FitSugar

STIs Explained: Trichomoniasis

FitSugar — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 14:30:30 -0700

Since things are heating up everywhere these days, I thought it might be the time to tell you to cool down a little bit and play smart. Yep, it is time to fill you in on a fairly common STI (sexually transmitted infection - it not a disease since it is curable), Trichomoniasis. Tricky to say maybe, but not tricky to prevent!

STIs are considered 100% preventable if you abstain from sex, but let's be reasonable here, that seems pretty unlikely. However you and your partner can both get tested for STIs before you have sex, so you both know you are in the clear.

Since trichomoniasis, also known as trich, is transmitted through genital contact, using latex or polyurethane condoms can greatly reduce your risk in contracting the infection. On the other hand, being in a mutually monogamous relationship is an awesome way to keep yourself safe.

While this may not be a pretty subject, it is good to know what is out there so you can make good decisions and hopefully avoid having to deal with the organ and tissue damage trich can cause. In women, if left untreated trich can cause the fallopian tubes to become inflamed and can also potentially damage your cervix. If your man needs some convincing to get tested tell him that in men, prolonged infection of trich can potentially damage the bladder as well as the prostate. Hopefully that caught your attention!

So for more details about trichomoniasis, then read more

STI	Symptoms	How do you test for it?	Treatment
Trichomoniasis	Can be asymptomatic yellow-green vaginal discharge Vaginal odor Discomfort during intercourse Painful urination or ejaculation	Samples of vaginal discharge or secretions from the penis are examined under a microscope - these protozoan can be seen swimming (eww).	This parasitic infection can be cured with the prescription drug, metronidazole (a pill you take orally)

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STIs Explained: Syphilis

FitSugar — Tue, 15 May 2007 17:15:00 -0700

Since Spring has arrived and romance is in the air, let's talk more about STIs.

STI stands for "sexually transmitted infection." The reason this term is used instead of STDs (sexually transmitted disease) is because the word "infection" is more accurate since many of these are actually curable (except for Genital Herpes, Genital Warts, and HIV). Also, the word "infection" carries less of a negative social stigma than the word "disease."

STIs like Syphilis, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Genital Herpes, and Genital Warts are 100% avoidable, so your best bet is to abstain from vaginal, anal, or oral sex altogether. Since that's not much fun (and not going to happen), it's a good idea for you and your partner to get tested for all STIs before you have sex.

Using latex or polyurethane condoms is also a great idea, but not completely effective. Being in a mutually monogamous relationship with someone you know is uninfected will keep you safe and STI-free.

Make sure to see your gynecologist annually to get tested, because early detection of syphilis (in the first stage) can help prevent permanent organ damage to the heart, eyes, brain, nervous system, bones and joints.

Want to know about Syphilis? Then read more

STI	Symptoms	How do you test for it?	Treatment
Syphilis	Stage 1: One or more painless reddish-brown sores (called chancres) appear on or near the genitals. Sores can also appear on the lips, mouth and fingertips. Stage 2: A skin rash develops anywhere on the body. Flu-like symptoms such as mild fever, fatigue and sore-throat appear. Stage 3: Late stage symptoms include brain damage, mental illness, blindness, organ damage, heart disease and death.	There are 3 ways to test: a doctor's recognition of its symptoms microscopic identification of syphilis bacteria and blood tests	Since syphilis is a bacterial infection, a single injection of Penicillin or other antibiotic will cure a person who has had syphilis for less than 1 year. Additional doses are needed for someone who's had it longer.

STI

Symptoms

How do you test for it?

Treatment

Syphilis

Stage 1: One or more painless reddish-brown sores (called chancres) appear on or near the genitals. Sores can also appear on the lips, mouth and fingertips.
Stage 2: A skin rash develops anywhere on the body. Flu-like symptoms such as mild fever, fatigue and sore-throat appear.
Stage 3: Late stage symptoms include brain damage, mental illness, blindness, organ damage, heart disease and death.

There are 3 ways to test:

a doctor's recognition of its symptoms
microscopic identification of syphilis bacteria
and blood tests

Since syphilis is a bacterial infection, a single injection of Penicillin or other antibiotic will cure a person who has had syphilis for less than 1 year.

Additional doses are needed for someone who's had it longer.

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Online STD Screening Tool

FitSugar — Fri, 11 May 2007 02:30:00 -0700

Quite simply, and unfortunately, if you've had unprotected sex, you may be at risk for an STD. The hard part is that most people with STDs have no symptoms so it's hard to know if you're infected.

