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Taking care of your sexual health

Sex is not all about having a mind-blowing, orgasm filled, and satisfying sex. It is a little more than that. There are so many things involved with having sex which includes the sexual organs, reproduction, infections, STDs and so on. If you have decided to live a sexually active life, then you would need to take responsibility for your actions. Here are some aspects of sexual health you should know about:

What sex entails

This talks about the whole essence of sex, beginning from the desire to have it, how to get stimulated and your response or reaction to it. Knowing the basics will enable you to have a clear understanding of what you are getting into so you don’t become confused or frustrated at some events that may occur during sex.

The reproductive cycle

One of the reasons for having sex is for reproduction. But is this the reason most people have sex? No. people just want to feel good and have orgasms. Identify what you want out of sex. Do you want babies? Learn how to track your cycle and what things that are required of you to do in order to have a healthy pregnancy. You don’t want to make babies? Get information about ways to prevent conception during sex. Birth controls, condoms, vasectomy and so on are tools you can use to be on a safe side.

Erectile dysfunction

This is one issue that disturbs men of all ages. Knowing about the causes of erectile dysfunction and prevention will help you have a better sex life. No one wants to be with a guy that can’t get or sustain an erection. It would end up making you and your partner frustrated. So help everyone and get yourself informed.

Higher Libido

Sexual desire varies which could cause one partner to desire sex more often than the other. This is often mistaken as sex addiction but they are quite different. Know how to reduce your libido to match that of your partner could reduce the conflict most couples have because of this issue. You could also get someone with a libido as high as yours.

Vaginal dryness

One of the struggles of women who are either pregnant or are in their menopause. This could cause friction between partners as one party might not have a desire for sex and the other might not even feel satisfied because of the dryness of the vagina. Knowing what to do in such situations like getting a lubricant in form of a tube or condom might fix the problem. Consulting your doctor at this time will also be appropriate.

Guarding against infection

This entails learning about the different types as well as consequences of infection should be first on the list. This is followed by prevention which deals with taking necessary steps to prevent sexually transmitted diseases or infections. Prevention is important to limit the spread of these diseases thereby protecting your health and that of others. You should also know about getting a test for STDs. How often should you get a test and why it is important to be tested? Then, you need to know how to live with STDs if you have contracted one.

How safe is Anal Sex?

Every man and woman has asked themselves at some period of their life whether they should have anal sex or not. Some of them had a sex like this while others are still thinking about it. Regardless in which category of people you belong you should be aware of the consequences that this type of sex brings.

Anal sex belongs to the group of riskiest sexual activities and according to many definitions anal sex represents the penetration of the male organ in the anal channel of the partner (male or female).

This phenomenon is not a product of modern times because there is evidence that this type of sex was practiced since ancient times when it was often described as sodomy. Anal sex was practiced in the Greek and Roman civilization on regular basis and in any place where people wanted to preserve the innocence of a young girl.

Male sexual organ at that moment, thanks to the force of friction, reaches more excitement, which makes this type of sex so popular especially among younger generations. But, you should keep in mind that what is attractive is not always safe.

The main disadvantage of anal sex is the fact that the rectum lacks natural lubrication like the one found in vaginas. Another disadvantage is the nature of the sphincter muscles that regulate bowel movement. These sphincter muscles are “programmed” to relax only during ejection of feces, but people having anal intercourse look for this sort of relaxation when they are having sex. This means that this type of sex can lead to complications.

Anal sphincter muscle which is located in the anus is there to relax only in certain situations. The existence of other conditions or the practice of anal sex can lead to insufficient relaxation of the muscle. It can cause damages to the superficial layers of the skin and the sphincter itself. The main consequence of this practice is bleeding which the main reason for frequent transmission of sexually transmitted diseases in people who practice anal sex. In addition, people practicing this sex often use anal toys and other items to increase the excitement. Cases when objects are stuck in the rectum are not rare. Even the male sexual organ can be affected by this type of sex. Many microorganisms especially bacteria, dwell in the rectum and if there are any bruises or wounds on the penis they can easily cause an infection. People that have suffered injuries from anal sex are often ashamed and they don’t want to visit the doctor unless the situation gets really serious.

