TresSugar

Dos and Don'ts When It Comes to STI Prevention

DearSugar — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 08:00:00 -0700

STIs are not only uncomfortable, painful, and sometimes embarrassing, but they can also lead to health complications such as infertility, cancer, or even death. With that said, here's a reminder of the ways you can protect yourself, brought to you by the MayoClinic.

Talk to your partner. It's important to feel comfortable asking your partner about his or her sexual history. If you feel nervous, you may have to question whether or not you're ready to have sex in the first place.
Get an STI screening. Some people will either lie about having an STI, or they may not even know they've contracted an infection. Either way, it's a great idea for both you and your partner to get tested before becoming sexually active - peace of mind is definitely a turn on.
Immunize. In most countries, it's mandatory to receive the vaccine for Hepatitis B, so you most likely have it already. We're also lucky enough to have Gardasil, the vaccine that guards against HPV, the STI that causes certain types of cervical cancer. If you're not in a mutually monogamous relationship, it may be a great idea to get this vaccine.

To find out how else you can protect yourself, read more.

Condoms are a must. Although using male and female condoms doesn't guarantee 100 percent protection from STIs, they definitely help dramatically. Even if you're on the pill to protect against pregnancy, you still want to use a condom if you're unsure whether your partner is STI-free.
Don't mix sex with alcohol or drugs.I don't need to tell you that using drugs or alcohol decreases your awareness and makes it more difficult for you to make responsible decisions regarding your sexual safety. It's harder to remember to use a condom, and you may not be as picky about who you end up in bed with. Not only that, but using drugs and alcohol can also make sex less pleasurable, so it's really not worth it.
Be safe in public settings. If you're at a new bar or a friend's house party, remember that you can't be too careful. It's OK to try out new social scenes, just make sure you go with a group of friends that agree to arrive and leave together. Also, don't let your drink out of your sight. Date-rape drugs are colorless and odorless, but they can impair your judgment or make you pass out. You don't want anyone taking advantage of you, so if you forget to watch your drink, throw it out and get a new one - you're better safe than sorry.

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Hump Day: I Don't Like Hormonal Birth Control, So Now What?

TresSugar — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 04:00:00 -0700

Welcome to Hump Day,TrèsSugar's sex advice column. Are you confused about sex? Do you have trouble having an orgasm? Is there something you'd like to try but you're worried it's too weird? Send your questions to TrèsSugar, and our friend Dr. Charlie Glickman from Good Vibrations will offer his sound advice!

Today's Question:

“I went to my OBGYN to ask about non-hormonal birth control. (The Pill basically ruined my sex drive.) She pushed the Pill and the Nuva Ring, and said that condoms have a 15 percent failure rate. I don’t like that she was pushing hormonal birth control. Is it possible for hormonal birth control to lower your desire, and if I don’t want to use it, what’s my best, and safest, bet?”

To hear Dr. Glickman's advice, read more

Unfortunately, yes, birth control pills can lower libido. There are at least a couple of reasons for that. First, the Pill inhibits the production of androgens by your ovaries, including testosterone. While ovaries don’t produce as much testosterone as testicles do, it’s still an important part of women’s sexual arousal. The Pill also seems to increase the production of sex-hormone binding globulin (SHBG). SHBG binds to testosterone, which further reduces the amount of it that you have available. On top of that, an article published in the 2006 Journal of Sexual Medicine found that some of these changes may last for quite a while after you stop taking the Pill. Some women report that the NuvaRing has similar effects, although others don’t have any change in their libidos and others actually have an increase in sex drive.

15 percent is a bit higher than many estimates for condom failure rates, but part of why it’s hard to pin down more precisely is that many of the reasons for condoms not working is user error. Here are some tips on reducing the odds of that happening. And since each brand of condom is a bit different, this page has lots of advice for finding the right one for you.

Even though condoms aren’t 100 percent effective at preventing pregnancy, they go a long way towards lowering your risk for sexually transmitted infections. But if your focus is on contraception rather than STI prevention, there are some other options. Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are a lot more effective and safer than is popularly believed. They are currently available with or without hormones, although it’s worth noting that the level of hormones that end up in your system is a lot lower than what you get from the Pill and the non-hormonal IUDs can cause heavier menstrual bleeding or cramps.

Unfortunately, most of the more effective forms of contraception either include some form of hormones or are irreversible. The only other way to avoid pregnancy is to keep sperm from coming into contact with the ovum. Obviously, condoms do that, but if you want other options, you might want to check out cervical caps which have about a 10 percent failure rate if you’ve never given birth vaginally and a 25 percent failure rate if you have. (You can reduce that with a spermicide.) You could also check out the vaginal contraceptive film, a strip of spermicide that you insert into the vagina where it melts and provides up to three hours of protection. It also turns out that withdrawal is more effective than was previously thought, with an 18 percent pregnancy rate. Since these other approaches are clearly less effective than implants, the Pill or other hormonal methods, a lot of people use more than one. Condoms plus cervical caps or condoms plus withdrawal improves your odds a lot.

