STIs

Gardasil, the vaccine that protects against 4 strains of HPV, is most effective when given to women before they begin sexual activity. But previously sexual activity doesn't render the vaccine null and void. Even if she acquires HPV from previous sexual activity, the chances of her acquiring all 4...

If you shaved your vulva very recently before sex, then I'd say the chances are that yes: that's the reason for the irritation. That skin is pretty delicate, and all the more so when it's been irritated by something, and shaving certainly does that. Add a bunch of friction and body heat to an...

Hey there, Susie. You're welcome! Birth control pills are equally effective every single day of your cycle so long as you are taking the pills as directed, and on time every day, and without any other medications which could interfere with them. Some antibiotics, for instance, may decrease...

To paraphrase a certain bumper sticker, " Discharge happens." Seriously, it does. Every person with a vagina in the world has discharge. It's just one of those things that you get when you've got a vagina. Discharge plays a very important role in both your vaginal health and in fertility. It serves...

It is certainly possible that sometime during sex you are getting some little abrasions that are causing you to spot afterward. Since you are not bleeding heavily, the abrasions are probably not serious, but just enough to cause some irritation. If you are not having this issue during other...

Condoms are always a good choice for sex (no matter how many times you have or haven't done it) because they are the only contraceptive choice that also provides STI protection. Even if one has not been sexually active in the past or refers to themselves as a "virgin" (which can have a TON of...

You know, hormonal birth control often reduces or inhibits sexual desire or arousal for the person using it, too. For some people, pretty substantially. It does so because of what it does to a body hormonally: the only way condoms inhibit arousal or libido is if a guy using them (or opting not to)...

ANY direct genital contact that is unprotected ALWAYS puts you at a potential risk of pregnancy (when your partner has the genitals that could co-create one) and sexually transmitted infections. The vulva is a wet place, and sexual fluids like ejaculate and pre-ejaculate are also just that, fluid...

A "rim job" is a slang term for analingus. That means oral stimulation of the anus. A lot of people of all sexual orientations and genders enjoy analingus. People practicing rimming should be aware that it is risky in terms of disease transmission unless safer sex practices are used. A lot of...

You will need to tell new partners about a sexually transmitted infection you have or have had, particularly one like human papillomavirus (HPV) where condoms reduce the risks of transmission, but not as well as they do for other kinds of infections. Putting someone knowingly at risk of an infection...