Cervical Screening Awareness Week

Most people reading this will be wondering why Men's Sexual Health is covering the topic of Cervical Screening, other than it being a very important issue to raise, we are funded in Swindon to raise awareness of all kind of issue affecting the LGB (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual) community as well as the heterosexual community.

As this week, June 9th-15th is National Cervical Screening Awareness week, we wanted to highlight the issue and dispel any myths that Lesbian and Bisexual woman don't need screening.

All women between the ages of 25-64 who have a cervix need to get screened, regardless of whether or not they've slept with a man. The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) which causes cervical cancer, can be passed on during sexual activity between two women. Genital HPV is transmitted primarilty by skin to skin contact. The time from exposure to the virus to the development of cervical disease is highly variable an the virus can remain dormant in some people for long periods of time. Practising safer sex reduces the risk of being infected with HPV but it will not completely eradicate the risk as HPV lives on the skin in and around the whole genital area.

Cervical cancer can often be prevented. Nearly all cases of cervical cancer are associated with the HPV virus which is a sexually transmitted infection (STI). The virus causes changes in the cells of the cervix, which can go on to develop into cancer over time if left untreated. That's why its important to check the health of the cells regularly. Between 25-49yrs old it is advised every 3 years after first initial screening, 50-64yrs old are advises every 5 years and 65+ woman who have never been screened can request a test and women who have had recent abnormal results will still be invited until their follow up is complete. Unlike other cancer screening methods, cervical screening is not a test for cancer, it is a method of preventing cancer by detecting and treating early abnormalities. So the best way to prevent cervical cancer is to go and get screened.

The NHS don't currently monitor sexual orientations, so you should not be routinely asked about your sexual orientation, however many woman find that they get asked sexual health questions which are more appropriate for heterosexual women, such as 'do you use contraception?'. At the point you may wish to mention your sexual orientation so that the information you are asked for or are given is more appropriate. Hopefully this will make life easier and your experience more comfortable. Thy will be aware of the kind of sex you are having and who you are having it with and will only ask you questions that are appropriate to you. However its understandable it can be difficult to come out in the best of circumstances, let alone when feeling vulnerable and about to get half naked with a stranger. If you really don't feel able or comfortable to come out then don't worry, you are certainly not alone. The most important thing is to get screened.

*Regular Screening prevents around 75% of cervical cancers from ever developing so be sure to get tested and spread the word too, by encouraging your friends, family, partners to go for screenings.

*In the UK 20% of women do not attend their Cervical Screenings.

*Some school aged girls are being given the HPV vaccination - But they still need to attend screening when they are the right ages as the vaccine doesn't protect against all types of HPV.

*Sadly around 900 women die of cervical cancer each year in England. However many of those who develop it haven't been screened regularly. Thanks to cervical screening, cervical cancer is now an uncommon disease in this country.

*Its best not to be tested during your period - It's better to have your test mid-cycle, usually 14 days after the start of your last period.

*If you do come out to a health care professional and feel they are treating you negatively because of your sexual orientation you can complain on these grounds. Depending on who the complaint is regarding you can complain to the GP, The Practice Manager or The PCT.

The Men's Sexual Health Team will be visiting the Mailcoach Swindon and Tesco Extra later this week with more information if you would like to pop by and chat with someone from the team, or pick up a leaflet on screening.

The above information comes from the LGF website where you can also download a free booklet about cervical screening.

You can also visit the NHS website for a special downloadable leaflet on the issue

For more information about Cervical Screening Awareness Week visit Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust

Posted: June 7 by Matt (updated June 10) • Add comment

Male Cancer - Know The Signs

This June is Everyman Male Cancer Awareness month. This annual event is used to heighten the knowledge and understanding of Testicular Cancer and Prostate Cancer, the most common cancers in the male demographic.

For this year’s campaign Men’s Sexual Health have re-launched last years very succesful campaign that compares certain fruit that is going rotten with these two areas of male cancer, encouraging you to get your juicy plums and peachy bottom checked. These posters have been distributed to every doctors surgery in Swindon and other public venues. And the Men’s Sexual Health team will be visiting certain community areas promoting the campaign, where they have both medical recreations of self checking testicals and the prostate gland, along with a variety of leaflets on all forms of cancer, and a chance to ask questions, so keep an eye on their facebook and twitter pages to see where they will be during this month.