There is a new online tool that sort of acts as a pre-screening tool before you head to the doc's office. Through a series of questions and answers, STD Wizard will tell you what you should get tested for when you do see the doc. I really like that you can print your results out and bring it with you so that you don't have to remember all the crazy names of things you may want to get tested for if need be. Also, if you're too embarrassed to tell your doc that you want to be tested for herpes, you can just hand over the sheet without H-E-R-P-E-S having to ever cross your lips.

Wondering what the heck all of this means? Then check out my posts that explain several STIs.

STIs Explained: Genital Warts (HPV)

FitSugar — Wed, 09 May 2007 17:15:00 -0700

Ahh Spring is here. With all the flowers and love blooming around me, it reminds me how important it is to talk about Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).

You need to know about Genital Warts (HPV) since it is a viral infection, there is NO CURE. For most women, the visible infection goes away on its own, but once you get it, you have it forever. This means an infected person can pass it on to her or his sexual partner. HPV can cause mild Pap test abnormalities, and 10 out of 30 cases can lead to the development of cervical cancer.

To prevent Genital Warts and other STIs like Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Genital Herpes in the first place, abstain from sexual contact if you can. Since that's pretty unrealistic, the best thing to do is to have you and your partner get tested before you have sex.

Although using latex or polyurethane condoms is an excellent idea, the HPV virus can occur in areas that are NOT covered by condoms. Being in a mutually monogamous relationship with someone you know is uninfected is an even better way to keep yourself safe.

Make sure you get yearly Pap tests to ensure that pre-cancerous changes in the cervix caused by HPV infection do not develop into life threatening cervical cancer.

Want to know more about Genital Warts? Then read more

STI	Symptoms	How do you test for it?	Treatment
Genital Warts (HPV)	Genital warts are soft and usually flesh colored. They can be flat or raised. They appear alone or in clusters, and are usually painless, but can cause itching, pain or bleeding. They can appear on the vulva, vagina, anus, cervix, penis or scrotum. They appear one to eight months after infection, so you can be infected and not even know it.	A visual diagnosis or Pap test	If you are a woman age 9-26, being vaccinated with Gardasil may help prevent Genital Warts and cervical cancer If you have small visible warts, these can be treated with topical creams, or by freezing, burning, or laser treatment. If they are large, you may need surgery to remove them.

STI

Symptoms

How do you test for it?

Treatment

Genital Warts (HPV)

Genital warts are soft and usually flesh colored. They can be flat or raised.
They appear alone or in clusters, and are usually painless, but can cause itching, pain or bleeding.
They can appear on the vulva, vagina, anus, cervix, penis or scrotum.
They appear one to eight months after infection, so you can be infected and not even know it.

A visual diagnosis or Pap test

If you are a woman age 9-26, being vaccinated with Gardasil may help prevent Genital Warts and cervical cancer

If you have small visible warts, these can be treated with topical creams, or by freezing, burning, or laser treatment. If they are large, you may need surgery to remove them.

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STIs Explained: Genital Herpes

FitSugar — Thu, 03 May 2007 17:15:00 -0700

They say love is free, but having unprotected sex in this day and you might be paying the price forever. Did I get your attention? Well I am talking about some serious business since as I learned in high school - Genital Herpes is FOREVER. There is NO cure, so it's really important to take all precautions to prevent getting it.

STIs like Genital Herpes, Chlamydia and Gonorrhea are 100% avoidable, and having no sexual contact would be ideal. Since that might not work, before becoming sexually active with anyone - make sure you and your partner get tested for all STIs before having unprotected sex.

Using latex or polyurethane condoms when having sex is also a great idea, but since a condom can't cover all the infected areas, it's no guarantee that you are 100% protected. Being in a mutually monogamous relationship with someone you know is uninfected is also a great way to keep yourself safe.

Want to hear all about Genital Herpes? Then read more

STI	Symptoms	How do you test for it?	Treatment
Genital Herpes	Small, painful blisters - these can go away after 1-3 weeks but another outbreak can occur weeks or months after Itching or burning before blisters appear	Blood test, or fluid is taken from the blisters and tested	There is NO cure, but antiviral medications can shorten or prevent outbreaks. Although it's rare for a pregnant woman to pass Genital Herpes onto her baby during delivery, a C-Section is usually performed.

STI

Symptoms

How do you test for it?

