Gay, Bisexual and Other MSM | STDs | CDC

Men who have sex wh men (MSM) prise at least 4% of mal the Uned Stat. MSM may scribe themselv as gay, bisexual, or heterosexual. Bee current medil practice do not always facilate discsn of sexual behavrs, this group of men may face barriers to receivg culturally petent, prehensive health re, cludg preventive servic. Barriers clu a lack of a welg clil environment, lack of aquate health surance, and sexual mory strs. Health issu that have a disproportnate impact on MSM clu mental health and behavral problems, smokg and illic substance e, and sexually transmted fectns (STIs). Fay physicians mt be prepared to ask explic qutns about sexual activi to terme risk levels for STIs. MSM should receive the same immunizatns routely remend for other patients, as well as for hepatis A and B vis. Although anal Papanilaou ttg is available to screen for cytologic abnormali, there are no nsistent guil about s effectivens. Preexposure prophylaxis is an optn for MSM who are at very high risk of human immunoficiency vis (HIV) fectn. For MSM who are not takg preexposure prophylaxis and report a recent high-risk exposure to HIV, postexposure prophylaxis should be offered immediately, preferably wh 72 hours of exposure. Bee STIs are monly asymptomatic, screeng should be based on risk rather than symptoms. Screeng for hepatis C vis fectn is remend for HIV-posive MSM at least annually and more often for high-risk dividuals.