http://kinseyconfidential.org Just another WordPress weblog Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:00:23 +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/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/dry-sex-pregnancy/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/dry-sex-pregnancy/#comments Mon, 15 Jun 2009 14:00:29 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://wfiutest.rtv.indiana.edu/qa-pregnant-dry-sex-clothes/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/dry-sex-pregnancy/feed/ 2 2:42 In order for a woman to become pregnant from sex play with a partner, a manrsquo;s sperm must make their way to her ovum (also ... In order for a woman to become pregnant from sex play with a partner, a manrsquo;s sperm must make their way to her ovum (also called an egg). This means that at the very least one needs sperm and an egg. If the sperm find their way to the egg and fertilize the egg, then they next need to implant themselves into a womanrsquo;s uterus before a pregnancy can begin. A Pretty Unlikely Scenario If you think about it this way, and then think about the situation you are describing, it would be very difficult for sperm to get into a womanrsquo;s vagina if both partners are wearing clothing. Although sperm are quite small, they typically do not make it through most types of clothing unless, of course, both partners were wearing mesh clothing or other clothing with large holes in it, or if they pushed their underwear to the side or were wearing thong underwear and thus somehow had direct genital contact. However, in most cases, pregnancy is not possible from dry sex in which both people are wearing clothes. Vaginal Wetness And Pre-Ejaculate The wetness that you feel could be due to one or both partners. It is common for women to notice vaginal wetness as they become more sexually excited and aroused. This is as a result of natural vaginal lubrication which increases during arousal and can make sexual play more comfortable and pleasurable for women. Also during sexual excitement and arousal, some men experience noticeable amounts of pre-ejaculate coming out of the tip of their penis. Though pre-ejaculate itself rarely contains sperm, it can still pass sexually transmissible infections, or STIs, as can vaginal fluids. As such, women and men should avoid contact with each otherrsquo;s genital fluids if they are not sure of each otherrsquo;s STI status. Recommended Reading To learn more about sex play ndash; as well as how to reduce risks of pregnancy and infection ndash; check out The Guide to Getting It On. Common,Problems,,Content,Type,,Podcast aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/virgin-orgasm-intercourse/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/virgin-orgasm-intercourse/#comments Thu, 07 May 2009 13:00:04 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://wfiutest.rtv.indiana.edu/qa-ways-orgasm-intercourse/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/virgin-orgasm-intercourse/feed/ 0 3:25 People generally think of a virgin as a woman or a man who has not intercourse, although there are different definitions for virginity that people ... People generally think of a virgin as a woman or a man who has not intercourse, although there are different definitions for virginity that people sometimes use. Regardless of your definition of virginity ndash; in other words, regardless of whatever sexual behavior you have or have not done (such as had vaginal intercourse) ndash; women and men can experience sexual pleasure and sometimes even orgasm from a variety of different types of stimulation. So yes, even though your girlfriend has not had sex, she is still likely capable of experiencing orgasm from different types of sexual stimulation, such as stimulation of her clitoris. Difficulty with Orgasm During Intercourse Letrsquo;s back up a few steps, though. First, it may be helpful for you to know that many women find it difficult to orgasm during intercourse. Itrsquo;s not uncommon for it to take months or years for a woman to learn to orgasm at all, let alone from vaginal sex. Second, women often find it easier to orgasm from direct stimulation of the glans clitoris, which is the part of the clitoris that one can see from the outside. The glans clitoris is usually about a quarter or half of an inch long and is often quite sensitive to the touch. Because itrsquo;s such a sensitive body part, not all women like to be touched directly on the clitoris ndash; or if they do, they may prefer certain types of touch over others. Don't Pressure Her As such, if you and your girlfriend talk about your ideas about sexual intimacy and decide that you want to try clitoral stimulation, keep a few things in mind. Try not to pressure her to have an orgasm, as it can take time for women to develop an orgasmic response to sexual stimulation. Try instead to think of your sexual exploration as