Category: Sexual Health

*  Vaginal itching and burning.

*  A yellow-green or gray vaginal discharge with an odor.

*  Burning or pain when passing urine.

*  Pain during sex.

*  Discomfort when passing urine.

*  Pain during sex.

*  Irritation and itching of the penis.

*  The oral medication metronidazole (Flagyl).

*  Treating sexual partners to prevent spreading the infection and getting it again.

*  The only sure way to avoid STIs is not having sex. This includes intercourse, oral sex, anal sex, and genital-to-genital contact. Caressing, hugging, dry kissing, and masturbation are no risk or extremely low-risk practices. So is limiting your sexual contact to one person your entire life. This is if your partner does not have an STI and has sex only with you.

*  Latex and polyurethane condoms can help reduce the risk of spreading HIV and other STIs (i.e., chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis). To do this, they must be used the right way for every sex act. They do not get rid of the risk entirely. Barriers made of natural membranes, such as from lamb, do not give good protection against STIs.

*  Females and males should use latex or polyurethane condoms every time they have genital-to-genital contact and/or oral sex. Use polyurethane condoms if either partner is allergic to latex. You don’t need condoms to prevent STIs if you have sex only with one partner and neither of you has an STI.

*  For oral-vaginal sex and oral-anal sex, use latex dams (“doilies”). These are latex squares.

*  Latex condoms with spermicides, such as nonoxynol-9 (N-9) are no better than other lubricated condoms for preventing HIV/STIs. Spermicides with N-9 do not prevent chlamydia, cervical gonorrhea, or HIV. on’t use spermicides alone to prevent HIV/STIs. Using spermicides with N-9 often has been linked with genital lesions which may increase the risk of spreading HIV. Also, N-9 may increase the risk of spreading HIV during anal intercourse.

*  Use water-based lubricants, such as K-Y Brand Jelly. Don’t use oil-based or “petroleum” ones, such as Vaseline. They can damage latex barriers.

*  To lower your risk for HPV, use latex or polyurethane condoms. These work best at covering areas of the body that HPV is most likely to affect. A diaphragm does not prevent the spread of HPV.

*  Don’t have sex while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. You are less likely to use “safer sex” measures.

*  Limit sexual partners. Sexual contact with many persons increases the risk for STIs, especially if no protection is used.

*  Discuss a new partner’s sexual history with him or her before you start having sex. Know that persons are not always honest about their sexual past.

*  Avoid sexual contact with persons whose health status and health practices are not known.

*  Follow your doctor’s advice to check for STIs.

*  Slight yellowish-green vaginal discharge. Abnormal vaginal bleeding.

*  Vaginal irritation or pain.

*  Need to urinate often and pain or burning feeling when passing urine.

*  Pain in the abdomen.

*  Watery, mucous discharge from the penis.

*  Burning or discomfort when passing urine.

*  Pain in the scrotum.

*  Oral antibiotics for the infected person and his or her partner(s).

*  Avoiding sex until treatment is finished in the infected person and his or her partner(s).

*  The only sure way to avoid STIs is not having sex. This includes intercourse, oral sex, anal sex, and genital-to-genital contact. Caressing, hugging, dry kissing, and masturbation are no risk or extremely low-risk practices. So is limiting your sexual contact to one person your entire life. This is if your partner does not have an STI and has sex only with you.

*  Latex and polyurethane condoms can help reduce the risk of spreading HIV and other STIs (i.e., chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis). To do this, they must be used the right way for every sex act. They do not get rid of the risk entirely. Barriers made of natural membranes, such as from lamb, do not give good protection against STIs.

*  Females and males should use latex or polyurethane condoms every time they have genital-to-genital contact and/or oral sex. Use polyurethane condoms if either partner is allergic to latex. You don’t need condoms to prevent STIs if you have sex only with one partner and neither of you has an STI.

*  For oral-vaginal sex and oral-anal sex, use latex dams (“doilies”). These are latex squares.

*  Latex condoms with spermicides, such as nonoxynol-9 (N-9) are no better than other lubricated condoms for preventing HIV/STIs. Spermicides with N-9 do not prevent chlamydia, cervical gonorrhea, or HIV. on’t use spermicides alone to prevent HIV/STIs. Using spermicides with N-9 often has been linked with genital lesions which may increase the risk of spreading HIV. Also, N-9 may increase the risk of spreading HIV during anal intercourse.

*  Use water-based lubricants, such as K-Y Brand Jelly. Don’t use oil-based or “petroleum” ones, such as Vaseline. They can damage latex barriers.

