Here at Family Planning, we provide honest and accurate information about sex, relationships, sexually transmitted diseases/infections (STD/STI), reproductive health and much more.
Other sources of information (such as the Internet, the media, or locker room talk) may not be reliable or current.
Regular physician visits, self-examination, and prevention are the best strategies for avoiding diseases that affect men. Remember, many people with STDs don’t have symptoms.
Got Excuses?
"I have not had many partners and I used protection most of the time."
STDs don’t discriminate. They don’t care if you had sex only once or a million times. If you are, or ever have been sexually active, you may have been exposed to a sexually transmitted disease. Getting tested is the only way to know for sure.
"My partner gets regular STD tests."
You may have an STD that you have not passed on to your partner. Your partner also might inform you they are “clean”, when they really do have an STD either because they are embarrassed or perhaps they did not get the specific test required to diagnose a specific STD they may be carrying.
"I don’t want my parents and other people to know I am going to Family Planning."
All visits to Family Planning Association are confidential. You choose whether or not we can contact you and how. Your privacy is one of our main concerns.
"I don’t make a lot of money, so I can’t afford to pay for the services" or "I don’t have insurance."
Our services are very affordable. We use a sliding scale fee system, which requires you to pay only part of the total cost based on your income or ability to pay. In fact, most of our clients receive reduced fees for services and supplies. We know that money is a big concern for people in today’s economy, so we do our best to make the services available and affordable.
"I have no symptoms."
Many people with STDs don’t have any symptoms. The only way to know for sure is to get tested.
"I get a physical from my primary care physician every year."
You may have a physical every year with your regular doctor. If you do, great! This means you care about your health. However, don’t assume that your doctor is checking for STDs - ask specifically to make sure that they are.
"I heard they have to insert something into my penis to test for STDs."
The insertion of a swab into the penis, better known as the genital probe, is not the method Family Planning uses for testing. A simple urine sample or mouth swab is all we require to test for STDs.
"I don’t care about my health."
You may have little or no concern for your health, but the partner who you are having sex with most likely cares about their own health. You may also have friends or family members who want you to be healthy and happy. Do what’s right. Use protection every time you have sex and get tested for STDs.
So, let’s take a step forward together.
Let’s evolve into healthier men.
Don’t monkey around with your sex life.
Get the facts. Get tested.
If you live in Maine, call 877-326-2345 today
to make an appointment!
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