Safe Sex

If you go beyond kissing and caressing, it’s important to talk about how to have safe sex. To avoid getting sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and unintended pregnancies, you should always have safe sex.

Facts

<strong>Does pubic hair have any benefits?</strong>
STDs & STIs

Does pubic hair have any benefits?

Yet, we must admit that the media, especially porn, peer pressure, and sexual partners can often influence this preference. For some time now, a shaved pubic area has gained traction as many people prefer to shave rather than leave the […]

How does a person develop AIDS?
STDs & STIs

How does a person develop AIDS?

While these are great news! We cannot rule out that AIDS is still a threat due to, in part, poor adherence to HIV treatment and lack of testing. So, what does AIDS stand for? Simply, AIDS = Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. […]

What are the common first symptoms of HIV?
STDs & STIs

What are the common first symptoms of HIV?

A few weeks after the infection, some people have symptoms, including: These symptoms may disappear after a few weeks and while they may not re-appear for a few years, the virus will continue to weaken your immune system. These, and […]

Differences between curable and manageable STIs
STDs & STIs

Differences between curable and manageable STIs

When we talk about STIs, we often focus more on aspects such as symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. We pay little attention to an important fact which is the two key categories of STIs that exist. These two categories are based on whether an STI is curable or not.

Types of HIV stigma you may experience
Safe Sex

Types of HIV stigma you may experience

Because of society’s fear and ignorance about HIV, people living with HIV are frequently stigmatized in various ways. We don’t talk about stigma enough, so I wanted to go a little further.

HPV vaccine: what you should know
Safe Sex

HPV vaccine: what you should know

Some medical studies have found more than 100 types of HPV in humans that can either be transmitted through sexual contact or skin-to-skin contact. Sexually transmitted HPV can infect the genital areas such as the scrotum, penis, rectum, cervix, vagina, […]

Why should I test for HIV?
STDs & STIs

Why should I test for HIV?

Many people only get tested for HIV if they’ve recently engaged in risky behavior or if mandated during medical care yet an HIV test should be part of your routine checkup. First, let’s agree that some people are at higher […]

7 reasons condoms break during sex
Safe Sex

7 reasons condoms break during sex

Unfortunately, condoms can break during sex. This can happen due to several factors. Understanding why and how condom breaks can help avoid this from happening. 7 reasons why condoms break: 1. Too much friction and insufficient lubricant Condoms are usually […]

Can I get pregnant and STIs from Pre-cum?
Safe Sex

Can I get pregnant and STIs from Pre-cum?

Pre-cum, also known as pre-ejaculate, is a small amount of liquid that comes out of the penis when someone is turned on or aroused. Pre-cum comes during sexual arousal and is not to be confused with ejaculation. It is an […]

Why are women at higher risk of HIV?
Safe Sex

Why are women at higher risk of HIV?

There are several factors that put women at higher risk for HIV. These include gender-based violence e.g. rape or when they cannot freely choose to have safe sex, poverty, little information on how to protect themselves from HIV, and then […]

Safe sex is sexy
STI Prevention

Safe sex is sexy

People sometimes complain that using condoms reduces their sexual sensation. Well, here are some tips to make things wetter, because wetter is better!

Staying Safe
STI Prevention

Staying Safe

If you go beyond kissing and caressing, it’s important to know how to have safe sex and talk about it with your partner.

Bacterial vaginosis
STDs & STIs

Bacterial vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) generally affects women. It’s when the normal balance of bacteria in the vagina is disrupted by an increase of more ‘harmful’ bacteria.

Scabies
STDs & STIs

Scabies

Scabies is a very itchy, contagious skin infection caused by the scabies mite.

Pubic lice
STDs & STIs

Pubic lice

Pubic lice are also known as ‘crabs’. Pubic lice are small parasites that dig underneath your skin, and feed on your blood.

Trichomoniasis
STDs & STIs

Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis is also known as ‘trich’. It’s an STD that affects both women and men, but women are more likely to have symptoms.

Water warts
STDs & STIs

Water warts

Water warts are caused by a virus called molluscum contagiosum. It’s a common viral infection that affects the skin and causes fluid-filled blisters.

Genital herpes
STDs & STIs

Genital herpes

Genital herpes is an STD caused by two different types of herpes simplex virus (HSV). It looks like a cold sore or blister.

Genital warts
STDs & STIs

Genital warts

Genital warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). It’s one of the most common STDs worldwide.

Syphilis
STDs & STIs

Syphilis

Syphilis is an STD caused by a bacterium called Treponema palliduium. It’s known as the ‘great imitator’ because its symptoms are hard to distinguish from other STDs.

Gonorrhoea
STDs & STIs

Gonorrhoea

Gonorrhoea is caused by bacteria called Niesseria gonorrhoeae. It’s very contagious. It can infect your throat, urethra, vagina, and anus.