*  To lower your risk for HPV, use latex or polyurethane condoms. These work best at covering areas of the body that HPV is most likely to affect. A diaphragm does not prevent the spread of HPV.

*  Don’t have sex while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. You are less likely to use “safer sex” measures.

*  Limit sexual partners. Sexual contact with many persons increases the risk for STIs, especially if no protection is used.

*  Discuss a new partner’s sexual history with him or her before you start having sex. Know that persons are not always honest about their sexual past.

*  Avoid sexual contact with persons whose health status and health practices are not known.

*  Follow your doctor’s advice to check for STIs.

*  Painful sores and/or blisters on the genital area, anus, thighs, and/or buttocks.

*  Itching, irritation, and tingling can occur 1 to 2 days before the outbreak of the blisters.

*  Outbreaks may be triggered by stress, other illnesses, or vigorous sexual intercourse.

*  Herpes simplex virus (HSV-1 or HSV-2). HSV-2 is the common cause. HSV-1 most often affects the oral area as cold sores.

*  The virus is spread by direct skin-to-skin contact from the site of infection to the contact site. It can be spread when no symptoms are noticed. Oral sex can spread herpes from the mouth to the genital area and from the genital area to the mouth.

*  There is no cure. Antiviral medicines can help prevent and shorten outbreaks. During delivery, an infant may need protection from infection if the mother has active herpes.

*  Self-care measures.

*  The only sure way to avoid STIs is not having sex. This includes intercourse, oral sex, anal sex, and genital-to-genital contact. Caressing, hugging, dry kissing, and masturbation are no risk or extremely low-risk practices. So is limiting your sexual contact to one person your entire life. This is if your partner does not have an STI and has sex only with you.

*  Latex and polyurethane condoms can help reduce the risk of spreading HIV and other STIs (i.e., chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis). To do this, they must be used the right way for every sex act. They do not get rid of the risk entirely. Barriers made of natural membranes, such as from lamb, do not give good protection against STIs.

*  Females and males should use latex or polyurethane condoms every time they have genital-to-genital contact and/or oral sex. Use polyurethane condoms if either partner is allergic to latex. You don’t need condoms to prevent STIs if you have sex only with one partner and neither of you has an STI.

*  For oral-vaginal sex and oral-anal sex, use latex dams (“doilies”). These are latex squares.

*  Latex condoms with spermicides, such as nonoxynol-9 (N-9) are no better than other lubricated condoms for preventing HIV/STIs. Spermicides with N-9 do not prevent chlamydia, cervical gonorrhea, or HIV. on’t use spermicides alone to prevent HIV/STIs. Using spermicides with N-9 often has been linked with genital lesions which may increase the risk of spreading HIV. Also, N-9 may increase the risk of spreading HIV during anal intercourse.

*  Use water-based lubricants, such as K-Y Brand Jelly. Don’t use oil-based or “petroleum” ones, such as Vaseline. They can damage latex barriers.

*  To lower your risk for HPV, use latex or polyurethane condoms. These work best at covering areas of the body that HPV is most likely to affect. A diaphragm does not prevent the spread of HPV.

*  Don’t have sex while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. You are less likely to use “safer sex” measures.

*  Limit sexual partners. Sexual contact with many persons increases the risk for STIs, especially if no protection is used.

*  Discuss a new partner’s sexual history with him or her before you start having sex. Know that persons are not always honest about their sexual past.

*  Avoid sexual contact with persons whose health status and health practices are not known.

*  Follow your doctor’s advice to check for STIs.

*  If prescribed an oral antiviral medicine, take it as advised.

*  Bathe the affected area twice a day with mild soap and water. Pat dry with a towel or use a hair dryer set on warm. Using a colloidal oatmeal soap or bath may be soothing.

*  Use a sitz bath to soak the affected area. You can buy a sitz bath basin from a medical supply or drug store.

*  Apply ice packs on the affected genital area for 5 to 10 minutes to relieve itching and swelling.

*  Wear loose-fitting pants or skirts. Don’t wear pantyhose. Wear cotton (not nylon) underwear.

*  If pain is made worse when you urinate, squirt tepid water near the urinary opening while you pass urine. Or, urinate while using a sitz bath.

*  Take a mild pain reliever as directed.

*  Ask your doctor about using a local anesthetic ointment, such as lidocaine, during the most painful part of an outbreak.

*  Wash your hands if you touch the blisters or sores. Don’t touch your eyes during an outbreak. Doing this could spread the virus to your eyes.

*  To help avoid spreading the virus to others, use latex barriers during sex and skin-to-skin contact.

