http://dearsugar.com/ Just ask. en http://dearsugar.com/2512638 <!-- no strip poll --><div id="epoll-view-2512638"></div><script type="text/javascript">new Ajax.Request('/epoll/view/2512638',{method:'get',onSuccess:function(transport){var epoll=$('epoll-view-2512638');epoll.update(transport.responseText);}});</script><noscript><p><p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/0/3362/47_2008/3272cd30ec5df386_STI.jpg" alt="" title="" class="left outline image xlarge" width="313" height="313"></span>Weigh in and tell us if you forgive or not forgive this <a href="http://www.truemomconfessions.com/" target="_blank">True Confession</a>.</p> <p>"I found out my boyfriend cheated on me. I know the girl's phone number and email address, so would I be forgiven if I were to tell her he has an <a href="http://dearsugar.com/tags/STIs" >STI</a>, even though it's not true? I just want her to feel some sort of consequence, even if it's just until she gets tested."</p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> </p><!-- no strip poll --><form action="/2512638" method="post" id="epoll_view_voting"> <div><div class="poll"> <div class="vote-form"> <div class="choices"><div class="form-item"> <label>True Confession — Can I Lie and Tell Her He Has an STI?</label> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="0" class="form-radio" /> Forgive?</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="1" class="form-radio" /> Not forgive?</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="2" class="form-radio" /> Undecided</label> </div> </div> </div><input type="hidden" name="edit[nid]" id="edit-nid" value="2512638" /> <input type="submit" name="op" value="Vote" class="form-submit" /> </div><input type="hidden" name="edit[form_id]" id="edit-form_id" value="epoll_view_voting" /> </div> </div></form> <!-- no strip poll --></noscript><!-- no strip poll --> http://dearsugar.com/2512638#comment cheating Sex STIs true confession Wed, 19 Nov 2008 06:00:00 -0800 DearSugar http://dearsugar.com/2512638 http://dearsugar.com/2426679 <p>If you're not a fan of hormonal birth control, your options are limited when it comes to staying pregnancy-free. <a href="http://dearsugar.com/2419530" >Condoms</a> are an easy choice to stay protected when you're <i>not</i> in a committed relationship, but I've been hearing more and more married couples say that condoms are their preferred method of birth control, too. Of course to each their own, but isn't one of the perks of being in a committed marriage (one that's clear of STIs) that you don't have to fuss with interrupting the moment to find a condom? Clearly I'd pick another method, but where do you stand on using condoms when you're married? Do you, or would you, use them too?</p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/0/3362/44_2008/55a99b10c12ebad6_sex.jpg" alt="" title="" class="center image xlarger" width="400" height="292"></span></p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://dearsugar.com/2426679#comment Birth Control Condoms Dating Marriage Relationships Sex STIs Tue, 28 Oct 2008 08:00:00 -0700 DearSugar http://dearsugar.com/2426679 http://dearsugar.com/2411354 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/0/3362/43_2008/cbd74af34be65276_sex.xlarge.jpg" alt="" title="" class="right outline image xlarge" width="250" height="320"></span>Although most of you say you've <a href="http://dearsugar.com/529569" >never had a one night stand</a>, 48 percent of you admitted to doing it at least once. Sure, one night stands have a negative stigma attached to them, but if you're safe and smart about it, I say to each her own. But as we all know, STIs are <a href="http://dearsugar.com/1697156" >on the rise</a> and condoms won't necessarily protect you 100 percent. So knowing what you know, and realizing that getting tested is the only way to know for sure if someone is clean, tell me, do you still have or consider having one night stands? </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://dearsugar.com/2411354#comment Do Tell one night stand Sex STIs Fri, 24 Oct 2008 11:00:00 -0700 DearSugar http://dearsugar.com/2411354 http://dearsugar.com/2357198 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/0/3362/42_2008/ashamed.xxlarge.jpg" alt="" title="" class="left outline image xxlarge" width="332" height="500"></span>Dear Sugar,</p> <p>I've been dating my boyfriend for almost a year and we've been friends for three years before that. We're very much in love and plan on getting married and having kids. About four years ago I found out that I have HPV which developed into genital warts — I've since had treatment and the warts are gone. I never told my boyfriend for fear that he wouldn't have wanted to be with me, but the guilt was killing me so I told him the truth this week. He reacted very well and we are still together, but I'm a wreck about all this. How can I let go of my guilt so it doesn't affect my relationship any more than it already has? — Remorseful Renata</p> <p>To see DearSugar's answer, </p> <p><a href="http://dearsugar.com/2357198">read more</a></p> http://dearsugar.com/2357198#comment Condoms Genital Warts guilt HPV STIs You Asked Thu, 16 Oct 2008 06:00:00 -0700 DearSugar http://dearsugar.com/2357198 http://dearsugar.com/2365164 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/0/3362/42_2008/Couple-Sex.xlarge.jpg" alt="" title="" class="left image xlarge" height="212" width="320"></span>Dear Sugar, </p> <p>I met this really amazing guy about two months ago, and we hit it off extremely well. Soon after I met him we both exchanged pieces of rather fragile information. I have an STI, and he is a virgin. It was kind of awkward after he told me, because it felt like totally opposite situations. I'm a very affectionate girl and he wasn't used to that either. </p> <p>He told me the other night that he was ready to sleep with me but I don't know how to react. I don't know if I'm ready, not because I don't care about him but because I don't believe that <i>he's ready</i>. I think he just wants to get it over with, and it doesn't matter if it's with me or any other girl. I really want it to be special for him. How do I tell if he's sincere?</p> <p>— Uncertain About Sex Sasha</p> <p>To see DearSugar's answer, </p> <p><a href="http://dearsugar.com/2365164">read more</a></p> http://dearsugar.com/2365164#comment Advice Sex STIs virginity You Asked Wed, 15 Oct 2008 12:00:00 -0700 DearSugar http://dearsugar.com/2365164 http://dearsugar.com/2118694 <p>STIs are not only uncomfortable, painful, and sometimes embarrassing, but they can also lead to health complications such as infertility, cancer, or even death. With that said, here's a reminder of the ways you can protect yourself, brought to you by the <a href="http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/safe-sex-blog/MY00302/" target="_blank">MayoClinic</a>.</p> <ul><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/41_2008/woman_1.jpg" alt="" title="" class="right image xlarge" height="313" width="300"></span> <li><b>Talk to your partner.</b> It's important to feel comfortable asking your partner about his or her sexual history. If you feel nervous, you may have to question whether or not you're ready to have sex in the first place.</li> <li><b>Get an STI screening.</b> Some people will either lie about having an <a href="http://dearsugar.com/tags/STIs" >STI</a>, or they may not even know they've contracted an infection. Either way, it's a great idea for both you and your partner to get tested before becoming sexually active — peace of mind is definitely a turn on.</li> <li><b>Immunize.</b> In most countries, it's mandatory to receive the vaccine for Hepatitis B, so you most likely have it already. We're also lucky enough to have <a href="http://dearsugar.com/613546" >Gardasil</a>, the vaccine that guards against HPV, the STI that causes certain types of cervical cancer. If you're not in a mutually monogamous relationship, it may be a great idea to get this vaccine.</li> </ul> <p>To find out how else you can protect yourself, </p> <p><a href="http://dearsugar.com/2118694">read more</a></p> http://dearsugar.com/2118694#comment Health Sex Sex Facts STI prevention STIs Thu, 09 Oct 2008 08:00:00 -0700 DearSugar http://dearsugar.com/2118694 http://dearsugar.com/2118668 <p>If you're not ready to become a mother and hormonal birth control isn't an option for you, you can still take the power into your own hands with the female condom. We've covered the <a href="http://dearsugar.com/496673" >pros and cons</a>, but how well do you really know the female condom? Take this quiz and find out!</p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/0/3362/40_2008/bathroom.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" width="468" height="365"></span><br /> <a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> <p><a href="http://dearsugar.com/2118668">read more</a></p> http://dearsugar.com/2118668#comment dear exam Dear Quiz female condom lube Relationships Sex STIs Tue, 30 Sep 2008 12:00:00 -0700 DearSugar http://dearsugar.com/2118668 http://dearsugar.com/1971175 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/0/3362/37_2008/angry.jpg" alt="" title="" class="right outline image preview" width="313" height="313"></span>Dear Sugar, </p> <p>My boyfriend of five months just told me that he has chlamydia. He swears he hasn't cheated on me, but after researching STIs, I found out that symptoms usually surface within a week or two. I talked to a doctor and was told that while it's possible for symptoms to show up months after being infected, they usually show up within seven to 21 days. We are together all the time, so his response to my accusations was, "When would I have had time to cheat on you?" As it turns out, he was out of town about a week and a half ago, visiting some college friends, which makes perfect sense time-wise. I am in love with him and things have been going really well so I don't want to mess things up by being jealous or paranoid; however, I won't tolerate cheating and/or lying — I just want to know the truth. What should I do (besides getting treated for chlamydia!)