When’s the last time you were tested for a sexually-transmitted disease?
Whoa - yeah, we’re coming out of the gate asking the tough questions. That’s because September is Sexual Health Awareness Month, which is a good time for you to reflect on avoiding disease and unwanted pregnancies. However, it’s also a time of celebrating the pleasure of sexual activity while being cautious and careful with your partner.
So let’s explore some of the messaging that this year’s Sexual Health Awareness month teaches us, and how to enjoy intimacy with your partner while being respectful of “the sexual rights we all share.”
How to talk with your doctor about sexual health
Sexual questions with your doctor can be embarrassing. Moreover, you may not even have a primary care physician, so when you have a situation arise where you might need some advice and/or screening, it’s hard to know where to turn. At Crimson Care we empathize with your discomfort and are especially caring with you on the sexual questions you will have from time to time.
The trick to talking with your doctor about sexual health? Treat the encounter like any other educational opportunity. Make a list of questions in advance, take notes, and be frank with your doctor about your partners and habits. Believe me - we’ve heard it all, and we are non-judgmental about your sexual activities. We just want to make sure you’re taking the proper precautions and that you know what to do if you suspect you might have a sexually-transmitted disease or infection. This is also one of the reasons it’s a great idea to get a yearly physical exam so that you can ask all of your questions at that time and not let any health issues sneak up on you.
To help you jump in the deep end on this, here’s a list of questions you might want to ask your healthcare provider. Hopefully, this makes it easier for you to create an open dialogue that is educational and informative for you regarding your sexual health.
When entering a new relationship, get screened
You are a responsible human being. You pay taxes, you do well in school, or at your job, and you’re an upstanding citizen of your chosen community. So why not treat a new relationship the same way? You’ll want to be honest with each other about past sexual partners so that you can have comfort knowing you’re both safe. This is a kind, considerate way to begin your relationship.
It’s no big deal to be screened for sexual disease or infections, so just do it. A little peace of mind for you and your partner can go a long way toward building a relationship of trust. At Crimson Care, we have access to all of the different tests that are commonly done to ensure your sexual health is being taken care of - so just ask us!
Again, you’ll be in a judgment-free zone - we’re not here to judge you on how many sexual partners you’ve had, or any activities in which you like to engage. Our sole purpose with regard to your sexual health is to get you to be frank and honest with us so that we can advise you on best practices with your health and provide good screening options.
Understand all sexual health services available at Crimson Care in Tuscaloosa, AL.
Dr. Ramesh Peramsetty -- along with his entire Crimson Care team -- loves working with medical needs in the Tuscaloosa AL community. We have three different clinics in convenient locations throughout Tuscaloosa: Crimson Care Skyland, Veterans Memorial, and First Care on McFarland. All sites offer extended weekday hours and one-stop treatment services, including medical care, x-rays, lab work, sexual health screening, and prescription dispensing. Crimson Care even has a patient portal for viewing your electronic medical records and is a state-of-the-art medical facility.
Check us out today on our website, or give us a call today at Crimson Care Veterans: (205) 507-1100, Crimson Care Skyland: (205) 507-1119, or First Care: (205) 349-2323.