The three biggest issues around these male cancers remain:

• men's lack of knowledge on the subject,
• men don't like to admit when there is something wrong with them and
• men don't like to discuss their intimate anatomy with others.

It is these reasons why Men's Sexual Health has decided to promote this issue each year because it’s such important cause. We need to inform men of the risks, how to check themselves and to be comfortable to talk to their GP.

Testicular Cancer

Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in the 15 – 44 age group. A 2006 survey conducted by Everyman, a campaign directed at men by the Institute of Cancer Research, revealed that only 28% of men check their testicles regularly for signs of testicular cancer. Though it is still quite rare, early detection is the key to saving lives. There are 2,000 cases a year in the UK. With treatment Testicular cancer is 97 – 99% curable, if caught in the early stages. However, it still causes approximately 70 deaths per year.

The early signs of testicular cancer are usually obvious and easy to spot, regularly checking and self examination will help identify the normal feel and size of the testicles, making it easier to identify signs that don't seem or feel right.

Look out for one or more of the following:

• A hard lump on the front or side of the testicle
• Swelling or enlargement of a testicle
• An increase in firmness of a testicle
• Pain or discomfort in a testicle or in the scrotum
• An unusual difference between one testicle and the other
• A heavy feeling in the scrotum
• A dull ache in the lower stomach, groin or scrotum
• Passing blood in urine – occasionally accompanied by backache

These symptoms do not necessarily indicate testicular cancer – they may be caused by a curable infection. If you identify anything that is different or changed, or if you suffer any of these symptoms consult your local GUM clinic or GP – remember, while most lumps are not cancerous, the earlier a diagnosis is made, the earlier treatment can commence.

How to self-examine: Everyone is different, so if you're going to pick up any changes, you need to know what's normal for you. It is advised from the time of puberty onwards you should do a regular self-check (at least once a month), the best time to do this is in the shower or bath, or soon afterwards when the skin of the scrotum is relaxed.

• Hold your scrotum in the palm of your hand and feel the size and weight of the testicles, it is common to have one testicle slightly larger than the other one, or one that hangs lower.
• Feel each testicle and roll it between your thumb and finger, it should feel smooth. You'll feel a soft, tender tube towards the back of the testicle, this is normal and is called the Epididymis.
• Look and feel for any lumps, bumps or swelling. In a routine of checking you will be able to identify what is normal for you.
• It is unusual to develop cancer in both testicles at the same time, so if you are wondering whether a testicle is feeling normal or not you can compare it with the other.

If you notice anything unusual about your testicles you should go and see a doctor as soon as possible. Act now, don't wait a week or two. Any changes may have other causes, but you should always be checked out.

Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer has overtaken lung cancer to be the most common cancer in men. During our last campaign we were reporting 36,000 diagnosed cases per year, this has now increased to 41,000 in the UK , resulting in 10,000 deaths. That's one man every hour.  They believe the reason for this increase is due to a higher number of cases being diagnosed (through the greater use of PSA tests) and the influence of an ageing population. The majority of men with prostate cancer are aged over 60 years. Although this cancer can also occur in younger individuals, it is very rare under the age of 50.

The prostate is a small gland about the size and shape of a walnut. It lies below the bladder and surrounds the upper part of the urethra – the tube that carries urine and semen out through the penis. The prostate gland produces a thick clear fluid that mixes with sperm to form semen.

As a man gets older, his prostate may get bigger and restrict the flow of urine. This very common condition is called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It is not cancer but causes some of the same symptoms as prostate cancer.

The following symptoms may be caused by problems that are much less serious than prostate cancer, try not to worry if you develop any of them, but do get them checked out.

• Difficulty or pain in passing urine
• Having to rush to the toilet to pass urine
• Frequent visits to the toilet, especially at night
• Starting and stopping while urinating
• Dribbling urine
• A feeling of not having emptied the bladder fully
• Blood in the urine or semen
• Impotence
• Pain in back, hips or pelvis

Unlike testicular cancer where you can do a self examination, we would advice you that if you have any concerns to visit your GP where he will discuss your symptoms and will then decided if you need to be tested.