Treatment

Genital Herpes

Small, painful blisters - these can go away after 1-3 weeks but another outbreak can occur weeks or months after
Itching or burning before blisters appear

Blood test, or fluid is taken from the blisters and tested

There is NO cure, but antiviral medications can shorten or prevent outbreaks.

Although it's rare for a pregnant woman to pass Genital Herpes onto her baby during delivery, a C-Section is usually performed.

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STIs Explained: Gonorrhea

FitSugar — Tue, 01 May 2007 17:15:00 -0700

Warm weather has arrived and since Spring Fever is in the air, I thought I'd take the time to talk about Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). Fun stuff, I know.

STIs like Gonorrhea and Chlamydia are 100% avoidable. Abstaining from sex altogether is the surest way to keep yourself STI-free, but since that's not realistic, definitely have you and your partner get tested before you have sex.

Gonorrhea is spread through contact with the penis, vagina, mouth, or anus, so being in a mutually monogamous relationship with someone you know is uninfected is also a great way to keep yourself safe. When latex or polyurethane condoms are used consistently and correctly, that can also reduce the risk of transmitting gonorrhea.

Make sure to see your gynecologist annually to get tested, because if left untreated, gonorrhea can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or arthritis.

Want to know about Gonorrhea? Then read more

STI	Symptoms	How do you test for it?	Treatment
Gonorrhea (The #2 STI in the U.S.)	Frequently asymptomatic (no symptoms) Discharge from vagina, penis, or rectum Burning or itching during urination Sore throat	Samples of the infected fluid or urine must be taken	Since gonorrhea is a bacterial infection, several antibiotics can successfully cure it. However, drug-resistant strains of gonorrhea are increasing in many areas of the world, including the United States.

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STIs Explained: Chlamydia

FitSugar — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 13:30:00 -0700

Since Spring has arrived and romance is in the air, I thought I'd take the time to talk about Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). Not your favorite topic, I know, but definitely worth knowing about.

STI stands for "sexually transmitted infection." The reason this term is used instead of STD (sexually transmitted disease) is because the word "infection" is more accurate since many are actually curable (except for Genital Herpes and Genital Warts). Also, the word "infection" carries less of a negative social stigma than the word "disease."

STIs like chlamydia are 100% preventable, so you can either abstain from sex altogether (not realistic), or have you and your partner get tested before you have sex. Chlamydia can be passed through regular sex, and anal and oral sex, so being in a mutually monogamous relationship with someone you know who is uninfected is also a great way to keep yourself safe. When latex or polyurethane condoms are used consistently and correctly, that can also reduce the risk of transmitting chlamydia.

Make sure you see your gynecologist annually to get tested because if chlamydia goes untreated, irreversible damage can occur to a woman's reproductive organs, causing infertility.

Want to know about chlamydia? Then read more

STI	Symptoms	How do you test for it?	Treatment
Chlamydia (The #1 STI in the U.S.)	Frequently asymptomatic (no symptoms) Vaginal or penile discharge Burning during urination Women may experience lower abdominal pain, pain during intercourse, and irregular bleeding between periods Men may experience pain or swelling in the testicles	Samples of the infected fluid must be taken. Urine tests are now available too (which is good news for guys) but because they're more expensive, they're not yet available at all health clinics.	Since Chlamydia is a bacterial infection, antibiotics taken orally can cure most infections, but another round of antibiotics might need to be taken to get rid of it completely.

STI

Symptoms

How do you test for it?

Treatment

Chlamydia (The #1 STI in the U.S.)

Frequently asymptomatic (no symptoms)
Vaginal or penile discharge
Burning during urination
Women may experience lower abdominal pain, pain during intercourse, and irregular bleeding between periods
Men may experience pain or swelling in the testicles

Samples of the infected fluid must be taken.

Urine tests are now available too (which is good news for guys) but because they're more expensive, they're not yet available at all health clinics.

Since Chlamydia is a bacterial infection, antibiotics taken orally can cure most infections, but another round of antibiotics might need to be taken to get rid of it completely.

Source

STDs and ecological niches

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:26:08 -0700

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HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Many sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs) invade the host and reside for long periods of time without killing the host. A good example is syphilis, which may reside in its host for 30 to 50 years. HIV also can take 10 or more years to kill its host, allowing plenty of time to spread the infection.

