Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD)

What is a sexually transmitted disease (STD)?

An STD is an illness that is spread through sexual contact.

How can sexually transmitted diseases be avoided?

• The less sexual partners a person has, the lower the risk of infection.
  
  
• Most sexually transmitted diseases can be avoided to a large extent by practicing safe sex (eg using condoms).
  
  
• Most sexually transmitted diseases can be cured if they are diagnosed and treated in their early stages.
  
  

The most common diseases and their symptoms are described below.

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is the most common and fastest spreading sexually transmitted disease in the UK. It stems from a bacterium, Chlamydia trachomatis.

Women diagnosed with Chlamydia can also infect their newborn infant during delivery. Symptoms usually appear approximately 7 to 21 days after infection and differ for men, women and children.

Symptoms in men:

• inflammation of the urethra (the bladder duct within the penis)
  
  
• stinging feeling when passing water
  
  
• clear discharge from penis and possible itchiness around the opening
  
  
• pain or tenderness in the testicles.
  
  

Symptoms in women:

• stinging feeling when passing water
  
  
• unusual vaginal discharge
  
  
• pain caused by pelvic inflammation (pelvic inflammatory disease)
  
  
• pain during intercourse
  
  
• in some cases, bleeding between periods.
  
  

Symptoms in infants:

• inflammation of the eye (conjunctivitis) at birth
  
  
• problems breathing
  
  
• premature birth
  
  
• in rarer instances, pneumonia.
  
  

One of the most common ways of testing for Chlamydia is for the GP to collect a cell sample from the infected area (cervix or penis) with a cotton swab. This is then sent to a laboratory for evaluation. In the absence of a firm diagnosis, you may be referred to a specialist genitourinary clinic for further testing. Treatment consists of antibiotics, and should also be given to the patient's partner. A further swab is recommended once treatment has ended to check whether the infection has cleared. For more information, read the factsheet on chlamydia.

Gonorrhoea

Gonorrhoea is caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, a bacteria that grows and multiplies quickly in moist, warm areas of the body such as the cervix, urethra, mouth, or rectum. In women, the cervix is the most common site of infection. However, the disease can also spread to the uterus (womb) and fallopian tubes, causing pelvic inflammatory disease leading to infertility. Gonorrhoea is most commonly spread during genital contact, but can also be passed from the genitals of one partner to the throat of the other during oral sex. Gonorrhoea of the rectum can occur in people who practice anal intercourse. In pregnant women, gonorrhoea can be passed from an infected woman to her newborn infant during delivery if left untreated.

The early symptoms of gonorrhoea are often mild, and many women who are infected have no visible symptoms of the disease. If symptoms of gonorrhoea develop, they usually appear within 2 to 10 days after sexual contact with an infected partner, although a small percentage of patients may be infected for several months without showing symptoms.

Symptoms in women include:

• painful, burning sensation when urinating
  
  
• yellowish or bloody discharge from the vagina
  
  
• bleeding between periods
  
  
• abdominal pain.
  
  

Men are more likely to show symptoms than women. Some of the symptoms in men include:

• burning sensation during urination
  
  
• yellowish-white discharge from the penis.
  
  

Other symptoms affecting the rectal area include itching, discharge and sometimes painful bowel movements.

A diagnosis is made through detection of bacteria in samples taken from the urethra, cervix, throat or rectum. The condition is treated with antibiotics, and treatment should also be given to the patient's partner. As with Chlamydia, further testing is recommended once treatment has ended to check whether the infection has cleared. For more information, read the factsheet on gonorrhoea.

Herpes genitalis (genital herpes)

Gential herpes is a highly contagious viral condition caused by the nerpes simplex virus (HSV). It principally infects the skin and mucous membranes of the genitals and rectum, but can also appear in areas such as the mouth. It is transmitted primarily through physical and sexual contact. During birth, the presence of herpes simplex virus on the genitalia or in the birth canal is a threat to the infant. Infection in the newborn infant can lead to herpetic meningitis, herpetic viremia (herpes virus particles present in the blood) and chronic skin infection.