As you can see practicing anal sex comes with many dangers. If you really want to practice anal sex then you should take some measures that can make it safer. Using a condom is obviously the first thing you can do. Condoms and lubricants will make the penis enter the rectum much easier and they will also protect both partners from possible occurrence of STDs.

Common sexual issues a teenage girl faces

Teenage days look good, but come with its set of problems. Teenagers have to deal with the hormonal imbalances in their body which forces them to look good to the opposite sex and some other sexual problems. Teenaged girls have to deal with their sexual problems, but their mum can help them in dealing with it. Not all moms are free to talk to their daughters about sex and sexual issues.

Psychologists, time and again suggest that talking about sex and sexual habits to their teenage son and daughter would only do well than bad. Parents must understand that you are their first teacher and if you fail to educate them, they may end up screwing their lives or resort to internet to get their dose of information. Internet is a wide world in itself, so teenagers start finding something there and end with totally different page. Below are the few sexual problems and issues which teenaged girls usually face:

First time sex:

According to a survey, young girls have their first time when they are in their early teens. The results of this survey must have disappointing for many parents, but that’s not a big deal. World has become more modern and people are open about sex. The thing that parents must be concerned is to educate their young ones with the pros and cons of healthy sex life and the need to use protection.

Pregnancy:

If you are unlucky and not educated in sex then you end up having an unwanted pregnancy. Teenage pregnancy can be devastating. This is one major problem which gets sticky to deal with. Abortion is the only option left if you are very young, but it would have a bad impact on your body in the longer run. Parents must educate their kids with safe sex advices and young girls should insist on condoms if they are having sex.

Sexually transmitted diseases:

When the hormones are at their highest peak, it becomes really difficult to control those desires to have sex. Some young girls end up having sex with infected strangers unknowing the consequences. Every young girl must know what sexually transmitted diseases are and how painful they are. Some sexually transmitted diseases are incurable and some are life threatening as well. Teenagers can refer to the internet to know some of the worst STD’s and also precautions that they must ensure while having sex.

Precautions:

Teenagers must be educated on different precaution methods so that they keep themselves safe from unwanted STD’s and pregnancies. It is important that the parents talk to their little ones on their own or seek the help of an experienced, qualified psychologist.

Teenage is a crucial age in life where the hormones control their lives. You cannot stop or control your young ones at this stage. They become rebellious and that could worsen the condition and also break the bond that you share with them. It is important to educate them so that they care of themselves. Teach them the right ways to keep them safe.

Know sexually transmitted diseases, their cure and precautions for a healthier sex life

Safe sex is very important. Sometimes when desire takes over people expose themselves to unhealthy and unsafe sex practices. It is very important that you have sex with known partner as unknown partner can be a carrier of sexually transmitted diseases and she or he can transfer it to you. There are many types of sexually transmitted diseases ad dealing with these diseases is very difficult. The pain, trauma and guilt that come with sexually transmitted disease are like a slow killer. Some sexually transmitted diseases take much time to heal. Some of the famous and most dangerous sexually transmitted disease includes:

AIDS:

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome is one among the most dangerous sexually transmitted disease. Scientists have not been able to find a permanent cure for this disease which many have been affected worldwide. People can get infected by this disease through other ways also, but unprotected sex is termed as a major reason for this disease. This disease can be spread from man to woman and also woman to man.  People infected with this disease can take medication to delay the spread of virus within the body, but cannot stop it. Studies are on to find an antidote for this disease for over a decade, but they ray of hope is far from seen. The only measure that can be taken to keep safe is to always insist on a condom while having sex with strangers.

Herpes:

Cold sores and genital sores are the first a symptoms of herpes virus. This STD comes in two forms namely HSV 1 and HSV 2. This virus affects the skin around the mouth and the genitals causing utter discomfit. The rashes are ugly and are teamed up with high fever and uneasiness. This disease is quite famous in the United States. A recent survey states that one in four women suffer from this sexually transmitted disease. One can be affected with this disease even by using a condom. This disease mainly infects the skin around the genitals which slowly spread on the genitals too.

