Maintain Penis Health with an STD Protection Primer

Every man knows the golden rule of good penis care: always use protection against STDs. But sometimes a guy can get a little lax about doing exactly what needs to be done. Besides that, he might actually not know several of the cold, hard facts about how STDs are transmitted. To make sure every guy knows exactly what it takes to protect himself from STDs and maintain good penis health, we’ve put together this handy protection primer.

Here’s what every guy needs to know about protection and how to ensure that it works properly, every single time.

1. Carefully choose partners. This might seem easier said than done, especially for a guy who loves to play the field and bring home new partners when the opportunities arises. But a guy should be quite selective about who he allows near his favorite equipment. A guy should look for a partner who takes protection seriously and wants to make sure things are "on the up and up" just as much as he does. For example, a partner who suggests that they try it without a condom "just once" is not someone with his best interests at heart!

2. Use condoms properly. Every guy has been told at some point that simply ‘wrapping it up’ will protect him, and in most cases that’s true. However, a guy must know how to use condoms properly in order to ensure they do their job when expected to do so. For instance, always reach for lubes that are water-based or silicone-based. Oil-based lubes spell damage to the condom, which means it doesn’t protect as well. A guy should also make sure the condom has not expired, has never been stored in a very cold or very hot place, and hasn’t been subject to friction through the packet, such as being carried in his wallet for a while.

3. Use other protection as well. A guy wants to make sure he’s entirely clean, which means other protections might be necessary. For instance, when performing oral on a partner, always use a dental dam or other barrier protection, at least until it’s certain everyone involved has a clean bill of health.

4. Get tested. A person who is sexually active should be tested for STDs every six months. This means a full physical exam and blood test to ensure there are no problems lurking that could be passed on to other partners. This also gives a guy the opportunity to treat some of the STDs that might show no symptoms, so he can be sure to preserve his fertility and good penis health over the years.

5. Talk to a potential partner. There is a very good rule of thumb to remember: If a guy is too embarrassed or uncomfortable to talk to a potential partner about sex, he isn’t ready to have sex! Part of being a man is ‘manning up’ when it comes to the tough moments. That’s why a man shouldn’t be shy about sharing some intimate details with a potential partner, as well as asking detailed questions of that partner before jumping into the sack. Anyone who gets upset about such questions isn’t someone a guy wants to be intimate with - remember the first tip about choosing partners wisely.

6. Get clean before and after. Good hygiene is paramount for penis health, so make sure the penis and surrounding area are very clean before sexual congress, and then take the time to wash off afterward to remove lingering residue from condoms, lubes and the like. This will also give a guy the opportunity to examine the manhood - something he should do at every shower session - to ensure there are no bumps, lesions or telltale signs of STDs there.

Another good habit to get into is the regular use of a specially formulated penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin) . Look for a crème that contains alpha lipoic acid, which fights the free radicals that can lead to aging, as well as vitamin A, a powerful antibacterial agent that can lessen or eliminate penis odor.

Managing Penis Problems - What to Expect from an STD Screening

Few people jump at the chance to have their most intimate parts pawed by a complete stranger, especially if the parts in question are sore, red or otherwise marred by illness. It's no surprise, then, that men with symptoms that could be attributed to a sexually transmitted disease (STD) would do almost anything to avoid either making or keeping a screening appointment. That's a shame, as screenings and proper penis care could keep some STD problems from putting a huge damper on a man's health and happiness. This step-by-step guide to an STD exam could help to alleviate some unfounded fears, and perhaps, the information will motivate at-risk men to get the help they need to keep their parts safe and sound.

Step 1: Working With a Nurse
In a typical medical appointment, a nurse or a medical assistant will handle the nitty-gritty details of preparing a man for his exam. This person might lead a man into the room in which the appointment will take place, as well as measuring the man's heart rate and blood pressure and taking his temperature.

A medical assistant or nurse might also ask the patient to describe the reason for his visit. While patients can say anything at all in these conversations, most medical professionals will be on the alert for words that describe:

• Sexual encounters
• Physical pain
• Emotional distress
• Prior instances of illness

These are the sorts of phrases that might prompt further questions by the doctor, and it's the job of the nurse or medical assistant to get patients talking so that the doctors know which questions are most important to ask.

Step 2: Stripping Down
Once the interview is over, patients are given a bit of privacy in which to strip down, pop on a cotton robe and hop up on the exam table to prepare for the doctor. Doctors are usually thoughtful enough to knock before they come barging in so that patients have time to get settled.

Step 3: Reiteration of Conversations
When the doctor walks into the exam room, they have the benefit of the nurse’s notes, and they might ask for clarification on certain items or ask further questions to get all of the information needed to diagnose the problem. Once this talk is through, the physical examination is ready to roll.

Step 4: Hands-On Work
In a typical STD screening, doctors are looking for obvious signs of infection. Sometimes, a visual examination combined with a thorough interview gives the doctor all the information needed in order to make a diagnosis. Sometimes, however, doctors need to run more intensive tests in order to really determine what's going on with a man's vital equipment. Cotton swabs might be used to collect discharge, while slides might be pressed directly onto lesions to collect the affected tissue.

Step 5: Giving a Sample
Men might need to provide their doctors with samples of blood or urine, so those fluids can be examined in a laboratory for evidence of disease. Men asked to give these samples might be directed to a laboratory down the hall, and they're usually through with the process in minutes.

Step 6: Waiting for Results
Screening tests can take a few days to process, and those days can be full of worrying, pacing and otherwise freaking out. Expressing fears to patient friends is always a good idea, but men should be sure to resist the temptation to poke, pick or otherwise fool around with their sore bits until they know exactly what's happening down below. It is important to abstain from sex at this point, until the results are in and any necessary treatment is compete.

After the sores are healed, using a penis health creme (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil) enriched with vitamins and other essential nutrients can help to restore the skin’s naturally healthy appearance and leave it feeling smooth and responsive when a man is ready for action once more.