Whether you’re hoping to receive a Father’s Day card next year or you’re certain parenthood isn’t in your plans, your health matters. In Wyoming, men are often the last people to schedule a healthcare appointment. But whether you’re planning a family someday, supporting a partner, or just making sure everything is working the way it should, preventive care isn’t just for women.
Family planning isn’t just about preventing pregnancy; it’s about helping individuals make informed decisions about their reproductive health, relationships, and future goals. June is Men’s Health Month, and while many people think of family planning services as something primarily for women, men play an important role too.
Many men often feel left out of conversations about family planning, but they are a critical part of the equation. In fact, men are often interested in learning more about their reproductive health, how contraception works, and what they can do to support their partners and themselves.
Title X family planning clinics provide a wide range of services for men, often at low or no cost depending on income. While sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing and treatment are among the most common reasons men visit a clinic, that’s only part of what is available.
According to Linde Gray, Nurse Practitioner (NP) with Cheyenne Laramie County Public Health Title X Family Planning, “I would say that the most common services we get for male patients is STI testing. The most common questions we get from male patients are: What types of STI testing should I be getting? What are symptoms of STI? Which ones are curable vs treatable? How do I best protect myself from exposure?”
Gray says the answers often come down to education and prevention. “Information that would be helpful is to get testing at least annually or more frequently if you have multiple partners, condoms are best protection next to knowing your STI status as well as partner(s)’ status, and Title X services are very affordable for those who have limited or no insurance.”
Men can receive testicular health evaluations, discuss skin and dermatological concerns, obtain referrals for additional medical care, and access preventive health services. Clinics also provide sexual health education, contraception counseling, and confidential answers to questions that many men may hesitate to ask elsewhere.
One area that often surprises people is preconception counseling for men. Preparing for a healthy pregnancy is not solely a woman’s responsibility. Research shows that a man’s health before conception can impact fertility, pregnancy outcomes, and even the future health of a child. Factors such as nutrition, chronic health conditions, substance use, and exposure to environmental hazards can all play a role.
Many men also want to better understand their partner’s birth control options. Title X providers can explain how different contraceptive methods work, discuss effectiveness, answer questions, and help couples make informed decisions together.
Sometimes the most important service a clinic provides is simply a place to ask, “Is this normal?” Whether it’s a concern about sexual health, fertility, relationships, or changes in the body, trained healthcare professionals can offer accurate information and guidance.
Men’s Health Month serves as a reminder that taking care of your health is not only important for you, it can also impact your future relationships, family plans, and overall well-being. No matter where you are in life, Title X family planning clinics are here to provide confidential, affordable care and answer your questions without judgment.
This June, take charge of your health. Because family planning includes men, too.
You can find your local Wyoming Title X Family Planning Clinic at WYHC.ORG.
Required Federal Funding statement: This project is supported by the Office of Populations Affairs (OPA) and the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Health (OASH) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award 1 FPHPA 006541-0-00 totaling $924,108 with 100 percent funded by OPA/OASH/HHS. The contents are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by OPA/OASH/HHS or the U.S. Government.
| PAID FOR BY WYOMING HEALTH COUNCIL This article is a promoted post. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the organization that paid for the article, and do not necessarily reflect the views, thoughts or opinions of Oil City News, its employees or its publisher. Please fill out this form if you would like to speak to our sales department about advertising opportunities on Oil City News. |
