Healthy » Sexual Health

Genital Herpes

JBric — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 05:15:22 +0000

There is no sexually transmitted infection any of us want to get, or want to see others get, but one we would all like to avoid is genital herpes.

Herpes of the genital area is an STI that occurs in around one in eight Australians, and is very common in other parts of the world.

For sexually active people, the infection can be quite easy to pick up if safe sex is not practiced.

To give you an understanding of just what genital herpes is like, we can use the comparison to mouth ulcers.

When active, the herpes cause red sores, itching and occasional bleeding in the genital area.

The affected areas cause pain and make the area very sensitive and sore.

If you have any of the above symptoms it is advise you see a doctor as you could have caught the infection.

One of the disturbing facts about genital herpes is that 80 percent of people with the infection actually do not know they have it.

The reason is that for the majority of people it sits dormant in their system and is fought off by their immune system.

The problem here, however, is that it can still get passed onto others whom you have sex with and can eventually show symptoms later in life.

For those infected, they can have up to 4-6 outbreaks of the herpes in their first year, and suffer flu like symptoms when they first catch the virus.

As time goes on, the outbreaks occur less and less with more time in between.

If you are at all worried about the possibility you could have genital herpes, it is advised you see a doctor.

Gonorrhoea

JBric — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 01:10:11 +0000

Gonorrhoea is a commonly sexually transmitted infection (STI) affecting millions of people around the world.

It is caused by unwanted bacteria and can be spread by contact with the mouth, vagina, penis or anus.

It is generally caught during sex and other sexual acts where genitals are involved.

What actually happens during infection is the bacterium grows in warm, moist areas of the body, in particular the tube that carries the body’s urine.

It can also hibernate in the reproductive tracts in females such as the fallopian tubes and cervix. In fact, the bacteria can even grow in ones eyes!

In short, if infected it is common that you experience an irritating and burning sensation when urinating and generally at random periods throughout the day.

Other symptoms may include damage to the internal tubes, such as the urethra and the uterus, and can in turn cause further health problems if it goes on untreated.

Health care providers in most Western countries around the world are required by law to make officials aware, if they know anyone who is diagnosed with gonorrhoea.

The aim of this law is to make sure the patient gets treatment, and therefore does not further infect and spread the disease across the world.

It is also encouraged for those infected to inform the recent sexual partners of their status.

In the United States, more than 700,000 people pick up the sexual transmitted infection every year, and it is very common among sexually active people.

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms mention above, have multiple sex partners, have had a partner with a history of STI’s or even just have sex without protection, then it is recommended you get in touch with your doctor and be tested.

The good thing about gonorrhoea is that unlike some other STI’s like genital warts, herpes and HIV, it can actually be treated and cured.

Chlamydia

JBric — Sun, 23 May 2010 02:07:02 +0000

Sexually Transmitted Infections can often be a grey area of discussion when it comes to health.

Those with any infections are often very nervous and embarrassed about their problem, and generally find it very hard to discuss the matter publicly.

One of the most common sexual infections is the disease known as Chlamydia.

Chlamydia is a major infectious cause of human genital and eye disease and it is estimated that around one million individuals in the United States alone have the infection.

Chlamydia can be transmitted during vaginal, anal, or oral sex and can be passed from infected mother to her baby during birth, although the chances are about one in three.

The infection can actually take many different forms in each human being and for some, they may never even show symptoms of it.

For most men with the infection, they will usually notice a white discharge from the penis with out without pain.

If untreated, Chlamydia infections can cause serious reproductive and other health problems with both short-term and long-term consequences.

In women, the symptoms can include vaginal bleeding, or a burning sensation while urinating.

The worst-case scenario for the infection is the result in blindness for few of those with the disease. But, those chances are very minimal.

For men, if untreated, it may also result in prostate cancer.

If you do fear you have an infection, or would just really like to play it safe, a test is very easy and takes only a few minutes.

In most western countries, sexual health tests should be free and funded by the government.

