Sexual Health

Welcome to the HGN’s information pages on sexual health. This has been designed to answer some of your questions concerning your sexual health.

Sex is an expression of love an emotional intimacy. Sex can also be solely for pleasure as it makes us feel good. Anyone who has sex, no matter what their gender or sexual preferences are at risk of getting a sexually transmitted infection if they have unprotected sex (sex without using condoms) or with multiple partners. Therefore it is essential we look after our sexual health.

Sexually transmitted infections (STI’s) are spread through close intimate contact. STI’s are caused by germs, the smallest of which is a virus. A virus needs to invade a human cell then multiply to exist i.e. herpes and wart virus. A virus can survive away from the cell for a period of time but cannot reproduce until it has infected a new host. The next up in size is bacteria which can survive and even multiply away from the host i.e. Gonorrhoea. Next is a protozoan which is a single celled organism i.e. Trichomonas Vaginalis. Then the largest in size is a parasite, i.e. pubic lice and scabies. In the UK, the numbers of all STIs are increasing, causing a massive health concern. Left untreated STIs can cause serious long-term damage. The only way to reduce your risk of getting a STI is to use condoms. These are available free from sexual health services. If you feel you have contracted an STI it is advisable to visit your local Genito-Urinary Medicine (GUM) clinic, as they are the experts in this area of medicine. There are other services which offer testing and details given later.

Chlamydia is the most common bacterial STI and is easily passed on through sexual contact. It is found in semen and vaginal fluid. Often there are no symptoms or if you do get symptoms they can be mild. If left untreated in men it can cause painful inflammation of the testicles, which could lead further to infertility. Inflammation of the joints can also occur this is known as Reiter’s syndrome. Men are more likely to experience symptoms than women. Symptoms in men are:

Discharge from the penis (white/cloudy and watery)
Pain and/or burning sensation when passing urine
Painful swelling and irritation of the eyes

Chlamydia can be passed on through sharing sex toys, oral and anal sex. If the infections are passed on through oral sex and the infection is in the throat there are usually no symptoms. Infection in the rectum is rare but may cause discomfort and discharge.

Testing
You can visit your local GUM clinic where a doctor or nurse will take a swab of the urethra, the rectum and throat (If your have oral sex). Be sure to be as honest with them as possible when they ask questions around sex, they are not being nosy, they need to ensure they test everywhere, i.e. if you only have oral sex, then a swab of your penis is not going to show much, a throat swab is required. They may also take a urine sample. If you test positive you will be given a course of antibiotics. For ages 13-24 there is a national screening program for people who don’t have symptoms, this is tested through a urine sample.

• Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is common in parts of the world where water supplies and sewage are poor. It is possible to become infected through eating or drinking contaminated food or water. Hepatitis A is found in faeces. If a person has Hepatitis A it can be passed on if a tiny amount of faeces comes into contact with another person’s mouth. This means the virus can also be passed on through sexual practices such as rimming. People may have no symptoms, but can still pass on the Hepatitis virus to others. After the virus enters the body, there are no symptoms for two to six weeks however, people are still infectious during this period.
Symptoms in men may include:
a short, flu-like illness
nausea and vomiting
diarrhoea
loss of appetite
weight loss
jaundice (yellow skin and whites of eyes, darker yellow urine and pale faeces)
itchy skin.
Testing
Your GP or doctor at the GUM clinic can diagnose Hepatitis A by carrying out blood tests. If you test positive this may show that you have been in contact with the Hepatitis A virus and your body has cleared it. You now have a natural protection against future infection with the Hepatitis A virus. By the time most people have developed symptoms of Hepatitis A, they will be less infectious, but in the weeks before this they will have been highly infectious. Most of the symptoms of Hepatitis A settle after a few weeks, although some people can feel tired for a number of months after infection. There is little likelihood of chronic liver damage and becoming a chronic carrier (where a person remains chronically infected).

You can be vaccinated against Hepatitis A, you are given a single injection in the arm which gives you protection for a year. A second booster injection at 6 to 12 months gives you protection for up to 10 years. Most Hepatitis A vaccinations are given to people who are travelling around the world where there is a high incidence of Hepatitis A. These injections are available from your GP, however, they are likely to charge for them. You can also get vaccinated to prevent Hepatitis A developing, if you have been in contact with it recently. Vaccination is also recommended for those whose sexual practices are likely to put them at risk.