a chance to find out what feels pleasurable and enjoyable for each of you. You might also try different types of touch ndash; gentle but first pressure on each otherrsquo;s bodies, light touches, quick touches, slow strokes, or other types of touch that you discover together. Try Oral Sex Oral sex is another possible way of stimulating womenrsquo;s or menrsquo;s genitals. Again, there is no one way to do it so exploration is often helpful. Because it is possible to pass sexually transmissible infections, or STIs, during oral sex, yoursquo;ll want to make sure that neither one of you has an STI before deciding to have oral sex. If either of you have ever had any type of oral, vaginal or anal sex with other people, then you should get tested for STIs before getting sexually involved with each other. Remember: there is no one way that sex has to happen, and you two are free to invent your sex play in a way that fits with your values, your feelings for each other, and your ideas about how you want to relate to each other sexually. Further Reading To learn more about sexuality, check out The Guide to Getting It On. Content,Type,,Podcast,,Pregnancy aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/aids-walk-york-kinsey-institute-crisis-positive-change/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/aids-walk-york-kinsey-institute-crisis-positive-change/#comments Sat, 02 May 2009 17:51:13 +0000 Kinsey Confidential http://wfiutest.rtv.indiana.edu/?p=946 http://kinseyconfidential.org/aids-walk-york-kinsey-institute-crisis-positive-change/feed/ 0 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/genital-itching-burning-sex/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/genital-itching-burning-sex/#comments Thu, 09 Apr 2009 14:00:28 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://wfiutest.rtv.indiana.edu/qa-genital-itching-burning-sex/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/genital-itching-burning-sex/feed/ 0 2:29 Womenrsquo;s genitals are quite sensitive; as a result, itrsquo;s not uncommon for women to occasionally notice genital itching or burning. Depending on the details of this ... Womenrsquo;s genitals are quite sensitive; as a result, itrsquo;s not uncommon for women to occasionally notice genital itching or burning. Depending on the details of this sexual encounter, you may have experienced vaginal burning for any number of reasons. Condoms and Lubricants Some condoms, for example, contribute to vaginal burning or irritation. Nonoxynol-9 is an ingredient that is used in the lubricant of spermicidal condoms ndash; which some men and women use in hopes of further reducing their risk of pregnancy ndash; and yet this chemical can sometimes contribute to genital irritation. If you used a lubricated condom or if you added lubricant during sex, it may be that the lubricant contained other ingredients that your body is sensitive too. Sexually Transmissible Infections (STIs) You also might check in with your healthcare provider, as some sexually transmissible infections ndash; or STIs ndash; can cause vaginal burning. You didnrsquo;t mention how soon after having sex you experienced vaginal burning, but some STI symptoms may show up within days or a week or two after infection. Other STIs have few, if any, symptoms. Friction Vaginal burning can also be sparked by the friction involved in sex. If the sex you had was particularly rough or vigorous, then the act itself may have irritated your sensitive vaginal or vulvar tissues. That happens! However, if vaginal burning continues for several days, if it worsens or is associated with pain, or if you simply have questions about it, please check in with your healthcare provider. Learn More You can learn more about vaginal and vulvar health by reading The V Book: A Doctorrsquo;s Guide to Complete Vulvovaginal Health by Dr. Elizabeth Stewart. Bodies,,Content,Type,,Podcast,,Special,,flagged,-,still,needs,some,edits aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/female-safer-sex-pack/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/female-safer-sex-pack/#comments Mon, 06 Apr 2009 16:01:34 +0000 Natalie Ingraham (M.P.H.) http://wfiutest.rtv.indiana.edu/?p=959 http://kinseyconfidential.org/female-safer-sex-pack/feed/ 0 http://kinseyconfidential.org/preejaculate-precum-pregnancy-risk/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/preejaculate-precum-pregnancy-risk/#comments Mon, 06 Apr 2009 14:00:20 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://wfiutest.rtv.indiana.edu/qa-preejaculate-pregnancy/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/preejaculate-precum-pregnancy-risk/feed/ 0 2:54 Many people are curious about pre-ejaculate. After all, educational messages about pre-ejaculate tend to follow the line of thought that suggests men and women are ... Many people are curious about pre-ejaculate. After all, educational messages about pre-ejaculate tend to