http://kinseyconfidential.org Just another WordPress weblog Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:20:29 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 en hourly 1 2006-2007 aschweig@indiana.edu (Kinsey Confidential) aschweig@indiana.edu (Kinsey Confidential) posts 1440 Just another WordPress weblog Kinsey Confidential Kinsey Confidential aschweig@indiana.edu No no http://kinseyconfidential.org/wp-content/themes/kinsey/images/kinsey-podcast-300.jpg http://kinseyconfidential.org 144 144 http://kinseyconfidential.org/genital-warts-sex/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/genital-warts-sex/#comments Mon, 21 Dec 2009 14:00:47 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://kinseyconfidential.org/?p=1312 http://kinseyconfidential.org/genital-warts-sex/feed/ 0 3:04 Many men and women have questions about the human papillomavirus ndash; also called HPV ndash; particularly given how often HPV is in the media these ... Many men and women have questions about the human papillomavirus ndash; also called HPV ndash; particularly given how often HPV is in the media these days thanks to news about two vaccines, Gardisil and Cervarix, that can prevent the transmission of some strains of HPV. The short answer to your question is that yes, it is indeed ethical ndash; and common ndash; to have sex after having been diagnosed with genital warts, which are caused by HPV. Now for the longer explanation. What to Know About HPV There are more than 100 strains of HPV. Somewhere around 40 of these can affect the genital skin. Only a few of these strains can cause genital warts. And only a few of these strains are linked to cancer. However, the strains that cause genital warts do not cause cancer, so if you have been diagnosed with genital warts that does not mean that you have strains that are linked to various cancers. That doesnrsquo;t mean that you donrsquo;t have any of the HPV strains that have been linked to cancer ndash; in fact, you might. But you know what? Many, many people have been exposed to HPV and very few of them ever develop cancer. Just because an HPV strain has been linked to cancer does not mean that it will cause cancer. Most people with HPV do not ever develop cancer. In fact, most people with HPV do not experience any noticeable or problematic symptoms of infection. Living With HPV An estimated 60-80% of sexually active women and men will be exposed to HPV over their lives. The vast majority of them continue to have sex after they have been exposed to HPV or diagnosed with genital warts. So yes, you can continue to have sex and to seek out meaningful, pleasurable relationships with others. That said, it would be kind and responsible of you to tell past and future partners about your diagnosis of genital warts. You may or may not pass HPV on to your partners. You cannot cure yourself of the virus at the present time. Then again, they may also have strains of HPV that they will pass onto you. Many people who have HPV donrsquo;t even know it. More Information To learn more about HPV, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's web site. Content,Type,,Health,,Disease,,Podcast aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/cervarix-cervical-cancer-vaccine/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/cervarix-cervical-cancer-vaccine/#comments Fri, 11 Sep 2009 22:04:00 +0000 Natalie Ingraham (M.P.H.) http://wfiutest.rtv.indiana.edu/approves-cervical-cancer-vaccine-developing-countries/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/cervarix-cervical-cancer-vaccine/feed/ 0 http://kinseyconfidential.org/hpv-genital-warts-contagious/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/hpv-genital-warts-contagious/#comments Mon, 31 Aug 2009 14:00:19 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://wfiutest.rtv.indiana.edu/?p=1180 http://kinseyconfidential.org/hpv-genital-warts-contagious/feed/ 0 3:10 HPV stands for the human papillomavirus. There are more than 100 strains of HPV and some of these strains are linked to problems with a ... HPV stands for the human papillomavirus. There are more than 100 strains of HPV and some of these strains are linked to problems with a womanrsquo;s cervix, including cervical cancer. Women and men who have certain strains of HPV may also get genital warts, which can be caused by the virus. People get HPV from sexual contact with other people. HPV can be transmitted during oral sex, vaginal sex or anal sex. HPV can even be transmitted from ldquo;dry sexrdquo;, when people rub their genitals together but donrsquo;t actually have intercourse. HPV is extremely common and, although most sexually active women and men have been exposed to HPV from a sexual partner, not everyone who has HPV knows that they have it. For example, as of now we donrsquo;t have reliable HPV tests for men so most men who have HPV may not know that they have it unless they have a more obvious symptom, such as noticeable genital warts. HPV Transmission HPV can be passed to other people during sexual contact. Because of this risk, people who have HPV or genital warts should tell their current or potential sexual partners that they have HPV. Although condoms cannot fully protect against HPV, since HPV is transmitted from skin contact and condoms do not cover all of a personrsquo;s genital skin, using a condom can certainly reduce the risk of transmission. HPV is a very common sexually transmissible infection, or STI. Both men and women can get HPV and both men and women can pass it on to their sexual partners. With time, people who have genital warts often find that they have fewer outbreaks. Also, warts typically do not cause any discomfort or pain. Some healthcare providers do not recommend treating warts as they often go away on their own. Other times, healthcare providers may recommend treatments for genital warts. If you are interested in learning more about your treatment options, ask your healthcare provider for more information. Learn More You can learn more about HPV and genital warts from the Centers for Disease Control and Preventionrsquo;s web site. You can also learn more about STIs and other important sexual health information by reading Our Bodies, Ourselves by the Boston Womenrsquo;s Health Book Collective. Content,Type,,Health,,Disease,,Podcast aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/differences-hpv-hiv/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/differences-hpv-hiv/#comments Mon, 27 Apr 2009 13:00:43 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://wfiutest.rtv.indiana.edu/qa-difference-hpv-hiv/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/differences-hpv-hiv/feed/ 0 3:26 Great question ndash; the fact that the acronyms HPV and HIV sound similar to each other is confusing for many people. Some people worry that they ... Great question ndash; the fact that the acronyms HPV and HIV sound similar to each other is confusing for many people. Some people worry that they are the same infection. Other times, people may worry that if they have one sexually transmissible infection, or STI, then theyrsquo;ll automatically get another STI. Neither of these are true. The letters HPV stand for the human papillomavirus while HIV stands for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. They are two completely different viruses and there are important differences between them. HPV: The Human Papillomavirus Most sexually active people are exposed to HPV at some point in their lives; some estimates suggest that as many as 60 to 80% of American women and men will get at least one strain of HPV during their lives. Although HPV has been linked with serious health problems such as cervical cancer, penile cancer and oral cancers, most people who have HPV will not have any serious or life-threatening problems related to HPV infection. In fact, it seems that most peoplersquo;s bodies are able to clear signs of HPV infection with one or two years of getting HPV. That said, if you are diagnosed with HPV, you should follow your healthcare providerrsquo;s recommendation for follow-up care. For women who receive an abnormal Pap test related to HPV infection, this sometimes means having follow-up Pap tests every 3 or 6 months for a while or as recommended by onersquo;s healthcare provider. HIV: Human Immunodeficiency Virus HIV ndash; on the other hand - is far less common in the United States although it is more common in some countries within sub-Saharan Africa, as well as in Russia and China. HIV is often known as the virus that causes AIDS. When a person is infected with HIV, he or she typically requires much more frequent and specialized healthcare services than people with other STIs need. HIV, if it leads to AIDS and to serious opportunistic infections, can ultimately contribute to a personrsquo;s early death, so good healthcare is critical. Fortunately, given advances with testing and treatment for HIV, more people with HIV are living longer, healthy, productive lives. Learn More You can learn more about both HPV and HIV ndash; as well as testing and treating information for each ndash; on the web site of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Content,Type,,Health,,Disease,,Include,in,Resources,,Podcast,,Special aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/male-circumcision-sti-prevention-link/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/male-circumcision-sti-prevention-link/#comments Fri, 03 Apr 2009 13:49:25 +0000 Natalie Ingraham (M.P.H.) http://wfiutest.rtv.indiana.edu/?p=958 http://kinseyconfidential.org/male-circumcision-sti-prevention-link/feed/ 1 http://kinseyconfidential.org/pregnancy-infection-risk-lesbian-sex/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/pregnancy-infection-risk-lesbian-sex/#comments Thu, 18 Dec 2008 14:00:07 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://wfiutest.rtv.indiana.edu/?p=475 http://kinseyconfidential.org/pregnancy-infection-risk-lesbian-sex/feed/ 0 3:32 Thanks for your question. In order to become pregnant from sex, a woman would have to have sex with a man, as sperm are required ... Thanks for your question. In order to become pregnant from sex, a woman would have to have sex with a man, as sperm are required for pregnancy. Women simply cannot get pregnant from sex with other women; it is not possible. When female couples wish to have a baby together, they need to use a sperm donor, as they need sperm to fertilize a woman's egg in order to begin a pregnancy. Risk Of Sexually Transmissible Infections (STIs) That said, women can pass sexually transmissible infections, or STIs, to each other through sexual practices. For example, two women can pass bacterial infections such as chlamydia and gonorrhea to each other through oral sex, sharing sex toys, or other sexual play behaviors that involve genital contact. Even yeast infections may be sexually passed among two women, as can herpes, syphilis, HIV and the human papillomavirus (or HPV). Reducing Infection Risk Women can reduce their risk of infection by taking steps toward safer sex. For example, women should not share sex toys with each other. If they both enjoy sex play that involves vibrators or dildos, they should each have their own toy. If they decide to share a toy anyway, then they should place a new, unused condom on the toy before using it and then take the condom off, throw it away, and put a new condom on the toy before the second person uses it. When it comes to oral sex, women can use a latex dental dam or a condom cut in half to serve as a barrier for cunnilingus. This can prevent the spread of infection from mouth to genitals or from genitals to mouth. Talk To Each Other Female couples, like male couples and male-female couples, are best advised to talk to each other about each other's STI testing and treatment history. Like other couples, there is much joy and pleasure to be had for female couples, however, concerns about infection risk can get in the way of being able to relax and enjoy sex. At least in regard to pregnancy risk, you can relax and rest assured that you are not able to become pregnant from sex with another woman. Sometimes concerns about pregnancy or infection reflect more general concerns that a person might have about being sexual. If you are new to sex, and you have questions about it, consider talking to a parent, trusted adult, healthcare provider or counselor about your questions, concerns, anxieties or expectations for sex. If you feel comfortable, you might try talking to your friend about her thoughts on your sexual experience together, how you both felt about it at the time and how you feel about it now, and what - if anything - it means for your friendship. Talking about sex can feel difficult at first, but it often gets easier with practice and can help to make one's sexual life and romantic relationships more enjoyable, relaxing and pleasurable. Content,Type,,Podcast,,Pregnancy aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/genital-warts-treatment-hpv-transmission/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/genital-warts-treatment-hpv-transmission/#comments Mon, 01 Dec 2008 14:00:57 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://wfiutest.rtv.indiana.edu/?p=434 http://kinseyconfidential.org/genital-warts-treatment-hpv-transmission/feed/ 0 3:23 The human papillomavirus - referred to as HPV - has more than 100 strains. Some strains can cause genital warts, as you have. In many ... The human papillomavirus - referred to as HPV - has more than 100 strains. Some strains can cause genital warts, as you have. In many cases, the warts are visible, as has happened to you. Men who have genital warts may notice them on any part of their genitals including their penis, scrotum, anal area, or on the skin underneath their pubic hair. Women who have genital warts may notice them along their bikini line, vulva, anal area or on their mons pubis, which is the triangular area where pubic hair commonly grows Many May Not Even Notice Genital Warts In many cases, however, women and men who have genital warts may not even notice them. The warts themselves may look more like small pimples, or else they may be so small that they are not easily seen with the naked eye. Other strains of HPV do not cause warts, or are unlikely to cause warts, but they may be associated with an increased risk of cancers of the cervix, vulva, penis or anus. Please note that this does not mean that if you have HPV, that you will also get cancer. In fact, most people who HPV never get any of these types of cancers. It has been estimated that 60 to 80% of sexually active women and men will get HPV at some point in their lives, and yet most people's immune systems will clear the infection over time. HPV And Cancer Risk HPV can certainly increase a person's risk of these cancers, but the development of cancer is complex and a person's risk is influenced by a number of factors including their genes, their general health, and other lifestyle factors such as smoking, which can increase the risk of most cancers. Treatment Options In terms of treatment for genital warts, it varies. Many healthcare providers prefer a "wait and see" approach to genital warts, as they often go away on their own. Other times, healthcare providers may prescribe a topical treatment, which comes as a cream that women or men can apply to their warts in the privacy of their own home. Over time, the cream may help the warts to go away. Other treatments are available in-office that can help to clear warts, and you should ask your healthcare provider what treatment approach may be right for you. HPV Transmission As for transmission, it is indeed possible to pass the HPV strains to a partner even if you don't have visible warts. Because of this, it would be wise, caring and responsible of you to let past, present and future partners know about your HPV status. Condoms can reduce, but not completely prevent, HPV transmission. Learn More To learn more about HPV, visit the Kinsey Confidential STI Resource Pages or the web site of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Content,Type,,Health,,Disease,,Podcast aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/gardasil-hpv-vaccine-human-papillomavirus/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/gardasil-hpv-vaccine-human-papillomavirus/#comments Thu, 04 Sep 2008 10:14:30 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://www.kinseyconfidential.org/2008/09/04/the-human-papillomavirus-hpv-and-its-vaccine/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/gardasil-hpv-vaccine-human-papillomavirus/feed/ 0 http://kinseyconfidential.org/living-with-genital-warts/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/living-with-genital-warts/#comments Thu, 28 Aug 2008 22:39:04 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://www.kinseyconfidential.org/2008/08/28/qa-i-have-genital-warts-and-hpv-how-do-i-ever-have-a-relationship-again/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/living-with-genital-warts/feed/ 0 3:50 Yoursquo;re absolutely right ndash; the ldquo;try not to get HPVrdquo; messages only go so far when you already have HPV. And guess what? Most sexually ... Yoursquo;re absolutely right ndash; the ldquo;try not to get HPVrdquo; messages only go so far when you already have HPV. And guess what? Most sexually active women and men have already had, or have been exposed to, HPV ndash; many just donrsquo;t know it. 60-80% of Sexually Active Women And Men Some studies suggest that as many as 60-80% of sexually active women and men have been exposed to at least one strain, making it by far the most common sexually transmissible infection, or STI. Most peoplersquo;s bodies donrsquo;t experience problems related to HPV, but some people do ndash; some women may develop cervical changes which show up in abnormal Pap tests, and some women and men both may develop genital warts. Usually, peoplesrsquo; immune systems kick in at some point and fight the viral infection. Fortunately, that means that most women who have cervical changes will get better and will not get cervical cancer. That also means that most women and men who have visible warts will generally get fewer genital warts, and fewer outbreaks of genital warts, over time. HPV And Genital Warts Though there are more than 100 strains of HPV, only a few that are linked to genital warts. Good for you for being sexually responsible and planning to tell future partners. You also might consider telling your present or past partners, if you havenrsquo;t already. HPV can be a frustrating issue for many women who are interested in men. Thatrsquo;s because right now, we donrsquo;t have any standard HPV testing available to men. As a result, many men think that they donrsquo;t have HPV when in fact they might ndash; they just canrsquo;t be tested for it. As such, women who know that they have HPV sometimes worry how men will react. Educating Future Partners When you tell your future potential partners about your genital warts, try to gently educate them about the issue and how, just because no one has ever told them that they have had HPV, doesnrsquo;t mean that they donrsquo;t have it or that they canrsquo;t get it. Researchers are working to develop better testing for men and hopefully that will help to open the dialogue about HPV among women and men. Although it may feel scary to talk about STIs with future relationship partners, itrsquo;s important to remember just how many women and men are affected by HPV ndash; and that in fact many women and men are kind, caring and accepting of the news that the person they like has an STI. F ar from your relationship or sex life potential being over, Irsquo;d encourage you to look at it as a challenge, or something that necessitates careful and open communication with a partner, but nothing that has to prevent you from having fulfilling relationships in the future. HPV Vaccine You also might ask your healthcare provider for more information about Gardasil, the HPV vaccine that protects against 4 strains of HPV, including those that are linked to cervical problems. Content,Type,,Health,,Disease,,Podcast aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/pap-tests-hpv-information/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/pap-tests-hpv-information/#comments Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:28:59 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://www.kinseyconfidential.org/2008/07/23/cdc-web-site-about-pap-tests-and-hpv/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/pap-tests-hpv-information/feed/ 0 http://kinseyconfidential.org/common-sexually-transmissible-infections-symptoms/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/common-sexually-transmissible-infections-symptoms/#comments Mon, 26 May 2008 13:00:01 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://www.kinseyconfidential.org/2008/05/26/qa-common-sexually-transmissible-infections/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/common-sexually-transmissible-infections-symptoms/feed/ 0 3:15 Many sexually active adolescents and adults have, or have had, a sexually transmissible infection (STI). Two of the most common STIs are chlamydia and the ... Many sexually active adolescents and adults have, or have had, a sexually transmissible infection (STI). Two of the most common STIs are chlamydia and the human papillomavirus, which we often just call HPV. Most Common STIs Chlamydia is very common among 15-24 year olds. In fact, it is the most common bacterial STI in the United States. It can be spread through vaginal, oral or anal sex. Then therersquo;s the human papillomavirus ndash; or HPV ndash; which about 60-80% of adults are thought to have been exposed to. HPV is the virus that can cause cervical changes or genital warts, though most women and menrsquo;s bodies seem not to experience serious HPV-related problems. There is a new HPV vaccine for women, Gardasil, which appears to be successful in protecting women against the effects of certain strains of HPV. The vaccine is associated with a reduced rate of certain cervical problems and diagnoses of genital warts. HPV can also be spread through vaginal, oral or anal sex, and it may put women and men at greater risk for genital cancers, anal cancers and mouth cancers. But just because you have HPV does not mean that you will get cancer. Most people get HPV, but these cancers are still relatively rare. Symptoms To Watch For In terms of symptoms you should watch out for, pretty much any genital itching, burning, discomfort, discharge, sores, bumps or lesions should be discussed with your healthcare provider ndash; even if you feel embarrassed! It is really important to take care of your own sexual health and that of your partner. Many people donrsquo;t notice genital symptoms or else they pass off their symptoms as something else. For example, sometimes women think that their genital itching is caused by a yeast infection or men or women may think they have razor burn when really they may have herpes. The bottom line is donrsquo;t assume that your symptoms are meaningless. If you notice changes in the way that your genitals feel or look, check it out with your healthcare provider. Some STI's Have No Symptoms Itrsquo;s also important to know that some STIs, such as Chlamydia, rarely have symptoms. But that doesnrsquo;t mean that STIs arenrsquo;t serious ndash; if left untreated, chlamydia and gonorrhea can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (among women) and fertility problems for both sexes. If you are sexually active, make sure you get tested regularly; check in with your healthcare provider to learn about the STI tests that are right for you. Content,Type,,Health,,Disease,,Podcast aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/1-in-4/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/1-in-4/#comments Tue, 25 Mar 2008 12:33:48 +0000 Samantha Seeger http://www.kinseyconfidential.org/blog/2008/03/25/1-in-4/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/1-in-4/feed/ 0 http://kinseyconfidential.org/another-reason-to-get-vaccinated/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/another-reason-to-get-vaccinated/#comments Sat, 09 Feb 2008 13:39:21 +0000 Samantha Seeger http://www.kinseyconfidential.org/blog/2008/02/06/another-reason-to-get-vaccinated/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/another-reason-to-get-vaccinated/feed/ 0 http://kinseyconfidential.org/smoking-and-hpv/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/smoking-and-hpv/#comments Wed, 01 Nov 2006 19:19:52 +0000 Kinsey Confidential http://www.kinseyconfidential.org/blog/2006/11/01/qa-the-connection-between-smoking-and-hpv/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/smoking-and-hpv/feed/ 0 http://kinseyconfidential.org/abnormal-pap-smear/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/abnormal-pap-smear/#comments Wed, 30 Aug 2006 20:40:29 +0000 Kinsey Confidential http://www.kinseyconfidential.org/blog/2006/08/30/qa-what-does-an-abnormal-pap-smear-mean/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/abnormal-pap-smear/feed/ 0 http://kinseyconfidential.org/hpv-transmission-risk-oral-sex/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/hpv-transmission-risk-oral-sex/#comments Wed, 09 Feb 2005 21:42:04 +0000 Kinsey Confidential http://www.kinseyconfidential.org/2005/02/09/qa-hpv-and-oral-sex/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/hpv-transmission-risk-oral-sex/feed/ 0