Testing
A nurse or doctor will examine the genital area and take a swab of any visible sores. Never use cold sore creams on the genital areas or home remedies. Ensure you visit your GP or the GUM.

Non -Specific Urethritis is inflammation of the urethra. In 50% of people it is caused by Chlamydia. The Herpes virus, the wart virus and the protozoan that causes Trichomoniasis can also cause it. NSU is sometimes referred to as Non-Gonococcal Urethritis (NGU) because the infection is not caused by the bacteria that causes Gonorrhoea. NSU can be spread through sexual intercourse. Symptoms in men may be:

Burning when passing urine
White/ cloudy discharge
Discomfort in the penis
Red or soreness at the opening at the end of the penis

Left untreated NSU can cause prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate gland), epididymo-orchitis (inflammation of the testes), epididymis (inflammation of the tube that carries sperm) or arthritis.

Testing
You can visit your local GUM clinic where a doctor or nurse will take a swab of the urethra and a urine sample. If the test is positive it can be treated with antibiotics.

Syhilis is caused by a bateria, sometimes known as the Pox. It is easily passed on through sexual contact, this includes sharing sex toys, oral and anal sex. You can be infected with sypilis without realising as symptoms may be mild and take up to 3 months to show. It is passed on when sexual contact occurs with someone who has the Syphilis. There are three stages of Syphilis primary, secondary and tertiary.

Primary stage
It can take 3-4 weeks after contact with the bacteria for one or more sores to appear (they are usually painless). They can appear anywhere on the body where the initial contact took place and take 2-6 weeks to heal. This is a very infectious time. In men they appear around the anus, the opening of the urethra (tube where urine comes out) on the penis and the foreskin or in the throat.

Secondary stage
If the primary stage is left untreated the secondary stage occurs some weeks or months after the appearanceof the sore/sores. Sypmtoms include:
Sore throat
White patches on the tongue
Patchy hair loss
Flu like illness
tiredness
Loss of appepitite
Warty growths
Headache
Painless non-itchy rash all over the body (including palms of hands and soles of feet The secondary stage is still very infectious and may last several months.

Tertiary stage
The third stage or latent Syphilis, as it is often referred to, occurs if the infection is left untreated. During this stage an infected person may not have any further symptoms and it may last the rest of their life. After many years left untreated Syphilis can cause severe damage to the:
Brain
Heart
Eyes
Bones
Nervous system
Internal organs
Major joints
This stage could be fatal.

Testing
A blood test can be taken to test for Syphilis, this can be done at many sexual health services, GP surgery, or at the GUM. If you have sores visit the GUM and a doctor or nurse will take a swab of the fliud from the sores. They may also carry out a genital examination. Treatment for the first and second stage of Syphilis requires a course of antibiotics, treatment is effective any time during the first and second stage.

Trichomonas vaginalis also known as TV. TV is caused by a tiny parasite, the infection can then live in inside the cells of the vagina in women & the urethra in men. TV is usually passed on through sex and sharing sex toys. 50% of people have no symptoms, symptoms in men may be:
A thin whitish discharge from the penis
Pain or burning when passing urine
Inflammation of the the glands and foreskin

Testing
You can visit your local GUM clinic and a nurse or doctor will take a swab of the cells from the urethra or genital area. Some results may take a week to come back. You will need a course of antibiotics if you test positive for TV

We no longer use the term “safe sex” as it is widely acknowledged the only form of “safe” sex, is none at all!! In that case, how dull life would be!! While it is true if everyone in the world stopped having sex forever & ever, sexually transmitted infections would eventually disappear…as would the human race! However, I’m guessing this is not going to be a good health promotion strategy to even attempt to put into practice. After all, it would mean the author would have to give it up as well & I think that’s about as likely as Kylie becoming President of the United States!! (Only ‘cause she’s Australian & not American, I’m sure she’d be fab at the job!!) So as we cannot eradicate sex, let’s try a different approach at taking care of the sexy bits!

Dos & Don’ts of Condom Usage.