Human Pappiloma Virus:

HPV as it is famously known, ranks third in the list of sexually transmitted diseases. This disease is a slow killer and mostly infects women. Doctors claim that this disease can cause cervical cancer in later stages. The disease doesn’t show many symptoms apart from the warts around the genitals. Like AIDS, the growth of Human Pappiloma Virus can also be restricted, but the disease in itself is incurable. Safe sex with latex condoms will help you stay away from spreading or infecting yourself from HPV.

Chlamydia:

This disease is very common with people who expose themselves to untrusted partners. Thank the lord that scientists have found a cure to stop the spread of this disease into your body and cure it, but the problem is this disease shows no sign of infection. So, people who risk their life must visit their doctor to get themselves screened and treated for Chlamydia. This virus can also be tacked with effective use of condoms.

It is always good to use a condom, but there are more diseases that infect the skin and the area around. Have safe sex and be safe.

Vulvodynia – Causes and Treatment

Vulvodynia is a rare disease that is still being researched by many experts. The burning sensation and pain in the vagina can be clear signs of vulvodynia.

Vulvodynia is actually a very long-lasting feeling of discomfort in the vagina, which is usually accompanied by pain, burning sensation and itching. Of course, the intensity of pain and the symptoms is different in each woman; the feeling of strong burning sensation is the most common symptom of all. Besides the intensity, the pain is different in its duration and location in each woman. The occurrence of vulvodynia can certainly affect a woman’s sex life, but it can also affect her everyday life. Vulvodynia has not been researched very well so far because it occurs very rarely. This is also the reason why there is no medication on the market that is specialized in treating vulvodynia.

The reasons for appearance of vulvodynia are not yet well researched, but experts that work in this field are convinced that vulvodynia is caused by a variety of diseases and injuries of the vagina and the consequences of those injuries/diseases. A very common cause is irritation of the outer parts of the genitalia, allergy, yeast infection or muscle spasms. In rare cases vulvodynia can be caused by the presence of oxalate crystals in the urine. So far there is no evidence that this disease can be transmitted (it is not a STD), although this option is still opened because as we have mentioned before vulvodynia is still not researched very well. There are few signs that can point to vulvodynia like red and swollen skin of the vagina. In order to confirm the presence of vulvodynia, the gynecologist must remove fungal diseases, bacterial infections and genital herpes from the list of possible causes. Only after these medical conditions are excluded, the gynecologist can suspect vulvodynia presence.

Treating vulvodynia is not easy because there is no specialized medication on the market that deals with it. There aren’t any separate therapies for this disease either. Some doctors suggest taking standard measures in cases of similar infections. For example, using special soap, wearing underwear made of pure cotton and using lubricants based on water. In order to ease the pain, women can use cooling gel. Some pills can also be helpful in these cases but they should be taken only with prescription. According to some experts vulvodynia can be treated with a surgery too. Women suffering from vulvodynia should undergo surgery only after all other methods are exhausted and they didn’t provide any positive effects.

There are also few measures that every women can take in order to prevent appearance of this rare and very unpleasant disease. For example, using underwear that doesn’t irritate the skin is always a good idea. Although underwear made of synthetic materials might look more appealing, cotton underwear keeps the hygiene on a higher level and it doesn’t irritate the skin. Take care of your vagina by having occasional baths with some herbs that can improve your sexual health like chamomile. You can also use a soap with neutral pH value and remember that you should never use the soap inside your vagina.

The Most Common Sexually Transmitted Disease In Men

Despite enormous progress in understanding and controlling sexually transmitted diseases, they are still present. This is a list of the most common sexually transmitted diseases:

Gonorrhea

This complicated disease is one of the most common in the world and second in the USA. The numbers of reported cases are high and as we know there are lots of people who do not report their diseases so the situation is very serious.

Gonorrhea has distinctive signs like a burning sensation while urinating and purulent discharge at the end on the urination. If it is not treated properly, this disease can lead to epididymitis which affects the testicles and can cause infertility. Gonorrhea in women can lead to other diseases like Chlamydia, which can also cause infertility. Besides that, having gonorrhea can increase the risk of getting HIV.

Antibiotics are the most common treatment of gonorrhea. Unfortunately, gonorrhea mutates and there are various types of this disease and some of them are developing resistance to antibiotics. This makes the treatment more difficult and unpredictable which of course is another reason to be more careful.

