Health Checks for Men in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Regular medical check‑ups help you stay healthy and give you a chance to talk about any concerns with your doctor. For men in Grand Rapids, MI, routine health screenings are especially important because they can catch early warning signs of disease before symptoms appear.

Local healthcare providers such as Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health), Trinity Health Grand Rapids, University of Michigan Health–West (Metro Health), and Mercy Health all offer comprehensive men’s health services. You can also access community resources through the Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health.

Health Checks You Can Do at Home

Testicular Self‑Examination

Men of all ages should get familiar with the look and feel of their testicles. This helps you notice changes early, which is critical for detecting testicular cancer.

How to check your testicles

  • The best time is after a warm bath or shower when the scrotal skin is relaxed.
  • Stand in front of a mirror and look for any visible swelling or changes.
  • Using both hands, gently roll one testicle between your thumb and fingers.
  • Feel for:
    • Lumps or bumps
    • Areas that feel harder than usual
    • Any swelling or tenderness

Repeat with the other testicle

  • It’s normal for one testicle to be slightly larger or to hang lower than the other.
  • Both testicles should feel firm but not hard, and the surface should be smooth.
  • At the back of each testicle, you’ll feel a soft, tube‑like structure called the epididymis. Gently feel along this area and check for any unusual swelling or pain.

See a Grand Rapids doctor right away (your GP, a urologist at Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, or Metro Health) if you notice:

  • A new lump
  • A change in size or shape
  • A feeling of heaviness or ache in the scrotum
  • Sudden pain

Skin Checks (Important in Michigan’s Four Seasons)

Michigan’s changing seasons mean men in Grand Rapids experience intense summer sun, lake reflection from the Great Lakes region, and dry winter air. All of this can affect your skin and increase your risk of skin cancer.

Depending on your age, skin type, and family history of skin cancer, your doctor may recommend skin checks every 3 months to 1 year.

How to do a skin self‑check

  • Choose a room with good lighting.
  • Completely undress.
  • Use:
    • A full‑length mirror to check your front, back, and sides
    • A handheld mirror for hard‑to‑see areas

Pay close attention to:

  • Face, neck, and scalp (use a comb or ask someone to help check your scalp)
  • Ears
  • Chest, abdomen, and back
  • Armpits
  • Between your fingers and toes
  • The soles and heels of your feet
  • Buttocks and genital area

Look for:

  • New spots, moles, or freckles
  • Changes in:
    • Color
    • Size
    • Shape or outline
    • Texture (becoming rough, scaly, or raised)
  • Spots that:
    • Itch or tingle
    • Bleed easily
    • Crust, ooze, or don’t heal

Look for Symptoms Like Itching, Tingling, Bleeding or Weeping

If you see anything suspicious, book an appointment with a dermatologist in Grand Rapids or talk to your GP as soon as possible. Early detection of skin cancer makes treatment much more effective.

Mental Health Checks for Men in Grand Rapids

Mental health is just as important as physical health. In West Michigan, long, dark winters and reduced sunlight can contribute to seasonal affective disorder (SAD), depression, and anxiety. Work stress, financial pressure, and family responsibilities can also affect men’s mental wellbeing.

You might associate depression with sadness, but in men it often shows up differently.

Common mental health symptoms in men include:

  • Irritability or anger
  • Feeling “on edge” or easily frustrated
  • Losing interest in hobbies or activities you used to enjoy
  • Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
  • Using alcohol or drugs more than usual
  • Taking unnecessary risks (speeding, reckless behavior)
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Feeling hopeless, numb, or disconnected

A mental health check‑in can be done:

  • With your primary care doctor (at Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, or Mercy Health)
  • With a psychologist, counselor, or psychiatrist
  • Through online mental health questionnaires and tools

If you’re struggling, talk to your doctor or a mental health professional as soon as possible. Help in Grand Rapids is confidential and available in person or via telehealth.

If You Need Help Now

If you are in crisis or feel unsafe:

  • Call 911 for emergencies.
  • Call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (available statewide in Michigan).
  • Contact local crisis services through the Kent County Community Mental Health resources.

Sexual Health Checks for Men

Sexual health is an important part of overall wellbeing. Regular sexual health checks are recommended for anyone who is sexually active.

Sexual health checks are especially important if:

  • You’ve changed sexual partners
  • You��ve had unprotected sex (no condom)
  • Your partner has recently been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection (STI)
  • You have symptoms such as:
    • Pain when urinating
    • Discharge from the penis
    • Genital sores, blisters, or warts
    • Itching or rash in the genital area

STI Testing in Grand Rapids

Not all STIs cause obvious symptoms. You or your partner could have an infection without knowing it. Untreated STIs can lead to serious long‑term problems, including infertility and chronic pain.