Ok, so everyone THINKS they’re expert in putting on a condom, but are you really? Just ‘cause you’re male doesn’t mean you were given the ability to do this when you were born!! Ever had one break for “no” reason? Ever slipped off? Do you find them too tight? Too Loose? Well, here’s a quick lesson in usage or if you really are Casanova with the Jonnies, just a little refresher…remember, every day’s a school day!!

Important points to remember when using condoms:

The expiry date: Every condom will have one, (unless it’s SO old it was made before printing machines were invented, in which case, I’m guessing it will break, so don’t use it!!) Check the date before you use; don’t go hunting down the back of the sofa for the one that slipped out your pocket a few years ago!! Don’t use it if it’s expired. Would you drink milk that was past it’s expiry date?

Check that the condoms hold the British Kite Mark and/or CE standard: The British Standard Kit Mark looks like a heart & CE mark is just that! Both of these are safety standards, Kite Mark being the British one & CE being the European one. All condoms passing their safety test will be marked with either or both of these. If you find yourself in possession of an unmarked jonnie, DO NOT USE!!!!! BACK AWAY FROM THE UNMARKED JONNY!!!!! Ok it’s not quite that big a deal just remember, while no-one can guarantee 100% the condom will not break even if safety marked, we can without doubt say an unmarked jonnie WILL break!!! Sometimes the manufacturers will put the marks on the box containing the condoms & not on each individual condom, so remember to check the box as well. If you get your condoms free from a sexual health service & it isn’t marked on the wrapper, don’t be afraid to check with the staff the jonnies are marked or ask to check the box they come in. The mark will be there somewhere, if not, don’t use!! (You’re getting the idea now, aren’t you!!)

Be careful when opening the packet so as not to rip the contents with nails or jewellery. (Do NOT open with teeth!) Treat them gently, I know you may be in a rush to get your end away, but, as my mother always told me, “more haste, less speed!” Always do what your mother tells you!!

Check that you are putting on the condom the right way round. Imagine the condom is a witch’s hat. (No I don’t mean put it on your head!) I mean before you put it on, place it on the palm of your hand and check that the roll is on the outside of the condom. If you or your partner puts it on the wrong way, don’t turn it over & start again, use a new one.

Hold the tip of the condom to ensure that air is not trapped in it, which can make it more likely to tear. The teat is your collecting pouch for all your spunk, if there’s air in it, there’s no room for it to go so it’ll make a break for freedom!! While we’re on the subject of the teat, don’t pull it down all the way to the end of the teat, it’s not a figure hugging little number designed to show off you immense manhood!!! There needs to be a floppy bit at the end to fill with your juices, so remember, hold the teat between the tips of your fingers & roll on, don’t let go until it’s all the way to the base of your dick, when you let go, you should have a nice floppy end, (of the condom not your willy, for that, you need to see a doctor!!)

LUBES!!! LUBES!!! LUBES!!! Cannot stress this enough!!! As my friend says: “The wetter, the better!!!” Use as much as you need on the outside of the condom & some on the receptive partner, especially if you’re having a little ass action. Condoms dry out during sex & this leaves them open to friction. A little lubrication goes a long way & makes things a lot more pleasurable for the receptive partner. Tell me, would you drive your car without oil in its engine? Why drive a jonnie without lube, too? However, on this point: NEVER, EVER USE OIL-BASED SUBSTANCES TO LUBE YOUR CONDOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why I hear you ask? Most condoms are made from latex & latex is warped by oil. If you’re bored & dateless on a Friday night & have nothing better to do with your condoms, blow one up like a balloon, then rub some Vaseline on it. My guess is about 4 minutes & it will explode!! Same effect with lip salve, baby oil, massage oil, etc. For shagging purposes use WATER-BASED LUBES, such as, Liquid Silk, KY Jelly, Sutherland Gel, Aqua Gel, ID lube or TLC, these are available at all sex, sorry…adult gift, shops or sexual health facilities. Check out our services section for where to go for free…… yes I said FREE!! Condoms & lubes.

Remember, 1 condom at a time is enough!! Some people think 2 condoms at a time=double the protection…trust me, it doesn’t! One condom will pull off the other, they’ll rub against each other & cause both to break, all sorts of problems arise with this one. So long as the condom is safety marked and used correctly, it shouldn’t break.

