Sexual Health

HIV causes AIDS. AIDS kills by making a person unable to fight off disease. There is no cure. HIV is passed from person to person. It is passed through body fluids. This includes blood, semen, and vaginal fluid. HIV can be passed from a pregnant mother to her unborn child.

Genital warts are also called condyloma. This disease is spread by skin-to-skin contact, mainly during sex. Genital warts are caused by a virus called Human Papilloma Virus or HPV.

Chlamydia is a disease spread through sex. It's common among young adults. Chlamydia is easy to treat, but you need the right medicine. You must get treated by a healthcare provider or clinic.

The only sure way to prevent sexually transmitted infections is to not have sex. But there are ways to make sex safer, such as using a latex condom each time you have sex. Read on to learn more.

Chlamydia infection is a very common sexually transmitted infection (STI). Because most people do not have symptoms, chlamydia may not be noticed until it causes severe problems. Left untreated, this STI can cause people to become sterile.

Syphilis rates are on the rise in every part of the U.S. Learn about symptoms, treatment, and prevention.

If you think you have an STI, getting a diagnosis and starting treatment right away is important.

Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection that is transmitted sexually. Many women and some men who have gonorrhea don't have any signs or symptoms. Here's what you should know.

If you have herpes, you're not alone. Millions of Americans have it. Herpes has no cure. But you can control it and learn how to protect yourself and others from outbreaks.

Good hygiene matters when you have herpes. Take care of your sores to speed healing. Neglected sores can lead to other infections.

Genital warts are caused by a virus that is often spread sexually. The warts are often so tiny that they are hard to see. But even tiny warts can cause big trouble, especially in women. Read on to learn more.

Genital HPV is often detected during a routine exam. You may also be checked for signs of other sexually transmitted infections. Genital HPV can't be cured, but its effects can be treated.

If you're having sex, or thinking about having sex, you need to know about sexually transmitted diseases or STDs. STDs can cause serious health problems. And not all can be cured. But there are ways to protect yourself and others.

Chlamydia is an STD (sexually transmitted disease) that spreads when body fluids are passed during sex. Signs of chlamydia are often absent or hard to notice. So get checked if you think you might have it. Chlamydia can be cured.

Remember: Any kind of sex puts you at risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Look for signs of STDs on you and your partner. Get checked if you're not sure. And if you do have an STD, get treated! Tell your partner so he or she can get checked, too.

Here are answers to common questions about STIs.

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) or a sexually transmitted infection (STI). It spreads when body fluids are passed during sex. Infections can occur in the genitals (vaginal sex), anus (anal sex), and throat (oral sex). You may have no symptoms. Or symptoms can be mild to very painful.

Herpes is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) or sexually transmitted infection (STI). It causes painful outbreaks of blisters and sores. It spreads through contact with an infected area—usually a sore on the genitals, rectum, or mouth.

HIV weakens the parts of the body that fight off disease (the immune system). It spreads through body fluids passed during sex, or through infected needles. When HIV starts to cause severe health problems, it's called AIDS. There's no cure for HIV or AIDS. But treatment called antiretroviral therapy can help you stay healthier longer.

HPV (human papilloma virus) spreads through skin contact. Some types of HPV cause genital warts. Other types put females at higher risk of cancer of the cervix. HPV is very common in all people. And it can't be cured. But there are treatments to remove warts. Tests can also help spot warning signs of cervical cancer.

The only sure way to prevent STIs (sexually transmitted infections) is not having any kind of sex. But if you do decide to have sex, take steps to protect yourself. Here's what you need to know.

Male sex organs are mostly outside the body (the genitals). This makes signs of certain STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) easier to spot. But STDs can also spread inside the body and damage the organs that allow you to father a child. This damage can sometimes cause sterility - meaning you won't be able to have kids. Also, men may have fewer symptoms of STDs than women. So pay attention to your body. Learn what's normal for you, and have any symptoms checked out.

In women, warning signs of STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) can be hard to notice. That's because the sex organs outside the body (the genitals) aren't easy to see. STDs also often affect the organs inside the body that let you get pregnant. Damage to these organs can sometimes cause sterility - meaning you won't be able to have kids. So learn about your body. Find out what's normal for you. And be sure to have any changes or symptoms checked out.

Syphilis spreads through any kind of sexual contact. That is vaginal sex, anal sex, or oral sex. This sexually transmitted disease (STD) or infection (STI) has 3 stages. It gets worse with each stage. Syphilis can be cured. But early treatment is important. Left alone, it can cause lasting damage, like blindness. Syphilis can even cause death.

If both you and your partner have had sex only with each other for many years, you are not likely to be at risk for STIs. But if you have sex with more than one person, or recently had a new sex partner, this sheet is for you.

Herpes is a virus that can cause sores on the skin. There are 2 types of the virus. Depending on how you come in contact with the virus, either type can cause outbreaks near the mouth or on the sex organs.

Read on to learn about herpes sores and the tests you may need for diagnosis.

To speed healing, take care of open herpes sores. To reduce outbreaks, take care of your health. And to keep from infecting others, learn how to prevent spreading the virus.

HPV is a virus that causes warts. It can be hard to detect, so many people never even know they have it. Treating genital forms of HPV now can help prevent serious health problems in the future.

HPV is the virus that causes genital warts. Learning about HPV and its treatments can make you and your partner feel better.

A closer look at treating warts, from medicines to removing using lasers or surgery. Depending on where the warts are located, some treatments may work better than others.

By taking care of yourself, you can help your body fight against HPV. Regular visits with your healthcare provider, having a healthy immune system, and being aware of risks help you stay in control.

Most people exposed one time to the body fluid of a person infected with HIV or hepatitis do not get the virus. However, exposure must be taken very seriously. Both HIV and hepatitis virus infection can lead to chronic illness and death. The risk of infection depends on the type of exposure.

Gonorrhea is a very contagious sexually transmitted infection. Read on to learn what you and your sexual partner need to do after you've been diagnosed.

HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system. Being HIV positive is not the same as having AIDS. AIDS is a complication of HIV infection. Read on to learn about how to care for yourself.

You have an infection in your urethra. This is the tube in the penis that carries urine. The infection is caused by the bacteria chlamydia. It is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). It is also called a sexually transmitted infection (STI). It is very contagious. It's spread by having vaginal, anal, or oral sexual contact with someone who is infected.

Urethritis is inflammation of the urethrea. It's often caused by gonorrhea and requires antibiotics. Here's how to care for yourself at home.

Learn how to care for yourself at home after you've been diagnosed with genital warts.

You may not agree with the gender you were given at birth. You may instead feel like you are a different gender. If this mismatch between your own gender identity and that assigned at birth seriously upsets you, you may have gender dysphoria.

Phalloplasty is a gender-affirming surgery that creates a penis and scrotum. Here are details about the procedure and recovery.