A growing body of research and advocacy is bringing overdue attention to men’s sexual health, highlighting the urgent need to address stigma, accessibility, and education not just in Western societies but across Thailand and the broader Asia-Pacific region. An article published in The Michigan Daily argues that framing reproductive and sexual health primarily as a “women’s issue” has left men out of vital conversations around safety, education, and disease prevention—contributing to a quiet crisis with repercussions for personal and public health alike (Michigan Daily).
For Thai readers, this topic carries fresh relevance. Thailand, long recognized for its pioneering role in HIV prevention and sexual health programming, is nonetheless seeing worrying trends, including rising rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among young men and increasing demand for male-focused sexual wellness services (WellMed Bangkok; He Clinics).
Globally, sexual health organizations and researchers redefine sexual health beyond the absence of disease, emphasizing “a state of physical, emotional, mental and social well-being in relation to sexuality” (WHO definition). This nuanced perspective insists that both men and women have the right to pleasurable, safe, and responsible sexual lives, protected from stigma and discrimination. Yet, as the Michigan Daily’s analysis of Michigan’s public health data shows, systemic gaps persist: in Detroit, a city recently recorded as ranking #1 in the U.S. for STI rates, men—particularly from racial minorities—face endemic barriers to testing and treatment. For instance, Black men in Michigan are 18 times more likely to be diagnosed with gonorrhea than their white counterparts, underscoring the intersection of race, gender, and healthcare access.
Similar structural and cultural issues are mirrored in Thai society. Research from the Ministry of Public Health and Mahidol University shows that, while Thailand has invested heavily in sexual health campaigns, male involvement—especially in contraception and STI prevention—remains patchy. According to Thailand’s Reproductive Health Profile, men are often under-targeted in campaigns and less informed about family planning (MOH RH Profile - PDF; Mahidol Gender Report - PDF).
Men, especially younger ones, are at growing risk. STI cases, particularly among men who have sex with men (MSM), have spiked in Bangkok and other urban centers in the past two years—a trend exacerbated by poor health literacy, limited access to confidential testing, and entrenched taboos around male sexuality (WellMed Bangkok). The stigma woven into sexual health discussions—where being tested is equated with being “dirty” or “promiscuous”—persists both in U.S. cities like Detroit and in Thai urban and rural settings. This culture of silence leads to low rates of regular testing among men, missed opportunities for early treatment, and a damaging atmosphere of shame.
Expert commentaries amplify the call for change. Madison Baltimore, a sexual health researcher, writes, “Breaking the stigma requires a cultural reset… Shifting how we talk about men’s roles in sexual health is crucial. Physicians can help by normalizing conversations, but they can only do so much if men aren’t willing to engage. Schools and community groups can do a better job including boys and young men in sexual health education” (Michigan Daily).
Peer-reviewed studies from PubMed further validate the impact of education and community-based action. A recent study from China on gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) found that after COVID-19 control measures eased, there was a spike in risky sexual behaviors, but ongoing education and accessible prevention services (such as HIV self-testing) made a difference in limiting new infections (PubMed: Self-reported changes among GBMSM). Another study out of the U.S. demonstrated community-based dissemination of HIV self-testing kits as a promising way to reach at-risk men, reinforcing the value of privacy and reduced stigma in encouraging regular testing (PubMed: Push-Pull model HIV self-testing).
Thai society’s approach to sexual health has historically blended tradition and innovation. Buddhist values often frame sexual behavior, influencing perceptions of responsibility, masculinity, and “sanuk”—the Thai concept of pleasure and fun. Yet, modern Thai culture is increasingly urban, connected, and open to discussion, creating a unique environment for creative public health interventions. For example, Thailand’s famous “100% Condom Use” campaign was globally lauded for bringing both men and women into the fold (MOH RH Profile - PDF).
But challenges remain, including access and affordability. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, even in the U.S., uninsured or underinsured men are far less likely to seek testing, for fear of cost or exposure. Thailand’s universal health coverage, while a global model, still leaves gaps in sexual health services for men, particularly in remote provinces or among marginalized groups like migrant workers and MSM. Loss of insurance, introduction of user fees, and lack of privacy at public clinics can deter men from seeking essential services (WellMed Bangkok; He Clinics).
Societal norms also limit open discussion among men. Research shows that Thai men often consult their female partners about sexual health but rarely confide in male friends or discuss topics like STI testing—a pattern mirrored in U.S. studies (ResearchGate: Thai men’s health and sexual attitude). Public health leaders now emphasize that normalizing conversations and reducing stigma necessitate inclusive messaging, featuring men not just as partners but as active stewards of their own sexual well-being.
Looking to the future, experts suggest a multi-pronged strategy for Thailand and similar settings:
- Expand targeted male-inclusive education at schools, workplaces, and community centers, using culturally resonant messaging and peer educators.
- Increase availability and confidentiality of STI testing, including mobile clinics, community-based self-testing, and digital scheduling platforms.
- Subsidize or eliminate out-of-pocket fees for STI testing and treatment for at-risk men, including MSM, migrant workers, and the uninsured.
- Train healthcare providers to initiate sensitive, judgment-free dialogues with male patients about sexual health.
- Mobilize influencers—actors, athletes, and musicians—to publicly share their experiences with testing and healthy sexuality, bypassing taboos.
- Collaborate with Buddhist monks and local leaders to frame sexual health in terms of compassion, shared responsibility, and non-judgment.
Notably, according to public health campaigners, highlighting positive masculinity (“ความเป็นลูกผู้ชาย” – kʰwaam bpen lûuk-pûu-chaai) can encourage men to take charge of their health as a source of personal strength, rather than shame. Openness is key: “If we can normalize discussions, young men will feel safer accessing care and information. This benefits everyone—men, their partners, and society at large,” says Dr. Channarong Chayachinda, a sexual health specialist at Mahidol University (Mahidol Gender Report - PDF).
For Thai readers—especially parents, educators, community leaders, and young men themselves—the path forward is clear. Take ownership of your sexual health: get informed, get tested, talk to trusted people, and seek out care without fear or shame. Support friends and loved ones in doing the same. And when you see outdated attitudes or stigma, speak up. By advancing a culture of responsibility, compassion, and courage around men’s sexual health, Thailand can once again set a model for the region and the world.
For further information or confidential STI/HIV services in Thailand, readers can contact the Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, or search for trusted clinics through resources like the Thai Red Cross Society or local public health offices. Remember: sexual health is everyone’s responsibility—ผู้ชายก็มีสิทธิที่จะดูแลสุขภาพทางเพศของตัวเองเช่นกัน (Men also have the right to care for their own sexual health).
Main sources for this article:
- Men have sex too: Why their sexual health matters
- Thailand Reproductive Health Profile (PDF)
- WellMed Bangkok: Rising STI Rates
- Mahidol Gender and Reproductive Health Report (PDF)
- He Clinics: Thailand’s Rise as a Male Sexual Wellness Destination (2025)
- WHO on Sexual Health
- ResearchGate: Thai men’s health and sexual attitude
- PubMed: Self-reported changes among GBMSM
- PubMed: Push-Pull model HIV self-testing