? — Skeptical Sasha</p> <p>To see DearSugar's answer, </p> <p><a href="http://dearsugar.com/1971175">read more</a></p> http://dearsugar.com/1971175#comment Advice Breakup cheating Chlamydia gyno Relationships Sex STIs Trust You Asked Fri, 12 Sep 2008 06:00:00 -0700 DearSugar http://dearsugar.com/1971175 http://dearsugar.com/1943317 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/0/3362/37_2008/drinks1.jpg" alt="" title="" class="right outline image preview" width="313" height="314"></span>Over the weekend I came across an article that I just had to share with all of you. A study performed at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine <a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080904215613.htm" target="_blank">found that binge drinkers</a> (five or more alcoholic beverages at one time) are more likely to engage in risky sexual behavior, making them (particularly women) more likely to contract an STI. We all know that binge drinking lowers inhibitions, but the findings of this new study are very sobering:</p> <blockquote><p> Across gender, women binge drinkers are more likely to have anal sex than men binge drinkers. Within gender, women binge drinkers are three times as likely to have anal sex, and twice as likely to have multiple sex partners compared to women who do not drink alcohol. Compared to non-drinking women, women binge drinkers are also five times as likely to have gonorrhea.</p></blockquote> <p>To make things even worse for women, anatomical differences place women at a higher risk of contracting STIs, since men infect women with disease more efficiently than women to men. </p> <p>This is pretty frightening stuff, but is it all that shocking? Of course alcohol affects everyone differently, but what are your thoughts on this news? </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://dearsugar.com/1943317#comment alcohol anal sex drinking News to Me Sex STIs Mon, 08 Sep 2008 11:00:00 -0700 DearSugar http://dearsugar.com/1943317 http://dearsugar.com/1869795 <!-- no strip poll --><div id="epoll-view-1869795"></div><script type="text/javascript">new Ajax.Request('/epoll/view/1869795',{method:'get',onSuccess:function(transport){var epoll=$('epoll-view-1869795');epoll.update(transport.responseText);}});</script><noscript><p><p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/0/3362/33_2008/200305561-001.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="left image preview" height="450" width="300"></span>Six months ago I started dating my girl friend's male roommate. At the time, my friend warned me that although her roommate was a good friend, he was a notoriously bad boyfriend. I explained to her that I just wanted to have fun, but she still acted weird about it. Five months in, I learned he was hanging out with a lot of other girls, so we decided to end things. I was disappointed it didn't work out, but I knew it wasn't meant to be. </p> <p>A few weeks ago I found out that I have <a href="http://dearsugar.com/1127052" rel="nofollow">genital herpes</a>. I knew immediately it was from him — I've only been with one other guy who was also a virgin. I had asked him before we slept together if he had been tested, and he said he was totally clean. Obviously I was very upset by the news and confronted him. Naturally, he claimed that I must have picked it up from some other guy. </p> <p>When I came crying to my friend, she was extremely distressed by what he had said. Apparently, he had confided in her a long time ago that he had herpes, but asked her to keep it a secret. When I heard this I was furious. I know that they're good friends, but I couldn't believe she'd kept that from me when she knew I was sleeping with him! I feel beyond betrayed, but she says she "tried" to warn me. Is her omission of the truth forgivable? </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Source</a></p> </p><!-- no strip poll --><form action="/1869795" method="post" id="epoll_view_voting"> <div><div class="poll"> <div class="vote-form"> <div class="choices"><div class="form-item"> <label>Sunday Confessional: She Knew He Had Herpes and Didn&#039;t Tell Me</label> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="0" class="form-radio" /> Forgive?</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="1" class="form-radio" /> Not forgive?</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="2" class="form-radio" /> Undecided </label> </div> </div> </div><input type="hidden" name="edit[nid]" id="edit-nid" value="1869795" /> <input type="submit" name="op" value="Vote" class="form-submit" /> </div><input type="hidden" name="edit[form_id]" id="edit-form_id" value="epoll_view_voting" /> </div> </div></form> <!-- no strip poll --></noscript><!-- no strip poll --> http://dearsugar.com/1869795#comment Dating herpes Lying Secrets Sex Sex Facts STIs Sunday Confessional Sun, 17 Aug 2008 09:00:00 -0700 DearSugar http://dearsugar.com/1869795 http://dearsugar.com/1826240 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/0/3362/31_2008/freaking out.jpg" alt="" title="" class="left outline image preview" width="300"></span>Dear Sugar,</p> <p>A friend of mine called me tonight to tell me I needed to get checked for an STI. She and I both had unprotected sex with the same guy, and her recent pap came back irregular. She hasn't been told what it is yet, but I'm worried that I have whatever it is. I've also had sex with two other people since him, so should I tell them about this or should I wait to see what happens? I have the worst pit in my stomach and I can't get in to see my doctor until the end of next week. I'm petrified that whatever it is will be something that will make it impossible for me to have a normal life with a husband and kids in the future. Am I overreacting? Please tell me anything you can! — Panicking Penelope </p> <p>To see DearSugar's answer, </p> <p><a href="http://dearsugar.com/1826240">read more</a></p> http://dearsugar.com/1826240#comment Relationships Sex Facts STIs Truth You Asked Fri, 01 Aug 2008 06:00:00 -0700 DearSugar http://dearsugar.com/1826240 http://dearsugar.com/1818494 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/0/3362/31_2008/sex_0.jpg" alt="" title="" class="right outline image preview" width="313" height="313"></span>Last week <a href="http://www.tmz.com/2008/07/22/claudia-vs-tila-pick-your-poison/" target="_blank">TMZ</a> captured Tila Tequila outing herself for not practicing safe sex. As we all know, <a href="http://dearsugar.com/tags/STIs" >STIs</a> are <a href="http://dearsugar.com/1697156" >running rampant</a>. They are not something that should be taken lightly, or even joked about for that matter, which is why I'm pretty surprised that someone who is in the public eye would make a comment like that. Of course, she's entitled to live her life however she feels fit, I just think she's setting a poor example for her fans. I'm using Tila as an example here, but the truth of the matter is that even though we know the potential risks, men and women alike are still engaging in unprotected sex all the time — so what gives? Understanding that we all make mistakes, tell me ladies, what's your excuse for having unsafe sex? And if <i>you</i> don't, why do you think so many people do, despite the danger?</p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://dearsugar.com/1818494#comment Safe sex Sex Facts STIs tila tequila Tue, 29 Jul 2008 16:00:00 -0700 DearSugar http://dearsugar.com/1818494 http://dearsugar.com/1110289 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/30_2008/kiss.jpg" alt="" title="" class="left image preview" height="369" width="260"></span> Even though it's not talked about a whole lot, trichomoniasis is a pretty common infection, so it's definitely one we all should know about. I gave you <a href="http://dearsugar.com/1802391" >some information</a> last week about this <a href="http://dearsugar.com/tags/STIs" >STI</a>, so take this quiz to see just what you learned! </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> <p><a href="http://dearsugar.com/1110289">read more</a></p> http://dearsugar.com/1110289#comment Quiz Sex Sex Facts STIs Trichomoniasis Mon, 28 Jul 2008 12:00:00 -0700 DearSugar http://dearsugar.com/1110289 http://dearsugar.com/1802391 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/0/3362/30_2008/stk77390cor.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="right image preview" height="350" width="350"></span>Just when you thought you knew about every <a href="http://dearsugar.com/tags/STIs" >STI</a> in the book, trichomoniasis shows up. <a href="http://www.trichomoniasis.org" target="_blank">Trichomoniasis</a> or "trich" is found more often in women than men, but affects both sexes. Caused by a parasite passed during vaginal intercourse, like most STIs, it's usually preventable with proper protection. Carriers of trich typically show very few symptoms. Women who do show symptoms will usually notice them within five to 28 days after exposure. </p> <p><b>Symptoms:</b></p> <ul> <li>Reddening of the vagina or vulva</li> <li style="width:550px;">Frothy, green or yellow vaginal discharge.