STD Testing Blog

Archive for the ‘safe sex’ Category

Tales from the STD Hotline

Monday, July 12th, 2010

BY ADRIENNE DeLUNA

“So…my condom broke last weekend. I’d probably know if I had something by now, right?”
If only it were that easy.
“My partner said they tested negative for everything, so that means I should be good to go.”
Sorry. Not true.
“If he wasn’t experiencing any symptoms, I can’t get anything passed to me.”
Nope, that’s not right.
“I don’t have any of the symptoms I’ve researched online, so I should be clean, right?”
Sorry, again.

Welcome to the most common questions our counselors hear every day.  If you’re wondering the same things, you’re not alone.  The thing about STDs – and why they’re so common – is that people don’t think they need to get tested.  Your date looks “clean” and you know you don’t show any symptoms of an STD, so there’s no harm with a little unprotected sex, right?  No.  You have no idea if you or your date has an STD unless you’ve been tested.

We get asked these questions so often, we felt the need to pass this bit of information to you.

  • There are 19 million new cases of STDs in the U.S. each year.
  • The two most common STDs (Chlamydia and Gonorrhea) show no symptoms for 50-75% of the people who are infected. This means you may be infected, and in turn, unknowingly pass the STD to your partner.
  • And Herpes? It’s estimated that only about 20% of those who have herpes are even aware they have it.

It also only takes one time of having unprotected oral, vaginal, or anal sex to get an STD. One time! It doesn’t matter if it was for a minute, or for an hour. (and no, oral is not safe –we’ll dive into that one another time.)

We know this isn’t an easy thing to do, so we make getting tested easy. There’s no undressing, swabbing, or answering any embarrassing questions. Get your results (and peace of mind) in 2-3 business days, and enjoy your sex life without the anxiety.

Still confused or have more questions? Give us a call, that’s what we’re here for. 888-215-9543.

Posted in Cultural Attitudes, Risk, STD Myths, STD awareness, safe sex | Add Your Comment »

STDs and Viagra: On the Rise

Friday, July 9th, 2010

Before you toss your little blue pills, the researchers at Harvard did not discover that Viagra and other ED drugs cause sexually transmitted diseases.  They don’t.  They do what they are designed to do — help men achieve erections strong enough for sexual intercourse.  What the researchers did discover, however, was that men who take Viagra, Cialis and the others tend to engage in riskier sexual behavior.  In fact, according to the study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, men who were prescribed ED drugs are 2 to 3 times more likely to contract an STD, particularly HIV or chlamydia, than men who aren’t popping Viagra.

Earlier research has found that men aged 50 and older are less likely to use a condom and less likely to be tested for HIV compared with people in their 20s.  It’s not hard to understand why this trend is happening.  “We are typically unaccustomed to practice safe sex over the age of 50, because the risk of pregnancy is eliminated,” study lead author Dr. Anupam B. Jena of Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

Viagra.  Meet Trojan.  Trojan?  Meet Viagra.  Guys — we’re happy you’re enjoying great sex, but please stay safe.  And if you haven’t gotten your routine STD or HIV test, we’re here to help.

Posted in Erectile Dysfunction, HIV, Risk, safe sex | 1 Comment »

STD is Not a Dirty Word

Tuesday, May 4th, 2010

In the beginning, we at the STD Test Express news desk had a difficult time telling our friends and families that we help people get tested for STDs.  There was the vague “We provide a health service.” or the more vague and less true “I work for a bank.” This vaguery makes no sense because, of course, we know that screening for sexually transmitted infections saves lives and prevents serious health consequences.  Full stop.

But we’re products of our puritanical culture – a culture that believes in the equation “sex = bad + disease = punishment”.  We’ve sinned by having sex and punished with an STD.  The deep shame this cultural attitude spawns prevents us from talking to our doctors and getting screened and, in turn, prevents us from preventing serious health risks.  In short, this is the thinking that leads to 19 million new STD cases a year and millions more going undiagnosed.

When we associate STDs with blame and shame, it’s no wonder that people aren’t getting screened and, more importantly, treated.  Dr. Abigail Zuger, an infectious-disease physician in Manhattan, wrote a great essay in The New York Times recently. She points out that historically we’ve always associated disease with blame. “Centuries ago we burned witches and torched infidels for poisoning our wells; diseases were the fault of our enemies (in the 15th century, syphilis was simultaneously the Italian disease in France and the French disease in Italy).”  The fact is, the rate of STD infection is alarmingly high.  And why is that?  In part, as Dr. Zuger points out, generations of Americans have now grown up believing that sensible, good people “play safe,” implying that if you catch a sexually transmitted disease, you are not sensible and reckless.  And you got what you deserve.

STDs are a fact of human life.  We can diagnose and treat them before they cause further harm.  Getting tested should not be a shameful experience but one that we can be proud of the same way we feel when we get our cholesterol levels screened and take other preventative measures to ensure our health.

From all of us, we at STD Test Express are here to help people save lives.  It’s time we stop covering our mouth, our eyes, and our ears and start covering our private parts with condoms!

We’d love to hear from you!  Tell us what’s on your mind.

