MORE Teen Sex Q&A

More questions I hear from teens...
Which Sexually Transmitted Diseases can be cured? Trichomonas (a parasite), crabs (public lice), gonorrhea & chlamydia (both bacteria) can all be completely CURED if caught early and treated. If gonorrhea & chlamydia sit around for months or years untreated, they can cause permanent damage that leads to infertility or pelvic pain- and though the infection can still be cured, the damage to the genital tract cannot.

Which STDs can NOT be cured? Right now, we have treatments but no cures for the viral diseases: HIV (which causes AIDS), HPV (the human papilloma virus), Herpes (both oral and genital) and Hepatitis A, B & C.

When should I get tested- after how many partners? In a perfect world, you really should be tested after intimacy with any new partner. Since most STDs are silent, the only way you can no for sure that you will not be giving a new partner disease is to go and get tested.

How do they test for these diseases? A simple urine test can be used for gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomonas. A blood test is required for HIV, syphilis, hepatitis, and herpes. Pap tests with DNA testing check for different strains of HPV. Pubic lice can be detected by simple visual inspection, sometimes aided with looking at a pubic hair under a microscope.

More on testing tomorrow...too many questions for one post!
BOTTOM LINE: Let's answer teen questions about sex and STDs!

PS. For more details, FAQ, answers & stories, check out Seductive Delusions

MORE Teen Sex Questions- Brazilian & "Crabs"?

Continuing my theme of questions that teens ask me about STDs & sex education...here are a few on the pubic region:

1. Can you get genital acne? Acne on the buttocks is common, but most “acne” in the pubic area is from infected hair follicles from shaving.

2. What are crabs? “Crabs” are pubic lice. They are different than the lice that people get on their head. “Crabs” prefer pubic hair, underarm hair, beards, eyebrows & eyelashes. Head lice stay on the head, and do not cause sexually transmitted disease.

3. Can you get crabs if you don’t have any pubic hair? Yes, because the pubic lice can still reach the hair follicle. However, there is definitely a decreased incidence of crabs in women who remove their pubic hair. At least one study has found a decreased incidence of pubic lice since the popularity of the "Brazillian" in the UK.

4. Can you get STD’s from sleeping in dirty beds? Yes, you can catch crabs (pubic lice) from linens or towels, though the majority of cases are passed during sex. No other diseases are transmitted via linens or clothing, however. Crabs are actually the most infectious of all the STDs- meaning that from one direct contact, you have the highest chance of catching a disease from an infected partner (> 90% with pubic lice.)

BOTTOM LINE: Teens have tons of QUESTIONS- let's get them accurate answers!
PS. For more details, FAQ, answers & stories, check out Seductive Delusions

Teen Sex Questions

I really enjoy teenagers. NO, that is not sarcasm, and YES, we have our own at home! Pre-teens & teens have always been my favorite group to work with, as a physician or girl scout leader or school volunteer. I love seeing how much potential they have, and more importantly, seeing THEM recognize their own strengths, and figure out how to most effectively use those talents to ultimately shape their future career choices. I think many adults make the mistake of talking down to teens, dismissing their heartaches, homework loads and stresses as trivial in the scheme of life (which, in fairness, is often how they look from our vantage point.) The reality is that their stress level is enormous, and that even if it is "puppy love" or "just a middle school test", these challenges are the greatest they have faced so far in their young lives. I believe we as adults can give perspective, but it is important not to minimize what they are going through.

All that being said, one of my educator roles is talking to youth about sexually transmitted diseases. I have been speaking to teens on this topic for roughly three years, and every time, I require the participants to write down a question at the end of my talk. I give them index cards (so they all look the same) and have them directly hand me the cards, so no one sees what anyone else has written. Not surprisingly, there are some common themes, though it might surprise you that I am primarily talking to straight A, service-minded, "good kid" student leaders. I thought I would spend the next several blog entries sharing some of their questions (and my answers) so both teens and parents can see what is being discussed. I'll start today with some questions about pregnancy:

1. Does birth control work?
Yes, but it is not foolproof. Oral contraceptives (the pill) are 99% effective when they are taken correctly- at the SAME TIME, every day; no skipped pills. Combining the pill with condom use as well is highly recommended. Remember, condoms alone are only effective 11-20% of the time, but adding them to the pill decreases the chances of conceiving as well as offering some protection against STDs.

2. Is it better to use two condoms at the same time, “doubling up”, in case one breaks?
NO, absolutely not. Using two condoms at once actually decreases effectiveness (due to sliding and breakage.)

3. Can you get pregnant without intercourse?
Usually not, but if semen enters the vagina, which can happen with “outercourse” or in the process of anal sex, it is possible. Young girls are very fertile – that is the take home message.

BOTTOM LINE: Talk with your teens about STDs, LISTEN to their questions, and help them find the correct answers!
PS. For more details, FAQ, answers & stories, check out Seductive Delusions