Turn Your Head and Cough

Thoughts from Courtney Bauer


Should men go for regular sexual health check-ups similar to when women go to the gynecologist?

My opinion is yes. If a man is sexually active he should be tested for STIs (sexually transmitted infections) regularly. The only excuse for a sexually active male not getting tested is if he is in a monogamous sexual relationship in which his partner has been tested and not found to have an STI. Being tested regularly is important because it is very possible that people may not know they have an STI. The most common symptom of an STI is having no symptoms at all. So even if you do not have any symptoms, sores, discharge, etc. you may still be carrying an STI that could possibly be transmitted to someone else.

When doctors hold the testicles of a patient and ask them to turn their head and cough they are checking for hernias. There is another good reason to check your testicles. Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in men between the ages of 15 and 35. The first signs of testicular cancer are most often found by TSE (testicular self exam). You can learn how to do this most effectively by meeting with a doctor.

Another good reason for men to talk to their doctor frequently about their sexual health is because if a problem does arises they will feel more comfortable talking to their doctors about it.

So if you love sex and love yourself visit a doctor for a sexual health check up or an STI test.