Review Date: 6/6/2006

Reviewed By: Audra Robertson, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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Sexually transmitted diseases

FitSugar — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 17:34:55 -0700

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are infectious diseases that are spread through sexual contact. STDs are among the most common infectious diseases in the world today. There are over 20 types, affecting more than 13 million men and women in the United States alone each year, and the incidence is on the rise. Some of the most common STDs include chlamydial infection, genital herpes, genital warts, gonorrhea, HIV (human immunodeficiency virus, the microorganism that causes AIDS), and syphilis.

Signs and Symptoms

STDs often occur without symptoms, particularly in women. However, STDs may be accompanied by the following signs and symptoms:

Itching
Discharge
Pustules (pus-containing blisters)
Genital lesions including ulcers, blisters, rashes, and warts. Ulcers may be painful.
Abdominal pain
Rectal infection and inflammation of the rectum
Fever
Muscle pain
Painful urination
Swollen lymph glands in the groin

What Causes It?

STDs are caused by microbial agents and spread primarily (but not exclusively) through sexual contact. Some STDs can also be passed from a mother to her baby during delivery and through breastfeeding while infected. Others may be passed by sharing infected needles. Some of the most common STDs and the microorganisms that cause them are listed below.

AIDS: human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
Chlamydial infection:Chlamydia trachomatis
Genital herpes: herpes simplex virus (HSV)
Genital warts: human papillomavirus (HPV)
Gonorrhea:Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Syphilis:Treponema pallidum

In addition, there are certain infections classified as STDs that may be sexually transmitted but often are not. Candidal (yeast) infections and Gardnerella (an organism that frequently lives in the vagina) are examples that may cause vaginal inflammation.

Who's Most At Risk?

People with the following conditions or characteristics are at risk for developing STDs:

Having a sexual partner with an STD. In many cases, an STD may be present without symptoms.
Having many sexual partners, or a partner who has many sexual partners.
Having sex without the use of condoms or other protective devices.
Having one STD increases the likelihood of contracting another.
Adolescents are at highest risk for acquiring an STD for the first time.
Living under stress from poverty, poor nutrition, or poor or absent health care.
Practicing anal intercourse increases risk for HIV, gonorrhea, and syphilis.
Having a weakened immune system.
Using intravenous drugs.
Using spermicidal foams and jellies does not protect against STDs and may, in some cases, even promote contraction of certain STDs, including HIV.

What to Expect at Your Provider's Office

Your health care provider will do an examination and check for physical signs. Blood tests and other diagnostic procedures, including cultures from the genitalia, can reveal the microbial agent responsible for the STD and allow the health care provider to select the right therapy.

Treatment Options

Prevention

There are many ways in which people at risk may reduce the likelihood of contracting or spreading STDs:

Have a mutually monogamous sexual relationship with an uninfected partner.
Correctly and consistently use a male or female condom for every act of oral, anal, or vaginal intercourse.
Use clean needles if injecting intravenous drugs.
Prevent and control other STDs.
Have regular checkups for STDs even if you have no symptoms, especially if you are having sex with a new partner or with multiple partners.
Learn the common symptoms of STDs and seek medical help immediately if you develop any symptoms.

Anyone diagnosed with an STD should be treated, avoid sexual activity while being treated, notify all recent sexual partners, complete the course of any medications prescribed, and take a follow-up test.

Drug Therapies

STDs are generally treated with antibiotics and antivirals. See the monograph on HIV and AIDS for details on how that condition is treated.

Complementary and Alternative Therapies

There are some possible applications of CAM therapies in the case of STDs -- as adjunctive treatment (antibacterial and antiviral), as prevention, to improve the immune system, or to reduce certain complications, such as arthritis from gonorrhea. There are also CAM therapies for the treatment of specific STDs, including HIV/AIDs, human papillomavirus, and herpes viral infections. Check with your health care provider about which supplements to use for your condition, and about the interaction of supplements with prescription and non-prescription drugs. It is important to remember that not one of these CAM approaches offers a cure or an isolated treatment option. They should not be used instead of seeing your health care provider. Even during treatment, STDs remain highly contagious -- and you must take the necessary precautions to prevent transmission to sexual partners (see section on Prevention).

Always tell your health care provider about the herbs and supplements you are using or considering using.