I’d really like to see some other forms of birth control that don’t mess with women’s hormones; so many women report having all sorts of side effects. There are some gel products being developed that will (hopefully) be effective as both contraception and STI preventatives and at least some of them are working their way through clinical trials. So eventually, there will be something better for you but in the meantime, I hope this helps.

What's the Deal With the HIV Prevention Pill?

DearSugar — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 09:00:00 -0800

I talk a lot about STIs and how important it is to take measures to prevent contracting or spreading them. Not only can they cause discomfort and infertility, but some, such as HIV, can even result in death. Good news, though - it looks like scientists are working on a pill that can prevent HIV, the STI that causes AIDS. At first, this seems like an amazing idea, but it's actually causing some controversy. The drug is being tested on three continents, and its purpose is to boost a person's immune system so if they are exposed to HIV, they won't contract the virus. So far, the drug is working, reducing the risk of HIV infection by 80 percent. But public health officials are worried that if people start using this HIV prevention pill, they'll feel invincible, which will make them less inclined to use condoms. This could be extremely detrimental since the drug doesn't provide 100 percent protection against HIV, and it definitely doesn't protect against other STIs.

Right now, statistics show that 1.1 million people have HIV in the US, and 33 million are infected worldwide. Anything that could stop those numbers from increasing would be great, but do you think this HIV prevention pill is the answer?

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You Asked: Is He Sincere?

DearSugar — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 12:00:00 -0700

Dear Sugar,

I met this really amazing guy about two months ago, and we hit it off extremely well. Soon after I met him we both exchanged pieces of rather fragile information. I have an STI, and he is a virgin. It was kind of awkward after he told me, because it felt like totally opposite situations. I'm a very affectionate girl and he wasn't used to that either.

He told me the other night that he was ready to sleep with me but I don't know how to react. I don't know if I'm ready, not because I don't care about him but because I don't believe that he's ready. I think he just wants to get it over with, and it doesn't matter if it's with me or any other girl. I really want it to be special for him. How do I tell if he's sincere?

- Uncertain About Sex Sasha

To see DearSugar's answer, read more.

Dear Uncertain About Sex Sasha,

You're dating a guy who you have a good connection with so it's really no surprise to me that he wants to have sex with you. Though I hear your concerns that he's just out to have sex with someone, if that were the case, I'd guess he would have had sex already. Instead, he's waited until he feels comfortable enough with you, which has included opening up about his virginity and learning about your STI. Now if you're not ready to have sex with him that's totally fine - just because you've had sex before doesn't mean that you have to be ready now - but don't be afraid to have this conversation with him. Let him in on your worries, and see if there's something you can do together to make you feel more secure, though more time might be just the thing. If he is sincere, then he'll be OK waiting for you. Once you're both ready and you guys have discussed STI prevention and testing, go for it!

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Free Samples of VCF!

DearSugar — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 09:00:00 -0800

If you're not into taking hormones to prevent pregnancy, and you don't want something long-term like the Depo shot or an IUC, then condoms are a great option. If you're not a fan, another short-term option is to use spermicide, but I only recommend it if the person you're with is STI-free. Creams and gels can be really messy though (and some stain your sheets), so that's where VCF (vaginal contraceptive film) comes in handy! You insert it into your lady business 15 minutes before sex and it kills the sperm, preventing you from becoming preggers.

If you don't know much about it, take this quiz to get all sorts of info, and if you're intrigued and want to give it a try, the VCF website is offering free samples. Just fill in the form and they'll send you three individual films at no cost. It's a great way to give this uncommon form of birth control a try.

Trichomoniasis: The Most Common, Curable STI

DearSugar — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 08:00:00 -0700

Just when you thought you knew about every STI in the book, trichomoniasis shows up. Trichomoniasis or "trich" is found more often in women than men, but affects both sexes. Caused by a parasite passed during vaginal intercourse, like most STIs, it's usually preventable with proper protection. Carriers of trich typically show very few symptoms. Women who do show symptoms will usually notice them within five to 28 days after exposure.

Symptoms:

Reddening of the vagina or vulva
Frothy, green or yellow vaginal discharge.
Itching
Fishy odor
Discomfort during sex and/or urination

To learn about the complications of this STI and treatment please read more.

Complications: While trich is not a dangerous or life-threatening infection, it can lead to an increased risk of both HIV and genital herpes and a higher rate of PID and preterm births in pregnant women.

Treatment: To test for trich, your gynecologist will perform a physical exam and have lab-work done. Should the diagnosis be positive, you'll be prescribed an oral drug.