</li> <li>Itching</li> <li>Fishy odor</li> <li>Discomfort during sex and/or urination</li> </ul> <p>To learn about the complications of this STI and treatment please </p> <p><a href="http://dearsugar.com/1802391">read more</a></p> http://dearsugar.com/1802391#comment Condoms Health protection Sex Sex Facts STIs Trichomoniasis Women Thu, 24 Jul 2008 08:00:00 -0700 DearSugar http://dearsugar.com/1802391 http://dearsugar.com/1769235 <p>I don't know how many women I've talked to that say they'll engage in oral sex with a guy no problem, but if they're going to have sex, they make him get tested first. Um, hello?! For all those ladies out there with that mindset, I have four words for you — Gonorrhea of the Throat. Remember that <a href="http://dearsugar.com/1081951" >oral sex</a> still allows secretions to be passed from one partner to another, and since some people with STIs such as gonorrhea don't show symptoms until the condition has progressed, they can unknowingly pass it on. Now can you see why I'm so pushy about advising that you and your partner get tested before <i>any</i> intimacy occurs? </p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/30_2008/throat.jpg" alt="" title="" class="left image preview" height="300" width="300"></span>I know gonorrhea of the throat sounds utterly painful, but <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/std/gonorrhea/stdfact-gonorrhea.htm#symptoms" target="_blank">symptoms</a> only include a <a href="http://www.emedicinehealth.com/gonorrhea/page3_em.htm" target="_blank">sore throat</a>, and some people experience no symptoms at all, although people with this condition often have signs of regular <a href="http://dearsugar.com/1046869" >gonorrhea</a> as well. To diagnosis this STI, a doctor will take samples of secretions from the infected areas and luckily, all types of gonorrhea can be treated with a healthy dose of antibiotics. </p> <p>Seriously ladies, if this doesn't make you request that a new partner get tested, I don't know what will. Any type of intimacy where you have the possibility of being exposed to another person's blood, semen, vaginal secretions, or breast milk should only occur if you know your partner is STI free. </p> <p><b>Dear's Advice:</b> If getting tested before oral sex isn't happening, you can still protect yourself by having the man wear a <a href="http://dearsugar.com/871812" >condom</a>, or a woman place a <a href="http://dearsugar.com/840582" >dental dam</a> over her lady business. I know that doesn't sound very sexy, but it's better than finding out you have gonorrhea of the throat!</p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://dearsugar.com/1769235#comment gonorrhea Health Sex Sex Facts Sex Issue STIs throat Wed, 23 Jul 2008 12:00:00 -0700 DearSugar http://dearsugar.com/1769235 http://dearsugar.com/1772571 <p>Whether you're into <a href="http://dearsugar.com/1764678" >one-night stands</a> or not, a recent <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20080710/sc_livescience/realitiesofonenightstandsrevealed" target="_blank">study</a> shows that men and women engage in them with completely different intentions. Guys are interested in just one thing, the sex (what a surprise!), whereas women yearn for the feeling of being desired and needed. Of course, guys end up getting what they crave, but most women just end up feeling used and emotionally crushed. They have hopes that this one night of passion might turn into a lifetime of love and romance, but it's often a huge letdown because after that one night, they're no longer wanted. </p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/29_2008/sex.jpg" alt="" title="" class="left image preview" height="372" width="300"></span>When it comes to <a href="http://dearsugar.com/1740243" >casual sex</a>, women feel flattered that a guy is that interested, but according to Anne Campbell, a psychologist at Durham University in England, "What women don't seem to see is that men drop their standards massively for a one-night stand." She goes on to say that in fact, women shouldn't feel flattered at all just because a man wants to have sex with her one time.</p> <p>I'm not saying there's anything wrong with carefree one-time-only sex (even though there's the risk of contracting an <a href="http://dearsugar.com/tags/STIs" >STI</a>), but it's important that women know what a man's intentions are. If she's on the same page, I say be safe and go for it! </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://dearsugar.com/1772571#comment casual sex News to Me one-night stands Relationships Sex STIs Tue, 15 Jul 2008 09:00:00 -0700 DearSugar http://dearsugar.com/1772571 http://dearsugar.com/1767711 <!-- no strip poll --><div id="epoll-view-1767711"></div><script type="text/javascript">new Ajax.Request('/epoll/view/1767711',{method:'get',onSuccess:function(transport){var epoll=$('epoll-view-1767711');epoll.update(transport.responseText);}});</script><noscript><p><p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/0/3362/28_2008/cramps.jpg" alt="" title="" class="left outline image preview" width="313" height="313"></span>Assuming you aren't ready to have kids, you're most likely using some sort of birth control. But since <a href="http://dearsugar.com/860890" rel="nofollow">condoms</a> are only 85 percent effective, and <a href="http://dearsugar.com/1704263" rel="nofollow">IUCs</a> and <a href="http://dearsugar.com/1073100" rel="nofollow">the pill</a> are 99 percent effective, there is that small chance you <i>could</i> still get pregnant. So with that said, waiting for your period to come can be a nerve-wracking event. And even though getting your period and suffering through everything that comes with it isn't fun, when I'm sexually active, I'm almost elated when it comes! Are you ladies with me in this one? Do you get that relieved, excited feeling when your monthly friend comes even though you're using protection? </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Source</a></p> </p><!-- no strip poll --><form action="/1767711" method="post" id="epoll_view_voting"> <div><div class="poll"> <div class="vote-form"> <div class="choices"><div class="form-item"> <label>Dear Poll: Do You Feel Relieved When Your Period Comes?</label> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="0" class="form-radio" /> Yes! Every month I go through the same song and dance, but I'm always so relieved when it does come.</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="1" class="form-radio" /> No, I use my method of protection properly so I just assume it's working. </label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="2" class="form-radio" /> I've had a few scares, but typically I don't even think about it when I'm practicing safe sex. </label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="3" class="form-radio" /> Other — I'll explain.</label> </div> </div> </div><input type="hidden" name="edit[nid]" id="edit-nid" value="1767711" /> <input type="submit" name="op" value="Vote" class="form-submit" /> </div><input type="hidden" name="edit[form_id]" id="edit-form_id" value="epoll_view_voting" /> </div> </div></form> <!-- no strip poll --></noscript><!-- no strip poll --> http://dearsugar.com/1767711#comment birth control pill Condoms IUC IUD period Pregnancy Sex Facts STIs The Pill Thu, 10 Jul 2008 15:00:00 -0700 DearSugar http://dearsugar.com/1767711 http://dearsugar.com/1750586 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/28_2008/1.jpg" alt="" title="" class="right image preview" height="408" width="250"></span>With <a href="http://dearsugar.com/tags/STIs" >STIs</a> becoming so prevalent, it's so important to get tested regularly. If you're unsure about how the doctor tests for them, it can make you so anxious that you won't even make an appointment so take this quiz and see if you know how doctors test for certain STIs. Hopefully it will put your mind at ease.</p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> <p><a href="http://dearsugar.com/1750586">read more</a></p> http://dearsugar.com/1750586#comment dear exam Dear Quiz Sex Sex Facts STI test STIs Wed, 09 Jul 2008 11:00:00 -0700 DearSugar http://dearsugar.com/1750586 http://dearsugar.com/1754205 <!-- no strip poll --><div id="epoll-view-1754205"></div><script type="text/javascript">new Ajax.Request('/epoll/view/1754205',{method:'get',onSuccess:function(transport){var epoll=$('epoll-view-1754205');epoll.update(transport.responseText);}});</script><noscript><p><p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/0/3362/27_2008/rbee_29%282%29.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="right image preview" height="450" width="300"></span>After a few great weeks spending time together, you and your new guy have decided to take the plunge and become <a href="http://dearsugar.com/1739441" rel="nofollow">exclusive</a>. Naturally, to celebrate, you get busy but just a few days later, you suddenly have something strange going on downstairs. An emergency trip to the gyno reveals it's an <a href="http://dearsugar.com/tags/STIs" rel="nofollow">STI</a>. Would it be worse if . . . </p> <p>This: It turns out that you must have picked this up from your last boyfriend and inadvertently passed it along to your new guy? A quick conversation with your ex reveals that he had signs of it but never mentioned it to you before. You're very upset and utterly humiliated that you have to tell your new boyfriend this news. </p> <p>Or . . .