Men and women are both at risk for STD contraction. However, men and women differ when it comes to sexual activity behaviors, attitudes toward safe sex, and medical care behaviors. Below are the primary reasons we feel men need to increase their knowledge about STDs and choose to get screened.
- Men have sex with multiple partners more than women
- Men have more negative attitudes toward condom use than women
- With the use of oral contraceptives preventing pregnancy, men do not feel the use of condoms is important anymore. This leaves them vulnerable to STD transmission
- Men are more able to engage in and enjoy "recreational sex" more than women
- Men are less likely to seek medical attention than women when it comes to STDs
- Men have fewer STD screening options than women
- Women are given information about STD screening during OBGYN appointments, while men have no routine appointments where STD screening is discussed
- Men are generally not advised to be screened for STDs unless symptoms are present. With certain STDs, treatment may be more difficult or impossible to treat or cure by the time symptoms appear