5 Reasons to Talk About Sexual Health with Your Doctor

STIs — sexually transmitted infections — can be transmitted during anal, vaginal, or oral sex.

Most STIs don’t have any symptoms, especially in their early stages. You might not know if you or a sexual partner has an STI without getting tested.

Most STIs are treatable or managed with antibiotics or other medications, and some can be cured entirely. Yet, many cases are still believed to be undiagnosed and untreated.

Some of the more well-known STIs include:

• HIV
• chlamydia
• gonorrhea
• syphilis
• herpes simplex virus (HSV)
• human papillomavirus (HPV)
• hepatitis A, B, and C

Why is STI prevention important?

Untreated STIs can have serious health consequences in some people, which is one reason why it’s important to learn how to protect yourself against these infections.

Some serious health effects that may occur include:

• reproductive complications, including infertility
• stillbirth in those who become pregnant
• chronic pain
• cognitive decline
• disability

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the number of STI cases in the United States has continued to climb steeply in recent years. Nearly 2.3 million new cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis were diagnosed during 2017.

CDC surveillance data reports that cases of these three STIs increased between 2014 and 2018:

• Syphilis cases increased by 71 percent. Cases of congenital syphilis increased by 185 percent.
• Gonorrhea cases increased by 63 percent.
• Chlamydia cases increased by 19 percent. Chlamydia is the most common STI, with more than 1.8 million cases in 2018. From 2017 to 2018, cases increased by almost 3 percent.

Figures for HIV are collected separately. According to HIV.gov, 1.2 million people are living with HIV in the United States today. Just in 2018, more than 36,000 new HIV cases occurred.

Who’s at risk for an STI?

Anyone who’s sexually active can contract an STI. However, it’s reported that men who have sex with men (MSM) do have a greater risk.

For example, more than one-half of all new HIV transmissions occur among MSM, as well as the majority of syphilis cases.

Can an STI be cured?

Some STIs can be completely cured, but not all. Certain types, like HIV and herpes, are chronic and will need to be managed long term.

If someone receives an HIV diagnosis, for instance, they will need to take medication daily to manage their condition and stop the virus from replicating.

Why should I talk with my doctor?

Your doctor can discuss personal risks for acquiring STIs. They may recommend when to get tested, depending on your sexual history.

You can also talk with your doctor about:

• the frequency you should be tested for STIs
• any vaccinations they recommend against certain STIs
• medications you can take if you have an HIV-positive sexual partner or exam

Being aware of safer sex practices cannot only help prevent the transmission of STIs, but also help boost your sexual health in general.

There are several things you may want to discuss with your doctor:

• Methods of protection. You can ask about ways to protect yourself leading up to a sexual encounter, and during the sex itself.
• Barrier methods. Find out what barrier methods are best for you, and how to use them properly. For instance, you can discuss the particulars of condom use. This may include outlining safer condom use, such as using condoms made from latex or other synthetic materials.
• Lubricants. Your doctor can also speak about using a water- or silicone-based lubricant. These can decrease the chances of a condom breaking or malfunctioning.
• Sexual positions. You may want to ask about sexual positions for several reasons. For example, if your partner has HIV, where you position yourself during sex may increase or decrease your chances of contracting the virus.

Certain practices can specifically help reduce your chances of acquiring an STI. If you have any questions, you may want to ask your healthcare provider about:

• using barrier methods each time you engage in a sexual activity
• engaging in a monogamous relationship with a sexual partner
• avoiding situations where you may become intoxicated and engage in sex without condoms or other barrier methods
• getting tested with your partner before beginning a sexual relationship

STIs aren’t the only reason to discuss sexual health with your doctor. Your sexual identity and relationships can affect your body image.

You may find that body image is an important factor in your self-image. This can lead to engaging in destructive or unhealthy behaviors in an attempt to meet an idealized body type.

Some people try very hard to develop what they think of as an “ideal” body image or shape. Your doctor can discuss your body image with you and the health consequences of trying to maintain a certain look.

Your mental health can be closely intertwined with your sexual health.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines sexual health as “fundamental to the overall health and well-being of individuals, couples, and families.”

Sexual health isn’t just about the absence of disease or birth control.

The CDC says that it involves respect toward both sexual relationships and sexuality, pleasure, and a safe sexual experience free of coercion, discrimination, or violence.

The WHO relates that the foundation of sexual health is built on:

• reliable information about sex and sexuality
• an understanding of the risks of sex without contraception
• access to sexual healthcare
• an environment that promotes sexual health and well-being

These are all areas in which a healthcare provider can help. They can help evaluate your mental health, and arrange for any treatments you might need to build or maintain your well-being.

It’s especially important for communities that face discrimination or cultural homophobia, such as MSM, to talk with their doctors about mental health issues.

Data has shown that MSM have a greater risk of developing mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety than men in general. They also have greater risks for related issues, such as illegal drug use and self-harm.

What does using tobacco, alcohol, or drugs have to do with sexual health?

In general, these substances can affect your overall health — mental, physical, and sexual.

Additionally, behaviors associated with using alcohol and drugs may lead to having sex without barrier protections, which can increase the risk of contracting an STI. You may also not be able to give or receive consent.

Using tobacco, alcohol, and other substances can have long-term consequences on your health. And in people who have HIV, smoking puts you at even higher risk for developing serious complications, such as:

• heart disease
• cancer
• lung diseases

Sometimes, people who start using these substances can develop substance use disorders. If you’re at risk for substance use disorders, your doctor can help with treatments that put you on the path of recovery.

According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 20.4 million U.S. people over age 12 had a substance use disorder in 2019. Of these disorders, 71 percent involved alcohol and 40 percent involved drug use.

Substance misuse can involve serious physical and mental health complications.

It can help to talk with a healthcare provider about any substance use concerns you may have. They can help you find the best methods for cutting down or reducing your use.

Discussing your sexual health with a doctor goes beyond just talking about your sex life. Healthcare providers can ensure you’re aware of any risks related to having sex and how to prevent or lower them.

They can also help you find solutions if you’re experiencing issues with your self-image, mental health, or use of substances.

Try thinking of your doctor or medical professional as a confidante who keeps your best interests in mind. If one doctor isn’t giving you the support you need, there’s always someone out there that will.