</p> <p>That: When you spill the beans to the new guy, he blushes and confesses that his last girlfriend had it, too? Apparently, he didn’t think males could be carriers. You're beyond dumbfounded by his complete lack of knowledge. </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Source</a></p> </p><!-- no strip poll --><form action="/1754205" method="post" id="epoll_view_voting"> <div><div class="poll"> <div class="vote-form"> <div class="choices"><div class="form-item"> <label>This or That: You Gave Him an STI or He Passed One on to You? </label> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="0" class="form-radio" /> This — You unknowingly passed on something not so pleasant.</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="1" class="form-radio" /> That — He didn't tell you that he might have something contagious.</label> </div> </div> </div><input type="hidden" name="edit[nid]" id="edit-nid" value="1754205" /> <input type="submit" name="op" value="Vote" class="form-submit" /> </div><input type="hidden" name="edit[form_id]" id="edit-form_id" value="epoll_view_voting" /> </div> </div></form> <!-- no strip poll --></noscript><!-- no strip poll --> http://dearsugar.com/1754205#comment Health illness STIs This or That Thu, 03 Jul 2008 10:30:00 -0700 DearSugar http://dearsugar.com/1754205 http://dearsugar.com/774894 <p>Any type of <a href="http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/healthy/crisis/314.html" target="_blank">forced sexual assault</a> that you don't consent to is considered <a href="http://dearsugar.com/774958" >rape</a>. It's a <a href="http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/healthy/crisis/314.html" target="_blank">crime</a> if the attacker is a stranger, if you know your attacker (85 percent of women do), if you're related to them, or even if they are your spouse. It's a crime even if you were drinking, doing drugs, <a href="http://dearsugar.com/1653059" >given drugs</a>, or too out of it to say no or fight back. </p> <p>If you are the victim of a rape, here's what you should do:</p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/27_2008/sad.jpg" alt="" title="" class="right image preview" height="232" width="300"></span> <ol> <li>Get to a close, safe place. </li> <li>Immediately go to a hospital or ER. Don't shower or change your clothes. The doctor will examine you and collect evidence including pieces of hair, clothing fibers, saliva, and semen to be placed in a rape kit that may be later used by police or in a court of law.</li> <li>If you are using <a href=" http://dearsugar.com/435951" >hormonal birth control</a> or an <a href="http://dearsugar.com/1704263" >IUC</a> then pregnancy is not likely, but if you're not, the doctor may recommend you take emergency birth control (<a href="http://dearsugar.com/393994" >Plan B</a>).</li> <li>Chances are that the rapist did not use a condom, so the doctor will most likely test you for <a href="http://dearsugar.com/tags/stis" >STIs</a>.</li> <li>Since being sexually assaulted can have huge emotional and psychological ramifications, a therapist may be recommended. It's a good idea to talk to someone about your experience to help you cope with the strong feelings of sadness, disbelief, fear, guilt, and anxiety you may have.</li> </ol> <p>Unfortunately in this day and age, it's necessary for young women to know and talk about rape, so do your fellow females a favor and pass this important information onto the women in your life that you care about. </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://dearsugar.com/774894#comment Advice Birth Control Pregnancy rape Sex Facts sexual assault STIs Tue, 01 Jul 2008 16:00:00 -0700 DearSugar http://dearsugar.com/774894 http://dearsugar.com/1736777 <p>I know it's been on your list of things to do, so here's your friendly reminder. Since today, June 27, is <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/Features/HIVtesting/" target="_blank">National HIV Testing Day</a>, it's time to make that appointment to get tested. It's a scary statistic, but according to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 40 percent of HIV-positive people are not diagnosed until they have developed AIDS. With that little tidbit of info, it's a good idea to convince your friends and your significant other to get tested as well.</p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/26_2008/poster.jpg" alt="" title="" class="left image preview" height="384" width="300"></span> If you've ever had unprotected sex (and that includes <a href="http://dearsugar.com/1081951" >oral sex</a>), you could be at risk. If you don't know where to go, <a href="http://www.hivtest.org/" target="_blank">find a testing site near you</a>. I know getting tested for HIV is about as much fun as slipping into those stirrups for a <a href="http://dearsugar.com/768053" >pap smear</a>, but think of how much better you'll feel after it's done.</p> <p><b>Dear's Advice:</b> Using condoms is a great way to protect yourself from <a href="http://dearsugar.com/848600" >HIV</a> and other <a href="http://dearsugar.com/tags/STIs" >STIs</a>, so unless you are in a mutually monogamous relationship with someone you know is STI-free, always use protection.</p> <p><a href="http://www.hhs.gov/aidsawarenessdays/posters/june27.html" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://dearsugar.com/1736777#comment HIV National HIV Testing Day STIs Fri, 27 Jun 2008 09:00:00 -0700 DearSugar http://dearsugar.com/1736777 http://dearsugar.com/node/1740028 <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1739444" rel="nofollow">Positive Step? NY Wants to Test Everyone in the Bronx For HIV</a><br /> Although the rate of AIDS diagnosis is higher in Manhattan, the Bronx has New York's highest AIDS death rate — a figure health officials blame on people not getting tested until it's too late to manage the disease. In order to curb the graveness of an HIV diagnoses, the city has launched a campaign to test everyone in the Bronx.</p> http://dearsugar.com/node/1740028#comment dear aside HIV STIs Thu, 26 Jun 2008 14:40:00 -0700 DearSugar http://dearsugar.com/1740028 http://dearsugar.com/1696927 <p>I know this is a pretty nauseating topic, but wouldn't you agree that it's better to talk about something gross than to <i>have</i> something gross? If so, listen up, because <a href="http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/showbiz/health/sexdoctor/2008/05/25/itching-for-the-answer-98487-20428893/" target="_blank">public lice</a>, also known as crabs, affects more than 6,500 people a year. The best way to prevent yourself from being one of those people is to know the facts.<br /> <span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/24_2008/woman.jpg" alt="" title="" class="right image preview" height="385" width="300"></span><br /> The most common way <a href="http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000841.htm" target="_blank">pubic lice</a> can get passed is through sexual contact, but it's not the only way. Even though these creatures feed on human blood and need a host to live off of, they can also survive up to 48 hours off a human. That means they can be lurking on someone's sheets or clothes, so even if you don't end up going all the way, any close contact with something the infected person has touched can infect you as well.</p> <p>What are the symptoms of crabs and how can you get rid of them? To find out </p> <p><a href="http://dearsugar.com/1696927">read more</a></p> http://dearsugar.com/1696927#comment crabs Health pubic lice sec facts Sex STIs Wed, 11 Jun 2008 07:00:00 -0700 DearSugar http://dearsugar.com/1696927 http://dearsugar.com/1697156 <p>I've given you a lot of information about <a href="http://dearsugar.com/1127052" >genital herpes</a> and even though people seem to be aware of how easy this STI is to contract, herpes is still effecting sexually active men and women every day. According to a new <a href="http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D916M4QO0&amp;show_article=1" target="_blank">study</a> released yesterday, the number of infected New Yorkers is up. What do you think the new statistic is? How many people have genital herpes in NYC?<br /> <span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/0/3362/24_2008/nyc.jpg" alt="" title="" class="outline center image preview" width="511" height="335"></span></p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> <p><a href="http://dearsugar.com/1697156">read more</a></p> http://dearsugar.com/1697156#comment dear exam Dear Quiz genital herpes herpes Sex Facts STIs Tue, 10 Jun 2008 12:00:00 -0700 DearSugar http://dearsugar.com/1697156 http://dearsugar.com/1672493 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/0/3362/22_2008/200211861-001.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="right image preview" height="230" width="350"></span>Dear Sugar, </p> <p>About three years ago I was diagnosed with HPV. I just got out of a serious relationship and have been dating this new guy who is absolutely great! Before we become sexually active, I believe that he must know that I have HPV. I am unsure on how to approach him with this and what to say. I can't help but feel afraid for how he'll react. We haven't talked about sex yet, but I just want to be prepared when the time comes. Do you have any advice on how to tell a new partner about HPV?