follow the line of thought that suggests men and women are ndash; as they say ndash; ldquo;better safe than sorry.rdquo; Pre-ejaculate is fluid that comes from a manrsquo;s Cowperrsquo;s glands, which are small glands inside a manrsquo;s body, by his penis. This fluid helps to lubricate a manrsquo;s urethra. In some men, this fluid is noticeable even when he is sexually aroused ndash; a little bit might come out of his urethra during sexual excitement. In other men, pre-ejaculate is not noticeable. Usually Not Possible Regardless, there are no sperm in the fluids made by the Cowperrsquo;s glands. As such, unless there were already sperm hanging out in the urethra that were then carried out by the Cowperrsquo;s glands fluids, it is usually not possible to get pregnant from contact with pre-ejaculate. However, that doesnrsquo;t mean that itrsquo;s safe to have sex without a condom. Though pre-ejaculate usually does not contain many, if any, sperm (depending on whether any sperm were already in the urethra from a previous ejaculate), it still counts as a sexual fluid and both menrsquo;s and womenrsquo;s sexual fluids can pass sexually transmissible infections, or STIs. STI Risk By having unprotected sex with another guy, you put yourself at risk for STIs from him. As such, you might consider getting tested for STIs such as Chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and HIV. Ask your healthcare provider about your risk for STIs and which tests would be recommended for you. If you have had oral, vaginal or anal sex with your boyfriend since having sex with the other guy, then you have also potentially put your boyfriend at risk for STIs. Talking to your boyfriend about cheating on him takes a good deal of courage, but it might be something yoursquo;ll want to consider. You might also want to examine the reasons why you cheated on your boyfriend and whether there are any lessons you can learn from the experience, including ways that you hope to grow closer to your boyfriend or whether your current relationship is one that you want to be in. Learn More To learn more about STIs, explore our STI sexual health resources pages or visit the web site of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Content,Type,,Podcast,,Pregnancy,,Special,,flagged,-,still,needs,some,edits 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/gonorrhea-chlamydia-soda-cup/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/gonorrhea-chlamydia-soda-cup/#comments Thu, 26 Mar 2009 14:00:54 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://wfiutest.rtv.indiana.edu/?p=908 http://kinseyconfidential.org/gonorrhea-chlamydia-soda-cup/feed/ 1 2:51 Chlamydia and gonorrhea are sexually transmissible infections ndash; also called STIs ndash; and they are only passed between people through sexual contact. That means that Chlamydia ... Chlamydia and gonorrhea are sexually transmissible infections ndash; also called STIs ndash; and they are only passed between people through sexual contact. That means that Chlamydia and gonnorhea may be transmitted through oral sex, vaginal sex or anal sex, but they are not transmitted by sharing drinks, by kissing or by using a public bathroom. False Positives In very rare instances, tests may come back with false positive results meaning that even though a test result comes back positive ndash; indicating that a person has an infection ndash; in reality the person does not have the infection. If your boyfriend gets tested and does not have either Chlamydia or gonorrhea, you might ask your healthcare provider whether it is possible that your test results were false positives. It is generally not recommended that a person has sex with an infected partner until their partner has also been treated, and both of you have been found to have cleared the infection. So if he hasnrsquo;t already been tested or treated, you two might speak with a healthcare provider about that possibility. Tests Are Usually Highly Accurate That said, it is rare to have false positive test results for Chlamydia or gonorrhea; these are commonly used tests and are highly accurate. I would encourage you to talk with your boyfriend about the possibility that he may have had sex with someone else. If you hadnrsquo;t been tested in years, it is even possible that he had sex with someone quite a long time ago. Even if he says that he has not had sex with other people, you might want to spend some time thinking about your relationship and the possibility that he has indeed had sex with other people. Transmission Risk Reduced Through Using Condoms If you choose to stay together or to continue having sex with each other, you might talk about whether you two want to use protection, such as a condom. Chlamydia and gonorrhea are relatively common bacterial STIs and their risk of transmission can be greatly reduced through the use of condoms. Learn More To learn more about STIs, explore the