Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is a bacterium that can cause sterility, arthritis, and heart problems. Symptoms for women include burning during urination, menstrual irregularities, lower abdominal pain, pain during sex or pelvic exam, a yellowish or green discharge from the vagina, and swelling of the vulva. Men with Gonorrhea experience a pus-like discharge from the urethra or pain during urination. Gonorrhea is spread through vaginal, oral, and anal sex. Additionally, it can be spread in the eyes. Using condoms is an excellent way to avoid this sexually transmitted infection. A urine test is available to test for Gonorrhea.

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is a bacterium that can affect a variety of body parts, but typically targets the cervix in women and the urethra in men. In both men and women, the bacterium can spread further into the reproductive organs and cause sterility. Chlamydia is the most commonly transmitted bacterial infection in America. Symptoms appear only 25% of the time for women and 50% of the time for me. They include unusual discharge, pain during urination, inflammation, and pain during intercourse. Chlamydia is spread through vaginal, oral, and anal sex. It can be treated with antibiotics. Condoms provide good protection from this STI. Chlamydia can be tested for by a simple urine test.

Syphilis

Syphilis is divided into three distinct phases. The first phase includes painless sores that last for 3-6 weeks and that appear generally on the genitals, vagina, cervix, lips, mouth, or anus. This is the only stage of syphilis in which someone is contagious. If someone is not treated during the primary phase, they can move into the secondary phase, which occurs 3-6 weeks after the sores appear. It includes flu like symptoms and rashes on the hands and soles of the feet. These symptoms can appear sporadically for up to two years. If syphilis is not treated during this phase, it can move into latent and then late phase syphilis, which can cause neurological damage and sometimes death. If detected, syphilis is easily treated with antibiotics. Syphilis is spread through contact with a syphilis sore during kissing or vaginal, oral, and anal sex. Condoms provide limited protection from this STI. A blood test is usually necessary to diagnose Syphilis.

Genital Herpes (HSV-1 &HSV-2)

HSV-1: HSV-1 is better known as oral herpes. It produces sores around the lips and mouth. It is believed 3 in 5 adults may be infected with HSV-1. There is no cure. It is possible to spread HSV-1 to a partner's genitals during oral sex.

HSV-2: HSV-2 is better known as genital herpes. It produces sores around the genitals. There is no cure. It is possible to spread HSV-2 to a partner's mouth during oral sex.

Both HSV-1 and HSV-2 are contagious during outbreaks, as well as between outbreaks as the virus may continue to shed for weeks after the conclusion of an outbreak. HSV-1 and HSV-2 can be spread during kissing, intimate touching, and vaginal, oral, and anal sex. The best protection is to refrain from sexual activity during outbreaks, as well as for seven days after the sores have swollen. Anti-herpes medications do not cure herpes but can reduce the risk of passing on the infection. Herpes can be tested for with a blood test.

Genital Warts

Genital warts are caused by the "low-risk" strains of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). The warts can appear on the genitals, or in the urethra, anus, or throat. HPV is spread during vaginal, oral, and anal sex. There are a variety of treatments to remove warts, but there is not cure. Condoms reduce the risk of transmission, but the virus may shed in areas affected by warts outside the areas protected by a condom. Gardasil, the HPV vaccine, protects against the two strains of HPV that cause most genital warts. Genital warts can be diagnosed through examination of the warts during a physical or gynecological exam.

HPV

HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) is the virus responsible for genital warts, as well as abnormal cervical cell growth which can lead to cervical cancer. Abnormal cell growth can be detected by a clinician during a routine PAP smear. If cervical cancer appears, symptoms include pain and bleeding, especially during intercourse. Abnormal cell growth can be treated in a variety of ways, but there is no cure. Condoms provide limited protection. The HPV vaccine (Gardasil) provides protection against the two "high risk" strains of HPV responsible for most cases of abnormal cell growth. PAP tests can diagnose cervical cancer.

HIV/AIDS

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) attacks your body's immune system. Symptoms may not occur for years after infection. Though no symptoms may be present, HIV is constantly weakening your immune system. Eventually, opportunistic infections (such as pneumonia), as well as a variety of chronic diseases and cancers will be caused by the body's weakened ability to fight off disease. After a certain amount of opportunistic infections occur, a diagnosis of AIDS (Acquired immune deficiency syndrome) is given. HIV is carried in blood, semen, vaginal fluids and breast milk. It is spread through contact with any of these fluids-most often during vaginal and anal sex and needle sharing. There is no cure for HIV/AIDS. HIV can be managed with medications to delay the onset of AIDS. AIDS can only be managed through treating opportunistic infections, but to this day, has always resulted in death. Condoms provide excellent protection from this STI. HIV can be detected through blood or urine tests, as well as an oral swab.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is caused by the Hepatitis B virus. Often, no symptoms occur, but symptoms can include fatigue, fever, and lack of appetite. Hepatitis B attacks the liver and eventually leads to liver damage or failure. Hep B is found in saliva, blood, semen, and urine and can be spread through intimate touching and kissing, vaginal, oral, and anal sex, as well as through needle sharing. In some people, the infection clears on its own, but others may remain infected and contagious for life. Hepatitis B can be prevented by a series of vaccines. Condoms provide limited protection. A blood test can be used to diagnose Hepatitis B.

Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is a virus that attacks the liver and can cause serious damage or even failure. Though it is only rarely spread through sex, it is possible to contract Hepatitis C during vaginal, oral, and anal sex. There is no vaccine. There are treatments available that can provide a cure for some people, but others may be infected chronically for the rest of their lives. Condoms provide limited protection. Hepatitis C can be diagnosed through a blood test.