</p> <p>— Up Front Fiona</p> <p>To see DearSugar's answer, </p> <p><a href="http://dearsugar.com/1672493">read more</a></p> http://dearsugar.com/1672493#comment Advice Communication HPV Sex STIs You Asked Fri, 30 May 2008 17:00:00 -0700 DearSugar http://dearsugar.com/1672493 http://dearsugar.com/1648584 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/0/3362/21_2008/200542682-001.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="right image preview" height="450" width="300"></span>Dear Sugar, </p> <p>Recently I was diagnosed with <a href="http://dearsugar.com/1081951" >genital herpes.</a> I didn't know that I had ever been exposed to it, and then an ex-boyfriend called to tell me that he was diagnosed seven months ago. I felt very betrayed and shocked that he waited so long to tell me. I haven't slept with anyone else, but learning this news has me totally devastated. I've been having a hard time moving forward, and I'm struggling with the thought that my life is essentially over. I'm just now starting to come to terms with the diagnosis, but my biggest fear is how and when I tell someone who I am interested in. I have gone on a couple of dates with a guy I really like, but I completely panic at the idea of having to tell him the news. I'm just terrified. Do you have any advice? </p> <p>— Devastated by the Diagnosis Danielle</p> <p>To see DearSugar's answer, </p> <p><a href="http://dearsugar.com/1648584">read more</a></p> http://dearsugar.com/1648584#comment Advice Fear herpes Sex Facts Sexual Health Shame STIs You Asked Thu, 22 May 2008 17:00:00 -0700 DearSugar http://dearsugar.com/1648584 http://dearsugar.com/1640567 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/21_2008/po.jpg" alt="" title="" class="right image preview" height="317" width="300"></span>Think you can look at a person and tell whether or not he or she has HIV? Well <a href="http://www.posornot.com/" target="_blank">posornot.com</a>, a website sponsored by <a href="http://www.posornot.com/info.about/" target="_blank">mtvU</a>, invites you to try. The new "game" shows you photos of people, tells you a little about their interests, and then asks you to guess if they are HIV positive or negative. When you play, not only will you realize that you can't judge a book by its cover, but you'll also be reminded of some important facts about HIV, such as:</p> <ul> <li style="width:550px;">HIV is an equal opportunity disease, so even if you're on <a href="http://dearsugar.com/831827" >the pill</a> or some <a href="http://dearsugar.com/1614822" >other hormonal birth control</a>, if you're unsure about a person's STI history, you should use a <a href="http://dearsugar.com/837500" >condom</a> every single time you engage in sexual activity.</li> </ul> <p>Want to see what else you should know and find out where you can get tested? Then </p> <p><a href="http://dearsugar.com/1640567">read more</a></p> http://dearsugar.com/1640567#comment AIDS HIV Sex Sex Facts STIs Wed, 21 May 2008 07:00:00 -0700 DearSugar http://dearsugar.com/1640567 http://dearsugar.com/1625970 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/0/3362/20_2008/you asked_0.jpg" alt="" title="" class="right outline image preview" width="356" height="479"></span>Dear Sugar,<br /> I am in my 30s and recently divorced. I started communicating with a guy online about three months ago. We really hit it off, and he seems like a generous, caring person who I have a lot in common with. There is quite a distance between us, but somehow we have managed to meet several times in the last few months. I have really enjoyed our time together and think that I might be really interested in this guy. Because of the distance, I allowed things to get physical earlier than I would under normal circumstances, but there is a definite physical attraction we both can't deny. </p> <p>I understand that in dating terms, you're not technically in a relationship until he says "Will you be my girlfriend?" but I feel uncomfortable sleeping with someone who could potentially be sleeping with other women. Do I broach this scary subject with him and chance that he'll run for the hills, or do I just protect myself and enjoy this great attraction? — Perplexed Poppy</p> <p>To see DearSugar's answer, </p> <p><a href="http://dearsugar.com/1625970">read more</a></p> http://dearsugar.com/1625970#comment Advice commitment Dating Relationships Sex STIs You Asked Fri, 16 May 2008 06:00:00 -0700 DearSugar http://dearsugar.com/1625970 http://dearsugar.com/1603988 <p>If you're <a href="http://dearsugar.com/tags/dating" >dating</a> or in a relationship, chances are you're having sex and using <a href="http://dearsugar.com/tags/What%27s+the+Right+Birth+Control+For+You" >birth control</a> (unless you're trying to have a baby). Although birth control is absolutely worth every penny, it's not exactly cheap. <span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/20_2008/pill.jpg" alt="" title="" class="right image preview" height="427" width="300"></span>Depending on the method you're using, you can end up spending $15 to $30 a month — $180 to $360 a year, which is no small chunk of change no matter how much money you make.</p> <p>So where do you stand on who should pay for it? Some of my friends split the cost evenly with their significant other. I also have a few friends who have a deal that whoever uses it or wears it pays for it; the women pay for the <a href="http://dearsugar.com/455862" >Nuvaring</a>, <a href="http://dearsugar.com/tag/birth+control+pill" >the pill</a>, the <a href="http://dearsugar.com/tags/the+patch" >patch</a>, or the <a href="http://dearsugar.com/1611064" >IUD</a>, and the guys pay for the <a href="http://dearsugar.com/871812" >condoms</a>.</p> <p>So who pays for it in your relationship? You? Your partner? Both of you? Or do your insurance companies foot the bill for birth control?</p> <p><a href="http://legacycreative.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://dearsugar.com/1603988#comment Birth Control Condoms STIs Where Do You Stand Tue, 13 May 2008 09:00:00 -0700 DearSugar http://dearsugar.com/1603988 http://dearsugar.com/1611064 <p>As far as long-term birth control goes, <a href="http://dearsugar.com/496749" >IUDs</a> aren't too popular in the US — only 2 percent of women who use contraception have one. <span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/19_2008/iud.jpg" alt="" title="" class="left image preview" height="300" width="300"></span>With that said, I guess many people don't know about all the <i>benefits</i> of an IUD! Once it's inserted into your uterus, it offers <a href="http://dearsugar.com/1115063" >protection from unplanned pregnancies</a> for up to five years. That means they're a great choice for women who know that it'll be a while until they're ready to start a family, or if they've already had children and aren't planning on having anymore. Plus IUDs are 99.9 percent effective. </p> <p>Here's some more great <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSN0651615220080507?feedType=RSS&amp;feedName=healthNews" target="_blank">news</a>. Using an IUD may also help protect women from endometrial cancer, a type of cancer that affects the lining of the uterus. It can reduce a woman's risk by 40 percent, which is similar to the cancer-preventing qualities of <a href="http://dearsugar.com/tags/birth+control+pill" >oral contraceptives</a>. </p> <p><b>Dear's Advice:</b> If you're interested in using an IUD, talk to your <a href="http://dearsugar.com/1520487" >gynecologist</a>. You should know that some women experience irregular bleeding or pain. Also, IUDs don't protect against <a href="http://dearsugar.com/1127063" >STIs</a>, so they're only a good option for women who are in a monogomous relationship with someone they know is disease free. </p> <p><a href="http://legacycreative.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://dearsugar.com/1611064#comment Birth Control Cancer endometrial cancer IUD News to Me Sex Facts STIs Thu, 08 May 2008 08:00:00 -0700 DearSugar http://dearsugar.com/1611064 http://dearsugar.com/1590593 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/0/3362/18_2008/200274616-001.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="right image preview" height="412" width="275"></span>Earlier this week I shared some important information about <a href="http://dearsugar.com/1553074" >Pelvic Inflammatory Disease</a> with you, which is a very serious infection of the reproductive organs. Take this short quiz to find out how much you learned! </p> <p><a href="http://legacycreative.gettyimages.com/source/home/home.aspx" target="_blank">Source</a></p> <p><a href="http://dearsugar.com/1590593">read more</a></p> http://dearsugar.com/1590593#comment Dear Quiz gynecologist Health Sex Sex Facts STIs Thu, 01 May 2008 12:00:00 -0700 DearSugar http://dearsugar.com/1590593 http://dearsugar.com/1589893 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/18_2008/dou.jpg" alt="" title="" class="right image preview" height="300" width="248"></span>Douche is a French term that means to wash or soak, and douching means to wash out or clean your lady business. So while we all know it's important to clean down there, is douching the way to go? If you don't know much about it, or are confused on this topic as so many women are, take this quiz to learn some interesting facts about douching. </p> <p><a href="http://www.drugstore.com/qxp26529_333181_sespider/massengill/disposable_douche_with_extra_mild_vinegar_and_water_6_oz_.htm" target="_blank">Source</a></p> <p><a href="http://dearsugar.com/1589893">read more</a></p> http://dearsugar.com/1589893#comment Dear Quiz douche douching Sex Facts STIs vagina Wed, 30 Apr 2008 12:00:00 -0700 DearSugar http://dearsugar.com/1589893 http://dearsugar.com/1553074 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/0/3362/17_2008/MD001050.