There are several things you can take to ensure that your reproductive system continues to function regularly throughout your life.
Routine testing for STIs. Depending on how you use sex and with whom you have sex, different recommendations apply. The CDC suggests the following:
a. HIV testing ought to be done at least once on everyone between the ages of 13 and 64.
b. Gay, bisexual, and other males who identify as AMAB and who engage in sexual activity with men ought to undergo testing.
1. Every three to six months if you have several or anonymous partners, and at least once a year for syphilis, gonorrhoea, and chlamydia
2. For HIV, at least once a year
3. For hepatitis C, if you are HIV positive, at least once a year
c. People who share needles or engage in higher risk sexual behaviour ought to get tested for HIV at least once a year.
d. Anyone who participates in anal or oral intercourse should talk to their physician about testing.Maintaining proper hygiene: To avoid infections, wash your penis, scrotum, and the surrounding areas. Pull back your foreskin and clean and dry the tip of your penis if you haven’t been circumcised.
Safe sexual behaviour: When having sex, use condoms to help prevent STIs.
Handling long-term medical issues: A number of illnesses can impede your ability to get an erection by affecting blood flow to your penis among other things. Among these prerequisites are:
a. Diabetes type 2
b. Hypertension, or elevated blood pressure
c. Heart conditions
d. Elevated cholesterol
e. Being overweight.
Obtaining an HPV vaccination: This will shield you against human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, which can lead to genital warts, anal cancer, throat cancer, and penile cancer. Ages 9 to 45 are the suggested range for the vaccination.
Avoid smoking: Smoking increases the risk of heart disease and cancer, but it also exacerbates erectile dysfunction.
Conduct self-evaluations: Any abnormal changes, including swelling or tumours, to your penis, testicles, or scrotum can be found with routine examinations. You might notice a few adjustments. Additionally, you ought to feel each testicle.
To find out if prostate cancer screening is right for you, speak with your doctor. Screening has advantages and disadvantages, so it’s a complicated subject that you should decide for yourself with your doctor’s guidance.
Obtain a circumcision. You can reduce your chances of penile cancer, STIs, and urinary tract infections by shaving off your foreskin. Additionally, you won’t be susceptible to paraphimosis and phimosis.
Sustain a healthy weight. Obesity and erectile dysfunction are related. Your capacity to get and sustain an erection will increase with weight loss.