The symptoms of herpes simplex virus usually occur a week after infection, but sometimes take longer to appear. Initially, the skin becomes reddened and multiple small blisters filled with a clear, straw-coloured fluid appear. Prior to the presence of blisters, the infected individual may also experience increased skin sensitivity, tingling, burning or pain at the site where blisters will appear. Later, the blisters burst leaving shallow, painful ulcers which eventually scab and heal over a period of 7 to 14 days.

The outbreak may be accompanied by other symptoms such as:

• swelling and tenderness of the lymph nodes in the groin area.
  
  
• in women, vaginal discharge and painful urination.
  
  
• in men, a possibility of painful urination if the lesion is near the opening of the urethra.
  
  
• fever.
  
  

In most cases, a description of the condition and the appearance of the blisters will be enough to make a diagnosis. The GP may also advise referral to a specialist genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic for confirmation of the diagnosis.

There is no cure for the herpes simplex virus; once infected, patients will remain a carrier for the rest of their lives. Some remedies, however, can reduce the duration of the eruption. In addition, by being more aware of the initial symptoms of recurrence (skin sensitivity and tingling), timely treatment with medication such as aciclovir (Zovirax tablets/suspension) will often abort the outbreak of blisters.

The best way to prevent recurrence is to avoid direct contact with an open lesion. People with herpes simplex virus should avoid sexual contact when active lesions are present.

Although the symptoms of genital herpes may not be present, it is important for those infected to inform their partner that they have the disease. This will encourage both parties to use barrier protection (condoms) to prevent the spread of the illness. Using condoms and not sharing towels are good ways of reducing the chance of infection in the first place. For more information, read the factsheet on Herpes genitalis.

HIV and AIDS

AIDS is a potentially lethal sexually transmitted disease and is caused by the HIV virus. HIV invades and destroys the immune system, which protects the body from infection. This means that a person who carries the HIV virus is prone to many different illnesses and may die from diseases that are harmless to healthy people.

AIDS is still most widespread south of the Sahara in Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean islands, and is more common among homosexual and bisexual men. However, in more developed countries the disease is becoming more frequent among heterosexuals, especially young people. In the UK, new cases of HIV are now more prevalent among heterosexuals.

Intravenous drug users and people with many different partners are particularly at risk from HIV. The virus is found in bodily fluids such as blood, sperm and vaginal secretions, and can pass through little scratches that may occur during sexual intercourse.

Although they vary considerably, the symptoms include:

• fever
  
  
• diarrhoea
  
  
• sweating at night
  
  
• loss of weight
  
  
• swollen glands
  
  
• general discomfort.
  
  

The diagnosis is made when the HIV antibody is found in the blood. The test is not usually positive until 6 to 12 weeks after infection.

There is no cure for HIV and AIDS, but the earlier the diagnosis is made, the easier it is for the doctors to help. Today, efficient treatments exist that increase quality of life and prolong life itself. Anyone who is infected with HIV should only have safe sex using barrier protection and inform all previous partners about their infection. For more information, read the factsheet on AIDS and HIV.

Genital warts

Warts, or condylomata acuminata, are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). Up to nine months can pass from the time of infection to the actual development of warts. In women, human papilloma virus can lead to changes in the cervix and to the development of cervical cancer. Therefore, it is important that this condition is diagnosed and treated.

The symptoms are raised, rough, wart-like growths that may occur singly or in clusters. In men, they are usually found around the head of the penis and tend to be drier. In women, they appear most often around the vaginal opening and may spread to the rectal area. It is also possible for the virus to appear on or near the cervix as whitish, flat-like lesions, usually only detectable through close visual examination of the cervix (colposcopy). In both men and women, lesions may also be present in the mouth and throat. In general, symptoms can intensify if the immune system is weakened, or during pregnancy or if the person has diabetes. The warts are very contagious so safe sex is advisable.

A diagnosis is made when a characteristic lesion is visible. By swabbing the skin with 5 per cent acetic acid, 'invisible' warts will emerge as white-coloured patches. A GP can treat the warts by freezing and swabbing, but if this does not help the patient may be referred to a genitourinary specialist who can offer more specialised treatment. However, it is important to note that treatment does not always offer a complete cure. For more information, read the page on genital warts.

