Planned Parenthood Helps Men Too

In the current political climate of the United States there has been so much news and talk about Planned Parenthood; rightfully so. Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc. is an outstanding organization that has been providing essential healthcare and education for 100 years, and it would be a disservice to the public if it were ever to disappear. However – dare I say? – the way many people, even people who support the organization and the way Planned Parenthood tends to promote its services could be improved.

Popular thought seems to be that what Planned Parenthood offers only helps and relates to women. But this does not represent reality. Men are not as often mentioned in articles, videos, and conversations about Planned Parenthood (unless if people are talking about how many republican men disagree with abortion), but men are a part of the organization’s mission and the healthcare they provide. Men are able to receive a wide range of services at Planned Parenthood’s health centers, but besides the men who have been there, how many men and women know about this? The organization was first established with women in mind and so that is how a lot people still think of it, but 100 years later things have grown and developed and need to continue to do so for the benefit of everyone’s health and well-being.

It is time that all who know of the organization become aware of its services for men and realize the full potential that this has.
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The healthcare offered varies among the different health centers but include: STD/STI testing and treatment, colon, prostate, and testicular cancer screening, sexual health and reproductive education, access to condoms, male infertility screening, getting Pregnancy Options Counseling with a partner, and more! 
All of this information can be found on their website (https://www.plannedparenthood.org/get-care/our-services/mens-health-services), yet it does not seem to be as widely known as the services for women. It is not exactly clear why Planned Parenthood does not make it more obvious that they have male patients and welcome more of them, but it only makes sense to increase promotion of men’s health along with women’s health because sexuality, sexual health, and reproduction effect (almost) everyone! It is a part of our lives, a part of our human anatomy.
It would be amazing if Planned Parenthood were to develop a men’s health advertising campaign (Mentionables.org offers to help!). Doing so would help increase the amount of male patients, creating better health for men and the people they have sex and relationships with (Did you know that men still tend to take care of their heath less than women do? Let’s change this!). It could also increase positive opinion about Planned Parenthood by creating more understanding and acceptance of the organization as a place that provides so much more than abortions, making government de-funding less likely of a possibility.
So, let’s get this started! There is already a huge effort towards Planned Parenthood, but it can be expanded and become stronger by adding men’s health to the conversation. Let’s gather together, learn, and let our voices be heard so we and others become more aware that sexual health and reproduction are also men’s health issues. Even just educating others when the topic comes up by pointing out that men need the same access to healthcare and education that women do, and that there are men who go to Planned Parenthood for these reasons, can start to make a difference in the minds and health of us all.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.
Mentionables.org is focused on helping people, so if you agree with this article please share it with others who may find it helpful too. We can spread the word that what Planned Parenthood provides is important for everyone!
Take care, xoxo,- Mentionables / Brianna Halek

More of Planned Parenthood's services :
https://www.plannedparenthood.org/get-care/our-services/general-health-care
https://www.plannedparenthood.org/get-care/our-services/patient-education
https://www.plannedparenthood.org/get-care/our-services/std-testing-treatment-vaccines

*In addition: I would like to pose a question to get people to think even more: Do a lot of people not know of all the services Planned Parenthood provides because the organization does not talk about and advertise as much for men’s health, OR is it because the long-standing abortion issue blinds people from realizing that they provide so much more?
What do you think? Feel free to comment below.

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