 | Males and STDs |
When it comes to the reproductive health behaviors of teens and young adults, far more public attention has focused on women than on men. That's not surprising. After all, men dont actually have the babies. Yet the importance of understanding men's reproductive health behaviors should not be overlooked, given their potential implications for men themselves, as well as for their sexual partners and for children. Manlove, et al. Sexual and Reproductive Health Behaviors Among Teen and Young Adult Men: A Descriptive Portrait. Child Trends Research Brief, October, 2008.
There were 61,527 cases of STDs in males in California in 2008.
This total includes Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Primary/Secondary Syphilis and Early Latent Syphilis. The majority of males infected with HIV and Syphilis are men who have sex with men (MSM).
For more California data link to:http://www.cdph.ca.gov/data/statistics/Documents/STD-Data-Surveillance-Slides.ppt
Men and STDs
Men have not traditionally sought out medical care as often as women for many reasons including those mentioned in the above quote. Family planning and STD providers have been encouraged to reach out to men to make them feel comfortable accessing services. Often those services have focused on MSM (men who have sex with men) and while important, many programs inadvertently neglect to focus on the special needs of heterosexual men. Effective outreach is needed to meet the needs of all men. Please refer to the links below to obtain more information on how to effectively reach males from the California Family Health Council click here and learn about specific Male Services sponsored by Family Pact.
Keep in mind:
- All men experience significant medical problems if STDs go untreated.
- Men need to be accurately informed to help protect their female partners from possible negative consequences of untreated STDs: such as infertility, PID (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease) and cervical cancer.
- Men and women often experience no symptoms when infected with an STD.
- Patients testing positive for an STD are encouraged to notify their partner(s).
- Patient-Delivered Partner Therapy (PDPT) - As of January 1, 2007, California medical providers can prescribe medicines for the sex partners of individuals infected with Chlamydia and Gonorrhea even if they have not been able to perform an exam of the patients partner(s). http://www.cdph.ca.gov/pubsforms/Guidelines/Documents/PDPT-Guidelines-and-Ptnr-Info-Engl-Span.pdf
- Males should be actively involved in reproductive health issues for themselves and their partners to optimize health outcomes.
- The FDA approved the HPV vaccine for males ages 9 to 26 to prevent genital warts
- STD screening is recommended for all sexually active males.
- Latex condoms, when used consistently and correctly are highly effective in preventing the sexual transmission of HIV and other STDs passed by fluids. Condom use may also reduce the risk for direct contact transmission STDs like HPV, Syphilis and Herpes. http://www.cdc.gov/condomeffectiveness/latex.htm
FYI: A local program that makes men feel welcomed:
From our colleagues at the VIP Clinic in Fremont..
VIP Clinic- The VIP program promotes awareness and education about family planning services to males over 25. Through a combination of community outreach, electronic and print media; the program promotes Tri-City Health Centers Family Planning services located at our State Street location in Fremont, California. In order to increase access of services to this population as well as any individual interested in family planning services, we offer drop-in family planning and STD testing 4 days a week and offer a mens clinic day on Tuesdays from 11-7. Tuesdays are for males only: male patients are seen by male staff. Health education needs and educational videos are all male focused.
During our family planning clinics, The VIP program provides a comfortable atmosphere that promotes healthy lifestyles and choices. Our staff establishes a dialogue with the patient that encourages patient participation during their entire family planning visit. Patients receive positive health promotion messages throughout their visit. A benefit of the VIP program is the ability to encourage other healthy living options and risk reduction information all in one site. http://www.vipprogramfremont.org/3.html
For more information & materials contact: Andrew Navarro anavarro@tri-cityhealth.org
NEW Resource:
His Health: Alameda County Male Health Status Report 2010
This first report of its kind provides a unique gendered perspective
on select health and social indicators (chronic/communicable disease, crime/violence, mental health, employment/income, education, homelessness) affecting Alameda County men. The report includes profiles of men who live and work in our communities and policy recommendations. http://www.acphd.org/user/services/AtoZ_PrgDtls.asp?PrgId=79
Click on the following titles to link to various materials pertinent to men and STDs:
On SWAP Search type in "VIP" for additional products.
Additional resources to educate and inform
- The Testicular Self-Exam (TSE) is useful in the detection of cancer of the testicles. Testicular cancer is the most common solid tumor found in males age 20-34 years. If detected early and treated, testicular cancer is almost 100% curable. If untreated, it may spread to the lymph nodes and lungs. Tumors usually are found on 1 side, but 2-3% are found in both testicles. http://www.emedicinehealth.com/testicular_self-exam/article_em.htm
BOM Fact Sheet