TresSugar

US STD Rate Highest of Developed Countries - and Rising!

TresSugar — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:00:49 -0800

Let's talk about sex . . . or else! According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, reluctance to talk about sex is keeping STD infection rates on the rise in the US, especially among teens. After practically being eradicated, syphilis is resurgent, and chlamydia and gonorrhea are also at "unacceptably high levels." Thanks to our prudishness, the US has the highest rate of STDs of any developed country in the world.

It's no secret that abstinence-only sex education is popular in America. Thankfully, after confronting the fact that abstinence-only education does not effectively reduce STD infection rates, some school districts are moving to abstinence-plus education, which reasonably stresses the importance of using protection if a teen is sexually active.

Of course, parents can also do something to reduce STD risks by providing a little sex education at home. When I asked a while back, more than half of TrèsSugar readers said their parents avoided having an awkward conversation about contraception. Maybe these new statistics will remind parents that reducing health risks are worth a few uncomfortable minutes.

Hump Day: Is My Cold Sore Contagious?

TresSugar — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 06:00:00 -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 know that cold sores are the same virus as herpes. Is it a bad idea to go down on my boy when I have one? Is it transmissible that way?” To hear what Dr. Glickman has to say, read more.

Dr. Glickman's Answer:

YES!!!

There are two types of herpes virus: HSV-1 and HSV-2. Oral herpes is usually HSV-1 and it’s estimated that 80 percent of the population has been exposed to it. Genital herpes is usually HSV-2 and it’s estimated that 25 percent of women and 12 percent of men have it. However, genital herpes can be caused by either version of the virus, so going down on someone when you have a cold sore (another name for a herpes outbreak) can spread it. To make things a bit more complicated, only about 1/3 of the people who have genital herpes are aware of it - either they’ve never had an outbreak or the outbreak was very mild. (See herpes.com for more info.)

Part of what makes herpes tricky is that it can be transmitted even when you don’t have a visible outbreak. The virus lives in your nervous system and every so often, it’ll come to the surface. It’s especially likely to happen when you’re sick or have been stressed for a while. There’s evidence that the virus starts shedding from the skin (and is therefore potentially contagious) before any visible symptoms. It’s a low risk, but it’s a possibility. To make matters worse, if the site of the shedding isn’t covered by a condom, it can be spread even when you’re practicing safer sex.

While herpes can be uncomfortable, it doesn’t represent nearly as much risk as other sexually transmissible infections (STIs) such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, human papilloma virus (HPV), or HIV. Having said that, there’s evidence that HSV-2 makes HIV transmission more likely. See this article for more information about how that works.

It’s also worth mentioning that I’ve seen a lot of people get really upset about STIs when they don’t get nearly as upset about any other health issue. I’ve also seen a lot of people who have all sorts of judgment about STIs but think nothing of going to work and sharing their flu germs (or worse)! STIs can be unpleasant, annoying, or life-threatening, but they don’t mean anything about the person who has them any more than chicken pox or measles do. Negative attitudes about STIs are a holdover from before we invented antibiotics and when diseases such as syphilis were seen as the wages of sin. But now we know that they’re just germs and we don’t need to shame people for having them. (Not that I’m saying that you’re doing that, but I wanted to mention it.)

The best thing that we can all do is to get tested for STIs regularly, even if you’ve never had a symptom. Lots of people have STIs and don’t know it. Check your local Planned Parenthood or other agency for information, although I recommend going with anonymous testing in order to ensure your privacy.

And safer sex is always a good choice. It’s easy to do, with a little practice. Using a lubricant can make safer sex more enjoyable since latex tends to have a bit more friction than skin. Try a silicone-based brand if you’re prone to yeast infections. Water-based brands are a bit easier to clean up since they rinse away.

If you or your partner don’t like the way condoms feel, try a different brand. The Japanese-process condoms such as Maxx and Skinless Skin are more sheer than other types. Or you could give Skyn a whirl. It’s made from polyisoprene, rather than latex, so it’s very sheer and both people will get more sensation.

Given that you have oral herpes, you might want to talk with your boyfriend about using condoms for oral sex. If you go that route, change the condom before having intercourse. That will make sure that you don’t spread the herpes virus to your vulva or vagina. It’ll also reduce the risk of your condom breaking; teeth can cause small abrasions that weaken the condom.

For an excellent, sex-positive read on safer sex, check out The Hot Guide to Safer Sex . It’s full of helpful advice and great tips.

Which Comes First? Getting Tested For STIs or Sex With a Condom

DearSugar — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 12:00:00 -0700

In a perfect world, we'd make our partners get tested for STIs before getting busy in the bedroom, but as we all know, talking about it and making this kind of request with someone you've recently met can be stressful and a little awkward. So I'm curious, are you adamant about your guy getting tested to make sure he's clear of STIs first, or is having protected sex with a condom good enough for you?

Source

Group Therapy: What’s the Best Way to Bring Up STI Testing?

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 04:00:00 -0700

I’ve been seeing this guy for about a month and things are going really well. I’m on the pill and would be happy to skip the condoms once we get there, but only if I know he’s been tested for STIs. What’s the best way to ask if he’s been tested, or to ask him to go get tested? What’s the best wording? I don’t want to offend him by implying that he's promiscuous, but at the same time, I want to be safe. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[EDITOR'S NOTE: To read more GROUP THERAPY, click here or submit your own question here.]
Source

You Asked: Did My Boyfriend Cheat?

DearSugar — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 13:17:05 -0700

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

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.

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?

Source

Group Therapy: I Just Found Out That I Caught Genital Herpes From my Boyfriend

Fri, 16 Jan 2009 04:00:00 -0800

I have been dating this guy for close to a year now, and I just found out that I have contracted genital herpes from him. We've had unprotected sex before, but he promised me that he had been tested, and I had an annual exam where I was declared free of STIs before we started sleeping together. This is a long distance relationship and when I returned home from a recent visit, I began to notice symptoms almost immediately.

He swears that he hasn't cheated and that he never knew he had it. I want to believe him, but things just aren't adding up. Is anyone else in the same situation? Do you have any advice or tips?

[EDITOR'S NOTE: To read more GROUP THERAPY, click here or submit your own question here.]

Source

Name That STI

DearSugar — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 10:00:00 -0800

Hopefully some of your New Year's resolutions were to get tested for STIs and continue practicing safe sex. These are two simple things you can do to respect your body and keep yourself healthy. Knowing about STIs is helpful too, so take this short quiz to test your knowledge.

Source

Take the quiz

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.

Source

Take the quiz