Sexual Health
Syphilis
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Syphilis is an infection caused by a spirochete, a nasty little bacteria that is shaped like a corkscrew. Only rather than popping open a bottle of Bollinger RD 1985, this bugger pops open your skin like a Miller High Life beef bong. And the hard truth about Syphilis is that you can get it without even having sex.
What is it?
Syphilis dates back to prehistoric times, and holds a prestigious place in American history as many experts have proffered that both Christopher Columbus (the explorer, not the filmmaker) and General George Washington may have had it. I guess that means if you’ve got it you’re in pretty good company. In fact you may be less alone than you thought. In Seattle/King County there were 140 cases of Syphilis reported in gay/bi men in 2004. By the end of June 2005 there were already 90 cases, more than twice that of 2004. But what’s the big deal; it’s only 100 cases, right? Considering that in 1999 there were zero cases of Syphilis, it makes this current rise of cases significant.
Oral Sex
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OK, so if we tell you to use a condom every single time for oral sex you’re going to laugh at us like we’re a big joke. However, if you want to reduce your risk for catching HIV and STDs, that’s what you need to do. Contrary to popular belief, you can catch HIV from giving blow jobs, not to mention STDs like herpes, syphilis, and gonorrhea, to name a few.
If you can’t wrap that Willy before you suck it, here are a few tips that can help reduce the risk of catching anything while smokin’ the fag pole.
Older sperm becomes more defective: study
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Sperm declines in quality as men age, swimming more slowly and becoming more genetically defective, U.S. researchers reported on Monday.
The finding adds to some recent studies that have found that, even though men make fresh sperm every day and can father children well into old age, they become less fertile and also tend to have more children with birth defects.
“This study shows that men who wait until they’re older to have children are not only risking difficulties conceiving, they could also be increasing the risk of having children with genetic problems,” Andrew Wyrobek of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California said in a statement.
Viagra helps diabetic women overcome sexual dysfunction
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Young women with diabetes with sexual dysfunction may find that Viagra (sildenafil) improves arousal, orgasm and sexual enjoyment and decreases pain during intercourse, results of a small study suggest.
Diabetic women may experience sexual dysfunction due to vaginal dryness, discomfort, and other factors, Dr. Salvatore Caruso and associates, from the University of Catania in Italy, note in their paper, published in the medical journal Fertility and Sterility. Some of Viagra’s physiologic effects, which are beneficial in men, may also be helpful for women, they hypothesized.
Adolescents Need More Doctor Visits to Receive HPV Vaccine
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Most adolescents currently do not see their health care providers often enough to receive the series of shots for the human papillomavirus vaccine, according to preliminary research from the University of Rochester Medical Center. However, the additional visits required would give physicians and nurses the opportunity to provide more preventive and other care.
Two types of the human papillomavirus (16 and 18), which is sexually transmitted, cause 70 percent of cervical cancers. Vaccines against those types of the virus are expected to be approved and recommended in the next six to 12 months.
“The benefits of giving adolescents the HPV vaccine are two-fold: The vaccine will greatly reduce their later risk for cervical cancer, and it will give us the opportunity to provide more preventive care, such as counseling against risky behaviors or screening for depression,” said lead investigator Cynthia Rand, M.D., assistant professor of pediatrics at the university’s Golisano Children’s Hospital at Strong.
Sexy media a siren call to promiscuity: study
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Sexually charged music, magazines, TV and movies push youngsters into intercourse at an earlier age, perhaps by acting as kind of virtual peer that tells them everyone else is doing it, a study said on Monday.
“This is the first time we’ve shown that the more kids are exposed to sex in media the earlier they have sex,” said Jane Brown of the University of North Carolina, chief author of the report.
Previous research had been limited to television, said the study that looked at 1,017 adolescents when they were aged 12 to 14 and again two years later. They were checked on their exposure during the two years to 264 items—movies, TV shows, music and magazines—which were analyzed for their sexual content.
Kuwait court refuses to recognise sex change
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Kuwait’s highest court has upheld a ruling refusing to recognise as female a man who underwent sex-change surgery almost six years ago, judicial sources said on Tuesday.
They told Reuters the court late on Monday upheld a lower court’s ruling against Kuwaiti national Ahmed Dousari, in his 30s, barring any official recognition of his new gender.
Viagra plus cholesterol drug improves impotence
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Lipitor, a commonly prescribed cholesterol-lowering drug, may have extra benefits for men with impotence. Specifically, investigators have found that in men who are not initially helped by Viagra (sildenafil), treatment with Lipitor (atorvastatin) seems to improve sexual response, according to the results of a small study.
