Misconceptions about HIV and AIDS exist because when the epidemic started, there were many unanswered questions. In addition, there are many stigmas attached to HIV and AIDS. Empower yourself with the truth about HIV and AIDS so that you can...
Vaginal Dams or Dental Dams Use a Vaginal Dam, Also Known as a Dental Dam, for Safer Oral Sex A dental dam, sometimes called an oral dam, is a 6-inch square piece of thin latex (sometimes flavored) that’s available at most pharmacy chains...
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that approximately 1 million Americans are living with HIV/AIDS. While male-male sexual contact remains the most frequent route of HIV transmission in the United States, high-risk,...
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes acquired Immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). According to the world Health Organization (WHO), 2.7 million people were newly infected with HIV worldwide in 2008. The Centers for Disease...
What Every Teen Needs to Know About HIV and AIDS There are so many misconceptions surrounding HIV and AIDS. Myth and misunderstanding are fueled by the media, by fear and by ignorance. Let's take a look at the truth: five things every teen should...
Cold sores, sometimes called oral herpes, are caused by a virus called herpes simplex. The majority of people develop cold sores by the time they reach adulthood, explains MedlinePlus. The main symptom is one or more painful blisters on or around...
Jewelry in the upper lip, resembling a beauty mark, is called a Monroe piercing. Also sometimes referred to as a "Madonna" or "Manson" piercing, Monroe piercings take eight to 10 weeks to heal. When you remove your Monroe jewelry, you will have...
If you are having sex, then keeping safe means using condoms. Furthermore, condoms should meet certain requirements to be considered safe. You should not use a condom passed its expiration date or that was stored in a very hot location, like a...
Rubber dams, commonly known as dental dams, are used for not only oral procedures but also for safer sex. Dental dams can be held over the genitals or anus to act as a barrier to many possible sexually transmitted diseases. Many infections have no...
Many pregnant women experience changes in their sex drive during pregnancy. Some may find that increased blood flow to the sexual organs and breasts boosts their libidos, while others discover that uncomfortable pregnancy symptoms put a damper on...
Talking about sexuality isn't easy for many parents, but from the simplest level when they're toddlers, to the complicated issues facing teens, your kids need to know they can come to you for information and support. Don't worry if you're...
Many women believe that sex is to blame for their yeast infections. However, sex is not the main reason women get yeast infections. Women who are not sexually active still get yeast infections. More likely, a yeast infection can be blamed on a...
By definition, abstinence is the act of refraining from sex. But teens today tend to make up their own interpretations of the word: To some, abstinence may mean completely refraining from all sexual activity; to others, oral sex is O.K. In fact,...
The herpes simplex virus type 1 infection causes cold sores, which are fluid-filled lesions occurring around the mouth. The virus lies dormant in the nerve cells of the skin and emerges randomly, typically near the original site of infection. Cold...
Cold sores are fluid-filled lesions that typically form around the mouth. Pain, tingling and redness of the skin around the cold sore commonly occur. In some instances cold sores appear in the mouth, nostrils or on fingers. It may take from one...
Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection occurs as a result of skin-to-skin contact. The virus typically is best able to spread when it is causing symptoms (i.e. warts or other skin lesions). After skin-to-skin contact, human papillomavirus enters...
Men'sStuff.org states there are over 100 types of human papillomavirus, or HPV, 30 of which may be associated with a penis viral infection. HPV is classified as low risk, as seen in genital warts, or high risk, that can cause abnormal cellular...
Many women believe that sex is to blame for their yeast infections. However, sex is not the main reason women get yeast infections: women who are not sexually active still get yeast infections. More likely, a yeast infection can be blamed on a...
While women have many birth control options, from pills to implantable devices, men are limited to using condoms, having a vasectomy or practicing the withdrawal method, which is also referred to as coitus interruptus or the pull-out method.
Both men and women can contract gonorrhea through bodily fluids, and it can be passed onto a newborns at birth if the mother is infected with this sexually transmitted disease (STD). Besides the sexual organs, this infection can appear in the...
In order for you and your partner to reach orgasm, the conditions must be correct for you and your partner. In addition, both partners must be relaxed and in a...
Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease caused by a type of bacterium called Chlamydia trachomatis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that over 2 million people in the United States had this bacterial infection as...
Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus. Type 1 of this virus typically causes cold sores on the lips and facial areas. They are very contagious, and can spread from kissing. Most Americans have the Type 1 virus by age 20, notes the...
Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus, HSV--1. The University of Maryland Medical Center acknowledges up to 90 percent of adult Americans are exposed to the virus. The virus causes reoccurring outbreaks; however, some people only have...
According to the Mayo Clinic, approximately 20 million people in the United States have contracted the Human Papilloma Virus. Most commonly, the infection causes embarrassing and unsightly warts, however, in more severe situations, cervical cancer...
What Is Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and HIV Infection? FACT: Over 50 percent of new HIV infections occur among people under age 25. Between 40,000 and 50,000 Americans become infected with HIV every year. Half of them are between...
HPV is the term used to refer to the gentile human papillomavirus, and there are more than 100 types of the virus affecting close to 20 million people in the United States, according to MayoClinic.com. HPV can express itself in the form of warts...
Human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, is a virus that, without treatment, will ultimately lead to acquired immune deficiency syndrome, or AIDS. HIV damages the immune system by destroying specific blood cells known as CD4+ T cells, which are...