“Jonnies & Blowies!!!”-What a great team!!! While we’re on the subject of one at a time, remember to change your condom between each activity. In other words, after a blow job, change the condom before shagging & after each shag. Jonnies are “one-time, only” kinda guys, they become weaker after one use or you might tear them with your teeth, so remove & start again! Yes, that’s right, boys, you should always use a condom for sucking off your fella as well. Gonorrhoea, Syphilis & other infections can be passed on through oral sex, oh & by the way, HIV transmission is a risk through oral, although we believe it to be a lower risk than through anal shagging, it’s still a risk.

However, accidents happen!! If a condom does break it’s always best to get the nether regions checked, even if you don’t get symptoms, they can still be lurking around doing damage & especially if you don’t know your partner’s sexual history. YOUR sexual health is YOUR responsibility! First & foremost, INSIST on using a condom, if it then breaks, get yourself checked out & encourage your partner, (or partners, if your lucky,) to get checked out, too. Best place to go is your local Genito-Urinary Medicine Clinic or GUM, it’s confidential, you don’t need your GP to send you there you can refer yourself, check out our services section for ones in this area or your local phone directory or give NHS Direct a ring for details, they’ll help you out.

Storage: Store them at room temperature, if it’s in your bedside table, make sure it’s not near the radiator. Don’t store them in the window where the sun can cook them, & when you go out on the pull, try not to keep them too close to your body, you hot stuff, as body temperature could over heat them too.

Still having problems? Pop along to your nearest sexual health facility and have a play with the demonstrators, an expert will be able to assess your technique and give you some suggestions as to where you’re going wrong. There’s usually a reason why they break & I’m sorry to knock your egos, boys, but it’s usually human error!! Swallow your pride & ask for help.

Look after your condoms & they’ll look after you!!

Just Condoms? What else is out there to play with?

So we all know about condoms & now we know how to use them properly. (If you skipped the “Do’s & Don’ts of Condom Use”, go back, you bad boy or I’ll get my bat out & give you a good spanking!!!) So is there anything else we can use to protect our special regions? Well there’s dams, gloves, femidoms…sorry you want more info, ok, read on.

Dental Dams.

Dental Dams are squares of latex placed over the ass for rimming. Yep, sorry boys it’s true, you can still get infections from this pleasurable little pastime so ensure there’s a good barrier between & those sweet cheeks you’re about to devour! Dams come in different colours & flavours so you should find one to suit your taste. They are very thin so it doesn’t take away the pleasure you or your rimmed one experience. They are free & available from most sexual health clinics so check out your nearest place.

Gloves.

Basically the jury’s still out on the whole fisting & infection transmission risk. However, there is a theoretical risk if the fister has open cuts on their hands & the fistee has breaks in the anal wall, blood & infection can pass from one to another. If you’re worried about this, where gloves, preferably the ones without sequins & stuff!! You can get latex gloves from chemists or some sexual health clinics. However, don’t get paranoid, boys, the skin is a wonderful thing & your best barrier against any infection so if there’s no breaks, there’s no risk.

Thick V Regular: The Debate Rages On!!

Once upon a time, safer sex was born. “Use Condoms! Use Condoms!” The cry was heard from far & wide. There are thin ones & regular ones black ones & pink ones, big ones & little ones, but if you want anal you can only use THICK ones. The cries of anxiety were heard to the ends of the earth! “

WHY!!! Where’s the fun in that!”
“Not fair!!”
”I’m not using thick ones I’ll do without!”

So the boffins got together, they toiled & moulded, stretched & prodded until finally they produced….any condom!!!!

Ok so here’s the thing, it used to be said only thick ones for a bit of anal but in actual fact, studies have shown thick condoms are no more or less likely to break than regular condoms so long as they are used correctly. (Back to basics, boys & perfect that technique!) In the end it all comes down to personal preference & a thinner condom is better than no condom, so long as it doesn’t break.

One thing I will say, though, ensure whatever condom you use is non-spermicidal as nasty Nonoxynol 9 or N9 spermicide can cause small tears in the anal wall which will allow a nice little passageway for those pesky infections to get in.

What’s the Risk of Getting Something if I Do….?