ชายรักชายได้อย่างอุ่นใจ ต้องใส่ใจตรวจสุขภาพอะไรบ้าง?

‘Love makes the world beautiful’ is a phrase that does not only mean “man and woman” because whether it is ‘male-male love’ or ‘female-female love’ or any form of love, if it arises from pure feelings towards each other, it can make this world a better, brighter, and more beautiful place.
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However, in every relationship, it is necessary to pay attention to health check-ups for both yourself and your partner because otherwise, our love may be undermined by illnesses including sexually transmitted infections. So, how is the risk of sexually transmitted infections in male-male relationships higher or different from other couples? Today, we will find out together.
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<h2>Why are men who love men more at risk of sexually transmitted infections? 
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Many may wonder why male-male relationships have a higher chance of sexually transmitted infections than other types of relationships. The answer is ‘because anal sex has a higher chance of friction causing wounds or bleeding more easily than vaginal sex’, which increases the risk of sexually transmitted infections. In the case of female-female relationships, sexual intercourse usually does not involve penetration, or if sex toys are used, they do not significantly increase the risk of causing wounds. Also, there is no exchange of bodily fluids during sex, which results in a lower chance of infection compared to other types of relationships.
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<h2>What diseases should men who love men get screened for to stay safe? 
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Sexually transmitted infections in male-male relationships include many diseases, both those transmitted only through sexual contact and those transmitted through both sexual contact and blood. However, the main diseases to watch out for and get screened for by both partners include syphilis, gonorrhea, genital warts, HIV infection which can lead to AIDS, hepatitis B, C, and A viruses, among others. These diseases can be transmitted through both anal and oral sex.
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The recommendation for health screening is to start with testing for hepatitis B and A viruses first. If no immunity is found, vaccination can be given to protect against these two diseases immediately. For HIV and other infections, regular testing every 3 months is advised, depending on the lifestyle and risk level of both partners.
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<h2>In male-male relationships, who is at higher risk of infection: the insertive or receptive partner? 
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Looking at the relationship roles, many might think the “insertive partner” is less likely to get infected because there is less risk of bleeding or wounds compared to the “receptive partner.” But in reality, both insertive and receptive partners can get sexually transmitted infections. However, the receptive partner has a higher risk of infection. For example, the risk of HIV infection for the receptive partner ranges from 0.5-30%, while for the insertive partner, it is about 0.1%. Therefore, regardless of being insertive or receptive, both should prioritize health check-ups and safe sex practices.
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<h2>Which lifestyle among men who love men requires the most attention to health screening?  
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The risk of sexually transmitted infections among men who love men can be divided according to lifestyle. Those who are faithful to one partner and do not have sex with others are considered low risk. They can get screened before having sex for the first time to ensure safety for both parties and may not need frequent testing afterward.
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However, those who are multi-partner, frequently change partners, work as sex workers, or have partners who already have sexually transmitted infections should get tested more frequently and regularly. The frequency depends on the diseases of concern. For example, AIDS caused by HIV infection should be tested every 3 months, and antiviral medication may be needed as advised by a doctor.
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<h2>All couples, regardless of gender, should prioritize health screening 
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Whether in male-male, female-female, or male-female relationships, prioritizing health screening to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections is essential and should not be overlooked. If infection occurs, the happiness once shared may turn into suffering.
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However, although health screening helps reduce risk and provides peace of mind, in some cases infections may not be detected because the pathogens hide or infection may occur after testing, so risk still exists.
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Therefore, in every sexual encounter, for both male-male and male-female relationships, condoms should always be used because ‘using condoms reduces the chance of sexually transmitted infections by more than 90%, including HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and many other diseases’.
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Dr. Supitcha Ongkittikul 
Infectious Disease Specialist 
Infectious Disease Center, Phyathai 3 Hospital

Whether it is a male-male couple or any gender, they should receive necessary health screenings, especially for sexually transmitted infections such as syphilis, gonorrhea, genital warts, HIV which can lead to AIDS, as well as hepatitis B, C, and A.

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What health check-ups should men who have sex with men pay attention to for peace of mind?

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