For many people, including us men, sexual health can be a taboo subject. Even more so, some of us may feel embarrassed if people know we’re planning to visit a sexual health clinic.
There needs to be a cultural shift in how people view sexual health because of the stigma surrounding it. Maintaining your sexual health is vital to your relationship with others and yourself. And the first step toward better sexual health is identifying the problems.
Sexual health check-ups with your doctor are an excellent way to monitor your sexual health, address any worries, and detect any problems. It became even more crucial to have a sexual health check when you are sexually active. The most straightforward strategy to ensure your sexual health is to schedule regular check-ups with your doctor or visit the nearby clinic.
What is Sexual Health?
Your sexual health contributes to your ability to have a fulfilling sexual life and prevent yourself from sexually transmitted diseases. Additionally, there is a broad range of disorders affecting sexual health.
Equally related to changes in lifestyle, smoking and alcohol consumption, diabetes, psychological conditions, and cardiovascular problems is the rising prevalence and incidence of sexual health issues. In addition to libido loss or low sex drive, impotence, infertility, erectile dysfunction (ED), premature ejaculation, and impotence are all part of the spectrum of sexual health for men.
What to Expect from a Sexual Health Check Session?
Checking your sexual health involves answering questions about your sex life, physical fitness, and mental well-being. You may get your questions answered in a relaxed setting and professional guidance on sexual health issues.
Many other tests, including those for sexually transmitted infections (typically a blood or urine test) or erectile dysfunction, may be part of a comprehensive sexual health check. Reproductive issues encompass conversations about sexuality, sex, and related topics such as fertility, your role in your relationship, and sex emotions.
Some of the questions to expect may include the following:
- How many sex partners have you had?
- How do you define your sexuality?
- Do you have sex with men, women, or both?
- Are you experiencing any signs that may be related to your sexual or reproductive health?
A comprehensive sexual health screening also includes a physical check-up. The doctor or nurse may request that you submit a swab, urine sample, blood test, an external genital examination, or fluid or discharge taken on a cotton bud to be examined under a microscope.
Erectile dysfunction (ED), premature ejaculation, and loss of libido are all examples of men's sexual health disorders that may necessitate a thorough medical history or a thorough physical exam to determine factors such as glucose, cholesterol, thyroid hormone, and sex hormone levels (including a testosterone test) in the evaluative process.
When to get a sexual health check?
Even if you're uncomfortable with going to the doctor for a sexual health check, you should go at least once every six months if you are sexually active. If you feel nervous during your session, keep in mind that this is a common topic of conversation among doctors and nurses.
Treatment may be administered immediately, or it may be necessary to wait for laboratory results. Make sure to ask whether it can be used for smoking or not. All the test samples must be sent to a lab for analysis, which could increase the turnaround time for results. The clinic will find an anonymous delivery method for you.
Benefits of Regular Sexual Health Checks
- Peace of mind. The only way to know with absolute certainty if you are free of HIV or an STD is to get tested regularly to maintain track of your sexual health status every six months or at least once a year. Many sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including chlamydia, go undiagnosed because the infected individual experiences no symptoms.
- In-depth sexual health knowledge. Given the potential limitations of classroom instruction. Sexual health is where being open and honest is always preferable to keeping things under wraps.
- Your partner’s well-being. If you suspect you may have a sexually transmitted disease, or STD, knowing this can help you take precautions to prevent your partner from getting infected, should the worst-case scenario play out? You end up testing positive (abstaining from sex or using a condom). It is crucial that you inform your sexual partners if you have tested positive for a sexually transmitted infection (STI) so that they can also get tested and potentially treated.
- They are preventing unwanted health problems. Untreated STIs and STDs can cause sinister health problems like infertility.
Having frank conversations about sexual and reproductive health with sexual partners is crucial and indicative of a good relationship. However, the stigma that has been going around for years makes all these talks awkward.
Ways to Have a Healthy Sexually Active Life
Any adult who engages in sexual activity should adopt safe sexual behaviours, practice good hygiene, and utilise effective birth control methods. Avoid unprotected sexual activity and get checked regularly for sexual health issues. Multiple sexual partners, unprotected sex, a partner's history of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), a partner's history of having multiple sexual partners, and a history of needle sharing among drug addicts all enhance the chance of contracting a sexually transmitted disease.
Using condoms regularly is an essential part of healthy sexual behaviour for preventing sexually transmitted diseases. If you're going to engage in sexual activity, use a condom. While no technique of STD prevention is foolproof, when worn correctly, condoms offer the best combination of protection and convenience.
Be on the lookout for symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases such as genital sores, rashes, discharge, and swelling. If you or your partner suspects you both have an STD, you should refrain from sexual activity until you have both tested negative. While it is true that no kind of unprotected intercourse is entirely risk-free, the risk is significantly reduced if at least six months have passed since you and your partner both had negative STD tests. Make sure you are tested for it before starting a new sexual relationship.
Final Words
Sexual activity that is both satisfying and risk-free is the result of good sexual health. The results of a sexual health check-up may make you feel uneasy, embarrassed, and even physically ill, but keep in mind that these exams are just another day at the office for your doctor or another medical professional. Just be frank with your doctor; they've probably heard it all before!
We care about your well-being and security. When a doctor's actions or words make you feel unsafe or uneasy, you can request that they stop and ask to see another doctor.
Men with low testosterone levels have a lower libido, muscular mass, more body fat, and weaker bones. It is crucial to identify low testosterone and seek treatment immediately.