Syphilis

Syphilis is a dangerous and life-threatening bacterial disease. After infection, the bacteria is transported through the body via the bloodstream and adversely affects vital organs such as the heart, brain, nervous system and spine.

The symptoms are divided into three stages.

Up to 12 weeks after the time of infection:

• one or more red lesions will develop on the penis, labia (lips of the vagina), anus and sometimes on the mouth and lips. These lesions disappear after a week.
  
  

Up to six months after the time of infection:

• a red rash appears on the chest, back, arms, legs, hands and soles of the feet
  
  
• high fever
  
  
• sore throat
  
  
• muscular fatigue
  
  
• general feeling of discomfort.
  
  

Anyone experiencing these symptoms should contact their doctor immediately.

If the illness is not treated by the second stage, it will disappear for a while. However, the disease can lie dormant in the body and return up to 20 years later. At this more advanced stage the symptoms will be:

• heart failure
  
  
• paralysis
  
  
• insanity
  
  
• possible death.
  
  

The diagnosis is made through the detection of the micro-organism or the detection of antibodies in the blood. In its early stages, syphilis can easily be treated with antibiotics. For more information, read the factsheet on syphilis.

How to avoid sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)

Avoid high-risk behaviours and practise safe sex.

• Though not necessarily practical or desirable, abstinence is the only way to completely prevent STDs.
  
  
• Avoid sex with many different partners.
  
  
• Always use condoms.
  

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How To Choose Dildo

Choosing the right dildo comes down to three key elements:

1. Picking a dildo material that works for you
2. Deciding what you want to do with your dildo
3. Choosing a shape, size, and color of your dildo

Choosing a dildo material: Silicone dildos

Silicone dildos that are made of 100% silicone are the best quality dildos available and are highly recommended if they are in your budget.

Silicone is recommended as a dildo material because:

• silicone is clean, strong, and durable
• silicone is non-porous and can be boiled in water
• silicone retains temperature and transmits vibrations very well
• silicone is available in a wide range of colors, shapes, and sizes

Silicone is an ideal choice if you are concerned about allergies or reacting to toys in any way. You can now get silicone that feels hyper realistic (like cyberskin dildos, but safer, cleaner, and more durable).

The only drawback to silicone dildos is that they are more expensive (generally between $40-$100), and out of reach for many of us.

Also you shouldn’t use silicone based lubricants on silicone dildos, as it may permanently damage your dildo. Water based lubricants are fine to use with silicone dildos.

Choosing a dildo material: Jelly Rubber

Jelly rubber dildos are very inexpensive and available in a wide range of colors, shapes and sizes. They have a resilient bouncy feel to them.

The only benefit of jelly rubber dildos is that they are inexpensive. If you aren't sure what size and shape you want buying an eighty dollar silicone dildo can be risky.

But jelly rubber dildos are currently made of inferior quality material, and many of them contain phthalates a chemical that has been linked to health problems in other products and situations. For this reason if you use jelly rubber dildos it is recommended that you always use latex condoms .

You can use water based lubricants and silicone based lubricant with jelly rubber dildos, but you should never use oil based lubricants as they will damage the dildo.

Choosing a dildo material: Cyberskin

Cyberskin is actually a brand name from one company, Topco. But it has become to be used as a general term for dildos that are made of a very soft, lifelike material intended to mimic real skin and the density of a real penis.

The only reason to choose a cyberskin dildo is for the feel of it. Most cyberskin dildos have a soft outside but firm core, which really can feel like a penis. Of course not everyone wants a dildo that feels like a penis, but if you’re going for realism, cyberskin does fit the bill.

The main drawback of cyberskin is that it is not durable, and is very difficult to keep clean. Cyberskin tears easily (so it’s not recommended for harness use) and because it is very porous, it can be hard to get it clean.

Even though the Topco manufactured cyberskin does not contain phthalates it is still recommended that you use condoms on cyberskin to keep them clean.