Impotence, also referred to as erectile dysfunction, may involve a generalized disturbance of the lining of the blood vessels (endothelium), lead author Dr. Howard C. Herrmann said in a statement. His group therefore theorized that if the endothelium could be made healthier through cholesterol-lowering drugs such as statins—“Viagra would work better for the patient.”
Court says California oral sex law violates rights
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A 22-year-old Californian man who received oral sex from a sixteen-year-old girl should not be forced to register for life as a sex offender, the California Supreme Court ruled on Monday.
The state’s top court found that California denied Vincent Hofsheier equal protection under the law because those having intercourse in such circumstances would not be forced to register as lifetime sex offenders.
Hofsheier appealed after being ordered to register his name on the list, which is shared with the public and carries significant stigma.
Statin drugs may improve the endothelial dysfunction
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Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine say preliminary results of a small study show promise in improving erectile dysfunction (ED) in men who had shown minimal reaction to Viagra. The study results are published in the March issue of the Journal of Sexual Medicine.
Erectile dysfunction is often a sign of a more severe vascular problem that involves abnormalities in the lining of the blood vessels. And often, endothelial dysfunction is an underlying problem for ED - it can be one of the first signs of atherosclerosis, a build-up of plaque and blockages in the arteries.
“It’s already known that there is a connection between erectile dysfunction and coronary disease. The risk factors are the same for both, and thus, ED can be a marker for coronary disease,” explains lead author Howard Herrmann, MD, Professor of Medicine and Director of the Interventional Cardiology and Cardiac Catheterization Laboratories at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. “Normal erections are caused when nitric oxide is made, but with endothelial dysfunction, the body doesn’t make enough of it, causing the erectile dysfunction. Normally, Viagra prevents the breakdown of the little nitric oxide that is there, so that there is enough of it for an erection to occur.”
Use of Statins Shows Improvement in Erectile Performance of Some Men
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Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine say preliminary results of a small study show promise in improving erectile dysfunction (ED) in men who had shown minimal reaction to Viagra. The study results are published in the March issue of the Journal of Sexual Medicine.
Erectile dysfunction is often a sign of a more severe vascular problem that involves abnormalities in the lining of the blood vessels. And often, endothelial dysfunction is an underlying problem for ED - it can be one of the first signs of atherosclerosis, a build-up of plaque and blockages in the arteries.
“It’s already known that there is a connection between erectile dysfunction and coronary disease. The risk factors are the same for both, and thus, ED can be a marker for coronary disease,” explains lead author Howard Herrmann, MD, Professor of Medicine and Director of the Interventional Cardiology and Cardiac Catheterization Laboratories at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. “Normal erections are caused when nitric oxide is made, but with endothelial dysfunction, the body doesn’t make enough of it, causing the erectile dysfunction. Normally, Viagra prevents the breakdown of the little nitric oxide that is there, so that there is enough of it for an erection to occur.”
Nonlatex Condoms Have Higher Breakage Rates, Review Finds
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While nonlatex polyurethane condoms have higher breakage rates than latex condoms, they provide an “acceptable alternative” for persons who cannot or will not use latex condoms, researchers conclude in a review of clinical studies.
“Even though the eZ.on condom did not perform as well as its comparison latex condom in terms of preventing pregnancy, the Avanti and the Standard Tactylon had pregnancy rates similar to their latex comparisons (and) substantial proportions of study participants reported preferences for the nonlatex condoms,” said Maria F. Gallo, Ph.D., lead study author.
Self-test for chlamydia via the Web
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The notion of offering a self-test for chlamydia via the Web - unique in the world - is the centerpiece of the dissertation that Daniel Novak will be defending at Umea University, Sweden, on March 3.
“Testing yourself with the aid of the Internet is something I hope will serve as a major complement to present - day care,” he comments.
Gay marriage may be good for health: study
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Same sex civil unions could be good for gay couples’ mental and physical health, just as traditional marriage has been shown to lead to better health and longer lives for heterosexual couples, UK researchers contend.
Eleven European nations, Britain, Australia, Canada and several US states have now made gay marriage legal, Dr. Michael King of University College London and Dr. Annie Bartlett of St. George’s Hospital Medical School in London point out in their review in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.
Brazil to distribute 25 mln condoms for Carnival
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The Brazilian government will distribute 25 million free condoms to promote safe sex during the country’s Carnival holidays, the Health Ministry said on Monday.
The condoms, provided under the government’s acclaimed anti-AIDS program, will be given out at health clinics and in sites like public squares and dances.