For further information on testicular and prostate cancer visit the Everyman Male Cancer website.

If you have any questions or concerns please get in touch with us 01793 250951, or If you would like a copy of our campaign poster please email us at info@wsmsh.org.uk.

Posted: May 30 by Matt (updated May 30) • Add comment

IDAHO DAY May 17th 2013

This week on May 17th, it is IDAHO Day, International day against homophobia and transphobia, a worldwide day for LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) people, and heterosexual people supporting them, to come together to campaign for equal rights, equal treatment and reduce hate crime.

Currently 78 countries criminlise same-sex relationships, with punishments as high as the death sentence, with the total number of people living in those 78 countries totaling 1,5 Billion people.

May 17th was chosen because it marks the anniversary of the decision to remove homosexuality from the list of mental disorders, a turning point for the social acceptance of LGBT people.

An International Day Against Homophobia belongs to no one individual. It’s about all people hoping for a prejudice-free world that can provide a place at the table for everyone regardless of their sexual orientation. Inspired by all world theme-days, the day set aside to fight homophobia needs to be appropriated by all of those actively involved in civil society: gay and lesbian community organisations, those organisations focusing on other types of sexual diversity, unions, employers, private businesses, governments, public administration, professional associations, and all individuals seeking equality.

This year Men's Sexual Health will be attending New College Swindon to raise awareness of this day with the students and staff.

Feel free to click on our poster and print of your copy to show your support for this day wherever you work.

For more information about IDAHO and what action you can take to support it please visit the official IDAHO page http://dayagainsthomophobia.org/take-action/

Posted: May 16 by Matt (updated May 16) • Add comment

Depression...it's time we listened

Next week is Depression Awareness week in the UK, a time to raise awareness; end stigmas associated with depression and help those affected by it. According to the Depression Alliance charity, one in five people will have depression at some time in their life and 2.9million people in the UK are diagnosed as having depression at any one time.

In 2011 the number of men and women under 30 in the UK who killed themselves increased to a nine year high and a total of 6,045 people aged 15 and over had committed suicide. 

But what is surprising is that men were the highest group with 4,552 male suicides compared to 1,493 female suicides. The 30-44 year old group had the highest number of suicides, while suicide was the biggest single killer of men in the 15-29 year old age bracket

One key factor it seems is that men just don’t like to discuss their issues and problems as much as females do and they don’t know who to turn to when they are worried or in a crisis.

Of course there are many reasons why someone may be depressed or think about suicide but, as an organisation, Men’s Sexual Health often deals with calls and personal stories about how issues with their sexual health, sex life or sexuality have caused men to become depressed.

Many men find it uncomfortable to discuss any matters of health - with the  old masculine macho stereotype that they should not show pain, cry, or admit when they need help, it’s no wonder that these issues can build up into something serious, and why such high statistics are being reported. We so often hear from doctors and GP’s that men come to them when the problem/issue has become so big and that if only they had come sooner, treatment would have been more effective.  Men need to learn that it’s ok to ask for help and that it’s alright to discuss their feelings.

For many men issues around erectile dysfunction can lead to great personal stress in their life, leading to depression, feeling that they have failed as a man and putting possible tension in their relationships. What’s more, although erectile dysfunction can often be a physiological issue, very frequently it is also a psychological issue; so if the man is already stressed or depressed in other areas of his life, this could affect his ability to get or maintain an erection, thus leading to further depression and stress.