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="right image preview" height="452" width="300"></span>According to the <a href="http://www.cdc.gov" target="_blank">Centers for Disease Control and Infection</a>, <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/std/PID/STDFact-PID.htm" target="_blank">Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)</a> is the term that refers to an infection of a female’s reproductive organs. Perhaps what's most worrisome about PID is that it often goes unnoticed by women and undetected by their doctors — if untreated, it can eventually lead to permanent and serious damage, including infertility. To learn more about the causes, symptoms, and treatment for PID, </p> <p><a href="http://dearsugar.com/1553074">read more</a></p> http://dearsugar.com/1553074#comment gynecologist Health Sex Sex Facts STIs unprotected sex Mon, 28 Apr 2008 09:00:00 -0700 DearSugar http://dearsugar.com/1553074 http://dearsugar.com/1547461 <p>So I'm sure you're sick of me talking about <a href="http://dearsugar.com/613546" >HPV</a>, the STI that can cause <a href="http://dearsugar.com/615772" >genital warts</a> and certain types of cervical cancer, but I'm not finished yet. There's also another type of HPV you should know about — <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24036106/" target="_blank">anal HPV</a> — that's just as common as cervical HPV. </p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/16_2008/woman.jpg" alt="" title="" class="right image preview" height="366" width="300"></span>No, anal HPV isn't only contracted through <a href="http://dearsugar.com/1517408" >anal sex</a>, although women who engage in this act are definitely more at risk, but so are women who are young, white, with lower levels of education and income, and a history of having multiple sexual partners. It can also be passed through sexual play (by using fingers or sharing sex toys). It's thought that <a href="http://dearsugar.com/1081951" >oral sex</a> may also transmit anal HPV, although doctors unfortunately aren't clear about all the ways it can be transmitted. </p> <p>Why is anal HPV something to watch out for? To find out </p> <p><a href="http://dearsugar.com/1547461">read more</a></p> http://dearsugar.com/1547461#comment anal cancer anal HPV Condoms HPV Sex Facts STIs Tue, 15 Apr 2008 11:00:00 -0700 DearSugar http://dearsugar.com/1547461 http://dearsugar.com/1538993 <p>Ahh, Trojan, the makers of the condoms we know and love, are beginning a campaign called <a href="http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/trojan/32652" target="_blank">Trojan Evolve</a>. They're touring the US to raise awareness about the poor state of sexual health in America to urge Americans to petition for change. This program came about from the recent statistics that discovered <a href="http://dearsugar.com/1109873" >one in four teenage girls has an STI</a> — <a href="http://dearsugar.com/1112764" >syphilis</a>, <a href="http://dearsugar.com/1046869" >gonorrhea</a>, <a href="http://dearsugar.com/1127052" >herpes</a>, <a href="http://dearsugar.com/613546" >HPV</a>, and <a href="http://dearsugar.com/615812" >chlamydia</a> are all on the rise, and so are teenage pregnancies. Trojan wants to attack these issues head on — to inspire a positive movement towards healthy sexual behaviors. Check out this video to see what it's all about.</p> <p><center> <div style='width:455px' id="spi_tabs_container"> <div id="spi_tabs_top"> <div id="spi_tabs_topL"></div> <div id="spi_tabs_topR"></div> </div> <div class="panel chatter_chatter fbceleb " > <center> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://images.teamsugar.com/static/js/swfobject.js"></script> <p style=margin:0px;padding:0px id="player_1544955"><a href="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer">Get Flash</a> to see this player.</p> <script type="text/javascript"> var so1544955 = new SWFObject('http://images.teamsugar.com/static/flash/mediaplayer.swf','mpl','425','350','7'); so1544955.addParam('allowfullscreen','true'); so1544955.addVariable("file",'1544955.flv'); so1544955.addVariable('height','350'); so1544955.addVariable('image','http://images.teamsugar.com/media/cooked/thumbs/1544955.jpg'); so1544955.addVariable('width','425'); so1544955.write('player_1544955'); </script> </center> </div> <div id="spi_tabs_bot"> <div id="spi_tabs_botL"></div> <div id="spi_tabs_botR"></div> </div> </div> </center></p> <p>Want to hear more then </p> <p><a href="http://dearsugar.com/1538993">read more</a></p> http://dearsugar.com/1538993#comment condom news Sex STIs teenage pregnancy trojan Mon, 14 Apr 2008 08:00:00 -0700 DearSugar http://dearsugar.com/1538993 http://dearsugar.com/1139043 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl0/1/12981/14_2008/girl.jpg" alt="" title="" class="left image preview" height="300" width="300"></span>Whether the <a href="http://dearsugar.com/387336" >condom broke</a> while you were having sex, or you noticed that your <a href="http://dearsugar.com/1052436" >Nuvaring had accidentally slipped out</a> without you knowing, there may come a time for emergency contraception (Plan B) so let's see what you know about it.</p> <p><a href="http://legacycreative.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> <p><a href="http://dearsugar.com/1139043">read more</a></p> http://dearsugar.com/1139043#comment Dear Quiz EC emergency contraception Plan B Pregnancy Quiz Sex Sex Facts STIs Tue, 01 Apr 2008 12:00:00 -0700 DearSugar http://dearsugar.com/1139043 http://dearsugar.com/1141095 <p>Now that <a href="http://dearsugar.com/1028801" >sex ed</a> is pretty common in most high schools, a recent <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23782717/" target="_blank">study</a> is showing that talking about sex and birth control options is actually working! </p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl0/1/12981/13_2008/class.jpg" alt="" title="" class="right image preview" height="399" width="300"></span>Out of the 1,700 unmarried, heterosexual teens between 15- and 19-years-old that participated in this study, about two-thirds of them had been through comprehensive sex ed programs (which included learning about sex, <a href="http://dearsugar.com/tags/birth%20control" >birth control methods</a>, and STIs). One-quarter were taught "abstinence only," and 10 percent received no formal sex ed. This study found that 60 percent of the teens who had received extensive sex ed were less likely to have become pregnant or get someone else pregnant. This study also showed that thorough sex education was much more effective at preventing teen pregnancies compared to sex ed programs, which taught teens to just say no to sex. </p> <p>This is great news for people who may think talking about sex will make teens want to go out and do it. Kids are going to be having sex whether you talk about it or not, so we as adults have the responsibility to educate kids about how to protect themselves against <a href="http://dearsugar.com/tags/STIs" >STIs</a> and prevent <a href="http://dearsugar.com/840318" >unwanted pregnancies</a>.</p> <p><a href="http://legacycreative.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://dearsugar.com/1141095#comment News to Me Pregnancy sex ed Sex Facts STIs unexpected pregnancy Wed, 26 Mar 2008 07:00:00 -0700 DearSugar http://dearsugar.com/1141095 http://dearsugar.com/1127063 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl0/1/12981/12_2008/think.jpg" alt="" title="" class="left image preview" height="386" width="300"></span>I'm sure many of you were taught about STDs in your <a href="http://dearsugar.com/tag/sex+education" >sex ed class</a> yet you've probably noticed that I refer to them as <a href="http://dearsugar.com/tags/STIs" >STIs</a>, so why the change in terms? </p> <p>STD stands for sexually transmitted <i>disease</i>. STI stands for sexually transmitted <i>infection</i>. <a href="http://www.brown.edu/Student_Services/Health_Services/Health_Education/sexual_health/sti/sti_home.htm" target="_blank">STI</a> is a more politically correct term, since the word <i>disease</i> can have negative connotations or social stigmas attached. Plus, when people think of diseases, they think of something you get and have forever, but many STIs are curable, so using the term <i>infection</i> is actually more accurate. The term <i>disease</i> also implies that a person has visual symptoms, which is not always the case with STIs. Many of them such as <a href="http://dearsugar.com/615812" >chlamydia</a>, <a href="http://dearsugar.com/1046869" >gonorrhea</a>, <a href="http://dearsugar.com/1127052" >herpes</a>, and <a href="http://dearsugar.com/tags/HPV" >HPV</a> are <a href="http://www.ashastd.org/learn/learn_statistics_vs.cfm" target="_blank">asymptomatic</a>. So for all these reasons, the term STD is gradually being replaced with STI. What do you think about the switch?</p> <p><a href="http://legacycreative.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://dearsugar.com/1127063#comment Sex sex education sexually transmitted disease sexually transmitted infection STDs STIs Fri, 21 Mar 2008 08:00:00 -0700 DearSugar http://dearsugar.com/1127063 http://dearsugar.com/1127052 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/users/1/12981/17_2007/sex1.jpg" alt="" title="" class="right image preview" height="321" width="300"></span>A couple days ago I posted <a href="http://dearsugar.com/1123579" >Handle This: He Has Herpes</a> and some of your comments let me know that we could all use a refresher course on this STI.