sexual health and disease section of our web site or the web site of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Content,Type,,Health,,Disease,,Podcast,,Special,,flagged,-,still,needs,some,edits aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/lambskin-condoms/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/lambskin-condoms/#comments Mon, 23 Mar 2009 14:00:38 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://wfiutest.rtv.indiana.edu/?p=905 http://kinseyconfidential.org/lambskin-condoms/feed/ 0 3:02 Latex condoms are, by far, the most commonly used condoms in most parts of the world. After all, even though their material is quite thin, ... Latex condoms are, by far, the most commonly used condoms in most parts of the world. After all, even though their material is quite thin, itrsquo;s actually quite strong. As a result, latex condoms have low rates of breakage and slippage. When used correctly and consistently during sexual activities, latex condoms can greatly reduce the risk of infection transmission and pregnancy. Even so, sometimes men and women are curious about other types of condoms or ways they can heighten their sensation during sex. Though latex condoms are made of thin material, many men say that they feel less sensation during sex with a condom compared to sex without a condom. Lambskin and other natural skin condoms are certainly one alternative to latex condoms. While it is true that some men experience more sensation during sex when using a natural skin condom, this benefit comes with a cost. Although natural skin condoms greatly reduce the risk of pregnancy, they do not provide protection against sexually transmissible infections, or STIs. Thatrsquo;s because the small pores in natural skin condoms are big enough to allow these infectious organisms through them, and transmit from one person to another. If preventing pregnancy is your only concern, then natural skin condoms may indeed be an option for you. However, you might want to make sure that you and your partner have been tested for STIs prior to switching condom types. Another option is to consider using polyurethane condoms, which ndash; like latex condoms ndash; can reduce the risk of both pregnancy and infection. These condoms are made of material that conducts heat better than latex does. As a result, some men find that sex feels warmer and more natural when they use polyurethane condoms as opposed to latex condoms. If yoursquo;re inclined to stick with latex condoms, however, there are other ways to heighten sensation. For example, you or your partner might rub a water-based or silicone-based lubricant over your condom-covered penis, or you might try using a vibrating sex toy ndash; such as a vibrating condom ring ndash; during sex, which can heighten sensation for both of you. To learn more about condoms and other birth control methods, explore our web site or the web site of Planned Parenthood. Birth,Control,,Content,Type,,Podcast aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/strong-odor-during-sex/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/strong-odor-during-sex/#comments Thu, 12 Mar 2009 14:00:28 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://wfiutest.rtv.indiana.edu/?p=879 http://kinseyconfidential.org/strong-odor-during-sex/feed/ 0 3:08 Although both womenrsquo;s and menrsquo;s genitals may have particular smells associated with them, the odor is typically not foul-smelling to most people. Bacterial Infections In some cases, ... Although both womenrsquo;s and menrsquo;s genitals may have particular smells associated with them, the odor is typically not foul-smelling to most people. Bacterial Infections In some cases, women may indeed have bacterial infections or bacterial imbalances that can cause a strong odor. The vaginal environment is quite sensitive and women can have vaginal infections that have nothing to do with sexually transmissible infections, or STIs, so this odor is not necessarily a sign of an STI. Other times, strong genital odor can be a sign of a problem with a personrsquo;s sweat glands. Discussing Genital Odor It can be difficult to talk to a sexual partner about genital odor, particularly since many women and men are sensitive about how their sexual partners perceive their bodies. People generally want to feel attractive, desirable and sexy to their partner ndash; and feeling as though they smell bad can make it hard for them to feel desirable. As such, yoursquo;ll want to be as gentle and caring in this conversation as possible. One options is to let her know that therersquo;s something yoursquo;d like to talk to her about, and that you feel uncomfortable saying it because you donrsquo;t want her to worry that you donrsquo;t find her attractive, desirable or sexy ndash; because you do. However, you could say that yoursquo;ve noticed a strong odor during sex and that yoursquo;re not sure if itrsquo;s coming from your body, her body or the combined smell of your two bodies. And that while itrsquo;s not a bad odor, itrsquo;s strong, and you wonder if you should both talk to a healthcare provider about it just in case itrsquo;s a sign of a health issue. Not Just Her Leaving it open in this way might help her to feel less criticized, or as if you are blaming her. Itrsquo;s also a very real possibility that the smell is less about her body and more about the combination of your two bodies. Women and men both sometimes notice that their genitals smell different when their fluids get mixed together with a partnerrsquo;s bodily vaginal fluids or ejaculate. Further Reading To learn more about vaginal health, check out The V Book: A Doctorrsquo;s Guide to Complete Vulvovaginal Health. For information about sex in general, since yoursquo;re both new to it, check out The Guide to Getting It On. Bodies,,Content,Type,,Podcast aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/common-anal-sex-heterosexual-couples/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/common-anal-sex-heterosexual-couples/#comments Mon, 09 Feb 2009 14:00:02 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://wfiutest.rtv.indiana.edu/?p=853 http://kinseyconfidential.org/common-anal-sex-heterosexual-couples/feed/ 0 2:52 Even though anal sex is commonly depicted in sexually explicit films, very few research studies have examined issues related to anal sex among heterosexual - ... Even though anal sex is commonly depicted in sexually explicit films, very few research studies have examined issues related to anal sex among heterosexual - or male-female - couples. Little Research The little research that has been conducted suggests that about one-fourth of heterosexual-identified women and men have had anal sex, but that doesn't mean that one-fourth of heterosexual couples have anal sex regularly. In fact, research suggests that only about 10% of women and men have had anal sex in the past year. Reasons For Having Anal Sex There are, of course, many reasons why people might want to engage in heterosexual anal sex. Some women try anal sex because they want to experience intercourse, and yet they want to maintain what they consider to be their vaginal virginity - in other words, abstaining from vaginal intercourse. Other times, couples use anal sex as a way of being sexual together without the risk of pregnancy - that is, assuming that a man's ejaculate doesn't seep out from the anal opening and get near the vaginal entrance, in which case a woman could potentially become pregnant. Couples also try anal sex for reasons of pleasure or novelty, or because it is something that they have heard about from a friend or a partner, or have seen in a movie. While some couples try anal sex and find it to be uncomfortable, painful or not particularly exciting, others find that anal sex is quite pleasurable, enjoyable or even orgasmic. Anal Sex Does Not Have To Hurt Although some myths suggest that anal sex is painful, the truth is that - like vaginal sex - anal sex does not have to hurt. If it hurts, a couple should stop. Because anal sex is a high risk sexual activity, in the sense that it poses a high risk of infection in one or both partners has a sexually transmissible infection (or STI), couples who are interested in having anal sex should take steps to reduce their STI risk. For example, they can limit their number of partners, use a condom from the beginning to the end of sex, change condoms if they are switching between vaginal and anal sex, and use a water-based lubricant to reduce the risk of tearing. Recommended Reading To learn more about safe and pleasurable anal sex, check out Anal Pleasure #38; Health: A Guide for Men and Women. Content,Type,,Podcast,,Relationships,,Love aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/hiv-testing/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/hiv-testing/#comments Mon, 26 Jan 2009 14:00:35 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://wfiutest.rtv.indiana.edu/?p=841 http://kinseyconfidential.org/hiv-testing/feed/ 0 3:17 Yes and no. It was great that you got tested for HIV after having unprotected sex and, in fact, many people who acquire HIV will ... Yes and no. It was great that you got tested for HIV after having unprotected sex and, in fact, many people who acquire HIV will indeed test positive within a month of exposure. 