Archive for the ‘safe sex’ Category

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Condoms…for women?

Monday, July 4th, 2011

by Emily Gangwer, Care Advisor

When I was first asked to write about female condoms, I realized I knew absolutely nothing about them. Turns out, I wasn’t alone.

Asking around, I was surprised that most 20-something women don’t even know that female condoms exist. But they’ve been around awhile. The original version of the female condom (FC) was introduced in the 90s…and in 2009, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the FC2, a new, more comfortable version of the female condom.

How does the FC2 work?
The FC2 is a thin sheath or pouch that’s inserted into the vagina. At each end of the sheath, there’s a ring. One ring keeps the condom in place inside the vagina, while the other – outside, at the entrance of the vagina – helps “guide” penetration and keep the sheath from being moved up into the vagina during intercourse.

What’s in it for you?
When used correctly, the FC2 helps prevent pregnancy and most sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. And according to AVERT, an international HIV/AIDS prevention group, female condoms like FC2 allow women to share the responsibility for safer sex with their partner(s).

Carole Brite, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Illinois, puts it this way:
“The female condom is one of the only forms of barrier contraception that allows women to be in control over their own sexual health…allowing them protection against unwanted pregnancies as, well as HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections. It is a vital tool in the fight against HIV/AIDS.”

Indeed, with women accounting for more than half of HIV cases worldwide, HIV prevention initiatives for women are still desperately needed. The female condom is the only female-initiated HIV prevention method currently available, empowering women to protect themselves from the virus that causes AIDS.

Where can you buy the FC2?
Recently, 400 Walgreens locations across the country stocked their shelves with FC2s. The cost of a pack of three condoms ranges from $5.99 to $7.99. You can also purchase female condoms at Walgreens.com.

“Limited access to female condoms has long been a barrier. [We] commend Walgreens for making a business decision that will help women and men across the U.S. access the prevention tools they need to stay healthy,” says Jessica Terlikowski, co-founder and chair of the Chicago Female Condom Campaign. “We urge other commercial pharmacies to follow Walgreens’ commitment to reduce new HIV and STD infections, and make the new female condom available in their stores.”

Here’s hoping that the FC2 will soon be as mainstream and commonly-used as the male condom because, well…why not? It is time to take control, ladies!

Learn more about female condoms…
…and how to connect with efforts in Chicago, Houston, New York City, San Francisco and Washington, DC:

More information:

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Posted in STD awareness, safe sex | Add Your Comment »

Safer Sex: something to talk about

Monday, May 9th, 2011

by Courtney Jones, Care Advisor

Sex is a constant influence in media, in politics and in our personal lives. Unfortunately, good information about STDs and sexual health isn’t as prevalent.

No matter who you are, if you don’t know the facts about STDs and STD risk factors, you’re probably living with a lot of unnecessary stress and anxiety. Even actor Matthew Morrison – better known as Mr. Schu in the TV show “Glee” – said recently that he avoided sex when he was younger because of an irrational fear that any kind of sexual activity would result in an STD. Singer and songwriter Katy Perry also stated in an interview that her religious upbringing left her clueless about sex and STDs.

Being uninformed or misinformed about STDs leads to fear. So here are the basics of what you need to know to protect yourself and others from getting infected or spreading an infection:

1. Know your partner & communicate. With every new relationship, get tested for STDs. Give yourselves the peace of mind of knowing each other’s STD status. And don’t be afraid to share your concerns with each other…your sexual health is worth talking about!

Do you trust your sexual partner? Do you know if your partner has a history of STDs? Are you worried about whether your partner is having sex with other people? Ask away…you deserve to know.

2.  Use condoms & practice safer sex. You’ve seen the ads on buses and billboards: “No condom, no way.” Those ads are for real. Using latex condoms or dental dams every time you have vaginal, anal or oral sex greatly lowers your risk of getting HIV or other STDs from someone who might be infected…or from spreading a sexually transmitted infection to others.

And use common sense: avoid contact with open cuts or sores.

Being smart about your sexual health also means understanding how STDs can’t be spread. For example, you can’t get HIV through everyday contact with people who are infected with the virus…or through contact with their urine, sweat, tears, coughs or sneezes. And you can’t get HIV by “dry” kissing an infected person…or from toilet seats or eating utensils.

STDs aren’t taboo like they used to be…so if you have questions, ask us and put your fears to rest. Our knowledgeable, STD-certified Care Advisors are just a call away: 866.660.2593 (toll-free).

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

Designer Condoms Debut at NY Fashion Week

Wednesday, February 16th, 2011

by Katie Gragg, Customer Care Advisor

Right now at New York Fashion Week, fashion heavy hitters and up-and-coming designers alike are debuting beauty and style trends. Among the bright red lips, tomboy ponytails and luxurious furs are…designer condoms.

That’s right, condoms.

Every season, condom maker Proper Attire selects a designer to create stylish, female-friendly condoms that will spark conversation and have the ladies reaching for protection before the lights go out.

