Str8Curious: What Homosexual Males Might Train Straight Males About Sexual Well being

Str8Curious: What Homosexual Males Might Train Straight Males About Sexual Well being

Str8Curious is a month-to-month AskMen column the place out and proud way of life knowledgeable Joey Skladany solutions burning questions from heterosexual males about intercourse, relationship, and the LGBTQ+ group. No matter is off limits as he candidly lends recommendation, debunks stereotypes, and offers it to you straight — err — homosexual. Do you have to be fascinated with submitting a query for editorial consideration (and we are going to respect anonymity), be at liberty to ping Joey instantly on Instagram or electronic mail him at [email protected]).

The Query

My homosexual buddies appear to get examined fairly regularly for STIs and I’m questioning if this can be a frequent follow inside the LGTBQ+ group. Are homosexual males nonetheless paranoid about contracting one thing like HIV or are they simply actually good about being proactive about their well being? Ought to I be simply as diligent as a straight man? – Paul, Orlando, FL

The Reply

It’s no secret that most individuals don’t take pleasure in going to the physician. Until you will have some kind of medical fetish (and I’m not right here to kink disgrace!), a gloved finger up the ass adopted by a urine take a look at and blood work is rarely a very good time. That stated, it does appear to be homosexual males are significantly proactive with regards to their sexual well being. In my very own evaluation, this may be attributed to a few causes:

1) Recognition of Danger

Homosexual males like intercourse. They usually wish to have plenty of it. Whereas this definitely doesn’t apply to each member of the group, it’s broadly accepted as truth (and has the info to again it up).

Typically, it’s simpler to forestall an STI than deal with one, so it’s higher to take the entire essential precautions than undergo from a case of chlamydia or gonorrhea that may have you ever out of the saddle for a few weeks. Utilizing your hand is rarely as enjoyable, or so I’m informed. (I’m one of many bizarre ones who doesn’t have tons of intercourse.)

2) Caring for Their Our bodies

Homos put plenty of effort and time into their look. Simply take into consideration what they do to their our bodies within the health club, the costly garments they placed on these chiseled our bodies, and the skincare regimens that preserve them wanting at the least 5 years youthful than their precise age.

Name it self-importance or name it being body-conscious, however an STI doesn’t pair effectively with a superbly manicured ball sac. And one thing like herpes has the potential to scar if the sores break open whereas therapeutic. If a typical homosexual compares a pesky brow pimple to Armageddon, you may solely think about what an STIs bodily signs will do to the psyche.

3) A Neighborhood-Pushed Method to Private Well being

Medical professionals have made unbelievable developments within the remedy of HIV and AIDS, however it will be a disservice to these we misplaced within the ‘80s to not put sexual well being on the forefront of our minds.

Whereas HIV is preventable by medicines like PReP and managed by ART, it’s nonetheless essential to be constantly examined, particularly in case you partake in unprotected or dangerous intercourse.

That is possible why the monkeypox outbreak was primarily stopped in its tracks earlier than it grew to become a full-fledged nationwide disaster. Homosexual males don’t wish to take any possibilities in a rustic that notoriously stigmatizes infections and illnesses, in order that they take the suitable steps to guard themselves and people round them.

Actually, it’s virtually like an unstated promise to one another that we’re updated on vaccines, tablets, and testing — although it by no means hurts to ask and ensure earlier than participating in an evening of romping.

RELATED: Your Go-To Information for Safer Intercourse

So what’s the takeaway? The most effective factor you are able to do, as a straight man, is speak to your main care doctor about how typically you must draw blood, pee in a cup, or get swabbed to search for frequent STIs. That is the place you may reveal that laundry listing of sexual actions, historical past, and whether or not or not you’ve been utilizing safety to be able to provide you with an applicable plan of motion.

If you happen to harbor any sense of reluctancy, I promise you that docs have heard (and doubtless seen) every thing. Now is just not the time to fake you had been Mom Teresa final weekend, when the truth is that you simply went down on three chicks at a bar after which banged a fourth at the back of your Ford Mustang (do str8s do that?).

RELATED: Right here’s What It’s Actually Prefer to Get an STI

Medical doctors usually are not right here to evaluate — they’re right here to assist, talk about when you must make that journey to the clinic, and prescribe Xanax. They’re additionally right here to elucidate the dangers chances are you’ll be imposing on present and future companions in case you don’t take sure measures prematurely. Take full benefit of their experience and, in case you really feel like your wants aren’t being met, search for another person you may belief.

However, it doesn’t matter what, all the time keep in mind that you solely get one life to dwell. It’s higher to be protected than sorry. Preventative healthcare is self-care and offers you the peace of thoughts so you may finger bang, motorboat, eat out, bang and every thing else you hetero dudes do with out fear.

You Would possibly Additionally Dig: