Why are gay men more likely to have stds

Addressing these barriers and encouraging safe and supportive communities can help. For PrEP to be most effective, follow all the directions your health care provider gives you. Before you can use PrEP , you need to be tested to make sure that you don't already have HIV.

Your health care provider also should test you for hepatitis B. If you have hepatitis B, you need to have your kidney function tested before you can take PrEP. In addition to having higher rates of syphilis, more than half of all new HIV infections occur among MSM.

Many factors contribute to the higher rates of STDs among MSM. Gay, bisexual, and other men who reported male-to-male sexual contact are disproportionately affected by HIV. Social and structural issues—such as HIV stigma, homophobia, discrimination, poverty, and limited access to high-quality health care—influence health outcomes and continue to drive inequities.

All men face certain health risks. However, there are some specific health concerns that gay men and other men who have sex with men need to be aware of. While anyone who has sex can get an STD, sexually active gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM) are at greater risk.

Several PrEP medicines are available that can reduce the risk of HIV infection in those who are at high risk. Stay informed for your health. But it's important for men who have sex with men to understand the following health issues that may affect them and take steps to stay healthy.

If you're concerned about your mental health, talk to your health care provider or to a mental health provider. MSM are more likely to have multiple sex partners when compared to men who exclusively have sex with women. Despite some global progress around health equity, being gay or transgender is still criminalized in many countries.

Talk to your health care provider about which type of PrEP is right for you. Take these steps to protect against sexually transmitted infections:. Gay men also are more likely to have body image problems and eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia, than are other men.

While you are taking PrEP , you still need to use other HIV prevention strategies, such as using a condom every time you have sex. If you have challenges with body image or an eating disorder, get help. PrEP can be taken as a pill or as an injection. Individual health risks are shaped by many factors beyond sexual orientation and sexual behavior, including family history and age.

Talk to your health care provider or a mental health provider. Men who have sex with men are at a higher risk of infection with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, as well as other sexually transmitted infections. These categories, however, do not. Consider pre-exposure prophylaxis PrEP.

PrEP is a way for people who don't have HIV to prevent HIV infection by taking medicine. Treatment is available. Understand important health issues for gay men and other men who have sex with men, and get tips for maintaining good health. The terms MSM (men who have sex with men) and WSW (women who have sex with women) have been used with increasing frequency in the public health literature to examine sexual orientation disparities in sexual health.

If you have concerns about your alcohol use, help is available. Explore the heightened STD risks in the queer community, understanding the realities and promoting better health outcomes. Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic Health System locations.

Sharing your feelings might be the first step toward getting help. Gay men are more likely to deal with alcohol use disorder than are other people. If you're hesitant to seek treatment, consider talking with a trusted friend or loved one. Gay men are 28 times more likely to contract HIV than heterosexual men and transgender women are 14 times more likely to contract HIV than other adult women.

Talk to your health care provider. Gay men and other men who have sex with men may be at an increased risk of depression, bipolar disorder and anxiety. Intergenerational sexual partnerships may increase the risk of HIV among young MSM. Uncover the truth about Gay Sexually Transmitted Diseases and how to protect yourself from these risks.