STD Testing Blog

Archive for November, 2009

HOTLINE: When is the right time to test?

Monday, November 30th, 2009

This may be the #1 question we hear.  The short answer?  If you are sexually active and have not been tested for HIV or other STDs in the past 12 months, the right time to get tested is right now.  It’s possible that you may have an STD and simply do not know it.  That’s why the CDC and other organizations want everyone who has sex to get a yearly STD test as part of their normal health routine.

Now, if you want to try to “time” an STD test based on what you think was a recent unsafe experience, there is a more nuanced answer.  Let’s say that up until yesterday you were a virgin and never had any sexual contact — vaginal, anal, oral or other.  And yesterday you got busy in an unsafe way with someone who told you, after having a robust night of lovemaking, “Wow, that was great, but I should tell you that I have genital herpes.”  Or HIV or Hepatitis C or another STD.  In that instance, you need to get yourself checked out and think about the timing of the test.

Viral infections like Herpes (HSV-2) and HIV may not develop detectable antibodies to the virus for up to 3 months.  This is called “seroconversion.” The HIV DNA by PCR test will look for DNA cells as early as 28 days after a possible exposure because it’s not looking for antibodies.

This is getting technical but diagnostic screening is simple.  Haven’t been tested in 12 months and you’ve had unsafe sex?  Get tested today and then wear condom.  Enjoy sex responsibly!

We’d love to hear from you.  Do you get tested regularly?

Posted in HIV, Seroconversion, Timing, herpes | 2 Comments »

Q: Why can’t pencils have babies?

Sunday, November 15th, 2009

A: Because they have rubbers on their tips. (ba-dum-dum) Rubbers, condoms, wrappers, love glove, the goalie — we could go on, but we’ll spare you.  Our topic this week?  A review of condom and dental dam use for the best STD protection and pleasure.  First, have you been tested lately?  If you haven’t been tested for STDs and HIV in the last 12 months and you’ve had unprotected sex (oral too!), get tested.  Now, let’s talk about the male condom.  (We’ll get to female condoms and dental dams in a moment.  Yes, those are two different things.)

Consistent and correct use of a latex condom is your best bet to cut the risk of spreading STDs.  Why latex?  Lab studies have shown that they protect the strongest barrier to the itty bitty STD pathogen particles that can slip through other materials like lambskin.  Allergic to latex?  Try polyurethane.  The polyurethane and Polyisoprene condoms are all FDA approved for pregnancy and disease prevention. (Just don’t use an oil-based lubricant with these to prevent damage to the condom!)

The female condom is typically made of polyurethane so it protects against STDs and pregnancy AND, ladies, you’re in the driver’s seat on sexual health safety.  Finally…the dental dam.  They are square latex barriers that you can use during oral sex.  When you take it out of the package, there’s usually a little powdery dust so rinse it off and you’re good to go. Your sexual health is no joke, so get tested, stock up on condoms and dental dams and enjoy sex responsibly!

Posted in safe sex | 10 Comments »

Dinner, a Movie…and an STD test?

Monday, November 9th, 2009

For some, getting tested for STDs with a new sexual partner is commonplace, even expected.  But for many of us, broaching the topic can cause a lot of anxiety and fear about our new partner’s response to the request.  Unfortunately, there’s no Hallmark card that we can pick up at the store to help us out.  Believe me, we’ve looked!  That’s why we’ve put together this helpful guide to having “the talk.”

  1. Be honest and clearly communicate your request. “I’d like us to get tested for STDs before we start having sex.” Simple.
  2. Emphasize the peace of mind that testing will bring. Without apparent symptoms, some STDs can go unnoticed for years, putting both of you at risk unnecessarily. Testing rules out that possibility and allows you to move forward, with a fresh start.
  3. Tell your partner that you are willing to get tested too. A lot of conflict comes from feelings of judgment or mistrust when the issue of STD testing comes up. Testing together can help overcome that hurdle and get you to the finish line.
  4. Face-to-Face is the only way. No matter how uncomfortable or nervous you feel – no texting or e-mailing is allowed for this conversation!
  5. Allow your partner to be part of the process. Choose which tests you’ll take together (comprehensive testing is always best!) and discuss how you will share results with each other when it’s time.

Check out Beth and Todd’s personal video. This couple got tested happily together.  It’s Beth’s rule to get tested before she gets intimate with a new partner.  She and Todd took charge of their sexual health.  Remember, asking a partner to get tested is not based on suspicions you have about his/her past relationships or sexual behavior.  Rather, it’s a desire to have a fresh start with a new love interest.  Getting tested with your new partner is the smart, responsible decision to make. Remember, this is a good thing and a sign that your relationship is moving in the right direction!  Tell us your story about “having the talk”….we’d love to hear it.

Posted in safe sex | 8 Comments »

HOTLINE: Can you get an STD from oral sex?

Sunday, November 1st, 2009

We hear this question a lot from people who call our support line.  It’s a great and important question about a confusing and rarely discussed topic.  We know that unprotected vaginal and anal sex are definitely risky, but can you really get an STD from giving or receiving oral sex?  And which poses a higher risk, giving or receiving?

Flat out, yes. You can get an STD from giving or receiving oral sex.  It’s a relatively lower risk activity for some of the infections, but we don’t see the point in detailing the relative risk level for each STD.  Why take the chance at all?  If you think it’s a small risk, it’s still a risk, right?  Going without a condom or a dental dam while performing or receiving oral sex is unsafe sex.  Be especially careful performing oral sex without protection. Think about it.  If you have cuts or sores in your mouth, bacteria or a virus can spread.  This true even when symptoms aren’t present in your partner.  It’s also possible to get throat infections and even throat cancer from unprotected oral sex.  Yes, this is unpleasant to think about it, but it’s a fact.

Your best defense?  Use a condom or dental dam.  They may seem unsexy or less intimate, but in the end, wouldn’t you rather have the faint taste of plastic for a few minutes than deal with a lifetime of suspicious oral infections or worse? By the way, condoms come in flavors, just for this occasion. It turns out that, overall, when it comes to oral sex, it is “safer” to receive than to give.  So, give the gift of health and wrap it or dam it before you tap it.  (Yeah, that slogan’s still in the shop.  We’re working on it!)

Tell us what you think about safe oral sex.  Are you practicing safe oral sex?  Is anybody?  We want to hear from you!

Posted in STD Myths, safe sex | 21 Comments »