If you understand these health disparities, you can take the steps necessary to feel empowered and lead a healthy life. You have the right to honest and judgment-free health care. This means your health care provider affirms who you are and does not make assumptions about your sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.įor help finding LGBTQ-knowledgeable providers, visit the NYC Health Map. Your sexual health is not just about the prevention and treatment of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Sexual health and pleasure involve open communication with your partner(s). Have open and honest conversations with your health care provider about your sex life, including the gender(s) of your sex partner(s) and the kinds and quality of your sexual experiences.That includes talking about all aspects of your physical and emotional health. Learn about other ways to prevent HIV if you can’t or don’t always use condoms.Consistent use prevents HIV, other STIs, and unplanned pregnancy if you also have sex with people who can conceive.
Get tested regularly for STIs, including HIV.If you do not have HIV, ask your health care provider if PrEP or PEP are right for you. Do not wait until you experience symptoms to get tested. If you are living with HIV, get and stay on treatment.Many people with STIs do not feel sick or experience any symptoms. Check yourself for signs and symptoms of other health conditions.HIV treatment keeps you healthy and prevents transmission of the virus to your partner(s). Make sure your health care provider swabs the sites you use for sex.Visit an NYC Sexual Health Clinic for timely testing and screenings, regardless of your immigration status or ability to pay.If you find anything concerning, see a health care provider rather than self-diagnosing online. This is sometimes called three-site STI testing. It includes swabbing your throat and anus and taking a urine sample. Gay men, bisexual men and other men who have sex with men (MSM), including transgender men, may experience poorer health outcomes than heterosexual men due to stigma, discrimination, homophobia and transphobia.In addition to standard vaccinations, MSM who have sex should get vaccinated against meningococcal disease, hepatitis A and hepatitis B. Visit an NYC Sexual Health Clinic for timely testing and screenings, regardless of your immigration status or ability to pay. Make sure your health care provider swabs the sites you use for sex. Sexual health and pleasure involve open communication with your partner(s). It includes swabbing your throat and anus and taking a urine sample. If you do not have HIV, ask your health care provider if PrEP or PEP are right for you. Get tested regularly for STIs, including HIV.Many people with STIs do not feel sick or experience any symptoms. If you are living with HIV, get and stay on treatment.HIV treatment keeps you healthy and prevents transmission of the virus to your partner(s).
Check yourself for signs and symptoms of other health conditions.If you find anything concerning, see a health care provider rather than self-diagnosing online. Visit an NYC Sexual Health Clinic for timely testing and screenings, regardless of your immigration status or ability to pay.Make sure your health care provider swabs the sites you use for sex.