SEXUAL HEALTH
Having a happy, respectful and loving sexual relationship can be one of the most pleasurable and healthy aspects of a man’s life. Of course, you don’t have to always be in a relationship to enjoy a healthy sex life, but there are a couple of important things that men should be aware of.
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
Many people find sexually transmitted infections - STIs (also known as sexually transmitted diseases or STDs) very difficult to discuss, but it is vital that you have as much information as possible to allow you to make informed choices.
Particularly among older Australians this can be an important concern, where men are still less likely to use a condom when having casual sex. Results of a national survey on men's health show that safe sex practices are being ignored by older men, who are putting themselves and their partners at risk of sexually transmitted infections.
Don’t be embarrassed to discuss your concerns with a doctor as this may be your opportunity to safeguard your future health. Both men and women should have regular sexual health check-ups, particularly if they have more than one sexual partner.
Safer sex reduces the risk of acquiring a sexually transmitted infection. It includes:
- using a condom during intercourse; and
- abstaining from sex if you or your partner has a sexually transmitted infection or symptoms of a sexually transmitted infection. Remember, some STIs do not show any symptoms (such as Chlamydia) so the only way to find out if you’ve got one is to have an STI check up.
STI check-ups don't take long. A quick check and treatment if necessary can prevent your or your partner’s sexual health from being seriously affected by STIs. Check-ups have proven to be highly effective and in some cases, early screening has literally saved lives. If left untreated, some STIs can lead to more serious health problems such as infertility.
If you are diagnosed with an STI/STD:
- avoid sex until the STI/STD has been treated and has gone away;
- always use condoms if you have sex; and
- make sure your partner is checked out and cleared of infection before you have sex again.
- Practicing safer sex will help protect both men's and women’s sexual health. For more information on STIs visit www.lovebugs.com.au
Reproductive Health
There can be many misconceptions about sexual health and in particular reproductive health. The best thing that you can is to make sure that you are up to date with the latest information and procedures and speak to your GP if you have any questions.
Testosterone Deficiency
Time to Test Your Testosterone
The concern of suffering from low testosterone should not be left to your dad or grandpa. 1 in 200 Australian men under the age of 60 experience testosterone deficiency. This treatable condition could, without a doubt, ruin your daily life.
What is it?
Testosterone (a.k.a. androgen) deficiency is when the body is not creating enough of the hormone testosterone for the body to operate normally. Testosterone is critical for a male to be sexually active and reproduce as well as for them to develop proper male features.
Why you may have it?
Having low testosterone at a young age can be a result of a bad signal from the brain to the testes which is often related to genetic disorders or it may be to do with the testes themselves. Your testes can be in danger due to infections, medications, chemotherapy and cancer.
What to look out for:
The symptoms can include: fatigue, low sex drive, weaker erections and orgasms, excessive sweating, hot flushes and an increase in ‘bad’ cholesterol, body hair loss, increased body fat around the abdomen and sometimes breast development.
Test it
Although suffering from testosterone deficiency can’t result in a loss of life it can result in a change of lifestyle. With a simple visit to your GP, a health check and blood test can be carried out to diagnose the problem. If you are indentified to have low testosterone, you and your GP can work together to treat the deficiency to improve your quality of life.
Fix it
Testosterone levels are easily treatable by increasing intake of testosterone. Treatment can be carried out in many ways, these include: oral capsules, injections, implants and patches, depending on the man’s needs. Management of the deficiency has to be continued for the entirety of a man’s life.
As testosterone deficiency can also cause an increase in ‘bad’ cholesterol which in turn can lead to serious heart problems and obesity. It is important that the hormone levels are balanced with treatment to prevent any possible severe illness.
