Far too many of my guy friends have unprotected sex and don't ever think about going to a doctor or health clinic to get checked for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or learn about contraception.

I'm a teenage male, and before I become sexually active, I want to learn about guys' reproductive health and the importance of going to a doctor or clinic for a checkup.

Why? Approximately 10 million new cases of STDs occur among young people aged 15-24 each year in the United States, and I'm scared that I'll receive a "gift" that never stops giving: an incurable STD, like HIV or herpes.

But guys shouldn't just be concerned about STDs. Six in ten pregnancies involving teen fathers end in a birth; four in ten end in abortion. In fact, 13 percent of abortions each year involve teenage guys, according to the Alan Guttmacher Institute, in New York City.

Knowledge is the key to preventing STDs and unintended pregnancy. And obviously many young guys need more knowledge about STDs and the importance of using protection during oral, vaginal, or anal sex. To take care of their sexual health, guys should find a doctor or health care provider who's comfortable treating young people.

To find out what guys can expect in an exam, I interviewed David L. Bell, M.D., M.P.H., medical director of the Young Men's Clinic, a project of Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health and New York Presbyterian Hospital, in New York City.

SEX, ETC.: What can a guy expect during a reproductive health exam?

Dr. Bell: It depends on why he's coming for an exam. But usually I will ask about his past medical and sexual history. The guy and I usually talk, in general, about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and I answer any specific questions he may have. If needed, he'll be tested for STDs.

During a reproductive health exam, a guy will be checked for hernias and testicular lumps (including testicular cancer). The skin in his groin area, including his penis, will be checked for rashes, including genital warts. His penis will also be checked for discharge-liquid coming from the penis that's not normal.

SEX, ETC.: How often should a guy go to a doctor or health clinic for a sexual health checkup?

Dr. Bell: That depends on a number of things, including whether or not there's a specific health problem, or if he just wants to make sure about STDs. How often a guy should test for STDs depends on his sexual history. But most guys need general physical exams every year for sports, school, or work.

SEX, ETC.: Why is it important for guys to get checked out?

Dr. Bell: Because some STDs-like gonorrhea, chlamydia, and HIV-can be silent infections. This means that a guy may not have any signs or symptoms, but still have the infection and can pass it on to others.

SEX, ETC.: What types of questions should guys ask during a sexual health checkup?

Dr. Bell: Many times guys have their own personal question(s) that they either ask at the first visit or after they feel comfortable with the clinician.

During at least one visit they should ask about:

· the most common STDs and what symptoms they should worry about.

· side-effects of birth control methods that their female partner may be thinking about or already taking. (With the right information, guys can be influential factors in whether their partner should continue on or start a certain birth control method.)

· emergency contraception, which can prevent pregnancy if taken within 72 hours after unprotected intercourse. This is most important, because if a condom breaks, sometimes an informed male can be the best influence to prevent an unintended pregnancy.

· any products that they're intending to use for bodybuilding. Sometimes these products may affect their reproductive health.

· any products that they're thinking of taking to enhance their sex life in any way. This is especially important, because the ingredients in these products are sometimes misleading.

· any concerns about premature ejaculation, delayed ejaculation, or erectile dysfunction. It's important to discuss these concerns with a clinician.

SEX, ETC.: What do guys need to know about contraception that their female partners may use?

Dr. Bell: Young men should know about female contraceptive methods, especially emergency contraception. Why? So they can be a supportive partner in helping to prevent unintended pregnancy. What should they know? The guys I speak with usually want to know how the method will affect their partners. For example, side effects of the method; its effect on their partners' future ability to have children; what happens if she misses X number of pills and they have sex.

SEX, ETC.: Why do some guys detest going for a reproductive health exam?

Dr. Bell: From focus groups about this question, some guys say that (1) they're afraid that they may get an erection, or (2) they're afraid that they may get bad news.

But, in my experience, guys don't mind any part of the exam, except the exam of the penis. They detest it because it's awkward and "uncomfortable" to have someone closely examining your penis, especially if it's the first time you've met the doctor or nurse practitioner. But once you're comfortable with the doctor, then it's usually a little bit better.

SEX, ETC.: Should a teen guy do a self-examination of his testicles? If so, how?

Dr. Bell: A teen guy can perform a testicular self-exam. The jury is still out on whether self-exams prevent deaths attributable to testicular cancer.

Sometimes guys-not in my clinic, but in other clinical settings-refuse a genital exam, reporting that everything is normal and they've checked themselves. But whether a guy does the self-exam or not, it's important for him to consent to the exam with his doctor.

Now, here's the simplest and shortest answer to how to do a testicular self-exam: take your first two fingers and your thumb and roll each testicle through them, looking for any bumps that were not there before.

SEX, ETC.: What type or brand of condom do you recommend to sexually active guys?

Dr. Bell: I tell guys that the condom brand is a personal choice. There are many on the market, and guys should keep trying different brands until they find one they like the most for comfort and pleasure. The most important point is to make sure that the condom is made of latex or polyurethane.

SEX, ETC.: Any final words of wisdom for teen guys about their reproductive health?

Dr. Bell: First, these general ones: Only start having sex when you're ready and-if you're ready-have safer sex.

And two other messages:

1. Know that sometimes guys, almost as regularly as girls, are pressured to be sexually active or have sex. Although it may be tough to withstand the pressure, it's better not to give in to outside pressures to have sex.

2. Communication, in general, is important. I see many guys in the clinic who, for the most part, don't have anyone they can talk to about things that are bothering them. My message is: find someone to trust. Sometimes it's best to get advice from an adult who's distant from the problem at hand. But, at a minimum, that person can be someone who just listens, which lets a guy organize his thoughts to figure out the best next step for him.

Editors' Note: To find a private doctor, ask a parent/guardian or trusted adult to recommend one. Some family planning clinics offer services to guys. To find one, look in the yellow pages under "clinics" or "family planning," and call to ask if they see male patients.

Some Planned Parenthood Health Centers treat guys, too. To find one near you, call 1-800-230-PLAN (7526) or click here.

Edmund T. Eddings, 17, of East Orange, NJ, is an editor for SEX, ETC., the national newsletter and Web site written by teens, for teens, on sexual health issues, published by the Network for Family Life Education at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.

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