For some men issues around sexuality can produce great levels of depression, with concerns about people finding out, coming out, prejudice in society and homophobia. For young people, where growing up is already a difficult time, to feel different to what is ‘perceived’ as ‘normal’ can cause many young men to spiral into depression. In a recent survey 53% of LGB (lesbian, gay & bisexual) youths, have contemplated self harm, 40% attempted at least once and 32% on more than one occasion. Even more saddening, LGB youths are 3 times more likely to attempt suicide than that of their heterosexual peers. Many will often attempt to cope with such distress with smoking, drinking and illicit drug use, with percentages of usage again much higher than their peers, for example, alcoholism affects the LGB community at a rate of 22-30% compared with 10% as the national average

Regardless of your sexuality, talking to someone you trust can be an important first step. Most people with depression are treated by their doctor, who'll listen to what you're experiencing and chat to you about treatment options. Depending on your symptoms, your doctor may suggest:

• self-help(e.g. support groups, exercise, changes in diet)
• talking treatments (e.g. CBT, counselling)
• antidepressant tablets

Everyone is different so it can sometimes take time to find the right treatments and you might need to visit your doctor on a number of occasions.

But it’s important to take that first step, and make contact! You can either call us on 01793 250951 if you are Swindon based, or if national you can call the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90. Men's Sexual Health can offer a free counselling service for clients who are Swindon based.

Posted: April 12 by Matt (updated April 12) • Add comment

When did you last have sober sex?

Drugs and alcohol are part of the lives of many people, often no serious harm is caused, but this is not always the case. It has been reported that nearly a third of Swindon residents have some form of drug or alcohol concern. It is estimated that around 2,400 people in Swindon are addicted to drugs and as many as 40,000 are suffering with alcohol issues. 

Drugs and alcohol can have dramatic effects on your sexual behaviour. They can make you more likely to have casual sex and less likely to use condoms, leaving you at risk of exposure to HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Some drugs can also have a negative impact on your relationships or your sexual performance. And often combining sex with drugs & alcohol more often than not results in a bad experience, for one if not both partners.

There can be many reasons why someone will use drugs and most would say they are usually used by those wanting to mask deeper problems in their life, but there are also those who would say it’s not used to lift them from their troubles, but to enhance an experience, a moment, or an activity; where it is recreational use at parties, clubs or sex sessions. But of course these too could possibly lead to a dependency that exceeds recreational use. 

Many people take drugs because they want to feel more confident or more relaxed. To enable them to do things they wouldn't usually try. However, if you are high or drunk, you are less in control of your body and might find yourself in situations that you can’t control, and taking risks you usually wouldn’t if you were sober. 

For these reasons you are more likely to have unprotected sex as your inhibitions will be lowered, or have unintentional sex and the idea of using a condom could simply be forgotten or not considered. That puts both people at a greater risk of catching or passing on a sexually transmitted infection (STI) and/or, if having sex with a woman, resulting in an unwanted pregnancy. Also, even if you do remember to use a condom, there is greater risk of putting it on wrong, contaminating the condom or breaking or tearing it. You could find yourself regretting having had sex with that person the following day or not even remembering that you had sex, or worse having sex that you did not consent to. In around 35-45% of reported sexual assaults alcohol is recorded to have been involved. 

Some people use drugs intentionally for sex, which in some cultures is known as ‘chem sex’, with the idea that the drugs they are using will enhance sexual arousal and prolong sex. For many, substance use has become an integral part of their strategic approach to sex, locking them into continued use. This has become very evident in the gay community, with drugs such a Crystal Meth becoming very popular in recent years due to the effect of an increase in sexual desire and feeling horny, with a dependency and addiction so high that some feel frightened or reluctant to even try sex without Crystal Meth again. 

The GMFA (Gay Men’s Health Charity) have produced an excellent booklet regarding gay men and drugs. 

“This booklet can help you to take stock of your drug use. It gives tips on cutting down or stopping. It has advice on how to use drugs more safely and how to help ensure you have safer sex even when you’re wasted. It tells you which combinations of drugs and/or alcohol can be dangerous and which drugs to avoid if you’re on certain HIV treatments.” And can be downloaded via the following link 

And London based service Antidote who are the UK's only LGB&T run and targeted drug and alcohol support service, provides another great resource online about playing more safe when it comes to sex & drugs.

Drugs like cocaine, heroin and sedatives numb the nerve cells in our sex organs, meaning that it can be difficult to reach orgasm.  This is why some use it to prolong sex, but it can also lead to men finding it difficult to maintain or keep an erection, leading to perhaps clumsier and unsatisfying sex, and in women it prevents them from producing natural lubrication for safe, pain free sex.  

