Don’t Be Embarrassed: Safeguard Your Sexual Health

Admit it. You avoid the doctor. You have been negligent in doing testicular self-exams. You figure that irritation on your penis will go away on its own. Erectile dysfunction? Nah. Just under stress… I hate to tell you this, but all of these things and more could be real problems. Sexual health is important and you are just as responsible for your own as your significant other is for their annual gynecological visits or mammograms.

Let’s just start with that bump on your penis. That could be genital herpes. You need to see a doctor for treatment and education about how to avoid infecting your lover.

What about the episodes of erectile dysfunction? What if it isn’t stress? Believe it or not, this could be a sign of the early stages of blocked arteries or even diabetes. If the ED doesn’t bother you, see the doctor anyway. It could be a symptom of something else.

Testicular exams may be the last thing on the planet Earth that you even want to consider. They are second only to giving yourself a suppository or enema. Whether you like it or not, this is a critical part of your healthcare routine. It’s as important as watching what you eat or getting the right amount of exercise. This is about catching cancer early enough to treat it.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the technique, it’s quite easy. In the shower, hold one testicle aside while examining the other. Roll it back and forth with your fingers. Repeat on the other side. If you feel anything like a hard pea or pebble, call your doctor. For more detailed information on examination, visit the American Cancer Society.

The most effective way to maintain sexual health is to visit your doctor regularly. Remember yearly physicals? They probably ended when you no longer were required to have them for school – roughly the time your mother stopped making your appointments for you. Start those again. Your doctor will do a thorough exam, including your privates and prostate. Prostate cancer affects one in six men. You probably won’t know you have it until it’s too late… unless your doctor checks your prostate.

If you are sexually active, make sure you have regular HIV and STD testing. Hopefully, you are using condoms and practicing safe sex, but get tested to be safe. You could have an STD and not show symptoms. It is important to be tested regularly whether you have any indications or not. If you have a new relationship, discuss both of you getting tested before you take things to a sexual level. This will give both of you peace of mind.

Your sexual health is your responsibility. Your mom is not going to make your annual physical appointments for you. Nobody is going to volunteer to check your testicles for lumps or do an impromptu prostate exam. You expect your sexual partners to take care of themselves. Do your part. Protect their health… and yours.