Sexual health involves being able to enjoy the positive aspects of sexual and
reproductive behaviour and to make informed choices that fit with your personal
values. It is affected by gender, age, social class, cultural background, sexual
orientation, disability and values. Sexual health also involves freedom from
fear, shame, guilt, difficulties or dysfunctions and diseases. Sexual health
includes physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. For more definitions
of sexuality and sexual health, see the Canadian Guidelines for Sexual Health Education.
Taking care of your sexual health is an important part of maintaining your
health in general. To make sure that you’re sexually healthy, you need access
to confidential, non-judgmental information and services to help you make informed
decisions.
How do I choose a birth control method?
It is important for men who don’t want to get a female partner pregnant to
know about birth control options, emergency contraception and protection from sexually
transmitted infections (STIs). Choosing to not have sex, using condoms and having a vasectomy are the only birth control options that are currently
available for men. Still, there are many ways that men can be involved in birth
control with their partners, including discussing birth control decisions, sharing
the cost of the method and inserting barrier methods. Wearing condoms is an
effective way of preventing both pregnancy and STIs.
For any type of birth control to work effectively, both partners should clearly
understand how to use it properly. For more information about birth control
options, talk to a birth control counsellor or a doctor or nurse. You can also
contact your local Canadian Federation for Sexual Health Member
Organization.
How can I protect myself from sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including
HIV?
The best way to protect yourself from an STI if you’re sexually active is to
practice safer sex every time and all the time. The risk of contracting
an STI depends on the sexual behaviour. People can also choose abstinence (no sexual contact) as a way of protecting
themselves from infections. Two of the basic rules for safer sex are:
- Avoid exchanging potentially
infectious body fluids (including semen, blood, pre-ejaculatory fluid, and
vaginal fluids).
- Avoid having sex if a
partner has a sore on his or her body.
You can also reduce your risk of getting some STIs by having fewer sexual partners.
However, if you’re not practicing safer sex with your partner or partners, it’s
still possible to get an STI. Be sure to talk about monogamy with your partner
if you choose to be with only one person. Don’t just assume that you’re in a
monogamous relationship. Ask your doctor about routine STI testing if you’re
sexually active, whether or not you have symptoms of an STI.
When should I have a testicular exam?
Testicular cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in men ages 15-35.
Having a testicular exam can help find cancer early, when it’s easier to treat.
Often, there are no early symptoms of testicular cancer. You can start doing
testicular self-exams at age 15. It’s important to do testicular
exams every month in order to catch any problems early. The best time to do
a testicular exam is after a bath or shower when heat causes the skin of the
scrotum to relax. Your family doctor may also do this exam when you go for a
check-up, but many family doctors don’t do this exam routinely, so it‘s important
for you to ask your doctor about it.
When should I be tested for prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in older men. Once you
turn 50, you should be screened for prostate cancer once a year during your
regular check-up. Talk to your doctor to set up the right
prostate tests for you.
What else should I know about taking care of my sexual health?
- See your doctor if you
have pain in your testicles, groin or genital area or other changes in your
body. You should also talk to your health care provider about any changes
in your sexual functioning and about how medications and illness affect your
sexuality.
- Get in the habit of examining
your genitals on a regular basis so that you know what your body looks like
when you are healthy – that way, you’ll notice any unusual sores, discharge
or other symptoms that may appear. See your health care provider if you notice
anything unusual.
- Get lots of information
about sexuality to help you make informed decisions and to increase your comfort
level with sexuality issues, including your body, sexual response, and sexual
orientation.
- Understand that your
body, fertility and your sexual response changes throughout your life (for
example, as you age).
- Keep your genital area
clean and dry. Uncircumcised men should clean beneath their foreskin.
- Avoid smoking. Aside
from being bad for your overall health, smoking impairs your fertility, contributes
to impotence and can reduce your sex drive.
How do I find a health care provider?
Find a health care provider that you’re comfortable with and
who you can talk to. Many communities have sexual health centers, Planned Parenthood
offices, women’s clinics and teen clinics that provide sexual health information
and services. You can also contact your local public health unit for sexual
health information and referrals to doctors. You have a right to confidential
sexual health services. If you’re not comfortable with your doctor or if you
don’t have a doctor, ask your friends and family for recommendations.
Ask your health
care provider questions about your sexual health instead of waiting for
them to bring up the subject. Not all health care providers are trained to feel
comfortable with sexuality issues and they may be waiting for you to start discussions.
Additional resources
Birth Control – Women's Health Matters (WHM)
Boys and Puberty – Calgary Health Region
Gay men's health matters – The Centre (pdf reader required)
HIV infections among MSM In Canada – Health Canada
Male check-up – Spiderbytes.ca
Male sexual response – Calgary Health Region
Sex over 50: male menopause (andropause) – sexualityandu.ca
Solutions for sex: erectile dysfunction: a bulletin on breakthroughs
– EnableLink
What
do I need to know about sexually transmitted infections (STIs)? – Canadian
Health Network (CHN)
What
should I know about impotence? – Canadian
Health Network (CHN)
What
should I know about prostate cancer? – Canadian
Health Network (CHN)
Men's Health – MayoClinic.com
Bechtel, S., Stains, R., et al. (1996). Sex: A Man’s Guide to Sex. New
York: Berkley
Books.
Zilbergeld, B. (1999). The New Male Sexuality (revised edition). Toronto:
Bantam.
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