Syphilis

Syphilis is a very serious disease that caused a lot of fatalities in the past. Fortunately, with the development of medicine today we have several successful methods to treat syphilis without many problems. The rates of people that are suffering from syphilis is getting lower every year, especially in the developed countries.

However if syphilis is left untreated it can produce serious damages to the brain, cardiovascular system and many other organs in the body. Just like gonorrhea, syphilis increases the risk of infection with HIV.

Chlamydia

According to some statistics there are more than 30 million people around the world that carry Chlamydia. Although this disease is usually more visible in women, men can also have some symptoms like inflammation of the urinary tract, prostate and testicles. Chlamydia can cause a lot more damage in women because untreated Chlamydia infections can lead to inflammatory diseases and even infertility. Thanks to the public awareness, more people are performing tests and treat this disease timely with antibiotics. Antibiotics help reduce the spreading of Chlamydia. Because symptoms are less visible in men, they should take medical examinations more frequently before this infection makes more damage to their health and before they spread this infection to other women and in some cases men.

HPV

HPV can cause cervical cancer in women and colon cancer and prostate cancer in men. There are literally millions of male carriers of this virus that transmit it to their sexual partner without even knowing. Luckily there is a new vaccine that was invented few years ago and that has proven to be very effective. Because it is advised that young girls even at the age of 9 to take this vaccine, this method has caused a lot of controversy.

HIV/AIDS

This is definitely the most lethal sexually transmitted diseases. But thanks to the increased public awareness the number of people infected with these diseases is getting lower in the past few years. Early signs of infection with HIV / AIDS may include symptoms like the ones that appear with flu, fungal infections of the throat and a feeling of inexplicable fatigue. The medicine is able to produce antivirus cocktails that have proven to be very effective in treating of this disease.

Prevention And Protective Measures Against Chlamydia

Sexually transmitted diseases, including Chlamydia infection, are transmitted via sexual intercourse. This means that only persons that are sexually active are at risk. The chance to get a sexually transmitted disease is defined by the person’s sexual activity and behavior.

Each individual can protect its own health by avoiding risky sexual intercourses and by using protection (condoms) during those intercourses.

Having sex early in the relationship and huge number of sexual partners during lifetime certainly increase the risk of these diseases and their unpleasant consequences. Sometimes changing the partner means higher risk, because when you have sex with someone new that means that you are having sex with everyone with whom that person has slept before.

So how can we lower the risk? Permanent and mutually faithful relationship between two healthy persons and abstinence from sexual activities are the only two measures that are helpful in the process of protection against sexually transmitted diseases. In other cases, people can protect themselves by avoiding dangerous sexual behavior and by applying condoms during sexual activities.

Primary prevention based on education and behavioral change is the key to prevention and control of sexually transmitted infections, including Chlamydia infections. Changing behavior such as increased use of condoms, delaying the start of sexual life and reducing the number of sexual partners, in response to a campaign to prevent AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases, are associated with reduction of Chlamydia infections and complications.

These are few practical tips that will reduce the risk of sexually transmitted diseases:

–      Always use latex condoms from the very beginning of the sexual intercourse to the end no matter what type of sex are you practicing (anal, vaginal or oral)

–      Before engaging into sex with your new partner, try to estimate how risky he is.

–      If you use lubricant agents try those who are based on water, because those that are based on oil can damage the condom.

–      It is important to prevent any kind of damage on the skin and membranes in the genital area or the anus, which can lead to bleeding. These bleedings can cause entrance of some sexually transmitted diseases including AIDS.

Measures of protection against sexually transmitted diseases are the same measures that can be applied against Chlamydia. In cases where the patient has recovered from Chlamydia it is extremely important for the patient to do everything he or she can to prevent re-infection. Reappearance of Chlamydia increases the risk of infertility. Once again, people who have intercourse are strongly advised to use latex condoms during the whole intercourse.

Regular and proper use of latex condoms is the best method of protection against Chlamydia infections in sexually active persons. Do not forget that the risk of Chlamydia increases with the number of sexual partners. People who are at risk of infection with Chlamydia should consult a doctor and take medical exams to determine if any of the causes of sexually transmitted diseases are present. Risk factors include sexual activity during adolescence, multiple sexual partners, not using condoms and previous infection that can cause some other sexually transmitted disease.