You can get tested at:

  • Your GP or family doctor
  • A sexual health clinic or community health center in Grand Rapids
  • Clinics supported by the Kent County Health Department

A sexual health check may include:

  • A discussion of your sexual history
  • A urine test
  • Swabs (from the throat, urethra, or rectum depending on risk)
  • Blood tests (for HIV, syphilis, and other infections)

The process is confidential, and healthcare professionals are trained to make you feel comfortable and respected.

Pre‑Conception Health Checks for Men

If you’re thinking about starting or growing your family in the next 12 months, a pre‑conception health check can improve your fertility and your future baby’s health.

Your Grand Rapids doctor may talk with you about:

  • Weight management and healthy eating
  • Smoking and vaping (and how to quit)
  • Alcohol and recreational drug use
  • Existing health conditions (like diabetes, high blood pressure)
  • Occupational exposures to chemicals or radiation
  • Past or current STIs
  • Medications or supplements you’re taking

Things like being overweight, smoking, older age, STIs, and exposure to harmful chemicals can reduce fertility and affect sperm quality. Addressing these early can improve your chances of a healthy pregnancy with your partner.

Heart Health Checks for Men in Grand Rapids

Heart disease remains a leading cause of death for men in Michigan. Cold winters, less physical activity in icy months, and diets high in saturated fat can all increase risk.

A heart health check is recommended if you are:

  • 45 and over, or
  • 30 and over if you have multiple risk factors (for example, strong family history, obesity, or diabetes)

During a heart health check, your doctor will:

  • Measure your blood pressure
  • Check your weight and waist circumference
  • Ask about:
    • Family history of heart disease
    • Smoking or vaping
    • Physical activity
    • Diet and alcohol use
    • Conditions like diabetes, high cholesterol, or kidney disease
  • Order blood tests to check:
    • Cholesterol levels
    • Blood sugar (glucose)

Your doctor will then calculate your cardiovascular risk and discuss:

  • Lifestyle changes (nutrition, exercise, quitting smoking)
  • Whether you need medications (for blood pressure, cholesterol, or diabetes)
  • How often you should return for follow‑up

Working with a Grand Rapids GP or cardiologist is the best way to stay on top of your heart health, especially as you get older.

Bowel Cancer Screening

Bowel (colorectal) cancer is common but highly treatable when found early. Around 90% of cases can be treated successfully if detected early.

Your risk of bowel cancer increases with age. In the U.S., most men should start screening at age 45, or earlier if you have a strong family history or other risk factors.

How bowel cancer screening works

  • From 45–49 years, talk to your doctor about when to start screening and which test is best for you.
  • From 50–74 years, guidelines typically recommend:
    • A stool‑based test (FIT or FOBT) every 1–2 years, and/or
    • A colonoscopy at intervals recommended by your doctor

If a stool test is positive, your doctor may recommend a colonoscopy to look directly at the bowel and remove any polyps.

Men in Grand Rapids can arrange bowel cancer screening through:

  • Their GP
  • Gastroenterology clinics at Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, or Metro Health

If you have a family history of bowel cancer, screening may need to start earlier and be done more often. Discuss this with your doctor.

Type 2 Diabetes Screening

Michigan has high rates of type 2 diabetes, and risk is increased by:

  • Being overweight or obese
  • Being physically inactive (especially during long winters)
  • Having a family history of diabetes
  • Having high blood pressure or high cholesterol
  • Being from certain ethnic backgrounds with higher risk

It’s recommended that adults use a type 2 diabetes risk assessment tool (such as the ADA’s online risk test). If your score shows you are at high risk, or you have several risk factors, your doctor may recommend:

  • Regular fasting blood glucose tests
  • HbA1c tests (a long‑term measure of blood sugar)

Type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed in about 6 out of 10 high‑risk people by:

  • Eating a balanced diet
  • Losing excess weight
  • Being physically active (even indoor exercise during Grand Rapids winters)
  • Reducing sugary drinks and processed foods

Your GP or a diabetes educator in Grand Rapids can help you set up a prevention or management plan.

Bone Density and Osteoporosis

Men often don’t realize they have osteoporosis (weak bones) until a minor fall or bump causes a fracture. Cold, icy Michigan winters can increase falls, making bone health especially important for older men in Grand Rapids.

