Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Herpes: Two Types?

What is Herpes, and what are the two types?

Herpes is a viral disease caused by Herpes Simplex Viruses (HSV). Herpes is most easily transmitted by direct contact with a visible sore, but transmission can occur from an infected partner who does not have a visible sore and may not know that he or she is infected.


There are two types of Herpes and they have very original names: Herpes Simplex 1 and Herpes Simplex 2.


Herpes Type 1, what historically has been oral herpes, infects the face and mouth with 'cold sores' or 'fever blisters'. It's not unusual for someone to have contracted HSV-1 sometime as early as childhood.


Herpes Type 2 has historically infects the genitals with blister-like sores. The herpes virus causes blisters that can last from 2 to 21 days before entering a remission period.

CURRENT DAY: With the increase in unprotected oral sex, it's becoming more common to find HSV-1 on the genital area and HSV-2 being found in the mouth and throat.


GOOD NEWS: Herpes is not a life threatening disease and it is only skin-deep. HSV-1 outbreaks occur less frequently than HSV-2 outbreaks. And, while there is no cure for Herpes, there are medications that help to manage the symptoms.


BAD NEWS: Even though the sores can disappear, the virus is still present in your sensory nerves and you can still spread it, so you should be sure to talk with any sexual partner prior to skin-to-skin contact so you are both able to make decisions about what methods of protection you will use. Additionally, persons with herpes should abstain from sexual activity with uninfected partners when lesions or other symptoms of herpes are present.


Protection options: Of course, refraining from skin-to-skin contact is the best way to protect yourself, but if you're sexually active, your best choices are Condoms (to cover the penis) and Dental Dams (to cover the vulva and anus). Use them correctly and CONSISTENTLY during each sexual contact. They're not 100% effective, but they are your best option!

Again, a great resource on this topic is the CDC's Factsheet on Herpes.


Crabs? In your Eybrows?

What are crabs and where can you get them?

Crabs are pubic lice that tend to live on genital pubic hair but can also be found anywhere on the body with coarse hair (facial hair, eyebrows, and eyelashes). It should not be confused with head lice, and it is definitely not a normal organism living on your body.

It is usually transmitted through any genital contact and occasionally, through the infested person's linen like bed sheets and clothing. Do not fear the toilet seat however; it is smooth enough to keep them off. Good News? Animals do not get or spread crabs (public lice), so little Sparky is safe.


The CDC has a great informational page for you to read thru.

Male P Spot? What?

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Saturday, May 24, 2008

Should I sleep with a promiscuous person?

Should I sleep with a promiscuous person? As a questioning male, I thought that it would be easier to explore my sexuality but finding a sexual partner has been a bit of a challenge. Should I have sex with a man I know has had many sexual partners (and who has been hitting on me for awhile?)

Well.... do you want to? Is this someone you feel sexually attracted to? Do you trust this person? Do you have access to condoms & dental dams? Do you feel comfortable asking your sexual partner to use protection? Do you know how to use a condom & dental dam?

These are all questions we'd hope/expect you to consider when choosing whether to have sex with someone or not. Talk about sexual history with *anyone* you choose to have sex with- not just someone perceived to be promiscuous.

While it may not feel sexy, the two of you need to discuss when each of you was last tested for STIs and! if either of you has had any sexual partners since that time. If so, it so totally appropriate and more than okay to say “hey, I’d like to have sex/hookup/fool around (or insert appropriate verb here), but I think we should both get tested and see what’s up first.” If someone tests positive for an STI and there's medication to cure it, wait until it's cleared up. If it's an STI that has no cure, they'll learn from the clinician what methods of protection are most effective at blocking the transmission to a partner, but if you're that partner, you're entitled to know and make a choice of what amount of risk you are comfortable taking.

Once that's all taken care of and the moment is ripe/hot, you can try asking “should I get a condom/dental dam?” to initiate sexual activity with the assumption that safer sex will be practiced. Or you can try: "I want us to practice safer sex...and I have a condom/dental dam with me. Do you have a preference for a brand or style?" (There are definitely glow-in-the-dark-styles….!!)

Mini-lecture: Recent estimates suggest that while representing 15 to 24 year olds represent 25% of the sexually active population, that age group acquires nearly half of all new STIs (source: CDC), so frequent testing is important!

Okay, so overall message: your concern is completely valid regarding STI transmission, especially if you know this guy has had unprotected sex and/or has never been tested. Once you’ve established that you and he are safe, there is absolutely nothing wrong with experimenting. It may turn out to be a really great way to feel how it goes with a guy, maybe learn some techniques, and have fun – of course in a mega safe environment.

Good Luck!

Sunday, May 18, 2008

Blogger Comment on Pubic Hairstyle

I'm a guy, and I think being completely shaved really isn't necessary, and sad that the pervasive image for "normality" is porno. Some people like totally shaved, some like not-shaved-at-all-hairy-bush; and I think most of us don't care, really.
True, I think [partners] should respect the choices their girlfriends make about their own body; however, if someone really likes pubic hair a certain way and the other person really doesn't want to accommodate, I think that means the partners should decide whether further discussion and compromise are worth the trouble--and if not, they should move on.
No big deal.

Torn ACL

My girlfriend recently tore her ACL which has made intercourse a little difficult for us. Many positions hurt her knee and the positions she most wants to be in are the ones that hurt her the most. Do you know of any fun positions that would keep all pressure off her knee other than straight missionary?

Tough question. We did a little research on positions for people with sore knees...and lots of doctors' blogs (and people in the same situation as your girlfriend) suggest for her to really get acquainted with the angles and positions by herself before adding you to the mix. The range of possible positions varies a lot from person to person. Rather than make one particular recommendation, we suggest you and your girlfriend check out this site together: It has a great index (with animated examples!!) of positions for penetration, but also includes positions for oral sex as well. If you take the time to explore together, the results should be more promising or at least bring on some creativity. Have Fun! (and heal fast!)

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Anal-Oral?

"If a guy licks your butt, what are the risks?"

What you seem to be describing is anal-oral sex, also referred to as anilingus, rimming, rim-job, and a variety of other slang terms. It's performed by gay and straight people, and can provide a lot of pleasure as a consensual sex act. Anilingus involves kissing, licking, and sliding the tongue in and out of the anus.

Obviously this is not the cleanest part of the body, so clearly there's a risk of coming into contact with potentially harmful bacteria. If the lickee is infected with Hepatitis A, the licker is at risk of infection. Syphilis, herpes, gonorrhoea and chlamydia can also be transmitted through anilingus if either party is infected.

But there's a way to experience consensual anilingus safely, and that's to place a barrier between the lickee and licker. Dental dams (or a cut-up condom) are offer protection against infection. You could also use plastic wrap, but be sure it is *not* the microwaveable kind (this is porous!). Sex acts are as safe as you make it!