Women 'more likely to report ill health than men'

UK researchers looked at links between how healthy people thought they were, and their death rate.

They found women were more likely than men to say they were in poor health, but less likely to die over the following 5 years.

Doctors are concerned about men's apparent lack of awareness of health.

The analysis used data from three studies across England and Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.

It looked at how those aged 35-74 at the time of the 2001 Census rated their health, and their mortality from 2001 to 2006.

It found there was generally a strong association between those reporting that their health was only poor or fair, and subsequent deaths.

Women were more likely to report poorer health than men, but this was not reflected in subsequent mortality rates.

Doctors and campaigners are concerned about men's apparent lack of awareness about health problems and reluctance to go to the doctor.

Commenting on the study, Steve Field, Chairman of the Royal College of General Practitioners, said women are better at disclosing how they feel about their health.

Steps should be taken to encourage men to report health problems earlier, he said.

"The message for the health system is that it should try harder to make it easier for men to access healthcare through suitable hours, venues and phone or computer consultations.

"If men have got concerns about their health, they should come and talk to their GP," he added.

'Extremely worrying'

Peter Baker, Chief Executive of the Men's Health Forum, said the findings were consistent with previous research which showed men are less likely than women to acknowledge health problems to themselves or others.

He pointed out that studies have shown that men who develop diseases like cancer and diabetes tend to be diagnosed later than women.

Mr Baker said: "Men are less aware of their symptoms than women, and are more reluctant to seek help.

"They delay going to the doctor which means their symptoms are more advanced and harder to treat.

"This is extremely worrying. Forty percent of men die before the age of 75."

Horney Goat Weed – A Marvelous Herb

Do you still think that the only real sex pill is called Viagra? Chinese believe they have something better - Yin Yang Huo or Horny Goat Weed, a marvelous herb.

Horny Goat Weed has been used as an aphrodisiac for hundreds of years, and research has also proven its effects on improving sexual desire and performance.

Its scientific name is Epimedium or Yin Yang Huo in chinese but it is also called as Barrenwort, Bishop's Hat, Fairy Wings, Inyokaku, or Horny Goat Weed.

Epimedium is a genus of about 60 or more species of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Berberidaceae.

One of the primary physiological effects of Epimedium is the dilation of blood vessels, allowing hormone-boosted blood to reach sensitive tissues. By expanding the circulatory systems blood vessels, Horny Goat Weed also lowers the blood pressure.

According to Chinese this clears the body from weariness and increases energy level while nervous stimulation is enhanced as the brain is supplied with hormone-enriched blood.

Because of these properties Horney Goat Weed has also been used succesfully to treat coronary heart disease, asthma, bronchitis, and sinusitis.

Although epimedium has been successfully applied in treatments for disorders of the liver, kidneys, joints, knees and back, it was mainly used as an aphrodisiac in Asian medicine. According to legend, this property was discovered by a Chinese goat herdsman who noticed sexual activity in his flock after they consumed the weed. Apparently at this time the plant was crowned with a straightforward nickname: Horney Goat Weed.

Like Viagra, icariin, the active compound in Epimedium, inhibits the activity of PDE-5 allowing enhanced blood circulation in penis tissues. A study found 15 of 20 healthy men responding positively to Horney Goat Weed, and for 7 of the 15 men already on Viagra also had a positive effect from using Horney Goat Weed.

Like many natural herbal aphrodisiacs, Horney Goat Weed has been researched over a long period of time and its benefits have been in use for thousands of years.

While the western world’s magic blue pill offers immediate results for impotence symptoms, for Epimedium takes a bit longer to achieve the desired result, but provides longer-lasting benefits. Not to mention that you can leave behind the fear associated with generic drugs.