</p> <p><a href="http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/genital-herpes/DS00179" target="_blank">Genital herpes</a> is highly contagious, and is passed on through sexual contact. It's caused by a strain of herpes simplex virus (HSV), which enters your body through small cuts in your skin or mucous membranes, and then causes outbreaks of painful sores on your <a href="http://dearsugar.com/658230" >privates</a>. </p> <p>You should know that <a href="http://dearsugar.com/1081951" >a person can pass</a> herpes on to someone else even if they have no visible sores. Although there is no cure for genital herpes, the outbreaks can be controlled with medication, so a person with herpes can still be in a relationship and have sex (with protection, of course), without passing it on to his or her partner.</p> <p>Want to learn more about how this STI is tested and treated? Then </p> <p><a href="http://dearsugar.com/1127052">read more</a></p> http://dearsugar.com/1127052#comment Chlamydia gonorrhea herpes HIV Sex Facts sexually transmitted infection STIs Thu, 20 Mar 2008 08:00:00 -0700 DearSugar http://dearsugar.com/1127052 http://dearsugar.com/1124305 <!-- no strip poll --><div id="epoll-view-1124305"></div><script type="text/javascript">new Ajax.Request('/epoll/view/1124305',{method:'get',onSuccess:function(transport){var epoll=$('epoll-view-1124305');epoll.update(transport.responseText);}});</script><noscript><p><p><span class="inline left"></span><a href="http://www.truemomconfessions.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl0/0/3362/10_2008/confess.jpg" alt="" title="" class="right outline image right preview" height="45"></span></a><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl0/0/3362/12_2008/confess.jpg" alt="" title="" class="right outline image preview" height="220"></span>I know how much you all love our <a href="http://dearsugar.com/tags/Sunday+Confessional" rel="nofollow">Sunday Confessional,</a> so my friend at <a href="http://www.truemomconfessions.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">True Confessions</a> is joining forces with me to bring you a midweek confessional! Weigh in and tell us if you forgive the confessional below or not.</p> <p>"Over the weekend, my friend's fiancé came on to me. I turned him down but now I don't know what to do. I don't want to see her marry a cheating jerk but I decided not to butt in — she probably wouldn't believe me anyway, or she'd find some way to blame me. But if he <i>is</i> sleeping around, chances are he's putting her at risk for <a href="http://dearsugar.com/tags/STIs" rel="nofollow">STIs</a>. For the sake of sustaining my friendship, I opted to keep my mouth shut but now I'm second guessing myself. Can I be forgiven for staying mum?"</p> <p><a href="http://legacycreative.gettyimages.com/source/home/home.aspx" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Source</a></p> </p><!-- no strip poll --><form action="/1124305" method="post" id="epoll_view_voting"> <div><div class="poll"> <div class="vote-form"> <div class="choices"><div class="form-item"> <label>True Confession — I Didn&#039;t Tell Her He Hit on Me</label> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="0" class="form-radio" /> Forgive?</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="1" class="form-radio" /> Not Forgive?</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="2" class="form-radio" /> Undecided</label> </div> </div> </div><input type="hidden" name="edit[nid]" id="edit-nid" value="1124305" /> <input type="submit" name="op" value="Vote" class="form-submit" /> </div><input type="hidden" name="edit[form_id]" id="edit-form_id" value="epoll_view_voting" /> </div> </div></form> <!-- no strip poll --></noscript><!-- no strip poll --> http://dearsugar.com/1124305#comment cheating Friendship Relationships STIs Sunday Confessional true confessional Wed, 19 Mar 2008 13:00:00 -0700 DearSugar http://dearsugar.com/1124305 http://dearsugar.com/1115683 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl0/1/12981/11_2008/B3.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="179" width="550"></span></p> <p>Birth control can be really annoying, but if you're sexually active, it's necessary if you want to prevent yourself from becoming pregnant or contracting an <a href="http://dearsugar.com/tags/STIs" >STI</a>. I've talked about some <a href="http://dearsugar.com/1114991" >common forms of birth control</a> and some <a href="http://dearsugar.com/1115063" >less common forms</a>, but there are still more options.</p> <p>Want to see them? Then </p> <p><a href="http://dearsugar.com/1115683">read more</a></p> http://dearsugar.com/1115683#comment Birth Control Sex Sex Facts STIs What's the Right Birth Control For You Wed, 19 Mar 2008 08:00:00 -0700 DearSugar http://dearsugar.com/1115683 http://dearsugar.com/1123579 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl0/0/3362/12_2008/71085364.jpg" alt="" title="" class="right image preview" height="367" width="350"></span>After almost six months of trying to get your crush's attention, he finally seems to be returning the sentiment. You’re overjoyed when he asks you out. You feel like the date goes exceedingly well, but afterwards you don’t hear from him for a week. You decide to call him and make the next move. He responds positively to your request for another date, but after another perfect night together, he starts acting strange. At your door he won’t kiss you and he tries to hurry away. </p> <p>You decide to confront him about the way he’s acting. He looks down as he tells you that he has herpes, and he hasn’t kissed anyone since he was diagnosed. He didn’t know when was an appropriate time to say anything so he's been feeling really awkward. Now that the cat's out of the bag, he wants to know what you’re thinking. How would <i>you</i> handle this? </p> <p><a href="http://legacycreative.gettyimages.com/source/home/home.aspx" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://dearsugar.com/1123579#comment Dating Handle This herpes Honesty Relationships STIs Tue, 18 Mar 2008 12:00:00 -0700 DearSugar http://dearsugar.com/1123579 http://dearsugar.com/1115063 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl0/1/12981/11_2008/BC2.jpg" alt="" title="" class="center image preview" height="135" width="550"></span></p> <p>If you're sexually active, choosing the right method to prevent pregnancy and protect you from STIs can be a tough decision. I've already told you about some <a href="http://dearsugar.com/1114991" >popular methods of birth control</a>, but here are some other options you may want to consider. </p> <p>To see them </p> <p><a href="http://dearsugar.com/1115063">read more</a></p> http://dearsugar.com/1115063#comment Birth Control IUC Sex Sex Facts STIs What's the Right Birth Control For You Tue, 18 Mar 2008 08:00:00 -0700 DearSugar http://dearsugar.com/1115063 http://dearsugar.com/1114991 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl0/1/12981/11_2008/BC1.jpg" alt="" title="" class="center image preview" height="121" width="470"></span></p> <p>There's been a lot of <a href="http://dearsugar.com/1112764" >news</a> about <a href="http://dearsugar.com/tags/STIs" >STIs</a> lately. We all know it's important to <a href="http://dearsugar.com/1109873" >protect yourself against disease</a>, but it's also important to protect yourself against pregnancy if having a baby isn't part of your immediate plan. Maybe you already have a method that works for you, but in case you're unhappy and want to explore other options, I've put together a three-part series on finding the right method.</p> <p>Want to see part one? Then </p> <p><a href="http://dearsugar.com/1114991">read more</a></p> http://dearsugar.com/1114991#comment Birth Control birth control pill Condoms nuvaring Sex Sex Facts STIs What's the Right Birth Control For You Mon, 17 Mar 2008 08:00:05 -0700 DearSugar http://dearsugar.com/1114991 http://dearsugar.com/1112764 <p>There's been a lot of talk about <a href="http://dearsugar.com/1109873" >STIs in the news</a> lately, and unfortunately there's more. Studies from the US Centers For Disease Control and Prevention have shown that <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23595559/" target="_blank">syphilis rates have increased for the seventh year in a row</a>. There are 3.7 cases of this <a href="http://dearsugar.com/tag/STIs" >STI</a> per 100,000 people.</p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl0/1/12981/11_2008/arm.jpg" alt="" title="" class="right image preview" height="386" width="300"></span>Why is this such bad news? Although <a href="http://dearsugar.com/485334" >syphilis</a> is a bacterial STI that can be treated with antibiotics, having syphilis can increase a person's risk for contracting and passing <a href="http://dearsugar.com/tag/HIV" >HIV</a>.<br /> What's worse is that the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/12/science/12std.html?_r=1&amp;hp&amp;oref=slogin" target="_blank">FDA</a> says that when it comes to protection, condoms seem less effective against syphilis. Why? Because this STI is transmitted through minor cuts or abrasions in your skin or mucous membranes. Having sex with someone who has syphilis is a common way to get it yourself, but it can also be passed on through <a href="http://dearsugar.com/1081951" >oral sex</a> or <a href="http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/syphilis/DS00374/DSECTION=3" target="_blank">regular kissing</a> (scary, I know).