Sexual Health News - January 2012

Some sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) - namely, HIV and gonorrhea - are difficult to treat because viruses and bacteria are able to evolve and evade treatments that were previously effective.

While the human papillomavirus (HPV) has been thought of as a disease which largely affects women – possibly due to the discovery that the virus can cause cervical cancer and extensive subsequent research done on the association – a new study suggests that men should be equally concerned.

A team of scientists at the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Maryland conducted a study that reveals the different factors that influence a young person's decision to receive – or to avoid - testing for a sexually transmitted disease (STD).

An all-too common misconception about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) is that they rear their ugly heads in the form of itchiness, discharge or sores soon after infection. Unfortunately, this erroneous belief may lead to individuals putting of getting tested.

The teenage years are often reckless ones, as young people sometimes believe they are impervious to negative consequences.

Studies have shown that people with cardiovascular disease – especially those with pacemakers – experience a decrease in their quality of life due to fears over sexual activity.

A team of scientists at Brown University recently conducted a study which revealed that more than half of high-risk adults are missing out on opportunities to get vaccinated for hepatitis B.

Fenway Health, a Boston-based care center for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, is encouraging physicians to ask patients about their sexual orientation and gender identity in response to findings that people who are LGBT may have a higher risk of health problems.

Most sexually active individuals should be aware of the importance of regular testing for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), but who is in particular need and how often to obtain these screenings may be somewhat unclear.

One obstacle that sometimes gets in the way of people practicing safer sex is not having a condom.

An article on ChelseaNow.com explores the complex nature of women and casual sex.

Ohio news channel ONNtv recently reported that the prevalence of syphilis in two of the state's counties has skyrocketed since 2010.

Researchers at the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management recently released the results of a study which suggests that men are more likely to be careless with their finances when they perceive a shortage of women.

A number of education and health organizations teamed up to develop guidelines to teach U.S. kids the importance of safer sex, as well as knowledge that will keep them informed on sexual identity, behavior and abuse, according to media reports.

Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the antiretroviral HIV drug raltegravir in individuals aged 2 to 12, some four years after the medication began being used commercially in adults.

Individuals with HIV sometimes experience epilepsy simultaneously, which presents challenges for both the patient and the healthcare provider because the drugs to treat both issues sometimes don't interact well.

Researchers have been working on a microbicide that will help prevent the spread of HIV for years.

Herpes is an incurable sexually transmitted disease (STD) that causes sores on the mouth or genitals and heightens a person's changes of becoming infected with HIV.

During the ovulation period, a woman's immune system tends to naturally weaken in order to allow sperm to fertilize her eggs.

Individuals who are sexually active are often urged to get tested for sexually transmitted diseases, so much so that the advice may fall on deaf ears after a while.