Nutrition and Supplements

Following these nutritional tips may help improve general health and wellbeing:

Try to eliminate all suspected food allergens, including dairy, wheat (gluten), soy, chocolate, corn, preservatives, and food additives. Your health care provider may want to test you for food allergies.
Eat more antioxidant-rich foods (such as green, leafy vegetables and peppers) and fruits (such as blueberries, tomatoes, and cherries).
Avoid refined foods, such as white breads, pastas, and sugar.
Eat fewer red meats and more lean meats, cold-water fish, tofu (soy, if no allergy), or beans for protein.
Use healthy cooking oils, such as olive oil or vegetable oil.
Reduce or eliminate trans-fatty acids, found in commercially baked goods such as cookies, crackers, cakes, French fries, onion rings, donuts, processed foods, and margarine.
Avoid coffee and other stimulants, alcohol, and tobacco.
Drink 6 - 8 glasses of filtered water daily.
Exercise moderately, if tolerated, at least 30 minutes daily, 5 days a week.

You may be able to address nutritional deficiencies with the following supplements:

A multivitamin daily, containing the antioxidant vitamins A, C, E, the B-vitamins, and trace minerals, such as magnesium, calcium, zinc, and selenium.
Omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish oil, 1 - 2 capsules or 1 tablespoonful oil two to three times daily, to help decrease inflammation and improve immunity. Cold-water fish, such as salmon or halibut, are good sources.
Vitamin C, 500 - 1,000 mg one to three times daily, as an antioxidant and for immune support.
Coenzyme Q10, 100 - 200 mg at bedtime, for antioxidant, immune, and muscular support.
Acetyl-L-carnitine, 500 mg daily, for antioxidant and antiviral activity.
Probiotic supplement (containing Lactobacillus acidophilus), 5 - 10 billion CFUs (colony forming units) a day, for maintenance of gastrointestinal and immune health. You should refrigerate your probiotic supplements for best results.
L-glutamine, 500 - 1,000 mg three times daily, for support of gastrointestinal health and immunity.
Resveratrol (from red wine), 50 - 200 mg daily, for antioxidant and antiviral effects.
L-theanine, 200 mg one to three times daily, for nervous system support.
Melatonin, 2 - 5 mg one hour before bedtime, for sleep and immune protection.

Herbs

Herbs are generally a safe way to strengthen and tone the body's systems. As with any therapy, you should work with your health care provider to get your problem diagnosed before starting any treatment. You may use herbs as dried extracts (capsules, powders, teas), glycerites (glycerine extracts), or tinctures (alcohol extracts). Unless otherwise indicated, you should make teas with 1 tsp. herb per cup of hot water. Steep covered 5 - 10 minutes for leaf or flowers, and 10 - 20 minutes for roots. Drink 2 - 4 cups per day.

Green tea (Camellia sinensis) standardized extract, 250 - 500 mg daily, for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immune effects. Use caffeine free products. You may also prepare teas from the leaf of this herb.
Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) seed standardized extract, 80 - 160 mg two to three times daily, for detoxification support and antiviral effects.
Holy basil (Ocimum sanctum) standardized extract, 400 mg daily, for anti-stress and antiviral protection.
Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum), 150 - 300 mg two to three times daily, for inflammation and immunity. You may also take a tincture of this mushroom extract, 30 - 60 drops two to three times a day.
Cat's claw (Uncaria tomentosa) standardized extract, 20 mg three times a day, for inflammation and antiviral activity.
Garlic (Allium sativum), standardized extract, 400 mg two to three times daily, for antibacterial or antifungal and immune activity.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) uses many herb combinations to strengthen and tonify the immune system, and as antiviral agents. Check with your health care provider for more information on TCM.

Homeopathy

Homeopaths use various homeopathic remedies to treat STDs. However, so far no scientific studies have evaluated homeopathy for this purpose. An experienced homeopath would consider each individual case and may recommend treatments to address both the underlying constitution and the specific symptoms of the STD.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture may be used to alleviate symptoms and help enhance our natural ability to fight infection. Acupuncture has been reported to be effective in relieving symptoms of STDs, improving immune function, and decreasing the severity of the STD. Check with your health care provider for more information.

Prognosis/Possible Complications

When they are diagnosed early, many STDs can be treated effectively. However, many possible complications can result from not treating STDs. Some types of STDs commonly recur. Some can result in permanent damage to the reproductive organs and infertility. Having other STDs increases the risk for becoming infected with HIV. Antibiotic resistance by organisms that cause certain STDs may interfere with the effectiveness of treatment.

Following Up

Depending on the type of STD you have, your health care provider may want to see you for follow-up visits to be sure the disease has not recurred or to continue your treatment. If you are pregnant, an STD can cause serious complications for your unborn baby. Your health care provider will discuss treatment options with you.