Water based lubricant is recommended for use with cyberskin dildos.

Choosing a dildo material: Metal, Glass, Acrylic

Dildos are also available in a variety of hard materials, including metal dildos, glass dildos and acrylic/plastic dildos. These dildos tend to be beautiful looking, and are often handmade by artisans rather than mass manufactured in a rubber factory.

Whether the dildo is metal, glass, or acrylic, the benefits of hard dildos include durability (as long as you don’t drop them), safety (because they are not porous they are easy to keep clean), and look. They also provide a different kind of intense stimulation, because they don’t bend when inserted in the body, and as such they are good for g-spot stimulation or pressure stimulation at any internal point.

The drawback to dildos made of hard materials is that they don’t have any give, and some people find them too intense. Also, glass and acrylic toys may break when dropped on hard surfaces.

In general hard dildos like these are not recommended for use in a harness.

You can use water based lubricant or silicone based lubricant on glass, metal, and plastic dildos, although you may find that silicone based lubricant doesn't adhere to the toy and water based is easier to use.

Choosing a dildo function: Harness compatible dild

Choosing the best dildo depends on what you want to use it for. If you want to use your dildo in a dildo harness, there are three things to make sure you look for in a dildo:

• make sure your dildo has a wide flared base
• make sure your dildo is firm and flexible enough for use in a harness
• it is recommended to get a dildo that is at least five inches long

If you are using your dildo in a harness you don’t need to use the whole length, but a dildo that’s too short can be annoying in a harness. It is also better to get a firmer dildo for harness use, although metal, glass, and acrylic dildos are not recommended for harnesses. Silicone dildos are ideal for harness use, if they are in your price range.

Choosing a dildo function: Anal or vaginal penetration

For your dildo to be safe for anal use it must have:

• no seams
• no sharp edges or corners
• a wide flared base to prevent it from slipping into the rectum

Dildos tend to be made with vaginal penetration in mind, but providing your dildo has the above design features, it is likely also safe for anal penetration.

If you are buying a dildo that you want to use for both anal and vaginal penetration, you’ll need to use condoms on your dildo, or buy a silicone dildo and be sure to boil it in water between the time that it is used vaginally and anally.

Anal dildos tend to be smaller, and start small at the tip getting gradually larger. But as long as your toy has a flared base and is smooth, you should be able to use it anally, even if it isn’t packaged as an anal dildo. Read more about anal sex toy safety .

Choosing a dildo function: Double ended dildos

Double ended dildos are designed for simultaneous double penetration. They can be used for vaginal or anal penetration, and they can be used by men or women. Better quality double ended dildos are made of silicone and have a curve to them that facilitates greater movement and physical closeness. You can also find inexpensive double ended dildos made of jelly rubber.

Double ended dildos are never the perfect toy you want them to be, and the best way to describe them is that they require some sense of humor. They can be fun, but there are usually some awkward rhythms that need to be addressed. Double ended dildos can also be used for solo play where the other end is just a convenient handle rather than being used for penetration.

Some of the curved double ended dildos are designed for use in a harness, where they will provide penetration for the person wearing the harness and for the person on the “receiving” end.

Choosing a Dildo Shape

The shape of dildo that you choose depends mostly on personal preference and function.

Some dildos look like realistic penises, some look like animals or goddesses, or ice cream cones. Dildos can be shaped for g-spot stimulation, for prostate stimulation or completely straight.

If this is your first dildo you may want to start with something generic, or if you know you like a certain kind of stimulation, look for something that is recommended for that use.

If you are going to be using your dildo on someone else, remember to think about what they like, and you may want to avoid the more unusual shapes, as it might hinder the amount of movement you can have when using the dildo on a partner.

Choosing a Dildo Size

Obviously dildo size is a matter of personal preference above all else. If you have no idea what size you want, start small, but not too small.

Don’t worry about getting a toy that is too long, you don’t need to use the entire length of the dildo. But if you get a dildo that’s too wide, it’s game over, possibly.