Crabs (Pubic Lice)

Pubic lice are single celled organisms that reside in the hair follicle. They cause intense itching as well as mild fever and fatigue. Pubic lice are spread a variety of ways, including contact with infected bedding and clothing, as well as through intimate and sexual contact. Pubic lice can be self diagnosed with the naked eye. Crabs can be easily treated with over the counter shampoos. Pubic lice are highly contagious. Condoms provide little protection from this STI.

Trich

Trichomoniasis is caused by a single celled animal. Men rarely have symptoms. Women present with symptoms ranging from frothy, unpleasant smelling discharge, to itching around the vagina and painful urination. Trich is spread through vaginal intercourse and mutual masturbation. Trich is easily treated with drugs. When a female is diagnosed with trich, her partner(s) receive automatic treatment. This is because though men rarely show symptoms, they can be contagious and continually reinfect their female partners. Condoms provide excellent protection against this STI. Trichomoniasis can be diagnosed through examination of vaginal discharge.

Vaginal Sex

Vaginal sex is when one partner inserts their penis (or a sex toy) into a woman's vagina. Without proper safe-sex practices (such as the use of a condom), vaginal sex can lead not only to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) but also pregnancy.

Oral Sex

Oral sex is when one partner uses their mouth to stimulate the genitals of their partner. Oral sex can be performed on both men and women. "Giving head," "going down" on someone, or giving someone a "blow job" are all oral sex.

Anal Sex

Anal sex is when one partner inserts their penis (or a sex toy) into the anus of the other partner. Without the use of a condom, anal sex can lead to sexually transmitted infections (STIs), especially because the walls of the rectum are fragile. Without lubrication and proper "warm-up," the walls of the rectum can tear easily, making it easier for infections to spread.

Masturbation

Masturbation is the act of pleasuring oneself--using your hands or a sex toy to stimulate the genitals, often to achieve orgasm. Both men and women masturbate.

Abstinence

Abstinence is a tricky concept, because it means different things to everyone (just as virginity does). Basically, abstinence means refraining from sexual activity, but this can range from not having vaginal sex (but still having, say, oral sex) to not masturbating or not touching a partner in intimate ways (for example, on the breasts or penis). If you have had sex in the past, you can still choose to be abstinent in the future.

Virginity

In theory, virginity is a simple idea. Virginity is the state of not having had sex; a virgin is someone who hasn't had sex. But what counts as "having sex"--is it oral sex? vaginal sex? anal sex? Most people define it as not having had penis-vagina sex, though this definition doesn't work for everyone--a gay man, for example, is probably never going to have penis-vagina sex.

Orgasm

Orgasm is a physical response, usually to stimulation of the genitals or other sensitive regions. It is a feeling of intense physical pleasure that occurs in both men and women. In men, it usually results in ejaculation, and can be a result of oral, vaginal, or anal sex, as well as masturbation. In women, the physical effects of orgasm are usually less obvious; when some women achieve orgasm (or "come") they ejaculate, but this is not very common. Women usually come through stimulation of the clitoris, and sometimes through stimulation of the "G-spot" on the walls of the vagina. But since most women come through clitoral stimulation, vaginal sex often does NOT bring about an orgasm; the clitoris may also be stimulated by the hand or a vibrator or other sex toy.

Foreplay

Foreplay is a set of acts that increase sexual arousal between sexual partners. It can range from talking dirty to holding hands, from kissing to sexual stimulation like oral sex or manual sex (using the hands, for example, a hand job). It can be loosely described as whatever leads up to sexual intercourse, as a sort of "warm-up," though it does NOT have to lead to intercourse. Other examples of foreplay include massage, intimate touch, French kissing, stripping, and even putting on a condom!

Birth Control - Barrier Methods

Male Condoms (Latex, Polyurethane, Animal Skin)

Male condoms are most often made of latex. However, people who are allergic to latex use condoms made of polyurethane. Male condoms can be used as a method of prevention for both pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. Male condoms are about 98% effective at preventing pregnancy when used correctly. Male condoms may be used for oral sex on a male, or can be cut to create a dental dam for used on a female for oral sex. Male condoms may only be used once, and usually cost around a dollar.

For information on how to properly use a condom:

http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-topics/birth-control/condom-10187.htm#use

Female Condoms

Female condoms are made of polyurethane. Female condoms are larger than male condoms and have two rings instead of one. Female condoms are 95% effective at preventing pregnancy when used correctly and are more effective at preventing sexually transmitted infections than male condoms. A female condom is used by inserting the ring in the closed end into the vagina, the same way a tampon is inserted, with the open end outside the vagina. Female condoms may only be used once, but can be used along with spermicides and also may be inserted hours before sexual intercourse occurs. Female condoms may also be used for anal sex.

Female condoms cost around $3.60 per condom.

Dental Dam

Dental dam is NOT a method of preventing pregnancy. Dental dam is used to prevent sexually transmitted infections and is for use when performing oral sex on a female.

Diaphragm
A diaphragm is a flexible latex cup that is inserted into the vagina. The diaphragm works to prevent pregnancy by covering the cervix so sperm may not enter the uterus. The diaphragm is most effective when it is used in combination with a spermicide. When used correctly, a diaphragm is about 94% effective at preventing pregnancy. Diaphragms do not prevent sexually transmitted infections. A cervical cap is similar to a diaphragm, and is made out of silicone, so can be used by people who are allergic to latex.