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Evelyn, 28, IUD
Evelyn has never been great at following routines, so she chose a super low-maintenance method— the non-hormonal IUD , Paragard. Evelyn chose the non-hormonal IUD because it’s the longest lasting IUD available (up to 12 years!), which also makes it the most cost-effective. When Evelyn was dating, she used condoms and got tested regularly to […]
Devon, 19, condoms, withdrawal, and emergency contraception
Devon has been using condoms to protect against STIs and pregnancy since he first started having sex. There are so many types of condoms to experiment with—studded, pleasure packs, and more—and Devon loves trying them out. He notes that flavored condoms can, “add an extra kick to the experience.” Occasionally, Devon opts to use withdrawal […]
Tee, 21, not right now
Tee used to be sexually active with guys and tried the pill but had trouble remembering to take it every day. (Bedsider reminders can help with that if you’re in the same boat.) The patch irritated Tee’s skin. Now that Tee only dates women, pregnancy protection isn’t an issue. Tee does use barrier methods, though, […]
Gone Viral: 6 things you should know about herpes
Genital herpes is one of the most feared and misunderstood sexually transmitted infections (STIs, a.k.a. STDs). Here are 6 things you probably didn’t know about this virus (but should) in honor of STD Awareness Month . 1. You’re having sex on the tip of an enormous iceberg. You might ask a prospective sex partner whether […]
Goodbye waiting rooms: How to get health care online
Too busy for a trip to see a health care provider, or live really far away from one? Using a telemedicine service (a.k.a. a “virtual visit” with a provider), you can skip the waiting room and communicate with a provider using your phone or computer—from home or any other private location. Although it doesn’t work […]
How to get tested for HIV
Getting tested for HIV is a standard part of health care for U.S. adults. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that all people between ages 13 and 64 be tested at least once. Your health care provider may recommend testing more often depending on your personal risks. The good news is that […]
BTW, you should get tested: How to tell someone you have an STI
Sex is awesome—sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are not. Unfortunately, STIs (a.k.a. STDs) are pretty common , so it’s a good idea to get tested regularly. But what do you do if the test reveals that you have an STI? Step 1: Get on top of your health, Step 2: Share the (uncomfortable) news If you’ve […]
Does an abnormal Pap smear mean that I have cervical cancer?
An abnormal Pap smear can mean a lot of different things— don’t assume it means you have cancer, do be sure to ask your doctor or nurse to explain the results and the recommended treatment completely. Often your body will heal itself and your next Pap smear will be normal. Sometimes you will need a […]
Is HIV treatable?
HIV is not curable, but it is treatable. If you catch it early, you can take anti-retroviral drugs (ARV) to help suppress the symptoms and reduce the chance of spreading the virus . One more reason to get tested regularly. original post
Should I get tested for STIs?
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have some nasty side effects that can range from sores to warts to discharge to pelvic inflammatory disease that can leave some women infertile. If you have sex, it’s a good idea to get tested for the STIs gonorrhea, chlamydia, and HIV . The test for gonorrhea and chlamydia is really […]
