JRMCJamestown (CSi)  ­­­­Men’s health below the belt can make a person squeamish, but ignoring real symptoms can have a devastating effect.

Jamestown Regional Medical Center Urologist, Dr. Robert Bates says, “Silence can be our worst enemy. Talking about these issues and seeing a specialist are the necessary steps to below-the-belt health.”

To help start those conversations, Jamestown Regional Medical Center along with various community partners are offering a #GROWvember beard-growing contest. The contest runs through Wednesday, November 30, 2016.

Dr Bates says, misinformation about men’s health issues is abundant, in part because it’s so private. Some of the most common ailments Bates sees are: incontinence, low energy and erectile dysfunction.

Important questions you ‘mustache’ yourself: How often do you go to the bathroom? When you go, is it urgent? Do you have blood in your urine? How are things in the bedroom? Are you feeling out of energy?

Dr. Bates adds, various treatment options are available locally. Patients can self-refer, meaning they don’t have to visit their primary physician first. They can make an appointment directly at JRMC. That cuts down on embarrassing conversations.

The #GROWvember contest is free to enter. Prizes awarded include but are not limited to: Best Beard, Best Stache, Best Tom Seleck, Best Effort and most money raised. All proceeds benefit JRMC’s upcoming cancer center. A special event to announce the winners is set for Tuesday, December 6, 2016 at Jonny B’s Brickhouse in Jamestown. A full list of rules is available at jrmcnd.com

To schedule an appointment, call JRMC Urology at 952-4878.