Planned Parenthood Cares About Men’s Health

Gotcha covered

Almost 6.5 million boys and men live in Illinois. Planned Parenthood has every one of them covered with services such as testing and treatment for STIs or sexually transmitted diseases, to cancer screenings and vasectomies.

You might already know that wearing a condom during sex can help men prevent pregnancy, and protect their partners and themselves from STIs. But getting tested is also part of good sexual health.

Make an appointment during Men’s Health Week, from June 10 to June 16 (Father’s Day) for a checkup. With 17 health care centers around the state, Planned Parenthood of Illinois is here for the guys.

Wear a condom

In the past 10 years, Planned Parenthood has doubled its number of male patients. Over 20 percent of services provided to men are HIV tests, and 27 percent are for gonorrhea and chlamydia tests.

Cook County has the highest number of gonorrhea cases in the country, and the second  highest number of chlamydia infections. Some men may not have any symptoms, but others may experience genital sores, discharge from the penis, itching or burning while they urinate.

Gay and bisexual men also face the highest rates of syphilis, or the clap. Those numbers are rising, and Cook County has the highest rate of syphilis infections in the United States.

Staying healthy

Men are less likely to visit a doctor unless they experience symptoms, but many health issues begin before symptoms are noticeable, such as cancer.

Prostate exams are recommended for men 55 to 69 years old, but about half of testicular cancers are in men between the ages of 20 and 34.

Men of all ages should get checked. Women can help by encouraging family and friends to see a health care professional.

Health matters

Throughout Men’s Health Week, which ends on Father’s Day, women can let the men in their lives know that they care about their health. 

They can share their own experiences with Planned Parenthood of Illinois, and remind them that PPIL provides accurate and trustworthy services for men, including access to birth control and vaccines.

So guys, make an appointment, pee in a cup and grab some condoms when you leave. Good health is that easy, and so important. 

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This post was created by Planned Parenthood of Illinois (PPIL). PPIL provides comprehensive reproductive healthcare services and education to more than 60,000 Illinoisans each year. Planned Parenthood Illinois Action (PPIA) is an independent, nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization formed as the advocacy and political arm of PPIL.

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