Bone density naturally decreases with age. Your risk is higher if you:

  • Smoke
  • Drink a lot of alcohol
  • Are inactive
  • Have low vitamin D (common in Michigan due to limited winter sunlight)
  • Have hormone problems (including low testosterone)
  • Have diabetes or other chronic illnesses
  • Take certain medications (like long‑term corticosteroids)

When to check bone density

  • In your 50s: Talk to your doctor once a year about your risk of low bone density.
  • Over 60: Your doctor may recommend a DEXA (dual‑energy X‑ray absorptiometry) scan to measure bone density.

You may need earlier testing if:

  • You have low testosterone
  • You’ve broken a bone from a minor fall or simple bump

If low bone density is found early, treatment and lifestyle changes can slow bone loss and reduce fracture risk. Ask your doctor about:

  • Vitamin D and calcium
  • Weight‑bearing exercise
  • Fall prevention strategies (important in icy Grand Rapids winters)

Prostate Cancer Screening

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in American men, especially those over 50. Screening decisions are individual and should be made after discussing the benefits and risks with your doctor.

PSA testing

A PSA (prostate‑specific antigen) blood test can help detect prostate cancer early, but it can also pick up slow‑growing cancers that may never cause harm.

Before having a PSA test, consider:

  • Your age
  • Family history of prostate cancer
  • Your level of concern
  • The potential risks of further testing and treatment

If your PSA level is high:

  • Your doctor may ask you to repeat the test after a few weeks, as levels can fluctuate.
  • If it remains high, you may need:
    • Further blood tests
    • Imaging
    • A referral to a urologist in Grand Rapids
    • Possible prostate biopsy

The benefit of PSA testing is the chance to find prostate cancer when it’s small and highly treatable. The downside is the possibility of unnecessary treatment with side effects such as incontinence or erectile dysfunction. Discuss current guidelines and your personal risk with your GP or a urologist.

Dental, Vision, and Hearing Checks

Dental Health

It’s recommended that men have a dental check‑up at least once a year to protect teeth and gums. Grand Rapids has many general dentists and dental specialists who can:

  • Check for cavities and gum disease
  • Screen for oral cancers
  • Provide cleaning and preventive care

If you notice pain, swelling, bleeding gums, or a broken tooth, see a dentist right away.

Vision and Eye Health

As you age, regular eye exams help detect:

  • Nearsightedness or farsightedness
  • Glaucoma
  • Cataracts
  • Macular degeneration
  • Diabetic eye disease

If you have a family history of eye problems, diabetes, or notice changes in your vision (blurry vision, trouble driving at night, frequent headaches), see an optometrist or ophthalmologist in Grand Rapids.

Hearing Checks

Hearing can decline gradually, especially with:

  • Aging
  • Loud noise exposure (machinery, concerts, hunting, power tools)

Consider a hearing test if you:

  • Turn the TV up louder than others prefer
  • Struggle to hear conversations in noisy places
  • Frequently ask people to repeat themselves

An audiologist can assess your hearing and recommend treatment options or hearing aids if needed.

Local Resources for Men’s Health in Grand Rapids

You can access men’s health services and support through:

  • Primary Care / GP
    • Corewell Health (Spectrum Health)
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • University of Michigan Health–West (Metro Health)
    • Mercy Health practices
  • Kent County Health Department
    • Immunizations, STI testing, community clinics, health education
  • Grand Rapids Public Health and Community Clinics
    • Preventive care, screenings, and health promotion programs
  • Specialists
    • Dermatologists (skin checks)
    • Urologists (testicular and prostate health)
    • Cardiologists (heart health)
    • Endocrinologists (diabetes, hormone issues)
    • Orthopedists and rheumatologists (bone health)
  • Mental Health Services
    • Local psychologists, counselors, and psychiatrists
    • Telehealth counseling options
    • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Key Points for Men’s Health in Grand Rapids, MI

  • Know your normal: Get familiar with your body so you can spot changes early.
  • Check your skin regularly: Look for new or changing moles, spots that itch, tingle, bleed, or weep.
  • Don’t skip sexual health checks: They’re especially important if you’ve had unprotected sex, changed partners, or think you might have an STI.
  • Plan ahead for fatherhood: Weight, smoking, age, STIs, and chemical exposures can affect your fertility and your baby’s health.
  • Use local care: Grand Rapids offers strong healthcare options—use your GP, local clinics, and specialists to stay on top of screenings at every age.

Your doctor can help you decide which tests are right for you, and how often you should have them, based on your age, family history, and lifestyle in West Michigan.