Movember: Beyond the Mustache, a Real Men's Health Reset
Every November, mustaches start showing up at the office, the gym, and the dinner table. That is Movember, a global movement that uses a little facial hair to start a big conversation about men's health. The mustache gets attention. What matters is what you do with that attention.
Here is the uncomfortable part. In the United States, men's life expectancy in 2024 was 76.5 years, compared with 81.4 years for women, according to the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics. Many of the conditions behind that gap are easier to manage when they are found early. Yet in a Cleveland Clinic survey, only half of men said they consider an annual checkup part of taking care of themselves.
So this year, go beyond the mustache. Use November as a real men's health reset: a short, practical review of the areas that shape how you feel today and how well you age from here.
What is Movember?
Movember is an annual campaign held every November. Participants grow a mustache, move more, or host events to raise awareness and funds. According to Movember, the organization focuses on three areas: prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health, including suicide prevention. Its emphasis is prevention and early action, which is exactly the mindset behind a health reset.
Why men need a reset, not a resolution
Resolutions are vague. A reset is specific. Many men wait for a clear problem before they look at their health, but some of the most important changes happen quietly: blood pressure that creeps up, energy that fades a little each year, sleep that never feels restorative, or changes in sexual health that get brushed off as "just getting older."
Aging is not the same as decline. Many of these changes can be measured, understood, and addressed with the right plan. If you want a deeper look at that idea, read our proactive playbook for healthy aging.
The six-part men's health reset
1. Know your numbers
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men in the United States, according to the CDC. Several of its biggest risk factors produce no symptoms at all, which is why numbers matter more than how you feel.
Blood pressure. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening for high blood pressure in adults 18 and older.
Cholesterol and lipids. A standard panel helps assess cardiovascular risk.
Blood sugar. Fasting glucose or A1c can reveal prediabetes before it becomes diabetes.
Waist size and body composition. Where you carry weight can say more than the scale.
Write your numbers down and track them year over year. Trends often tell a clearer story than a single result.
2. Check in on hormones and energy
Low sex drive, persistent fatigue, reduced strength or muscle, low mood, and trouble concentrating can be associated with low testosterone. They can also come from poor sleep, stress, thyroid problems, medications, or other conditions. That overlap is why guessing rarely works.
The American Urological Association guideline describes testosterone deficiency as a combination of low blood testosterone and related symptoms or signs, confirmed with repeat early-morning testing rather than a single number. A qualified provider can look at your labs alongside your symptoms and history.
Learn more in our guide, Is Testosterone Treatment Right for You in 2026?, or explore our approach to hormone optimization for men.
3. Treat sexual health as a health signal
Sexual health is not a separate topic from overall health. Erections depend on healthy blood vessels, nerves, and hormones, so changes in sexual function can be an early clue about circulation and cardiovascular risk.
In a study reported by the American Heart Association, men with erectile dysfunction had roughly twice the rate of heart attack, stroke, or cardiovascular death over about four years compared with men without it, even after accounting for other risk factors. The researchers recommended a cardiovascular evaluation for men who report erectile dysfunction.
If something has changed, bring it up. It is a common concern, and a respectful conversation with a provider can help identify the cause and the options that fit you. You can explore The Novus Center's personalized men's treatments, including non-surgical options such as NOVOWave™ shockwave therapy.
4. Stay cancer-aware
Movember began with a focus on cancers that affect men, and two of them deserve a place in your reset.
Prostate health. Screening decisions depend on age, family history, race, and personal risk. Our guide to prostate health after 40 explains what a PSA test can and cannot tell you.
Testicular health. Testicular cancer is most common in younger and middle-aged men, with an average age at diagnosis of about 33, according to the American Cancer Society. Know what is normal for you, and report a lump, swelling, or a feeling of heaviness to a healthcare provider promptly.
Colorectal screening. The USPSTF recommends colorectal cancer screening for adults ages 45 to 75. If you are 45 or older and have not discussed it, add it to your list.