The size of dildo someone wants can change, not just over time, but even during sex play. As you become more aroused, and more relaxed, you may want something larger for penetration. For this reason a lot of people have more than one dildo, in different sizes. There are some inflatable dildos available, although most of them are of suspect quality.

Choosing a Dildo Color

Some people wonder why anyone would care about the color of a dildo, and others buy their dildos to match the paint color in their bedroom.

Color may not matter to you, but if it does, the good news is that most dildos come in a range of colors. Silicone dildos will give you the biggest choice. Sometimes, for people who feel strange about using dildos as if they are a substitution, it makes it easier to get a dildo color that is completely unlike any human skin tone (think hot pink, or deep blue). Either way, this consideration is purely aesthetic as the color of the dildo has no impact on its function.

Source Article : http://sexuality.about.com/od/sextoys/ss/choose_dildo.htm

Foreplay

Why foreplay it's so important?

First of all, men who cuddle and kiss their partners and know how to enjoy sensitive foreplay will often find that their partners will not only enjoy sexual intercourse more, but also see their partners reach orgasm more often. Most woman need prolonged stimulation in order to reach a complete arousal, and foreplay will provide them with the required stimulation.

So now that we all know what foreplay is and what is does to each others bodies and senses, Starting off with stimulating your partner will show the results and you will soon see that it will be two fold for you.

Foreplay is a range of activities, including undressing, kissing, petting, and oral sex.

Foreplay is not just about how you make your partner feel with your touch is about understanding what makes your partner tick and delivering those things that make her experience intensely pleasurable.

Romancing your partner and making her feel good is only one piece to completing puzzle. Setting the mood for passion and great foreplay is to pay attention to romantic details. Creating the right environment for your love making can be crucial, especially in the later stages in your relationship.

There are many ways to give your partner extreme sensations, and it all begins in her brain. Simply tell her how beautiful she is and how much you appreciate her sensual body. By complimenting her appearance, especially those with low confidence levels, you are giving her the added security, and are therefore adding excitement and giving her good reasons to go all out with the foreplay.

Some very important details that you might want to pay close attention to are to try and make sure the room is warm, the lighting subdued. To accomplish that perfect lighting you might want to try lighting scented candles around the room.

Once the mood is right, take the time to undress her because the act of removing your partner's clothes can be an important part of successful foreplay. Many have found that undressing increases the eroticism, it intensifies the feelings and heightens the senses.

During foreplay, go slow; begin by kissing and caressing her. A kiss is usually the first physical expression of love and desire but it is also often forgotten during sexual intercourse. During intercourse, one should kiss every part of his partners body and not be restricted to the mouth.

Most women complain that their partners don't kiss long enough and rush the movement directly to the genital area. Don't be shy to experiment on every part of her body and remember to prolong the foreplay with more kissing and caressing.

When you start your love play you will see that playing will make your partner excited and feel her body respond to your touch. And the second part to this his is heightened sensations will mean the you will both enjoy more powerful and amazing organisms. By you learning to enjoy your partners pleasure points or sweet spots as I like to refer to them as, and having fun with your love play you will be infighting a new flame that will bring you both to new and wonderful heights together.

Now while a man is usually quite spent after his climax she will be ready to go again to reach higher levels of pleasure. So after having your first organism, and after you have taken your partner on a wild and sensuous ride and she is ready for a breather let her take a break and take a tour of Your Sweet Spots. I am sure she will be willing participant to do some further exploration since you have just taken her to the edge of ecstasy and back again

By learning your partners sweet spots you can turn her up and down with all that you learned. Being comfortable with each other is half the batter after that learning what your partner is all about will be a piece of cake.

To achieve this you will both need to be open and honest with each other. That will be the key to a great and fulfilling sex life. So why don't you go ahead and follow some of the sweet spots that I have given you in the beginning of the article. Try one try them all. Have fun with each other. Knowing that you are loved and being loved in return is one of the most incredible emotions that you will feel as a couple.

Just remember that if she is satisfied with her sexual experience, she will usually make sure that you are satisfied as well. Good luck, have fun be creative, and remember practice makes perfect.

You can find the original article at here