Vena Cava is this season’s fashion label of choice. Vena Cava designers Sophie Buhai and Lisa Mayock created the latest packaging for Proper Attire…and they’re in good company. Among others, previous Proper Attire designers include the likes of Alexander Wang, Charlotte Ronson and Yigal Azrouel.

Proper Attire is making important strides in making safe sex not only easier to talk about, but fun and fashionable, too. And if fun, fashionable, safe sex isn’t enough to make every woman run out to buy a stash of condoms, a partnership with the Planned Parenthood Federation of America might be the tipping point…proceeds from condom sales go to Planned Parenthood which delivers sex education, health care and information around the world.

So, the question is not what designer will you be wearing to New York Fashion Week, but which Vena Cava condom design will you be wearing tonight?

Posted in safe sex | 3 Comments »

World AIDS Day Marks Progress

Wednesday, December 1st, 2010

by Su McFay, RN, Analyte Physicians Group

Today is World AIDS Day, which is all about educating people about the risks of the disease…and how to prevent and treat it.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 1.1 million people in the United States are living with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. The good news is that progress is being made to treat and manage the virus. With advances in HIV treatment, HIV is no longer the death sentence it was in the ‘80s when AIDS was ravaging the gay community. Recent studies have shown that antiretroviral medications that treat HIV infection lower the risk of acquiring the virus; earlier studies also showed that a vaginal gel that contained HIV medication lowered the risk of acquiring HIV by 40% among African women.

Yet while there are advances in HIV treatment and AIDS is on the decline, HIV infections are still on the rise. There are some 56,000 new cases of HIV infection each year…but 1 in 5 people are unaware that they are infected. Which means that HIV/AIDS education and prevention remain urgent priorities.

So what’s the best way to prevent HIV? Get HIV tested! Also, don’t use IV drugs, do use condoms each and every time you have sex, reduce your number of sexual partners, and be in a monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested and knows his or her status.

Remember, early diagnosis is key to treating HIV infection. Getting testing can literally save lives…and allow you to live longer and healthier. On December 1, World AIDS Day, I encourage you to do your part and get tested for HIV.
World AIDS Day

Learn about ONE, a grassroots organization that fights poverty and preventable diseases, including HIV in children.

Posted in HIV, safe sex | 1 Comment »

My Partner Has Genital Herpes

Tuesday, September 28th, 2010

DR. LISA OLDSON

Wow.  I just met Mr. Wonderful and he informs me that he has genital herpes.  What should I do?

I get this question a lot in my clinic.  Let’s start with checking your herpes status.  Remember, 45 million Americans have genital herpes and its estimated that only 10 – 20% of those folks know it so there is a chance that you are among them.  Our current blood test for genital herpes is very good at identifying type 1 (which more commonly causes cold sores) and type 2 herpes, unlike the old tests that were available prior to 1999.  So, let’s get you tested and take it from there.

You’re positive for type 2 herpes also?  OK, it’s a drag to find out that you’re positive for herpes, but on the upside you don’t have to worry about catching a NEW herpes infection from Mr. Wonderful.  I do recommend that you should BOTH be tested for all STDs because if you’ve got one STD, you could have another.  Once we establish that you are both negative for everything else and positive only for type 2 herpes, we should still talk about safe sex.  I recommend using condoms each and every time you have sex as a general principle to stay safe.  Also, although its entirely possible to get pregnant and have a healthy baby even with a diagnosis of herpes, there are special considerations that should be discussed with your OB/GYNE, so keep that in mind if and when the time comes that you and Mr. Wonderful settle in for some serious nesting.

What if your test was negative for type 2 herpes?  Well, congrats on that one.  Remember, you should both be tested for everything to establish your baselines and make sure there are no surprises.  Should it be a deal breaker that your partner has herpes?  Most people would say no, but of course that’s a very personal decision.

There are several things you can do to lower your risk of catching genital herpes.  With discordant couples (meaning one partner has herpes and one doesn’t), safe sex is imperative!  Use a condom every time you have sex. What if Mr. Wonderful is so darn great that you want him to be your baby’s daddy someday? No problem, you can have unprotected sex in certain situations and your OB/GYNE can give you some advice on the way to minimize your risk while trying to get pregnant.  But I digress… back to he’s positive for herpes and you’re negative.

After using condoms, the next thing to consider is what we call suppressive therapy.  He can take an antiviral medication daily to reduce the risk of transmission (the risk of spreading herpes to you).  These medications are safe and often available in generic formulations.  Why not do everything you can to reduce the risk?  Lastly, you should abstain from sex if your partner is having an active outbreak or is having a prodrome, which is a tingling feeling that sometimes occurs before an active herpes outbreak.  Keep in mind that the virus can be spread at other times, but during the prodrome or an outbreak he will be most infectious.

Let me mention one more thing for both men and women to understand about herpes and pregnancy.  It is somewhat risky for a baby if a women develops a new herpes infection in the last part of pregnancy, so if you are pregnant and part of a discordant couple, talk to your obstetrician about the best way to protect your baby.  Most physicians recommend discordant couples abstain from sex (potentially including oral sex if your partner has cold sores) during the last trimester of pregnancy.