*  Mild vaginal itching and burning. Thick, yellow-green vaginal discharge.

*  Burning when passing urine.

*  Severe pain in the lower abdomen.

*  Pain at the tip of the penis. Thick, yellow, cloudy, penile discharge.

*  Pain and burning when passing urine.

*  Antibiotics.

*  Pain relievers.

*  Treating sexual partner(s) to avoid getting infected again.

*  Follow-up test to find out if the treatment worked.

*  The only sure way to avoid STIs is not having sex. This includes intercourse, oral sex, anal sex, and genital-to-genital contact. Caressing, hugging, dry kissing, and masturbation are no risk or extremely low-risk practices. So is limiting your sexual contact to one person your entire life. This is if your partner does not have an STI and has sex only with you.

*  Latex and polyurethane condoms can help reduce the risk of spreading HIV and other STIs (i.e., chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis). To do this, they must be used the right way for every sex act. They do not get rid of the risk entirely. Barriers made of natural membranes, such as from lamb, do not give good protection against STIs.

*  Females and males should use latex or polyurethane condoms every time they have genital-to-genital contact and/or oral sex. Use polyurethane condoms if either partner is allergic to latex. You don’t need condoms to prevent STIs if you have sex only with one partner and neither of you has an STI.

*  For oral-vaginal sex and oral-anal sex, use latex dams (“doilies”). These are latex squares.

*  Latex condoms with spermicides, such as nonoxynol-9 (N-9) are no better than other lubricated condoms for preventing HIV/STIs. Spermicides with N-9 do not prevent chlamydia, cervical gonorrhea, or HIV. on’t use spermicides alone to prevent HIV/STIs. Using spermicides with N-9 often has been linked with genital lesions which may increase the risk of spreading HIV. Also, N-9 may increase the risk of spreading HIV during anal intercourse.

*  Use water-based lubricants, such as K-Y Brand Jelly. Don’t use oil-based or “petroleum” ones, such as Vaseline. They can damage latex barriers.

*  To lower your risk for HPV, use latex or polyurethane condoms. These work best at covering areas of the body that HPV is most likely to affect. A diaphragm does not prevent the spread of HPV.

*  Don’t have sex while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. You are less likely to use “safer sex” measures.

*  Limit sexual partners. Sexual contact with many persons increases the risk for STIs, especially if no protection is used.

*  Discuss a new partner’s sexual history with him or her before you start having sex. Know that persons are not always honest about their sexual past.

*  Avoid sexual contact with persons whose health status and health practices are not known.

*  Follow your doctor’s advice to check for STIs.

*  Can be soft or hard; pink, red, or yellow-gray in color.

*  Are inside the vagina, on the lips of the vagina, or around the anus in females.

*  Are on the penis, inside the head of the penis, on the scrotum, or around the anus in males.

*  HPV vaccine can prevent cervical cancer* and genital warts due to HPV. It is advised for boys and girls 11 to 12 years of age, but can be given from age 9 to age 26.

*  Genital warts can be treated with topical creams or a gel prescribed by a doctor. You apply these yourself. Medical treatments can remove genital warts.

*  The only sure way to avoid STIs is not having sex. This includes intercourse, oral sex, anal sex, and genital-to-genital contact. Caressing, hugging, dry kissing, and masturbation are no risk or extremely low-risk practices. So is limiting your sexual contact to one person your entire life. This is if your partner does not have an STI and has sex only with you.

*  Latex and polyurethane condoms can help reduce the risk of spreading HIV and other STIs (i.e., chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis). To do this, they must be used the right way for every sex act. They do not get rid of the risk entirely. Barriers made of natural membranes, such as from lamb, do not give good protection against STIs.

*  Females and males should use latex or polyurethane condoms every time they have genital-to-genital contact and/or oral sex. Use polyurethane condoms if either partner is allergic to latex. You don’t need condoms to prevent STIs if you have sex only with one partner and neither of you has an STI.

*  For oral-vaginal sex and oral-anal sex, use latex dams (“doilies”). These are latex squares.

*  Latex condoms with spermicides, such as nonoxynol-9 (N-9) are no better than other lubricated condoms for preventing HIV/STIs. Spermicides with N-9 do not prevent chlamydia, cervical gonorrhea, or HIV. on’t use spermicides alone to prevent HIV/STIs. Using spermicides with N-9 often has been linked with genital lesions which may increase the risk of spreading HIV. Also, N-9 may increase the risk of spreading HIV during anal intercourse.