Posted in STD awareness, safe sex | 2 Comments »

STDs and Sex Toys: Really?

Monday, April 26th, 2010

Can you get a sexually transmitted infection from a sex toy?  I know you don’t want to think about it, but think about it.  We’re pretty good about buying new toothbrushes, but we tend to collect sex toys as though we’re planning to pass them down through the generations.  Sex toys are not family heirlooms!  If you have a sex toy that can be classified as “vintage”, toss it out.  Vibrators, rings, and other devices can carry bacteria and viruses, especially if they are made with porous materials.  Steel, glass, and 100% medical grade silicone are safer materials and can be disinfected easily.  Manufacturers recommend sterilizing in boiling water or on the top rack of a dishwasher (no soap) IF they don’t have any electrical elements or those components can be removed.  Aren’t you glad you read this blog post?  Tip of the day – always wash sex toys before and after sex with antibacterial soap and warm water.  Allow to air dry.

Safe sex practices go beyond condom use and STD testing.  Sex toys can carry infection.  And that’s no fun.

Posted in safe sex | 1 Comment »

STD Awareness Month and Our Youth Obsession

Tuesday, April 6th, 2010

April showers bring May flowers…and National STD Awareness month.  You’re ahead of the pack because you’re aware of STDs and HIV.  You’re aware of the risks and aware that there are very easy ways to get tested privately and conveniently. But, if you look at the efforts to raise our country’s STD awareness, you’d think that only young people are vulnerable to STDs and HIV.  This year, the CDC, Planned Parenthood, the Kaiser Family Foundation, and others are sponsoring a great awareness campaign by MTV to encourage young people to get tested for sexually transmitted diseases.  It’s called Get Yourself Tested or GYT and it’s a terrific campaign.

But what about the rest of us in our 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, and beyond?  While it’s critical to teach young people how to protect themselves, why is this important public health awareness effort so focused on teenagers?  FACT: The highest number of newly acquired cases of HIV/AIDS have been found in middle aged adults, ages 35 to 44.  Next highest age group?  Ages 45 to 54.  The least affected group is the youngest group between the age of 25 to 34.  This is CDC published data.

The new faces of HIV/AIDs are not gay men or the sexually promiscuous or IV drug users.  It’s the woman over 50 who doesn’t use condoms because she’s not worried about getting pregnant.  Or the divorced 42 year dad who’s dating again after many years and doesn’t know how to bring up the subject about using condoms or STD testing.  Viagra, Facebook, online dating, midlife divorce, and lack of awareness may be contributing forces but STDs are no longer an affliction of the young.

And maybe… it’s just that grownups are not so good at using condoms.  In a University of Chicago survey of single women ages 58 to 93, nearly 60% said they didn’t use a condom the last time they had sex. A May 2008 study conducted by the New York Department of Health and Mental Hygiene showed that among single people with at least two sexual partners, 56% of people over age 45 reported using condoms the last time they had sex, compared with 61% of 25-to-44-year-olds and 80% of 18-to-24-year-olds.

Grownups — here’s our message.  Please hear it.  STDs and HIV are preventable.  Please use condoms every time you have sexual contact.  And please get tested today.  Ask your partner, too.  It’s easy. Call us at 888-215-9543 if you have questions. We’re here to help.

Posted in HIV, STD Statistics, STD Testing, safe sex | Add Your Comment »

Ozzy Osbourne: “Russian roulette with sex”

Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010

Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath rock star and former bat-head biter-offer, recently spoke to CNN about living a life filled with drugs and promiscuous sex.  Frankly, given the risks Ozzy Osbourne took on a daily basis, it’s amazing that he is alive today.  He chalks it up to survival by “the grace of God.”  Maybe so.  Or, most likely, Ozzy may be a mutant strain of homo sapien that carries a super resistant strain of viral antibodies and should be studied and presented at scientific conferences.

Either way, what he says is true.  Every day we mortal humans play Russian roulette with sex when we don’t know our STD or HIV status and don’t use condoms or dental dams every time we have sex.  While sex is wonderful and life-affirming it can also be seriously dangerous to us and to others if we contract an STD that goes undetected and untreated.  It used to be that getting screened for sexually transmitted disease involved painful swabs and embarrassing doctor visits.  Those days are over.  We help thousands of people get tested privately, easily, and without the hassle. Ozzy, give us a call.  We’re here to help.

Posted in Risk, safe sex | 1 Comment »

NEWS: Tiger Testing Day on January 12!

Thursday, January 7th, 2010

Even if you are not six degrees removed from a Tiger Woods mistress, it’s important to get tested for HIV every year or more if you have sexual risk behaviors.  As the Tiger Woods and other celebrity sex scandals teach us, we’re at risk even when we don’t think we are.  To help everyone stay on top of their sexual health, we’re offering free HIV testing on January 12.  Take a minute and tweet about STD Test Express, follow us, tell your friends, and spread the word.  Help take sexual health out of the closet.  It’s as important as staying fit, eating well, using sunscreen, not smoking, and everything else we do to stay healthy. Come on…be a Tiger.

Posted in HIV, STD Testing, safe sex | 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 | 9 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 »