When it comes to performance and reliability, the human body and a car engine have more in common than you might think. Both require regular maintenance, and both will send warning signals when something isn’t quite right. Much like an overheating engine, Erectile Dysfunction (ED) could be a telltale signal that something deeper may be wrong, such as diabetes or high cholesterol.
While most of us wouldn’t ignore the warning lights if they appeared on our car dashboard, many men are far slower to react when it comes to their health. In fact, studies show a clear disconnect in response between the two.
Research from Texas Health found that an alarming 65% of men will delay medical attention for as long as possible[1], while HPI revealed men respond to car problems faster than women, typically within just 7.8 days[2].
Our aim with this new campaign is to rethink how we approach men’s health. By using a familiar analogy, “Check Your Engine”, we are hoping to encourage men to hold their health in the same esteem as they would their car, seeing both as worthy of regular maintenance. Understanding how to detect early warning signs and getting regular checkups is essential to preventing more serious health issues.
Conducting a nationwide representative survey, we found that overall, men are more likely to stay on top of their car maintenance than their health (73% vs 70%). The data revealed that alarmingly, those aged 65 and over were 18% more likely to care about monitoring their car’s condition than their health, the most out of any age group surveyed.
This was followed by those aged 55-64, who were found 14% more likely to maintain their car versus health, followed by 18-24 year olds (10% more likely).
| Percentage of males likely to maintain their car health versus their health | |
| Age Group | Percentage |
| 65 and over | 18% |
| 55-64 | 14% |
| 45-54 | 1% |
| 35-44 | 1% |
| 25-34 | 7% |
| 18-24 | 10% |
Our in-house Doctor, Dr Ashwin Sharma, comments on the findings: “Naturally, as we age, our risk for various health conditions increases due to a range of changes our body encounters. A Massachusetts medical study found that those in their 60s have a 60% chance of experiencing ED, rising 10% for every decade[3].
“For this reason, maintaining a proactive approach when it comes to health is vital. I would strongly recommend that those over the age of 60 prioritise regular health check-ups to support overall wellbeing.”
Even more concerning, data from the study revealed 7% of men said they rarely take action over their health, which was more than DOUBLE the number who admitted the same about car maintenance (3%).
The most health-conscious age group of those studied? The data revealed that it was men aged 25-35. 82% of those in the age group revealed they actively maintain their health, which was well above the national average (70%).
While more claimed that health was their utmost priority in the study, we still found that, across the board, men are more consistent when it comes to servicing their car. But building in routine health checks, just like you would get your tyre pressure checked, could help detect conditions early, allowing for more effective treatment options.
Nearly 9 in 10 men (88%) revealed they would take their car to get serviced within a week of noticing a warning light, with over one-third going the same day. However, when it comes to their health? Not so urgent.
Across the board, male Brits are willing to wait 250% longer for medical attention than car repairs, with them most likely to wait a maximum of 48 hours for their car vs 168 hours for a health issue.
Older men (those aged 65+) were the age group fastest to respond to car complaints, with more than half (51%) responding in the same day. Alarmingly, however, within the same age group, only 5% of those would give the same urgency to their health.
Doctor Ashwin Sharma notes: “If you have a health concern or are experiencing persistent symptoms, I would encourage you to consult with a healthcare professional as soon as possible. Early detection of any underlying issues, whether more serious or not, always leads to better outcomes.”
It is commonplace to undertake some research before committing to bigger purchases such as a car, but when it comes to our health and body, who is really putting in the time to better understand?
To determine whether men may know as much about their body as their car, we put them to the test… literally. We asked men across the UK a series of theory questions, based both on cars and erectile dysfunction. The results? Let’s find out.
1) Men can diagnose their car better than their body
When asked to correctly define what erectile dysfunction was, over a third of males (34%) couldn’t provide a correct answer. The results highlight a potential gap in education around the topic, and considering almost three in ten studied (29%) said they already experience symptoms of ED, increased awareness is vital. Equally, this is just as important for the 71% who don’t currently experience ED, but who could experience ED at some point in the future.
2) Men are 3.5 times more likely to recognise causes of engine failure than causes of erectile dysfunction
The knowledge gap widened when those studied were asked about possible causes of erectile dysfunction. Respondents were 3.5 times more likely to recognise causes of engine failure than causes of ED.
Misconceptions were a commonality among respondents, with the most common misunderstanding being that ED is primarily a sexual issue and only linked to stress and anxiety. 37% of men believed ED is simply related to psychological factors, 28% of men think ED only occurs in people with low testosterone, and 13% did not realise that ED could be a side effect of medication.
So, are there any other major health issues associated with Erectile Dysfunction that men weren’t aware of?
Most men surveyed (nearly two-thirds) were unaware that Erectile Dysfunction could be linked to major health issues such as Diabetes or Heart Disease. Below is how awareness was broken down:
While it is encouraging that 75% of men understood the role stress can play in erectile dysfunction, the physical causes were definitely less well known, with only half of men (50%) recognising high blood pressure as a cause of ED.
Less than half of males were unaware that diabetes (44%) and high cholesterol (41%) can be causes of the condition, meanwhile, only one in three men were able to connect the dots between ED and heart disease (36%).
Doctor Ashwin Sharma comments: “Erectile dysfunction can have a variety of causes, ranging from temporary issues related to lifestyle factors, such as drug use or excess alcohol consumption, to more persistent symptoms that could signal underlying health conditions such as heart disease or diabetes. Those with more persistent symptoms should always consult with a doctor to determine any causation and help to manage symptoms.”
With only 199 out of 600 surveyed passing their ‘health theory test’, when we compared average car theory pass rates vs our very own ‘theory’ test, the contrast was clear:
UK Car Theory Test: 46% Pass Rate (UK GOV)
UK Health Test: 33% Pass Rate (MedExpress)
Those living in Wales and the East Midlands were among those most aware of their health (48%), whereas Yorkshire & Humber and the West Midlands were among the least clued up on the causes of ED (both 25%).
Stigmas are often a major barrier for men opening up about erectile dysfunction (ED) or even seeking further information on the condition. The study revealed that a surprising 23% of men didn’t realise that ED was treatable, whilst one in eight (12%) said they wouldn’t seek help unless urged by a partner or family member.
Perhaps the most telling of all, men reported feeling 90% more comfortable when consulting with a mechanic about their car than opening up with a doctor about ED. With health being more paramount, how do we address this issue?
Doctor Ashwin Sharma notes: “The most important message is that there should be no stigma attached with experiencing symptoms of erectile dysfunction. It is a highly common condition and, most importantly, a very treatable one. With a range of effective solutions available to men, there is simply no need to live with symptoms.
“I do appreciate that seeking medical advice can sometimes feel daunting to some. However, healthcare professionals are trained to provide the most tailored support and treatment in a respectful and judgment-free environment. For those who find in-person consultations intimidating, reputable online services such as MedExpress offer confidential health assessments and access to appropriate treatments online.”
For many, a car may be your pride and joy, and that is absolutely valid. However, your health is your lifeline. Regular check-ups with your doctor and listening to your bodies ‘warning lights’ can prevent bigger problems from occurring down the line.
The next time you are quick to book your car in for a service, maybe ask yourself: When was the last time I gave my body the same love?
Check Your Engine.
Methodology:
MEdExpress used the Attest Platform to survey 600 males who currently own a car, asking them a variety of questions on car maintenance and erectile dysfunction.
1 – Research from Texas Health found 65% of men wait as long as possible to seek medical attention
2 – HPI research found men are quicker to respond to car issues, 7.8 days on average
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