June is Men’s Health Awareness Month, and there’s no better time to get real about what it means to take care of yourself—from head to heart to…well, below the belt. It’s no secret that men are less likely than women to go to the doctor, less likely to talk about their health, and way more likely to ignore the early warning signs of something serious. But here’s the truth: your body gives you clues, and your lifestyle choices today can have a huge impact on how you feel—and how long you live.
So let’s talk about it. Let’s talk about sex, self-care, and yes, checking your balls.
Sex Is Good For You—And Science Backs It Up
We all know sex is fun, exciting, and can range from romantic to wild. But it’s also seriously good for you. During sex, your body releases five powerful chemicals—dopamine, norepinephrine, testosterone, oxytocin, and serotonin—all of which work together to elevate your mood, deepen connection, and ease anxiety.
Here’s what else sex can do for you:
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Reduces stress and increases your ability to handle pressure
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Boosts immunity—people who have sex once or twice a week show up to 30% more immunoglobulin A (IgA), a key immune booster
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Improves sleep thanks to the calming chemical flood post-orgasm
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Burns calories—an average 25-minute session can burn up to 100 calories for men
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Acts as natural pain relief—especially for headaches and muscle pain
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Supports heart health and testosterone levels, which are essential for energy, strength, and libido
And for the trivia lovers: the average male orgasm lasts six seconds, while a woman’s can stretch past 20. Talk about incentive to keep things going!
Your Health Beyond the Bedroom
But let’s be honest—great sex doesn’t matter much if you’re not healthy enough to enjoy it. And that’s where a deeper level of self-care comes in. Unfortunately, statistics show that men are falling short when it comes to managing their health:
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7 million American men haven’t seen a doctor in the past 10 years
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60% of men over 50 skipped colon cancer screenings last year
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67% of men ignore chest pain and shortness of breath—two major heart attack warnings
The leading causes of death among men include heart disease, cancer, kidney failure, and suicide—all of which can be impacted (or even prevented) with early detection and healthy lifestyle choices. So what can you do?
Start with these steps:
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Get regular checkups and screenings (PSA, blood pressure, cholesterol, STD panels, EKG, etc.)
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Exercise moderately 20–30 minutes, 5 times a week
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Eat a healthy, balanced diet rich in fruits, veggies, and lean proteins
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Limit alcohol and avoid smoking altogether
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Hydrate well—aim for 8 glasses of water a day
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Protect your skin from sun damage (SPF 30+)
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Perform monthly self-checks for signs of cancer
Check Your Balls—Seriously
Speaking of self-checks, let’s get into something many guys avoid but shouldn’t: testicular self-exams.
Testicular cancer is one of the most common cancers among young men, especially those aged 15 to 34. Each year, over 7,500 new cases are diagnosed in the U.S. alone. While survival rates are high with early detection, the key is—you’ve got to check yourself!
How To Perform a Testicular Self-Exam
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Warm it up: Take a warm shower or bath to relax the scrotum.
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Use both hands: Hold one testicle at a time with the index and middle fingers underneath and your thumb on top.
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Roll gently: Roll the testicle between your fingers, feeling for lumps, hard spots, or irregularities. Don’t panic if one testicle is larger or hangs lower than the other—that’s totally normal.
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Know what’s normal: You’ll feel the vas deferens (a firm, rope-like tube), but you’re looking for anything new, fixed, or strange.
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Use a mirror if it helps you get a better look and become more familiar with your body.
Warning signs to watch for include:
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Lumps or bumps on or around the testicles
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Swelling or tenderness
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A heavy ache in the lower abdomen or groin
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Fluid buildup in the scrotum
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Unexplained fatigue
If you find anything unusual, don’t wait. Schedule a visit with your doctor. Most lumps are not cancer, but only a doctor can tell for sure. The general recommendation is to check your testicles once a month.
Your Body. Your Responsibility. Your Life.
Men’s Health Month is about more than awareness—it’s about action. Whether you’re making time for more meaningful intimacy, doing a monthly ball check, or finally booking that overdue doctor’s appointment, small steps now can lead to a longer, stronger, healthier life.
So go ahead: prioritize your health like your life depends on it—because it does.