The 9-to-5 job is part of the American dream, but the reality is that many people have jobs that don’t fit in the traditional framework. Many people are non-standard shift workers, meaning they start work when others are ending, usually working sometime between 6:00 pm and 6:00 am. Men who fall into this category should be aware of a possible increased risk of male organ health issues compared to their brethren who work more traditional hours.

Shift work

How many people work this kind of non-standard work? One study suggests that up to 20% of the labor force falls into this category. That includes about three million people who work the “graveyard shift,” starting work at 11:00 p.m. or later. The range of people doing non-standard shift work includes nurses, bakers, policemen, technical support workers, salespeople, computer programmers, financial advisors, factory workers, miners and many other occupations.

There are often many advantages associated with this kind of work. For example, many people who are enrolled in college work shifts, as do many parents who are therefore able to spend time during the day watching their young children. And in some cases, the pay for shift work is better than the pay for the same job during “regular” hours.

Downsides

But there are downsides to shift work. Working “atypical” hours can affect the natural circadian rhythms, which can in turn affect how long and how deeply a person sleeps. Many shift workers are more tired than others, which can translate into accidents on the job, at home or on the road.

And shift work is associated with other health conditions. For example, shift workers tend to be at greater risk of developing diabetes, high blood pressure, ulcers, depression, cognitive impairment, heart disease, stroke and cancer.

Male organ health

As is often the case, this association with general health deficits is matched by a potential for male organ health issues for men who conduct shift work. Among the issues more likely to occur in male shift workers are:

Hypogonadism. Most men who know anything about hypogonadism associate it with sacks and/or a manhood that are much smaller than usual. While that can be true of hypogonadism that occurs during fetal development, in adult males, hypogonadism tends to refer to a decreased production of male hormone and/or male seed. It is often characterized by one or more of the following:

• Tumescence dysfunction and/or infertility
• Decrease in muscle mass and/or body hair
• Osteoporosis (loss of bone mass)
• Development of soft chest tissue
• Diminished sensual drive
• Fatigue
• Difficulty focusing and concentrating
• Hot flashes

Hormone therapy may be recommended as treatment.

Lower urinary tract symptoms. The bladder, urethra, sphincter and/or prostate may not function properly. This may lead to a variety of issues, including pain while urinating, an increased frequency of urination (especially when sleeping), increased urge to urinate and incontinence.

Prostate cancer. After skin cancer, this is the most common cancer among men – and male shift workers are at a somewhat higher chance of contracting it. Treatment success is good if initiated early.

Male shift workers should be aware of these potential male organ health issues and report any problems to their doctors early. It’s also wise to consult with a doctor about any strategies for dealing with potential challenges presented by shift work, such as sleep pattern disturbances.

Whether a shift worker or not, member health should be a primary concern for a man. He can do more to maintain his manhood health by the daily application of a top notch male organ health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin). Select a crème that contains a combination of moisturizing agents, such as Shea butter and vitamin E. Be sure the crème also includes vitamin A, which has anti-bacterial properties that help fight persistent and annoying male organ odor.

Visit http://www.menshealthfirst.com for additional information on most common male organ health issues, tips on improving member sensitivity and what to do to maintain a healthy manhood. John Dugan is a professional writer who specializes in men's health issues and is an ongoing contributing writer to numerous websites.