Sexuality: Gay, Straight & Bisexual / Question
Published: September 26, 2002
Dear TeenHealthFX,
Hi I am a gay 16 old male and I receive anal sex often. I am what they call in the gay community a bottom. I am in a monogamous relationship and practice safe anal sex with condoms and lots of water based lube. My question is I know teen girls who start having sex need to visit their gynecologist for internal exams when they start having intercourse. So should I see my doctor for an internal anal exam and how often should I go?
Signed: Special Exams For Gays?
Dear Special Exams For Gays?,
It is very smart of you to be interested in your sexual health. Since you practice safer anal sex your risk for contracting sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) is much lower than if you were not being so careful. However, condoms are not 100% effective and accidents do happen. Since you are sexually active, it is probably a good idea to be screened for STDs when you visit your doctor for a check up. Certain STDs, such as gonorrhea, anal warts, Hepatitis A and B, HIV/AIDS and anal cancer are often found in gay men who have unprotected sex. Anal cancer is actually caused by the same virus (human papilloma virus, or HPV) that causes cervical cancer in women, and recent studies have suggested that doing a Pap smear on gay and bisexual men every three years could lower the rates of anal cancer. In addition, there are vaccines for Hepatitis A and B that can prevent you from getting these infections.
There are not really any doctors that specifically deal with men's sexual health, but your regular doctor should be able to test you for STDs. It is important that he knows that you are gay, so he can examine you most appropriately. In addition, a teen health clinic can see teens for sexual health reasons confidentially, without your parent's permission and on a low/no cost basis. If you live in the Northern New Jersey area you can call the Adolescent/Young Adult Center For Health at 973.889.6475 for an appointment. If you live outside Northern New Jersey, please call your local Planned Parenthood. Lastly, you can try the Gay and Lesbian National Hotline (888)THE.GLNH (366-8288) and Gays and Lesbian Teens (800) 850.8078 24 hours, 7days a week.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
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