Cancer screening and diagnosis should be handled by an appropriately qualified primary care clinician or specialist, such as a urologist.
5. Protect your mental health and sleep
Mental health is one of Movember's core causes for a reason. Many men are less likely to talk about stress, low mood, or anxiety, and more likely to push through until something gives. Checking in on yourself, and on the men around you, is part of a real reset.
Sleep belongs here too. The CDC recommends at least seven hours a night for most adults. Ongoing poor sleep can affect mood, focus, energy, appetite, and hormone balance.
Support: If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7. In an emergency, call 911.
6. Build strength and recovery
Muscle supports metabolism, balance, and independence as you age. The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate activity each week, plus muscle-strengthening activity on two or more days.
If joint pain, nagging injuries, or weight are keeping you on the sidelines, address them directly. The Novus Center offers personalized options including non-surgical pain support, medically guided weight loss plans, and peptide therapy as part of a broader wellness plan.
Your 30-day Movember reset plan
You do not need to overhaul your life in a month. Use each week of November for one focused step.
Week 1: Book it. Schedule a checkup or consultation and write down your family history, including heart disease, diabetes, and cancers.
Week 2: Measure it. Get your labs and numbers: blood pressure, lipids, blood sugar, and, if symptoms point that way, hormone testing.
Week 3: Say it. Have the honest conversation about energy, sleep, mood, libido, and anything that has changed.
Week 4: Plan it. Leave with a personalized plan, clear next steps, and a date to follow up.
Questions to bring to your appointment
Based on my age and family history, which screenings should I have this year?
Are my blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar where they should be?
Could my fatigue, low libido, or poor sleep be related to my hormones or something else?
Should changes in my sexual health prompt a look at my heart health?
What is one change that would make the biggest difference for me over the next 90 days?
How The Novus Center can support your reset
At The Novus Center in Studio City, we focus on root causes, not quick fixes. Led by Stephanie Wolff, P.A.-C, our team takes a concierge, personalized approach to men's health, from hormone optimization and sexual wellness to peptide therapy, weight management, and recovery.
Your reset starts with a conversation. We review your goals, symptoms, and history, and build a plan tailored to you. Our services are designed to complement, not replace, care from your primary care clinician.
Ready to go beyond the mustache? Book a consultation or explore all of our men's health treatments. For more education, browse our men's health articles.
Frequently asked questions
What is Movember?
Movember is an annual men's health campaign held each November. Participants grow a mustache, increase their physical activity, or host events to raise awareness and funds for prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and men's mental health, including suicide prevention.
What should a men's health checkup include?
A typical checkup reviews blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, weight and waist size, family history, and age-appropriate cancer screenings. Depending on symptoms, a provider may also discuss hormone testing, sexual health, sleep, and mental health.
What are common signs of low testosterone?
Common signs can include low sex drive, fatigue, reduced muscle mass or strength, low mood, and difficulty concentrating. These symptoms overlap with other conditions, so diagnosis requires a review of symptoms together with repeat early-morning blood tests.
Can erectile dysfunction be a sign of heart problems?
It can be. Erectile dysfunction and cardiovascular disease share risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, and smoking. Research has linked erectile dysfunction with a higher risk of heart attack and stroke, so it is worth discussing with a healthcare provider.
How often should men get a checkup?
There is no single schedule for everyone. Many men benefit from a yearly review, and the right frequency depends on age, health conditions, medications, and risk factors. Ask your provider what interval fits you.
What is the first step in a men's health reset?
Book an appointment and gather your family history. From there, measure your key numbers, have an honest conversation about how you feel, and leave with a personalized plan and a follow-up date.
Does The Novus Center replace my primary care provider?
No. The Novus Center focuses on men's wellness areas such as hormone optimization, sexual wellness, and peptide therapy. Our services are meant to complement the care you receive from your primary care clinician and specialists.
Medical information notice
This article is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Individual results may vary. Discuss your symptoms, risk factors, and screening options with a qualified healthcare provider. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911.