Alcohol and drugs can also decrease fertility, in men it can lower their sperm count, women can find it more difficult to get pregnant and some women who drink heavily can find their periods stop all together.

And for those in relationships, if one or both of you regularly drinks too much or gets high, the stress that this will put on your relationship will start to tell in the bedroom as well as elsewhere. Alcohol and drug use might cause you to argue more or cause violence in your relationship with alcohol and drugs often a factor in domestic violence cases. 

For some drug users, who may have exhausted financial ways of paying for their habit, some may turn to selling their body for sex as a way get what they need, or even getting pimped out by their dealer to feed their habit. Not all sex workers are unsafe in the sex that they sell, but it is widely known that a higher rate can be paid to have unsafe sex or bareback sex, putting but the client and worker at extremely high risk. 

One of the biggest concerns with some drugs is the risk of catching or passing on HIV, this is not just through the risk of having unsafe sex when high on drugs, but the practise of sharing needles. IV drug use with shared needles is one of the routes of transmission for HIV and Hepatitis B & C. Also if you are already HIV positive, using drugs and alcohol can have a greater effect on your body, to read more about this issue please click on this link to a separate page on our website. 

Going back to Swindon specifically: there are presently 642 people registered in effective treatment for drug addiction. In terms of the level of substance abusers comparative to other areas of the country, Swindon is not above or below the norm.  However, information in relation to the use of Legal Highs would appear to indicate that Swindon has a disproportionate level of usage compared to the rest of the country. 

It currently has the highest reported incidences of the sale and use of Legal Highs in the Southwest – statistics show a dramatic increase since August 2011 and The Great Western Hospital notes that the drug user profile is often ‘young males’ and many of the users were reporting they were ‘clean’ of Class A drugs because they had switched to Legal Highs. High use of Methoxetamine was reported, it is effectively a replicated Ketamine substance, the symptoms that were being experienced matched those of Ketamine, although they were much more intense and longer lasting – severe hallucinations, extreme sleep deprivation, feelings of intense paranoia. Legal highs are substances that mimic class A/B substances, but it should be made clear that ‘legal’ doesn’t mean safe and ‘Legal’ doesn’t mean Legal as more recent evidence indicates the substances have been mixed with illicit ones. Also, what may be being purchased may not even contain what you think, it may not be clean or pure - your interests may be to get high but the dealer’s is to get rich!  With these issues in mind, Men’s Sexual Health have embarked upon this campaign to raise the awareness of alcohol issues, illegal drugs and legal drugs with support from SWADS (Swindon & Wiltshire Drug and Alcohol Service), SCSP (Swindon Community Safety Partnership) and the Hep C positive group. We hope people will see our poster, read our article, engage with us at public events and take those first steps in discussing their addictions.

The questions below will help you to think about whether it would be useful to talk to someone about your drug or alcohol use. If you answer 'yes' to more than three or four questions then it may be worth you getting more information and contacting us for support on what to do next:

* Do you drink or use drugs to get away from problems in your life, or to block out feelings or memories?

* Does taking drugs/alcohol actually change your mood?

* Are you using drugs/alcohol more often than you used to?

* Do you need to take more drugs/alcohol to get the same effects as you used to?

* Has using drugs/alcohol caused problems in your family or at school or work?

* Do other people tell you that you have got a drug/alcohol problem or that you are out of control?

* When you are using drugs/alcohol do you ever end up using more than you initially planned to?

* Do you feel that you can't stop taking drugs/alcohol once you have started?

* Do you feel emotions such as shame, guilt or hopelessness after you have used drugs/alcohol?

* Have you ever used drugs/alcohol to make these feelings go away?

* Have you tried to stop using drugs/alcohol for any length of time?

* Have you ever considered hurting yourself because of your drug/alcohol use?

* Do you continue to use drugs/alcohol even when the consequences of previous use are unresolved; e.g. getting more drugs even when you still owe money for the last lot?

If this is you – please get in touch with our service, SWADS, SCSP or HEP C Group

Posted: March 5 by Matt (updated March 6) • Add comment