All that is required form you is your urine, and it should take a few days for results to be processed.

If infected, treatment is very fast and effective, and results should be seen almost immediately.

Antibiotics are the best form of treatment, and it is usually in the form of one strong tablet that you only need to take once.

No shame in seeking help

bdiamond — Thu, 20 May 2010 01:13:52 +0000

MEN face more difficulties with sex than what most imagine. Most believe they are invincible in bed until one of the following problems occur.

Erectile dysfunction or impotence, performance anxiety, delayed ejaculation, premature ejaculation, low sexual desire or low libido and sexual aversion.

Sex can have such an impact on your relationship. If it going great in bed, perhaps it is reflective or the overall relationship. If there are problems in bed, maybe it may stem problems in the relationship.

So your sexual health is important and may depend on good mental and physical functioning.

Some things that can affect your sexual health include fertility problems.

One of the partners may well be infertile or close to infertile and it obviously makes it tougher to have children. This can impact the desires during sex and lifestyle out of the bed. Alternatively, pregancies can also have an impact. Many couples fear having sex during pregnancy in case it does harm to the baby. This built up sexual frustration may not be healthy for the relationship however.

Anxiety and depression can also have an affect. It may be so that you are thinking too much; of the worst. It can have a large influence on the mind while having sex and can produce impotence.

And of course, there are many illnesses, diseases and even ageing that can have an affect on the sexual relationship.

Men find it tough to talk about sexual health but maybe it’s the new AMI nasal technology that has sparked interest in the topic. The company is so renowned that it has billboards and many ads running on TV and radio.

If you are having troubles in the bedroom, it is important to seek help to these type of institutions.

Sexual Health Australia also has years of dealing with sex therapy and relationship counselling.

The urge to urinate

bdiamond — Fri, 14 May 2010 04:58:44 +0000

URINARY infections, indeed, produces annoying symptoms that can last for a long time unless treated properly.

Most people – who have sex – get urinary infections in their lifetime and it will begin with a painful burning feeling when you are urinating.

You will also feel the need to go to the toilet a lot more than what you are used to; but chances are very little urine will come out.

This means that you have a urinary infection which can be treated easily if you see a doctor early. Antibiotics is usually used to prevent this. But the longer you leave it to see about it, the more serious it can get.

There are many ways ot prevent urinary infections including keeping updated with good hygiene skills. You should also be drinking plenty of fluids such as water each day will help flush bacterium out of the urinary system. Emptying the bladder as soon as the urge to urinate occurs also may help decrease the risk of bladder infection or UTI.

Urinating before and after sex can flush out any bacteria that may enter the urethra during sexual intercourse. You should also have plenty of oranges as vitamin C acan make the urine acidic which reduces harmful bacteria.

Cranberry juice is thought to be one way to reduce the frequency of bladder infections. However this should not be thought of as a treatment. But in summary, once you appear to have the symptoms for this you should consult your doctor right away.

Infections can also harm pregnant women. But this is handled in the same way. Doctors recommend that pregant women should have regular urine tests because the kidneys are prone to being infected during pregnancy.

Urine infections is when the urine becomes infected with bacteria, fungi or contains fluids, salts and waste products. It affects millions around the world yearly.

More men heading for sexual health tests

bdiamond — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 03:45:59 +0000

MORE and more men are consulting their doctors about sexual health issues in a recent survey.

The more sexual health questions have risen up to 20 per cent according to nation wide practicioners which are plauding men, who are usually shy when talking to doctors about their sexual health. Going to the doctor can ease your mind of issues that could be clogging it with scary ideas such as having HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases.

It’s as easy as having a blood test and a urine test and getting the results back two days later. You should also consult your doctor if you have any problems with getting your partner pregnant as this could be from a sexual health issue. No matter what your age, talk to your doctor if you have erection problems, less interest in sex, or other problems that keep you or your partner from enjoying sex. Also, talk to your doctor about your risk of sexually transmitted infections and how to lower your risk.

