Family Planning Council: Mens Health: Visiting a Clinic

This is What Happens When a Male, Whether He is 13, 25, 31 or 44 Years Old, Goes to a Family Planning Clinic:

Remember, if a word(s) is highlighted in red, you can click on it and it will take you to the definition of that word.

Going to a family planning clinic can be scary. The staff will explain everything that will happen-and knowing what to expect can help you be less nervous. If it's important for you to see a male clinician, tell the person you make your appointment with. If it's important for you to see a female clinician, tell the person you make your appointment with.

Remember that the clinic staff is there to help you. Talk to them! Ask them questions!

When you arrive at the clinic

First you check in at the clinic front desk (if you have called to make an appointment, these may be the same people that you spoke to on the phone). You'll be asked your name. You may be asked if you have an appointment. You will go to the clinic waiting room after checking in.

You can always walk in for information or to make an appointment. At some sites you can get a check-up and services without an appointment. You may be asked if you have medical insurance.

You don't need insurance to be seen at a Title X funded family planning clinic.

Click here for a list of family planning providers in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania & surrounding areas.

If you have insurance it may pay for your visit.
Bring your insurance card (Private coverage, Medical Access, and/or Medicaid card) to the clinic with you.

The Visit

Every clinic has a different system to see patients.At some clinics you will see a counselor first, Other sites you see a lab tech, & at other sites you see a clinician first. Each way is fine.

Who will you meet? What will happen? One of the staff you will meet is the counselor. The counselor will ask you why you came to the clinic today. You or the counselor will complete any medical forms need for your visit. Everything you tell the clinic staff is confidential and private. This means that whatever you tell the clinic staff will not be shared with anyone outside of the clinic. If you are a new patient you will be asked about your medical history and personal information.

Medical history the clinic will ask about:

Family medical history (mom, dad, sister, brother)
Your health. Have you been sick? Have you been told you have a serious illness?
Personal information the clinic will ask for your birthdateand a phone number (or address) where the staff can reach you

It is important for the clinic to have a way to contact you. Remember, the staff is very careful when they contact you.

They are very serious about confidentiality!
When they call they will only talk to you unless you say it's okay for them to talk to someone else (like your mom, dad, sister, roommate, partner). If you ask them to, when they write to you they will use a plain envelope. The number you give can be your home, a relative's or friend's.

It is important to tell the counselor if you have any problems or concerns. Maybe you have questions about:

pain during sex,
discharge from your penis
body changes, "what's normal for my age."

Make sure you tell the counselor.

The counselor will talk to you about lots of things during your visit.

You may talk about birth control methods & condoms. They will ask

if you need condoms,
if you or your partner are currently using birth control,
if you would like to talk about getting condoms at today's visit

Other things you may talk about:

General health concerns
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Emergency Contraception for a female partner
HIV
Date Rape
Abstinence
Violence Issues

The next person you may see is a Lab Technician. The Lab Tech will:

check your vital signs: blood pressure and weight,
take a blood sample to check for syphilis and your iron level for anemia,
test your urine for diabetes (for more information about diabetes, click here.)

The Exam

What will happen? Who does the exam? You may be placed in an examination room by one of the clinic staff. You may be asked to undress right away or the doctor may do some of the exam first and then have you undress.( Some clinics may ask you to take everything off and give you a gown to put on. Other clinics may ask you to take everything off from the waist down & they will give you a paper drape or sheet.) You will then sit on the exam table and wait. A trained medical professional, known as a clinician, will examine you. A clinician can be a :

The clinician will review your medical history and ask you more questions. It is important to answer the questions truthfully.

Remember everything you tell the staff is confidential and private. Remember the clinic staff cares about you and your health.

The questions they ask may seem personal, but they help the staff take care of you.
It's okay for you to ask the clinician questions! As the clinician does your exam, they will explain what is happening throughout the exam.

A Basic Exam

Step 1: The clinician may check your eyes, nose & throat to make sure everything is clear & looks healthy.

Step 2: The clinician may listen to your chest & back with a stethoscope. A stethoscope is an instrument used to listen to your heart and lungs. The clinician is listening to hear if your heart is beating like it should and your lungs sound clear

Step 3: If you have not undressed before, you will be asked to now. First the clinician will look at your penis and testicles. Why?

To make sure your penis & testicles looks healthy,
To check for any lumps, bumps or sores in the area.
To check if you have a hernia around your groin area. For more information on
what a hernia is, click here.

Next the clinician will take one or two tests.
Tests for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) like Gonorrhea and Chlamydia are done by inserting a thin swab into the urethra.
Both tests are often done with a single swab. Some clinics also can test for Gonorrhea and Chlamydia using a urine sample, which is given, at the clinic. If you want to have a test for Gonorrhea and Chlamydia you should try not to urinate (pee) for 2 hours before you get to the clinic. The test will be more accurate.

Remember to tell your clinician if the exam hurts!

You made it through the exam! What next?

You'll get dressed,
You'll talk to the clinician about the exam
You'll ask about any concerns you may have. If you have an infection, you will get medicine to treat it.
You should be offered condoms to prevent STDs. If condoms aren't offered, ask for them! The clinician will tell you when you need to come back to the clinic.

Remember that most people are nervous about getting an exam.

You can make the appointment on your way out
or call the clinic later.
Ask questions.
Listen to the answers.
Let the clinic staff help you through the visit.

Your health is important!

STD Testing & Treatment
HIV Testing
Referral
Sexual Performance
Visiting a Clinic