Supporting Research

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Review Date:
9/8/2006
Reviewed By:
Ernest B. Hawkins, MS, BSPharm, RPh, Health Education Resources; and Steven D. Ehrlich, N.M.D., private practice specializing in complementary and alternative medicine, Phoenix, AZ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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Safe sex

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:49:49 -0700

Overview

Definition
Information
References

Illustrations

The female condom

The male condom

STDs and ecological niches

Primary syphilis

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Definition

Safe sex means taking precautions during sex that can keep you from getting a sexually transmitted disease (STD), or from giving an STD to your partner. These diseases include genital herpes, genital warts, HIV, Chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, hepatitis B and C, and others.

Information

An STD is a contagious disease that can be transferred to another person through sexual intercourse or other sexual contact. Many of the organisms that cause sexually-transmitted diseases live on the penis, vagina, anus, mouth, and the skin of surrounding areas.

Most of the diseases are transferred by direct contact with a sore on the genitals or mouth. However, some organisms can be transferred in body fluids without causing a visible sore. They can be transferred to another person during oral, vaginal, or anal intercourse.

Some STDs can also be transferred by nonsexual contact with infected tissues or fluids, such as infected blood. For example, sharing needles when using IV (in the vein) drugs is a major cause of HIV and hepatitis B transmission. An STD can also be transmitted through contaminated blood transfusions and blood products, through the placenta from the mother to the fetus, and sometimes through breast-feeding.

The following factors increase your risk of getting a sexually-transmitted disease (STD):

Not knowing whether a partner has an STD or not
Having a partner with a past history of any STD
Having sex without a male or female condom
Using drugs or alcohol in a situation where sex might occur
If your partner is an IV drug user
Having anal intercourse

Drinking alcohol or using drugs increases the likelihood that you will participate in high-risk sex. In addition, some diseases can be transferred through the sharing of used needles or other drug paraphernalia.

Abstinence is an absolute answer to preventing STDs. However, abstinence is not always a practical or desirable option.

Next to abstinence, the least risky approach is to have a mutually monogamous sexual relationship with someone you know is free of any STD. Ideally, before having sex with a new partner, each of you should get screened for STDs, especially HIV and hepatitis B, and share the test results with each another.

Use condoms to avoid contact with semen, vaginal fluids, or blood. Both male and female condoms dramatically reduce the chance you will get or spread an STD. However, condoms must be used properly:

Keep in mind that STDs can still be spread, even if you use a condom, because a condom does not cover surrounding skin areas. But a condom definitely reduces your risk.
Lubricants may help reduce the chance a condom will break. Use only water-based lubricants, because oil-based or petroleum-type lubricants can cause latex to weaken and tear. Using condoms with nonoxynol-9 (a spermicide) can help prevent pregnancy, but may increase the chance of HIV transmission because the spermicide can irritate the vaginal walls.
The condom should be in place from the beginning to end of sexual activity and should be used every time you have sex.
Use latex condoms for vaginal, anal, and oral intercourse.

Here are additional safe-sex steps:

Be responsible. If you have an STD, like HIV or herpes, advise any prospective sexual partner. Allow him or her to decide what to do. If you mutually agree on engaging in sexual activity, use latex condoms and other measures to protect the partner.
If pregnant, take precautions. If you have an STD, learn about the risk to the infant before becoming pregnant. Ask your provider how to prevent the fetus from becoming infected. HIV positive women should not breastfeed their infant.
Know your partner. Before having sex, first establish a committed relationship that allows trust and open communication. You should be able to discuss past sexual histories, any previous STDs or IV drug use. You should not feel coerced or forced into having sex.
Stay sober. Alcohol and drugs impair your judgment, communication abilities, and ability to properly use condoms or lubricants.

In summary, safe sex requires prior planning and good communication between partners. Given that, couples can enjoy the pleasures of a sexual relationship while reducing the potential risks involved.

For information about preventing pregnancy, see birth control and family planning.

References

Cohn SE. Sexually transmitted diseases, HIV, and AIDS in women. Med Clin North Am. 2003; 87(5): 971-995.

Greydanus DE. Contraception for college students. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2005; 52(1): 135-161, ix.

Polizzotto MJ. Prevention of sexually transmitted diseases. Clin Fam Pract. 2005; 7(1): 1-12.

Workowski KA, Berman SM. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Clinical prevention guidance. Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2006;4;55(RR-11):2-6.

Review Date: 5/12/2008

Reviewed By: Linda Vorvick, MD, Seattle Site Coordinator, Lecturer, Pathophysiology, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine; Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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