Planned Parenthood: Not Just For Women
Some people may think that the services offered at Planned Parenthood can only benefit women; however this is simply not true. Many clinics offer a full range of services for men’s health, including basic sexual health checkups for reproductive or other problems, as well as physical examinations. Routine checkups are one of the best ways to prevent disease, or catch symptoms early before conditions worsen and become dangerous or untreatable. Physicians within the clinic are trained in an array of problems and can give treatment to protect the overall health of men. The clinics also offer contraception and cancer screenings for testicular and prostate cancer. Many men do not think cancer can affect them, especially if they are young. However, both testicular and prostate cancer can strike men of any age, and routine screenings and self-examination are the only ways to catch warning signs early. Some Planned Parenthood clinics also give treatment for sexual problems including premature ejaculation, erectile dysfunction, and sexually transmitted diseases. Not only can the physicians provide treatment, but there are trained counselors on staff who can offer education and discuss the problems with men who might be embarrassed by their conditions. Since these counselors are trained in sexual problems, they are able to provide information and often can simply offer a listening ear. Many clinics also are able to provide permanent sterilization procedures, such as vasectomy, to men who are done having children and are interested in this option of contraception.
Many Planned Parenthood clinics can bill private health insurance plans, or state or federal programs. Additionally, some clinics are now able to offer discounted services based on income, or assist patients in applying for Medicaid or similar state-funded health insurance programs to those who will qualify. This allows all individuals, regardless of income or financial situation to receive quality sexual healthcare, as well as contraception to protect themselves and others from spreading sexually transmitted disease or causing unwanted pregnancy.
Tags: Conditions and Diseases, Family planning, Health care, Planned Parenthood