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 […]
For example: if you get cold sores on the mouth, you can pass it on through kissing or by giving oral sex. If you have herpes on the genitals you can pass it on from genital-to-genital rubbing or when receiving oral sex. You can’t pass on genital herpes by kissing.
You are most contagious when you have symptoms. Symptoms commonly look like a raised fluid filled lump on the skin called a blister. These will eventually break on their own and then scab over. Some people will have less obvious symptoms which look more like an unexplained cut in the skin. People who get symptoms a few times may notice a tingling sensation or ache just before symptoms become visible. This is called prodromal symptoms and is also a contagious time.
Condoms and dental dams work by creating a barrier to infected skin. Using these all the time, even when there are no symptoms, will prevent most infections. However, condoms and dams may not work 100% as herpes can be on areas of skin not completely covered.
Taking anti-viral medication can decrease your symptoms which is the period of time you’re most contagious. Taking the medication every day also decreases the risk of passing herpes when there are no symptoms; it makes a low risk time an almost a no-risk time.
There is no risk of getting herpes from usual household contact including sharing showers, toilets or washing machines. You won’t even get if from a sharing a bed. It requires direct skin-to-skin contact.
Also check out:
Herpes Pt 1: Everything you need to know
Herpes Pt 3: How to talk about it with a partner
