Anti-Infectives

If you’re a mature, responsible, sexually active adult—whether you’re 18 or 80—then get tested for STDs. Not only will testing help prevent the potential long-term damage that can be caused by undetected STDs, it will also help ensure you don’t inadvertently infect someone else.

“If you’ve had more than one partner or your partner has had more than one partner, then periodic examinations would be a good idea,” Dr. Johnson advises. “It’s especially important for men to get tested since men don’t always exhibit symptoms.”

Private physicians and health clinics routinely test for STDs. Some clinics, offer subsidized or free testing for patients unable to shoulder the cost. To detect syphilis or HIV (the virus that causes AIDS), doctors will draw a blood sample. For gonorrhea and chlamydia they’ll take a culture from the inside of your penis with a cotton swab. For herpes and genital warts doctors usually give a visual exam, though a culture can be taken from open sores.

“Just remember that tests are not a panacea. The emphasis should be cm prevention,” Dr. Johnson warns. And remember to ask your partners to get tested, too. It won’t do you much good to get a clean bill of health if you’re just going to get reinfected again.

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Men’s Health-Erectile Dysfunction