Fibromyalgia in Men

Fibromyalgia is a disease that effects people of all ethnicities, ages, and genders. However, more than 75% of diagnosed individuals are women. Fibromyalgia in men is uncommon and some physicians even consider the disease to be a "woman's disease" that men are incapable of getting. Some experts attribute the higher number of women with fibromyalgia to men being prideful and not wanting to admit that something is wrong; society's perception of men being "strong and tough" keeps them from wanting to go to a doctor for help.

It can be a hard thing for a man to swallow his pride and admit to a doctor (and himself) that he is sick and can't function like he wants to. This can be particularly true for a man that has a family to support or a job that he loves. Going from working full time and supporting your family to being bedridden from pain can cause extreme depression. A lot of men have the idea in their heads that they must be tough or they are not a man at all. This idea is reinforced by society and creates an even greater pressure for men to conform and act as if nothing is wrong.

Since fibromyalgia in men is uncommon, it is hard to study the effects it has on the male body. This makes it more difficult for physicians to treat men that are diagnosed with fibromyalgia. As the disease is becoming more exposed and more widely accepted, men are beginning to come forward for help. As other men see these men come forward it shows them that it is ok to ask for help and get treatment. As more men go to a doctor for help the prognosis will begin to get better as well. Men will begin to see that they can still be a man and have an illness as well.