Problems with sexual health are medical problems, and your doctor can help. With treatment, many men and their partners are able to resume a normal, satisfying sex life

Sex on the beach

bdiamond — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 05:47:52 +0000

SUMMER holidays can stimulate people in different ways.

Sex on the beach is not just a cocktail drink to many.

The sun, sand and sex – the three S rule usually rings true for many holiday makers looking for that summer fling.

According to a survey carried out by British mag More, young women on holiday are more sexually active than they are at home with over 80 per cent of those questioned having had a fling with a fellow holiday maker, according to NineMSN.

The survey also found that a third of the 2000 women involved in the survey had slept with at least two men during the same holiday, with one in six having slept with three or more different people.

It was also found that some of these women weren’t single – cheating on husbands.

So where do you find yourself on your summer holiday. Looking to pick up that dream guy or girl? Or enjoying it with your partner?

Men need to stay cool

bdiamond — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 06:55:58 +0000

MEN who work in extremely warm areas or use saunas and hot tubs for relaxation regularly have a low sperm count, therfore making it tougher to obtain pregnancy with their partners.

A study has found men need to be in cooler areas if they are to engage in a healthy production.

Sperm can also be affected by the toxins or poisons in the air so the right working environment is essential.

If your body is poorly fed and nourished, that too will affect your sex drive and sperm.

Eating the right amount of fruit and vegetables help the cause considerably.

There’s also the obvious rules; limit smoking and drinking alcohol and of course drug use.

All three can do the pregnancy and/or sperm harm in the lead up to conceiving.

Research says alcohol can damage the quality of sperm in its foundation and may even cause impotence.

You should also have regular check ups with your local doctor to ensure that you have no sexually transmitted infections or HIV which ultimately can affect your chances of pregnancy or having a healthy baby.

All of these rules and obligations are just recommendations to help accrue healthy sperm.

There’s also the mental issues of supporting your partner and knowing you’re supported too.

This is beneficial and healthy for the environment that you and others live in.

It will also help when the new born arrives.

Men: eat well for reproductive health

Health Guru — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 01:03:13 +0000

More evidence has emerged to link healthy eating with greater male reproductive health.

Research carried out at the University of Murcia in Spain has revealed that men who ate more meat and dairy products, and less tomatoes, lettuce and fruit were more likely to have diminished semen quality.

Furthermore, additional research at the same institution showed men with normal semen at more fibre, carbohydrates, folate, Vitamin C and lycophene than men with poor semen quality did.

The study’s authors concluded that a low level of antioxidants in the diet led to a diminished semen quality.

Contraception options

Health Guru — Sat, 02 May 2009 06:24:01 +0000

Contraception is important because it enables people to practice safe sex. While the options for contraception were limited in previous generations, today there are several versatile options available.

Barrier methods (condoms and diaphragms), hormonal methods (contraceptive pills, vaginal rings, injections and implants) and sterilisation are among the possibilities you could consider.

The first step you need to take is to work out which contraception method is the most suitable for you. The option you choose will obviously be influenced by a range of factors, including your level of sexual activity, convenience, cost, effectiveness and freedom from adverse effects.

Condoms are widely used and are very effective at both preventing pregnancy and stopping the spread of STDs. They are a relatively cheap form of contraception and can easily be purchased from supermarkets and chemists.

The ‘combined pill’ is a tablet that needs to be taken daily and is made up of the synthetic forms of the hormones progesterone and oestrogen. This pill prevents ovulation and performs a number of other measures to prevent pregnancy.

Sterilisation is really only an appropriate option for people who have already had children or who do not want to have children. Both males and females can be made sterile. Both require surgical procedures, and if you are interested in finding out more you will need to consult your doctor.

There is also a ‘morning after’ pill that can be taken as an emergency, after sexual intercourse. This is certainly not an ideal method of contraception as it has unwanted side effects, but it is seen as necessary in some instances. Speak to a pharmacist or doctor for more information.