Lastly, don’t let herpes ruin a perfectly good relationship. As long as you can talk openly and honestly about STDs,  STD testing and safe sex you’re off to a good start!

Posted in herpes, safe sex | 2 Comments »

“STD” is not an STD

Monday, August 23rd, 2010

BY ADRIENNE DeLUNA

Caller: “Hello, I’d like to get tested for STD.”

Counselor: “Great! What would you like to get tested for?”

Caller: “STD.”

Counselor: “Well, there are many STDs you can get tested for. Were you concerned about something in particular or would you like to get tested for the 8 most common STDs?”

Caller: “There are more than one!?”

Seriously.  This is what happens when we don’t have widespread support for sex education in public schools.  We live in such a highly sexualized culture but, as a nation, our sexual health literacy is very low.  If parents aren’t teaching their children about general safe sex practice and infectious disease and our teachers aren’t teaching about preventative care, it’s no wonder we get basic questions like this on a daily basis.  What is an STD?  Why are they sometimes called STIs?  What’s safer sex?  Do I really need to get tested?  Doesn’t my doctor test me?

Unfortunately, no, your doctor is probably not testing you for STDs.  And, no, STD is not an STD.  When you have unprotected oral, vagina, or anal sex, you are putting yourself and others at risk for becoming infected with a variety of sexually transmitted diseases or STDs.

Caller: “I’m interested in getting tested for all STDs. What is in your panel?”

Counselor: “Our 8 Test Panel includes testing for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Herpes, HIV, and Syphilis.

Caller: “Well, I won’t need the Chlamydia and Gonorrhea tests, because I am a man, right?”

Sigh.  Chlamydia and gonorrhea are bacterial infections that occur in both men and women. In fact, chlamydia and gonorrhea  are among the most common STDs by and large because they can be present without any obvious signs or symptoms.  People don’t know they are infected with chlamydia or gonorrhea and unknowingly pass the infection to their partner.

Caller: “I need to get tested for HIV/AIDS.”

Counselor: “Just HIV, or all STDs?”

Caller: “I thought the HIV test covered all STDs?”

Look — getting tested is the most important thing you can do at the beginning of a new relationship (or after!) to protect your health and the health of your partner. Get tested for all STDs so you know the complete status of your sexual health. Don’t be afraid to ask questions if you aren’t sure what you need to test for. That is what we are here for – and we’ve heard it all!

Posted in Chlamydia, HIV, STD Testing, STD awareness, gonorrhea, herpes, safe sex | Add Your Comment »

You Asked, We Answered

Tuesday, August 17th, 2010

BY GERALD PALMER

Our phones ring off the hook with questions about sexual health.  And we’re happy to answer.  Wonder about some of the most frequently asked questions?  Wonder no more.  This post is devoted to giving you the answers you’re looking for.  (We’ll write a post about the rarely asked questions later.  Those are good.)  Please remember, if you have a question, call us at (888) 215-9543 to speak with a counselor.  That’s what we’re here for.

Q: Can I be positive if I’ve never had symptoms?

A: Yes, you may be positive even if you aren’t having any symptoms.  For example, women rarely experience symptoms of chlamydia.  And most people who have genital herpes aren’t even aware they have it.

Q: What if we only had sex for a few seconds? Can I get anything?

A: Yes, sexually transmitted infections can spread through oral, vaginal or anal sex.  And, even if there was no actual penetration, STDs can spread through skin to skin contact, like genital herpes.   This can happen no matter how long the exposure lasts…even a few seconds.

Q: My roommate/friend just got diagnosed with herpes. Is it safe to use the same towel/cup/silverware?

A:  Herpes does not stay alive on objects.  It’s a fragile virus without a host.  So you can’t get herpes from sharing towels and cups.

Q: Can I get an STD from oral sex?

A: 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?

Q: Why can’t I get a prescription if I already know that I’m positive?

A: Here at STD Test Express, we care about your health, and part of that care requires a documented positive result before treatment. This way we can ensure that you are getting the appropriate treatment for the infection.

Q: Do you know where I can get treatment without testing?

A: If your partner has tested positive for chlamydia or gonorrhea, there is a clinical practice called Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT).  Our doctors require positive test results before treatment, but your physician or partner’s physician may choose to treat without testing under EPT. Remember, treatment is only effective if both partners are treated and then re-tested to ensure that the infection has been cured/managed before resuming sexual activity.

And the #1 most asked question:

Q: How long should I wait to get tested?

A: This will vary from person to person – because all of the STDs have different testing windows.  Our doctors recommend testing at 3 weeks after exposure and then getting tested again at 3 months to confirm your results.

Now, we have a question for you.  If you are concerned you may have been exposed to an STD or simply want to know your status, what are you waiting for?  Don’t take a chance – get tested regularly, know your status, protect yourself and your partners.

Posted in Chlamydia, Oral Sex, STD Testing, Timing, herpes, safe sex | Add Your Comment »

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 | 9 Comments »

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 »

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