are property of GSK. References 1. Garraway WM, Collins GN, Lee RJ. High prevalence of benign prostatic hypertrophy in the community. Lancet. 1991; 338: 469-71. 2. Banks I, Mayor S, Meryn S. Talking prostates. Journal of Men’s Health. 2010; 7: 221-226. Date of preparation: September 2011 , Job bag code: URCE/BPH/0022a/11

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    Congress President April Young
    February 3, 2011

    The 8th Men's Health World Congress will return to its home city of Vienna on October 2-5, 2011. The scientific and social programs for the upcoming Men's Health World Congress will take advantage of the strong footing, incorporating into the congress activities a more intimate encounter with the history of Vienna and its present-day innovations in men's health. The Men's Health World Congress 2011 will show a stronger-than-ever commitment to policy change that benefits men and their families and communities.  The scientific program will include presentations by remarkable leaders in the field who have realized success in ratifying men's health policies in their countries and regions.  We will also learn about the technological innovations in the eHealth and mHealth domains that are lighting the way to solutions in health care. Furthermore we will highlight the groundbreaking 18-month effort to develop comprehensive guidelines for men's health maintenance.

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    Congress President Graham Jackson
    January 11, 2011

    The Men's Health World Congress brings together a multidisciplinary team whose focus is improving men’s health in general.  Building on the very successful 2010 congress, in 2011 we maintain the broad scope of improving all aspects of men's health but emphasise the importance of improving care in the ageing population.  There remains a gender gap in health care with men doing less well than women across the board, but with age these differences are exaggerated.  Promoting improvements in health care should be our objective irrespective of gender, but by establishing the Men's World Health Congress we have an opportunity to close the current gender gap and establish equality of care for all.

  • European Men's Health Forum, partner of the ISMH

    Innovative Q&A research project
    December 20, 2010

    The European Men's Health Forum (EMHF) announces the launch of its pioneering prostate question and answer service in English, Spanish and German - the first prostate research project to ask men what they want to know rather than telling them what they need. The "Your Prostate" website (www.yourprostate.eu) answers questions from men about all aspects of prostate health. Two papers based on the earlier research have already appeared in the Journal of Men's Health.