Men are comfortable talking to each other about salary, sex lives and sports - but won't discuss the changes their body faces as they grow older.<br /><br />A study of 1,000 men aged above 40 found mental health, their dating life, and incontinence are topics many actively avoid discussing. <br /><br />However, 67 per cent are an open book when it comes to weight gain and 66 per cent would happily talk about sports.<br /><br />More than half (57 per cent) would keenly natter away about politics and their retirement (56 per cent).<br /><br />And while 70 per cent would discuss hair loss with their male mates, only nine per cent would feel very comfortable discussing problems with erectile dysfunction. <br /><br />Former England rugby captain, Lewis Moody, spoke about his own experiences with incontinence.<br /><br />He said: "The stress that I added to myself by not telling other people added to the issues I was dealing with."<br /><br />Nancy Sadler, spokesperson for TENA, which commissioned the research, said: “There are only a certain number of subjects which men generally feel comfortable talking about.<br /><br />“It’s not surprising to see sport and politics topped the list and bodily functions came at the very bottom.<br /><br />“It’s clear male health concerns are taboo topics among the population, but it’s something everyone faces, and it needs to be talked about.”<br /><br />The research also found just 17 per cent would discuss ageing issues such as bladder leakage - even though 93 per cent were aware it could be a problem for men.<br /><br />But 21 per cent would not tell anyone if they experienced it in the future, with half of those claiming it wasn’t anyone’s business.<br /><br />However, of those who would, 79 per cent would raise it with their GP and 52 per cent would turn to their partner.<br /><br />It also emerged going bald (63 per cent) or grey (61 per cent) were the changes that most men associated with growing old.<br /><br />Weight gain, memory and hearing loss were also acknowledged as part of ageing, along with more nose and ear hair and growing a beer belly, according to the research, conducted by OnePoll.<br /><br />Nancy Sadler, from TENA, which commissioned the research ahead of Men's Mental Health Month in November, added: “We knew there would be an element of people feeling self-conscious about their health issues when undertaking this study.<br /><br />"But to hear how many men wouldn’t feel comfortable speaking about incontinence really shocked us.<br /><br />“We’re determined to help people who experience incontinence, which is why our End Bladder Shame Campaign [https://www.tena.co.uk/men/learn-about-incontinence/end-bladder-shame] is so important. <br /><br />“We’re committed to sharing real-life, authentic stories on the subject, creating a safe space for open conversation and, hopefully, ending any embarrassment that surrounds it.”