Dear's Advice: Although trich may be considered a minor STI compared to herpes and HIV, it's important to recognize that it comes with its own set of concerns and should be treated as soon as possible. As with all STIs, using a condom will greatly reduce your chances of infection.

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Vasectomies: Good Form of Birth Control?

DearSugar — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 10:00:00 -0800

Women have many birth control options ranging from The Pill to the IUCs, but men can only rely on condoms to prevent pregnancy. There is another more invasive option though - a vasectomy. Although this seems like a procedure for older men, it turns out that more and more young men are opting for this minor surgery. The procedure is short, can be done in a doctor's office with local anesthesia, and the guy can usually go back to work within a day or two. Young men are into this as a form of contraception because they've heard it can be reversed. So is it a good form of birth control? To find out read more.

First off, let's chat a little about what a vasectomy is. This minor surgery involves making a small incision or hole in the upper part of the man's scrotum. His vas deferens tubes are tied off, so that when he ejaculates, there is no sperm is his semen - in other words, he shoots blanks.

This type of surgery is recommended for older men who don't want any more children, or those who are absolutely certain they never want to be a father. Doctors discourage young men from having a vasectomy because although the procedure can be reversed, it isn't always successful. Of the 10 to 15 percent of guys who change their mind about becoming a father, they'll have to deal with a much more involved operation than the initial procedure (three to four hours long) and there are no guarantees it will be successful.

A vasectomy doesn't prevent against STIs, so a guy will still need to wear a condom unless he's certain his partner is STI-free. I think it's better to be safe than sorry so in my opinion, guys should stick with condoms until there's a male pill!

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Fact or Fiction: Genital Herpes

DearSugar — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 10:00:00 -0800

I know you'd rather not talk about herpes, but the only way you'll know how to prevent yourself from contracting this STI is by knowing the facts and myths. Take this little quiz and you just may learn a thing or two.

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Take the quiz

Syphilis Rates on the Rise

DearSugar — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 07:00:00 -0700

There's been a lot of talk about STIs in the news lately, and unfortunately there's more. Studies from the US Centers For Disease Control and Prevention have shown that syphilis rates have increased for the seventh year in a row. There are 3.7 cases of this STI per 100,000 people.

Why is this such bad news? Although syphilis is a bacterial STI that can be treated with antibiotics, having syphilis can increase a person's risk for contracting and passing HIV.
What's worse is that the FDA says that when it comes to protection, condoms seem less effective against syphilis. Why? Because this STI is transmitted through minor cuts or abrasions in your skin or mucous membranes. Having sex with someone who has syphilis is a common way to get it yourself, but it can also be passed on through oral sex or regular kissing (scary, I know).

Dear's Advice: I know this probably makes you never want to go on a date again, but it's not the end of the world. The best thing to do is get tested with your partner for all STIs before becoming intimate (even before making out). If your partner doesn't understand and won't do it, you might want to reconsider your relationship.

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Genital Herpes 101

DearSugar — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 08:00:00 -0700

A couple days ago I posted Handle This: He Has Herpes and some of your comments let me know that we could all use a refresher course on this STI.

Genital herpes is highly contagious, and is passed on through sexual contact. It's caused by a strain of herpes simplex virus (HSV), which enters your body through small cuts in your skin or mucous membranes, and then causes outbreaks of painful sores on your privates.

You should know that a person can pass herpes on to someone else even if they have no visible sores. Although there is no cure for genital herpes, the outbreaks can be controlled with medication, so a person with herpes can still be in a relationship and have sex (with protection, of course), without passing it on to his or her partner.

Want to learn more about how this STI is tested and treated? Then read more.

Symptoms	Small, painful blisters or open sores. After they ooze, they'll scab and then heal within one to three weeks. For women, sores may appear in the vagina, on the outside genital area, cervix, anus, or rear end. For men, sores may appear on the penis, scrotum, rear end, anus, thighs, or inside the urethra. Along with an outbreak of sores, a person may have flu-like symptoms including headache, muscle aches, and fever. Many people have no symptoms at all, or they'll have one bad outbreak of sores and then never experience another. Others can experience outbreaks up to 40 years after they first contract herpes.
How do you test for it?	A blood test can detect a herpes infection. If you have present sores, your doctor can take a fluid or tissue sample and test that, too.
Complications	Herpes will not cause death, but it can increase your risk of contracting other STIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, or HIV. A pregnant woman with sores can pass genital herpes on to her baby during delivery, which could cause brain damage, blindness, or death to the newborn. In this case, a C-section is usually performed.
Treatment	There is no cure, but oral, antiviral medications taken including Zovirax, Famvir, and Valtrex can help heal sores faster and prevent recurrent outbreaks. If taken every day, these meds may also help reduce your risk of passing it on to anyone else. If you have herpes, wait until all sores are healed before resuming sexual activity. Always use a condom to prevent passing it on to your partner, since this virus can be spread even when no symptoms of herpes are present.

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