3 Months Or More However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - also called the CDC - points out that some people may take longer to produce sufficient antibodies to the HIV virus and thus produce a positive result, if they are infected with HIV. As such, many healthcare providers would suggest getting another HIV test 3 or more months after unprotected sex. This is because most people who have HIV will test positive 3 months after infection. Different Types of HIV Tests As you may know, there are different types of HIV tests. The most common HIV tests are those that test for antibodies to the HIV virus. These tests are usually conducted using a sample's of a person's blood or even a sample of their mouth fluid, which is different from saliva. Depending on what types of HIV tests are available at clinics or testing sites near you, it is possible to have test results back in as little as 15 or 20 minutes or as long as about 2 weeks after testing. HIV Testing Options To learn more about testing options in your area, call 1-800-CDC-INFO, which is 1-800-232-4636. You can also learn more at the CDC's HIV testing and information website. At this writing, CDC recommendations for HIV testing vary based on a person's risk, so you should talk to your healthcare provider if you have questions about how often you should get tested for HIV or other sexually transmissible infections, also called STIs, such as Chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and others. Since you had unprotected sex, you may be at risk for STIs other than HIV and it would be wise to ask your healthcare provider about getting tested for other STIs or how to more generally reduce your STI risk. Reduce STI Risk Women and men, both, can reduce their risk for STIs - including HIV - by abstaining from oral, vaginal and anal sex or, if they are sexually active, by limiting their number of sexual partners, communicating with their partners about their history of STI history and diagnosis, and using a condom for all acts of oral, vaginal and anal sex. To learn more about HIV and STIs, visit our sexual health and STI resource pages or the website of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Content,Type,,Health,,Disease,,Podcast aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/morning-after-pill-emergency-contraception/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/morning-after-pill-emergency-contraception/#comments Thu, 15 Jan 2009 14:00:06 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://wfiutest.rtv.indiana.edu/?p=554 http://kinseyconfidential.org/morning-after-pill-emergency-contraception/feed/ 0 3:04 The fact that you have been having sex for about a month and have already taken emergency contraception, also known as the morning after pill, ... The fact that you have been having sex for about a month and have already taken emergency contraception, also known as the morning after pill, two times - and almost a third time now - is something that I would strongly suggest you speak with your healthcare provider, or a trusted parent or adult, about. Emergency Contraception: Not For Frequent Use Emergency contraception pills are not recommended for frequent use. If you and your boyfriend have decided to have sex with each other, then I would strongly suggest exploring other options for preventing pregnancy. For example, have you considered using condoms? Not only would condoms greatly reduce your risk of pregnancy if you use them consistently and correctly, but they can also greatly reduce your risk of getting or giving one another several sexually transmissible infections, or STIs. Since you seem comfortable with hormonal contraception, which is what emergency contraception is a form of, you might also ask your healthcare provider about birth control options such as the birth control pill, patch, shot or ring. Although they are all highly effective, some are easier to use than others and may be better choices for you. No "Safe" Days As you mentioned, some women do experience spotting or bleeding after they take the emergency contraception but it is not necessarily the same as a period and you can absolutely get pregnant during this time period. There are no absolute "safe" days during which a woman cannot get pregnant, especially if she is relatively young and has irregular cycles. Please take the time to talk to your boyfriend about your choice to be sexual with each other and ways that you can reduce your risk of pregnancy. Try to identify at least one adult or healthcare provider that you can feel comfortable talking to about your choices regarding sex so that you can take care of your sexual health and reduce your risk of pregnancy. Recommended Reading You might find it helpful to read S.E.X.: The All-You-Need-To-Know Progressive Sexuality Guide to Get You Through High School and College by Heather Corinna or to visit the web site of Planned Parenthood for detailed information about birth control methods and healthcare services. Birth,Control,,Content,Type,,Podcast aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/healthy-new-years-resolutions-better-sexual-health/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/healthy-new-years-resolutions-better-sexual-health/#comments Wed, 07 Jan 2009 17:20:03 +0000 Natalie Ingraham (M.P.H.) http://wfiutest.rtv.indiana.edu/?p=767 http://kinseyconfidential.org/healthy-new-years-resolutions-better-sexual-health/feed/ 0