*  Use water-based lubricants, such as K-Y Brand Jelly. Don’t use oil-based or “petroleum” ones, such as Vaseline. They can damage latex barriers.

*  To lower your risk for HPV, use latex or polyurethane condoms. These work best at covering areas of the body that HPV is most likely to affect. A diaphragm does not prevent the spread of HPV.

*  Don’t have sex while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. You are less likely to use “safer sex” measures.

*  Limit sexual partners. Sexual contact with many persons increases the risk for STIs, especially if no protection is used.

*  Discuss a new partner’s sexual history with him or her before you start having sex. Know that persons are not always honest about their sexual past.

*  Avoid sexual contact with persons whose health status and health practices are not known.

*  Follow your doctor’s advice to check for STIs.

*  About 3% of coeds are raped during each academic year. Over the course of 5 calendar years, including summers and vacations, 20- 25% may be raped.

*  Nationally, an additional 15.5% of college females are sexually victimized (e.g., sexual contact is completed with force or threat of non-physical force, threat of rape, or threat of contact).

*  Nationally, 13.1% of coeds are stalked an average of 60 days during an academic year.

*  Nationally, less than 5% of completed and attempted rapes of college females are reported to the police or campus officials. About 67% of the victims tell a friend.

*  Nine out of 10 victims knew their assailant. {Note: Almost all sexual assaults on college campuses are acquaintance rapes and, in most cases, at least one of the persons involved is under the influence of alcohol or another drug.}

*  Between 3 and 6% of male university students reported being raped and up to 25% reported being sexually assaulted. Only about 1% of male rape victims reported it to the police.

*  The best defense is to not drink. If you drink, limit alcohol intake.

*  Don’t drink anything you have not brought or opened yourself. Don’t drink from another person’s container, from a punch bowl, beer bong, etc. When at a bar or club, accept drinks only from a bartender or waiter.

*  Keep your drink in your hand and under your watch at all times. If needed, have a friend watch your drink. Do the same for your friend(s).

*  Don’t drink alcohol in a high-risk setting for sexual assault (e.g., frat house or team parties or with persons you don’t know and/or trust).

*  Rohypnol. The effects of this drug can last 6 to 8 hours. This drug is added to drinks and punches at parties, raves, etc., usually to lower sexual inhibitions in females. When mixed with alcohol or other drugs, Rohypnol can cause death.

*  GHB and GLB. The effects of this drug can last about 8 hours. If you have had this drug, you may wake up partially clothed with no recollection of a sexual assault. GHB is often made in homes with recipes and ingredients found and purchased on the Internet. GHB can cause death.

*  Alert your female friends (and the authorities)to rumors of guys using date-rape drugs.

*  Don’t assume that anyone under the influence is “too nice a guy” to commit sexual assault. Intervene on a friend’s behalf (e.g., walk her out of a party, take her to a safe place, etc.).

*  Know your sexual limitations and communicate them both verbally and nonverbally. If you sense you are being pressured to have sex and don’t want to, state your position clearly. Say “NO” emphatically when you mean “NO!” Be aware, too, that a female/partner does not need to say the word “NO” to mean “NO.” Listen for words like, “I’m just not ready,” “We’re going too fast,” etc. The female/partner may be afraid to say “NO.”

*  Attend your school’s classes, etc. on preventing acquaintance rape, sexual assault, etc. Take a class in self-defense.

*  Carry a cell phone with you to call for help, if needed.

*  Avoid being alone, especially in unsafe situations and with strangers and persons you don’t know well or feel safe with.

*  Keep the doors to your home and car locked. Don’t open doors to strangers. Don’t tell strangers that you are alone.

*  Do not shower, clean or wash up in any way, or change clothing before you go to the hospital emergency department. Doing so could destroy evidence (e.g., blood type, hair samples, etc.) which may not be legally acceptable if collected later than 72 hours after the rape. If you have removed clothes worn at the time of the rape, put them in a paper bag and take them with you to the E.R.

*  Get medical or police help right away. (Date-rape drugs may not be detectable after 12 hours.) Go to the E.R. Recall and write down as many details as you can. Report the rapist’s age, height, weight, race, hair color, clothing worn, noticeable body marks, tattoos, etc. If a vehicle was involved, report its type, color, license plate, etc. Take a friend with you for comfort and support. At the E.R., you will get information about health care providers in your area who can help you after the E.R. visit. You will likely need their services at some point.

*  Talk to the emergency care provider about emergency contraception and tests for STIs.

*  Contact your campus Sexual Assault Crisis Center or call the Rape Crisis Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673).