</p> <p><b>Dear's Advice:</b> I know this probably makes you never want to go on a date again, but it's not the end of the world. The best thing to do is get tested with your partner for <i>all</i> STIs before becoming intimate (even before <a href="http://dearsugar.com/804284" >making out</a>). If your partner doesn't understand and won't do it, you might want to reconsider your relationship.</p> <p><a href="http://legacycreative.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://dearsugar.com/1112764#comment HIV Kissing making out News to Me Relationships Sex Sex Facts STIs syphilis Thu, 13 Mar 2008 07:00:00 -0700 DearSugar http://dearsugar.com/1112764 http://dearsugar.com/1109873 <p>I know teens are having sex, but I just heard some disturbing <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/conditions/03/11/teen.std.ap/index.html" target="_blank">news</a>. One out of every four girls, aged 14 to 19, has an STI. <span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl0/1/12981/11_2008/kiss_0.jpg" alt="" title="" class="left image preview" height="286" width="300"></span>That means more than 3 million teenage girls nationwide are infected, according to a study from the federal Centers For Disease Control and Prevention. The study tested for four STIs and found that 18 percent of the girls had HPV, the virus responsible for causing <a href="http://dearsugar.com/615772" >genital warts</a> and certain types of cervical cancer. <a href="http://dearsugar.com/615812" >Chlamydia</a> affected 4 percent, trichomoniasis (a common parasite) affected 2.5 percent, and 2 percent of the girls were infected with <a href="http://dearsugar.com/751631" >herpes</a>.</p> <p>This of course is really sad news, but lack of education is mostly to blame. Girls and anyone who's sexually active for that matter, need to know that STIs can be passed through <a href="http://dearsugar.com/1081951" >oral sex</a> just as much as they can with vaginal intercourse. They need to know how to protect themselves by using <a href="http://dearsugar.com/837500" >male and female condoms</a>, and <a href="http://dearsugar.com/840582" >dental dams</a>. Men and women also need to <a href="http://dearsugar.com/870872" >get tested for STIs</a> <i>before</i> becoming sexually intimate. It's recommended that anyone who is sexually active and not in a monogamous relationship get the <a href="http://dearsugar.com/613546" >Gardasil vaccine</a> to prevent this virus to reduce the chance of developing certain types of cervical cancer. Hopefully these scary statistics can help protect people from passing STIs.</p> <p><a href="http://legacycreative.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://dearsugar.com/1109873#comment HPV News to Me Sex Sex Facts STIs teenage girls Wed, 12 Mar 2008 07:00:00 -0700 DearSugar http://dearsugar.com/1109873 http://dearsugar.com/1102305 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl0/0/3362/10_2008/period.jpg" alt="" title="" class="right outline image preview" height="313" width="313"></span>Ahh, our <a href="http://dearsugar.com/tags/period" >periods</a>. I know we go through this rollercoaster every month so we can have babies, but I really hope that when I finally do become a mom, all those years of PMS were worth it!</p> <p>Let's see what you know about your monthly friend, Flo. Take this quiz to find out.</p> <p><a href="http://legacycreative.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> <p><a href="http://dearsugar.com/1102305">read more</a></p> http://dearsugar.com/1102305#comment Dear Quiz period pregnant Sex Facts STIs Mon, 10 Mar 2008 10:00:00 -0700 DearSugar http://dearsugar.com/1102305 http://dearsugar.com/1081951 <p>I hate to bring up this not-so-fun topic, but I'm concerned. Many of my friends have dated guys that they wouldn't have sex because they were worried about <a href="http://dearsugar.com/tags/STIs" >STIs</a>, but they didn't seem the least bit worried about having <i>oral</i> sex. <span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl0/1/12981/09_2008/sex.jpg" alt="" title="" class="right image preview" height="300" width="300"></span>When your mouth has contact with someone else's business, you can very well get a whole plethora of STIs — the problem is that many of these sexually transmitted infections are asymptomatic, which means you can't tell if someone is infected just by looking at them. That also means an infected person may not realize they even have an STI so they let their partner perform oral sex on them while unknowingly and accidentally passing the infection on to them.</p> <p>Which <a href="http://dearsugar.com/tags/STIs" >STIs</a> can be passed on through oral sex? To find out </p> <p><a href="http://dearsugar.com/1081951">read more</a></p> http://dearsugar.com/1081951#comment Chlamydia Genital Warts gonorrhea herpes HIV HPV Oral Sex Sex Facts sexually transmitted infection STIs syphilis Fri, 29 Feb 2008 15:00:00 -0800 DearSugar http://dearsugar.com/1081951 http://dearsugar.com/840318 <!-- no strip poll --><div id="epoll-view-840318"></div><script type="text/javascript">new Ajax.Request('/epoll/view/840318',{method:'get',onSuccess:function(transport){var epoll=$('epoll-view-840318');epoll.update(transport.responseText);}});</script><noscript><p><p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl0/1/12981/04_2008/test.jpg" alt="" title="" class="left image preview" height="375" width="300"></span>When we become sexually active, we do everything we can to prevent ourselves from becoming pregnant. We pop <a href="http://dearsugar.com/467042" rel="nofollow">pills</a>, get <a href="http://dearsugar.com/542383" rel="nofollow">shots</a>, <a href="http://dearsugar.com/571622" rel="nofollow">implants</a>, and <a href="http://dearsugar.com/496749" rel="nofollow">IUDs</a>, wear <a href="http://dearsugar.com/837500" rel="nofollow">condoms</a>, <a href="http://dearsugar.com/505720" rel="nofollow">patches</a>, and <a href="http://dearsugar.com/621438" rel="nofollow">diaphragms</a>, all for the one, huge purpose of <i>not</i> getting pregnant.</p> <p>I'm sure all of you have had scares before, where the <a href="http://dearsugar.com/387336" rel="nofollow">condom broke</a>, you <a href="http://dearsugar.com/371911" rel="nofollow">missed a pill</a>, or your <a href="http://dearsugar.com/336888" rel="nofollow">period was late</a>, but what I want to know is, have you ever experienced an unplanned pregnancy?</p> <p><a href="http://legacycreative.gettyimages.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Source</a></p> </p><!-- no strip poll --><form action="/840318" method="post" id="epoll_view_voting"> <div><div class="poll"> <div class="vote-form"> <div class="choices"><div class="form-item"> <label>Dear Poll: Have You Ever Had an Unexpected Pregnancy?</label> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="0" class="form-radio" /> Yes, I have.</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="1" class="form-radio" /> No, I haven't.</label> </div> </div> </div><input type="hidden" name="edit[nid]" id="edit-nid" value="840318" /> <input type="submit" name="op" value="Vote" class="form-submit" /> </div><input type="hidden" name="edit[form_id]" id="edit-form_id" value="epoll_view_voting" /> </div> </div></form> <!-- no strip poll --></noscript><!-- no strip poll --> http://dearsugar.com/840318#comment birth control pill Condoms Dear Poll IUD Pregnancy Sex Facts STIs the patch the shot Tue, 26 Feb 2008 16:00:00 -0800 DearSugar http://dearsugar.com/840318 http://dearsugar.com/1072448 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl0/0/3362/09_2008/stk64169cor.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="left image preview" height="350" width="350"></span>A weekend <b>New York Times</b> article is still on my mind. It alerted readers to the possibility of <a href="http://dearsugar.com/tags/gardasil" >Gardasil</a> — the much talked about <a href="http://dearsugar.com/194638" >HPV vaccine</a> for the prevention of cervical cancer — being administered to young boys as further protection for females. It's widely known that men can carry the virus without any knowledge of it, leading to easy and inadvertent exposure to their partners. <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/24/fashion/24virus.html?pagewanted=1&amp;adxnnlx=1203962533-z10hh%20rtLAhICboOv%20c5Rg" target="_blank">According to the article</a>:</p> <blockquote><p>By 2009, the vaccine could be approved for boys as well. Although Gardasil also protects against genital warts, which are not life threatening, the primary reason to extend approval to boys would be to slow the rates of cervical cancer. Public health folks charmlessly call this “herd immunity.”</p></blockquote> <p>While I have my own reservations about newly released vaccines and drugs, I find the idea of <a href="http://dearsugar.com/845904" >boys taking responsibility for sexually related concerns</a> refreshing. What are your thoughts? Do you think boys should shoulder the burden, too? </p> <p><a href="http://legacycreative.gettyimages.com/source/home/home.aspx" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://dearsugar.com/1072448#comment gardasil Guys HPV News to Me Sex Facts STIs vaccine Tue, 26 Feb 2008 13:00:00 -0800 DearSugar http://dearsugar.com/1072448