Why All Men Should Have a Primary Care Provider

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When it comes to visiting the doctor, men do it less often than women. In fact, when it comes to even having a doctor, men also lag behind.

Research consistently shows that fewer men have primary care providers (PCPs) compared to women. The gaps are highest in the youngest age groups.

Having a PCP and making regular visits is crucial for men of all ages. PCPs are important figures in men’s preventive care, but their significance goes beyond an annual physical.

In this article, learn the importance of having a primary care provider for men. Discover how to choose a primary care doctor and what they can help you with.

What Is Primary Care?

Primary care is a branch of medicine that provides a range of health care services.

Primary care providers are often your first point of contact. They can offer preventive health services like routine checkups and vaccinations. They can also recommend important health screenings, such as colonoscopies.

PCPs can also help you manage your health. If you’re having a health concern, a PCP can diagnose you and/or refer you for further care. They can also help you manage chronic health conditions and coordinate your care.

There are two main branches of primary care:

• Family medicine — Family medicine providers can treat children and adults. They can help with a wide range of medical conditions.
• Internal medicine — Internists usually treat adults. They often specialize in preventing and managing adult health conditions. They may have a subspecialty in a specific health condition.

Other branches of primary care include pediatrics, geriatrics, and obstetrics and gynecology.

Why Should Men Have a Primary Care Provider?

Frankly, everyone should have a primary care provider. But research shows that men are less likely to have PCPs or visit medical offices.

A 2025 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report found that females visited health centers at nearly a 50% higher rate than males. CDC data also reported that nearly 25% of men did not make annual wellness visits in 2024.

Meanwhile, a 2024 Cleveland Clinic survey found that nearly 40% of Gen Z men lacked PCPs. More than 25% of millennial men also didn’t have PCPs.

Every man should have a primary care provider because a PCP can be a strong partner in their health.

PCPs typically know your medical and family history best. They can help detect changes in your health, provide diagnoses and treatments, and recommend care. If you need a specialist, a PCP can help coordinate your care.

What Does a Primary Care Doctor Do for Men?

Here are just a few things a PCP can do for you:

• Discuss your health history.
• Give advice on lifestyle changes, such as diet, exercise, sleep, and more.
• Help you with your mental health.
• Perform a physical.
• Provide vaccinations.
• Recommend preventive screenings.
• Review your medications and update them if needed.
• Refer you to specialists and coordinate your care.
• Screen your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol.

Simply put, it’s a lot!

Depending on your age and health history, you may need a colonoscopy, prostate cancer screening, or vaccination. You may need advice on your medication or how to get more sleep. Or maybe you just need an overall health update.

Your PCP can help with all of that.

Primary care vs. urgent care

If you think you can rely on urgent care instead of primary care for your health, you’d be mistaken.

Both primary care and urgent care can be important parts of your overall care. But they’re not interchangeable.

For one thing, a PCP knows you and your health history best. That relationship goes a long way in managing your care long-term.

For another, primary care and urgent care serve different purposes.

You should go to primary care for preventive care, nonurgent medical concerns, and management of chronic conditions. You should go to urgent care for immediate care of non-life-threatening conditions.

For urgent, life-threatening care, you should call 911 or visit the emergency department.

How Often Should Men See a Primary Care Doctor?

In general, you should visit your PCP once a year for an annual checkup.

You may need to see them more often if you have a chronic medical condition or a health concern.

How Do I Prepare for a Men’s Annual Physical Appointment?

The annual wellness visit for men is an important appointment. Before you see your PCP, you should make the right preparations. To ensure a successful visit:

• Bring your insurance card and payment — If it’s your first visit, confirm that the office accepts your insurance. You should also bring a form of payment for any potential copayments.
• Bring your list of medications — Make sure you have an updated list. Include both prescription medications and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines and supplements.
• Bring your test results — If you’ve had any recent medical tests, bring copies of the results.
• Take other medical devices — This could be a home blood pressure cuff, a fitness tracker, or anything else that you use to track your health. These devices may provide your PCP with important information.
• Take stock of your health — Think about how you’ve been feeling. Have you noticed any changes in your overall health or lifestyle? Do you have any specific concerns?
• Write down questions — Determine what you want to talk to your PCP about. Write down any questions that you have — this is an important visit, so you want to make the most of it. Bring along a pen and paper or your phone to take notes on your discussion.

How Do I Find a Primary Care Doctor Near Me for Men’s Health?

There are many factors to consider when finding a PCP who’s right for you. Different factors are important for different people. Here are just some of the things to consider when looking for a PCP:

• The age of the provider — Maybe you want a provider who’s older and more experienced. Or maybe you’d rather see a younger provider with whom you can build a long-term relationship. Or maybe you have no preference at all!
• The gender of the provider — Some men may feel comfortable with a male provider. Others may not have a preference.
• The location of the provider — You may want to look for an office that’s closer to your home or work. If you take public transportation, you may want to find an office that’s close to a stop.
• The office type — Do you prefer a private practice or a hospital-affiliated provider? Would you prefer a larger or smaller practice?
• What languages the provider speaks — If English isn’t your preferred language, finding a provider fluent in your language can be very helpful.
• Whether they accept your health insurance — You should look for an in-network provider to avoid higher out-of-pocket costs. The same goes if you’re on a federal program like Medicare or Medicaid. You can call your insurance provider or the medical provider’s office to check whether it’s covered.
• Whether they have a specialty — If you have a chronic medical condition, you may want to find an internal medicine provider experienced in treating it.
• Whether they offer virtual visits — Some providers offer virtual visits, which can be a time-saver for busy adults.

A good place to start is performing an internet search for “Primary care near me.” You can also ask your family and friends for recommendations or contact your insurance provider. Looking at online ratings and reviews is another option.

You can also contact potential providers to see if they offer meet-and-greet appointments. If so, that gives you an option to evaluate the provider and the office to see if it’s a good fit.

If you’re looking for a PCP at UPMC, we have a wide range of providers who can meet your needs. Visit our website to start your search today.