Providers: Let’s Talk About Men’s Sexual Health in the Exam Room

June marks Men’s Health Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about the health challenges men face and encouraging more open conversations with healthcare providers. Sexual health is an essential part of overall well-being, yet conditions like Peyronie’s disease (PD), erectile dysfunction (ED), and testosterone deficiency (TD) often go underdiagnosed or are surrounded by stigma.

Healthcare providers play a crucial role in fostering open conversations, making sure that men receive the care and support they need. The questions in the three scenarios below help create space for honest discussions about men’s health. By normalizing these conversations, providers empower patients to seek care, feel heard, and take charge of their well-being.

When a male patient fills out an intake form or completes a wellness check, the questions asked help guide the visit. A few simple prompts related to sexual health can help create a supportive environment where men feel comfortable sharing concerns that might otherwise go unmentioned.

Consider asking:

• • Are you sexually active?
  • Are you experiencing any discomfort or physical challenges during sex?
  • Have you noticed changes in your erections?

Sexual health is linked to emotional and psychological well-being. For example, men with PD may experience distress or depression;¹ those with ED may struggle with performance anxiety,² and men facing TD can be affected by depression and have difficulty concentrating.³ Integrating a mental health screening can provide essential context and help address the root causes of a patient’s emotional symptoms.

These questions may look like:

• • Have you experienced any noticeable mood changes or shifts in emotional well-being lately?
  • Are you having trouble with sleep, such as difficulty falling asleep or feeling rested?
  • How would you describe your current stress levels, and are they impacting your daily life or health?

Even within women’s health settings, there are meaningful ways to support men’s health through inclusive, partner-centered care. One Endo-sponsored survey of women's healthcare providers found that 36% of those who report a primary specialty of obstetrics/gynecology currently ask about their patients’ partners’ sexual health.* While this isn’t surprising, it highlights an opportunity to support patients and their partners more holistically.

Gynecologists might ask:

• • Are you or your partner experiencing any discomfort during sex?
  • Has your partner mentioned any changes in sexual function?
  • Have you or your partner had any concerns about intimacy or sexual health that you haven’t discussed with a provider?

PD, ED, and TD are also connected to other chronic conditions, including high blood pressure and diabetes.^2,4,5 This means providers across many specialties, from primary care to endocrinology, can help identify early signs and initiate appropriate care pathways.

Many providers already take a whole-person approach to care, rather than just focusing on the presenting symptom. Incorporating sexual health questions like the ones mentioned above is a natural extension of this commitment to treating the full patient.

Sexual health can be a sensitive subject, but routine inquiry helps reduce stigma. When providers consistently ask open questions with care and professionalism, patients begin to see these conversations as normal and necessary.

By creating space for these discussions, providers empower men to take ownership of their sexual health and overall wellness. A few thoughtful questions can go a long way in building trust, uncovering unmet needs, and improving patient well-being.

^* Based on a 2024 survey conducted by Irwin Goldstein, MD; Sue W. Goldstein, CSE, CCRC, IF; Rose Hartzell, PhD, EdS; Tami Rowen, MD; Sameena Rahman, MD; Becky Lynn, MD; Alyse Kelly-Jones, MD; David Hurley, MD; Gregory Kaufman, MD; Lisa Bathish, BA, PMP; Nicole Tay, BS; and Sheryl Kingsberg, PhD (unpublished data).