15 Jun 2009
To coincide with Men’s Health Week, we’ve launched our latest online symptom checker and it’s all about male sexual health.
The checker covers everything from penis problems, injuries to the groin, sexual dysfunction and common sexual health conditions which can affect men.
And because the checker is online, you can get expert health advice and information without any need for embarrassment.
Of course, if your condition is serious, we’ll tell you where you should seek further advice or treatment from.
Try our men’s sexual health symptom checker
The new symptom checker is suitable for males over the age of 12 years of age. And you’ll get personalised advice and information about conditions affecting the penis, testicles and genital area.
We’ll give information about pain, swelling, injury and infections. And sensitive topics, which can be difficult to talk about, are also covered such as sexual assault or abuse and sexual dysfunction.
The symptom checker works by asking you a series of questions. Depending on your answers, it may suggest a number of options including:
In some cases, a further assessment may be suggested, with a call back from an NHS Direct nurse advisor.
If you would prefer you can choose to remain anonymous for the call back.
In many cases, the symptoms you show can be successfully treated at home. We will provide clear instructions about how to care for yourself and what you should do if your symptoms get worse or change.
NHS Direct is a partner in National Men’s Health Week which begins on 15 June. Men’s Health Week is focused on improving men’s access to health services.
The men’s sexual health symptom checker is key to improving men’s awareness of sexual health issues. And allows NHS Direct to reach men who may feel uncomfortable using the telephone or talking about sensitive issues face-to-face.
Helen Young, NHS Direct Clinical Director and Chief Nurse, says:
“NHS Direct is delighted to be partnering Men’s Health Week, helping to raise the level of awareness amongst men about the range of health services available.
“NHS Direct is for everyone and it’s important that our services are easily accessible and appealing to a male audience too.”
NHS Direct deals with fewer enquiries from men than women – 40% of callers to NHS Direct are male. Around 20% of the calls specifically about sexual health are from men. Last month, 30% of online enquires on all subjects were initiated by men.
The most common enquiries received from male callers are dental, abdominal pain and rashes. Common subjects relating to sexual health include rectal bleeding, urinary retention and penile pain or swelling.
Helen Young adds: “Sexual health is unfortunately often a low priority for men and the subject can be viewed as embarrassing and uncomfortable to talk about. The new symptom checker encourages men to take the reins when it comes to their concerns and seek confidential advice.
“It’s vitally important that anyone with a concern about their sexual health seeks advice at the earliest opportunity.
“Often problems can be dealt with easily if picked up early but the longer something is left the more chance there is of further complications.”
The new symptom checker has been developed to reflect the same protocols used by NHS Direct’s telephone advisors.
