Have you ever been having sex and noticed that things were getting a bit…dry? It happens to the best of us and there’s a super easy solution. ENTER: lube. Honestly, lube does not get the love and attention it deserves. Not only can lube make sex feel more comfortable, but […]
Have you ever been having sex and noticed that things were getting a bit…dry? It happens to the best of us and there’s a super easy solution. ENTER: lube. Honestly, lube does not get the love and attention it deserves. Not only can lube make sex feel more comfortable, but […]
Does the thought of talking to your doctor about sexual health give you butterflies or send a shiver down your spine?
Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Here’s our top tips to make chatting to your doctor about sex a whole lot easier.
We’re talking about sexual activity that involves your butt. Anal play can be enjoyed by anyone of any gender or orientation and can be: Putting fingers or a tongue (rimming) around/inside someone’s butt Putting a dildo or other sex toy inside someone’s butt Putting a penis inside someone’s butt There […]
Herpes might be the most misunderstood infections around so let’s start with the facts.
Herpes is usually a mild skin condition. Most people don’t even know they have it because it doesn’t cause any problems. If you don’t get symptoms, you don’t need treatment.
Of course if you do get sores on the mouth, genitals or bum it can be uncomfortable. Herpes sores will usually heal within about a week on their own. Some people will notice these symptoms a few times a year, other people won’t get symptoms again until many years later.
If your symptoms are painful, ask your doctor for a prescription for antiviral medication. This will help them heal faster. Anti-viral medication only works if you take it right when symptoms first start to appearso don’t wait. If you get symptoms frequently (6 times a year or more) then the medication works better if you take it every day.
Yes, you can still have a happy and healthy sex life after being diagnosed with herpes! The stigma about herpes is mostly due to bad information. There is no more reason to be ashamed of having herpes than having the flu. They’re simply viruses we get from normal human contact with other people. People diagnosed with herpes are often really worried about passing it on to a sexual partner. Being confident about how herpes is — and how it isn’t — passed on can relieve some of that stress.
Herpes is super common. Luckily having herpes is more likely to be an annoyance than a serious illness. Feeling ashamed about herpes can have a huge impact though. If you’re still struggling with a diagnosis, there is help: start a discussion with other young people on the Play Safe Forum, call the Sexual Health Infolink on 1800 451 624 to speak with specialist nurse or make an appointment with a counsellor for support.
Also check out:
Herpes Part 2: How to avoid passing it on
Herpes Part 3: How to talk about it with a partner
