April is Sexually Transmitted Awareness Month

This April, in honor of STI Awareness Month, take some time to learn about sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Anyone who is sexually active can get an STI, so why not learn more about them and how to minimize your exposure to STIs and take care of your sexual health.

Is there a connection between masturbation and condom use?

I read a study that says that boys who masturbate are also more likely to use condoms. Why would there be such a connection? And really, doesn’t everyone masturbate?

Does bacterial vaginosis make you more likely to get other STIs?

I read that bacterial vaginosis can increase a woman’s susceptibility to other STIs. I don’t understand this–what does that mean?

Is it possible for the herpes simplex I virus to turn into the herpes simplex II virus?

Can HSV I Turn into HSV II? What about false positive results?

I’m attracted to boobs but not girls. Does that mean I’m a lesbian?

I am a girl and I look up pictures of boobs and videos of lesbians sometimes. I am somehow attracted to boobs, although I never feel attracted to girls. Does that mean I am a lesbian?

Can I treat genital warts by myself?

I’ve had genital warts for about a year, and have made several trips to a clinic for treatment with cryotherapy. The treatment was little more than the nurse zapping the warts with the spray. Could I buy one of these units and just do it myself?

Can herpes live on surfaces?

I read that the herpes virus does not last very long outside the body. I’m sending you two studies I found online that suggest HSV can live for two hours at room temperature. Which information is correct?

Could I have gotten herpes from oral sex?

I was in a serious relationship for two years with this guy but out of anger I let another guy perform oral sex on me. I’m starting to think I have herpes because my vagina has been very irritated and red and maybe a little swollen.

Will a urine test pick up chlamydia in the anus or rectum?

I am a 23-year old woman, one steady partner now but a couple of other sexual partners in the last year or so. I had a urine test for chlamydia that was negative, but I’ve had anal sex, too. Would the test I had also pick up on chlamydia in the anus or rectum?

I had an abnormal Pap, did I give my boyfriend HPV?

I had my Pap test a month ago and just received a letter saying my Pap test is unclear. I’m scared because the night before I got the letter, my boyfriend and I had sex. Now I’m freaking out that I’ve given him HPV.