TresSugar

You Asked: Did My Boyfriend Cheat?

DearSugar — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 13:17:05 PDT

Dear Sugar,

I went to the doctor today to find out why I was experiencing a painful breakout on my nether regions, and it turns out I have herpes. I have been with only one man for the last two years, and he is the only man I have ever had intercourse with.

I had a serious talk with him today, and he told me that before we started dating, he got tested for every STI, and they all came back negative. I'm so confused because from what I have read online, the initial outbreak usually happens within two to four weeks of contraction, but we have been together for more than two years! Did he cheat? Has this infection laid dormant in him for years? I am scared and confused. Any advice would be a great comfort to me right now. - Taken Aback Abbie

To see DearSugar's answer,

read more. Dear Taken Aback Abbie, You are right, the first outbreak of genital herpes usually happens within two weeks after it's contracted, so I'm a little wary of your boyfriend's honesty. It is possible for someone not to know he has the infection - sores can often be present in places where they can't easily be seen - but if he was tested two years ago and got a negative result, it's pretty obvious that he's contracted this STI since then; in other words, he most likely did cheat on you. Unfortunately, what's done is done, and I'm terribly sorry that you've been put in this situation, but now you have to decide how to proceed. Obviously you need to have another serious talk with your boyfriend, but I also suggest you get tested for other STIs and talk to you doctor about medication and treatment options for the herpes you do have. I know that you're scared right now, and I wouldn't be surprised if you start to experience feelings of betrayal and sadness too, so turn to your loved ones for support. Good luck to you. Source

Funny or Not Funny: Herpex

DearSugar — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 11:00:00 PDT

This morning I found a funny faux commercial posted on Tango mocking the herpes commercial genre. The funny guys at Britanick.com are the brains behind this add promoting a made-up drug called Herpex. Since there is no cure, Herpex is "specifically created to deal with genital herpes" and even though it doesn't prevent outbreaks, it does allow you to teleport which can come in handy during those uncomfortable moments! Of course this STI isn't a laughing matter, but I have to say that I thought this parody sure was. What do you think? Does this faux commercial take it too far or are you able to see the humor in it?

Dear Quiz: The Big Apple Has Some Big Problems!

DearSugar — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 12:00:00 PDT

I've given you a lot of information about genital herpes and even though people seem to be aware of how easy this STI is to contract, herpes is still effecting sexually active men and women every day. According to a new study released yesterday, the number of infected New Yorkers is up. What do you think the new statistic is? How many people have genital herpes in NYC?

Source

Take the Quiz

STIs Explained: Genital Herpes

FitSugar — Thu, 03 May 2007 17:15:00 PDT

They say love is free, but having unprotected sex in this day and you might be paying the price forever. Did I get your attention? Well I am talking about some serious business since as I learned in high school - Genital Herpes is FOREVER. There is NO cure, so it's really important to take all precautions to prevent getting it.

STIs like Genital Herpes, Chlamydia and Gonorrhea are 100% avoidable, and having no sexual contact would be ideal. Since that might not work, before becoming sexually active with anyone - make sure you and your partner get tested for all STIs before having unprotected sex.

Using latex or polyurethane condoms when having sex is also a great idea, but since a condom can't cover all the infected areas, it's no guarantee that you are 100% protected. Being in a mutually monogamous relationship with someone you know is uninfected is also a great way to keep yourself safe.

Want to hear all about Genital Herpes? Then

STI	Symptoms	How do you test for it?	Treatment
Genital Herpes	Small, painful blisters - these can go away after 1-3 weeks but another outbreak can occur weeks or months after Itching or burning before blisters appear	Blood test, or fluid is taken from the blisters and tested	There is NO cure, but antiviral medications can shorten or prevent outbreaks. Although it's rare for a pregnant woman to pass Genital Herpes onto her baby during delivery, a C-Section is usually performed.

Source

STIs Explained: Chlamydia

FitSugar — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 13:30:00 PDT

Since Spring has arrived and romance is in the air, I thought I'd take the time to talk about Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). Not your favorite topic, I know, but definitely worth knowing about.

STI stands for "sexually transmitted infection." The reason this term is used instead of STD (sexually transmitted disease) is because the word "infection" is more accurate since many are actually curable (except for Genital Herpes and Genital Warts). Also, the word "infection" carries less of a negative social stigma than the word "disease."

STIs like chlamydia are 100% preventable, so you can either abstain from sex altogether (not realistic), or have you and your partner get tested before you have sex. Chlamydia can be passed through regular sex, and anal and oral sex, so being in a mutually monogamous relationship with someone you know who is uninfected is also a great way to keep yourself safe. When latex or polyurethane condoms are used consistently and correctly, that can also reduce the risk of transmitting chlamydia.

Make sure you see your gynecologist annually to get tested because if chlamydia goes untreated, irreversible damage can occur to a woman's reproductive organs, causing infertility.

Want to know about chlamydia? Then

STI	Symptoms	How do you test for it?	Treatment
Chlamydia (The #1 STI in the U.S.)	Frequently asymptomatic (no symptoms) Vaginal or penile discharge Burning during urination Women may experience lower abdominal pain, pain during intercourse, and irregular bleeding between periods Men may experience pain or swelling in the testicles	Samples of the infected fluid must be taken. Urine tests are now available too (which is good news for guys) but because they're more expensive, they're not yet available at all health clinics.	Since Chlamydia is a bacterial infection, antibiotics taken orally can cure most infections, but another round of antibiotics might need to be taken to get rid of it completely.

Source

Speed Read - Arcade Fire Wins Album of the Year at the Grammys

TresSugar — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 09:30:01 PST

Here's the full Grammy winner list! - BuzzSugar
Take a look at the red carpet - PopSugar
Prince Harry to be best man, plus more royal wedding party details - The Prince of Wales
Hillary Clinton shows off her softer side in Harper's Bazaar - Harper's Bazaar
Thai couple breaks the record for longest kiss - Telegraph
Dating site matches singles with genital herpes - Nerve
Send a gorgeous digital flower to your valentine - GeekSugar
What will happen to Egypt's women after Mubarak? - Double X

DrSugar: Testing For STDs?

DrSugar — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 09:00:48 PDT

DrSugar is in the house! And she's answering your health-related questions.

DrSugar,
I have no specific reason to believe that I have an STD, nor do I have any symptoms. I've been in a monogamous relationship for almost four years. I've been to the gynecologist for exams (including pap) on an annual basis since I was 18 (eight years), and have had my blood tested by my general practitioner as part of routine physical exams twice in the past few years, with nothing to report. I'm wondering whether or not STDs would show on a blood test or during a gynecological exam or if it's possible that I could have one and not know. Thanks.
- Concerned About Testing

I think this is a fantastic issue to discuss as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) continue to be a cause for concern in sexually active individuals, whether in monogamous relationships or not. First, I'd like to applaud you for seeing your gynecologist and primary care physician on a yearly basis to get pelvic exams/pap smears and routine blood tests. I cannot stress enough the importance of having at least a primary care physician and seeing him or her on a routine basis for yearly physicals and screening.

To learn more about screenings for STDs, keep on reading.