FitSugar

STIs Explained: Trichomoniasis

FitSugar — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 14:30:30 PDT

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

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 PDT

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

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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STIs Explained: Gonorrhea

FitSugar — Tue, 01 May 2007 17:15:00 PDT

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

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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We're Sweet on Vintage Valentine's Day Ads

Tara Sharp — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 08:23:58 PST

Happy Valentine's Day! Take a trip back in time with these funny, cute, romantic, and sometimes sexist vintage V-Day ads. According to these ads, it seems the best way to impress a woman (and get some lovin') on Feb. 14 is with a box of chocolates, and for men it's cake. Alluding to sexual favors in exchange for Valentine's Day gifts may seem retro, but the concept hasn't gone away in advertising, as we saw in Teleflora's "give and receive" Super Bowl ad over the weekend. See some of the good, bad, and most bizarre vintage V-Day ads!

Angelina Jolie Focuses on Philanthropy and Hits a Berlin Red Carpet With Brad

Lindsay Miller — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 18:30:20 PST

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt continued their visit to Berlin today after he made a quick pit stop in London over the weekend to attend the BAFTAs. He was nominated for best actor at the British film celebration, which aired yesterday evening, though The Artist star Jean Dujardin ended up taking home the honor. Brad and Angelina first flew to Germany last week for the Berlin Film Festival, where Angelina hosted a premiere of her directorial debut In the Land of Blood and Honey. Angelina's film and her philanthropic ties are closely related, and today, she joined the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court for a workshop on sexual violence and child soldiers at a Berlin hotel. After the meeting, she reunited with Brad at the Cinema for Peace gala, where she was given an award for her film's message against genocide and war.

Before accepting the honor this evening, Angelina told reporters she hopes the movie is actually difficult for audiences to see. She said, “It’s a strange thing to say as a director and a filmmaker, but I want people to be very uncomfortable when they watch it, and they should be upset and they should want some intervention, and they should want it to stop and they should be angry."

What Your Music Says About Your Personality

TresSugar — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:00:00 PST

This Sunday is the Grammy Awards, and while some may think music is just entertainment, it may say more about who you are than you think. One glimpse at the top-25 tracks in your iTunes can tell a lot about you. Introversion and extroversion are perhaps the two characteristics that most affect what music people tune into. Though both temperaments will roll - or rock - with their moods and activities, extroverts are more likely to reach for upbeat music that's heavy on vocals while introverts gravitate toward slower tunes with complex movements.

One surprise is that there's no connection between the abrasive lyrics common in rap and heavy metal and aggressive or sexual behavior. Listeners of heavy metal, particularly, have shown to be sensitive and gentle souls. In fact, they have a lot in common with classical music lovers. They're both creative, easy-going, and introverted.

Whether you listen to pop and rap or indie and classical, see what it says about you.

Source: Flickr User -Alina-

Speed Read - American Apparel CEO Faces More Sexual Harassment Accusations

TresSugar — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 10:05:19 PDT

Four more women sue Dov Charney for sexual harassment - New York Times
Carine Roitfeld reveals her first post-Vouge gig - Fashionologie
Tea Party favorite Michelle Bachman considering presidential run - CNN
Robert Pattinson says the next Twilight movie will be racy - PopSugar
Breastfeeding women perceived as less competent - Double
Celebrities pay tribute to Elizabeth Taylor - People
Scientists grow sperm in lab, could help infertile men - Guardian
What's with all the Liz Lemon lesbian jokes? - Jezebel

11 Quotes From Rick Santorum That Are Worrisome For Women

Annie Scudder — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:26:41 PST

Last week's Susan G. Komen/Planned Parenthood debacle was a high-profile example of how women's health can fall prey to politics. Considering this is an election year, we can expect reproductive rights rhetoric to heat up on both sides. President Obama recently hit a sensitive spot when his administration announced that all employers, including Catholic universities and institutions, will have to provide insurance plans that cover contraception for their employees.

Republican social conservatives have already jumped on Obama's policy as a campaign issue. And for Rick Santorum, controversial sexual politics have always been at the heart of his platform. The Republican candidate, who opposes abortion in all cases and says rape victims should "make the best out of a bad situation," won three contests last night, caucuses in Colorado and Minnesota, and the primary in Missouri. Since his chances of winning the nomination, or at least having a greater influence in national politics, is rising, let's look at some of his more worrisome quotes and positions on women's issues.

Gay Marriage Supporters Cheer as Appeals Court Rules Prop 8 Is Unconstitutional

Annie Scudder — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:05:05 PST

A federal appeals court has reaffirmed that California's gay-marriage ban is unconstitutional. Today, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals found that voter-passed Proposition 8 violates the 14th Amendment of the US constitution. Gay marriage supporters outside the courthouse in San Francisco cheered the decision, but the fight isn't over yet. The case will likely make it to the US Supreme Court as early as next year.

The court's ruling stated: “Proposition 8 served no purpose, and had no effect, other than to lessen the status and human dignity of gays and lesbians in California." The court also refused to throw out the decision of lower court judge, retired Chief US District Judge Vaughn R. Walker, on the basis of his sexual orientation. After the trial, Judge Walker, who is openly gay, revealed that he has been in a same-sex relationship for 10 years. See photos of the celebrations now.

3 Ways Joe Biden Wants to Stop Sexual Violence on Campus

Annie Scudder — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 11:50:38 PDT

When a Good Morning America reporter showed up on Yale's campus recently to look into the campus's alleged hostile sexual environment, a male student provided a demonstration by interrupting the interview to shout a sexually explicit remark. The school is currently under investigation for violating Title IX of the Civil Rights Act and has been home to many scandals, including a fraternity rape chant.

Yale isn't the only campus with a problem. According to the Department of Education, one in five college women has been the victim of attempted sexual assault. Today, Vice President Joe Biden is on a New Hampshire college campus with Education Secretary Arne Duncan to unveil new guidelines to prevent campus sex crimes under Title IX. It's part of a greater effort by the Obama administration to address sexual harassment and violence in schools. Here are three ways the new guidelines promise to curb sexual violence.

Encourage more reporting: Biden says crimes often go unreported because victims worry the schools won't take action. The new guidelines make a school's obligation to respond to sexual assault clear. They read: "Once a school knows or reasonably should know of possible sexual violence, it must take immediate and appropriate action to investigate or otherwise determine what occurred." Schools must also take steps to protect the complainant.
Start young: One in 10 high school girls will have been physically forced to have sexual intercourse before she graduates. By the time they get to college, almost 20 percent of women will be victims of attempted or actual sexual assault. For that reason, Biden and Duncan announced a new national sexual assault awareness campaign for colleges, as well as K-12 schools. The new guidelines also recommend all schools take "proactive measures to prevent sexual harassment and violence" and "implement preventive education programs."
Expand the school's role: The new guidelines say schools "have an obligation to respond to student-on-student sexual harassment that initially occurred off school grounds, outside a school's education program or activity. If a student files a complaint with the school, regardless of where the conduct occurred, the school must process the complaint." Also, schools "should take steps to protect a student who was assaulted off campus from further sexual harassment or retaliation."

Based on your college experience, do you think it's necessary for the federal government to step in to prevent sexual hostility and violence on campus?

Source: Flickr User avinashgodbole