Learning that one is diagnosed with Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), either oral or genital, can be a very emotional experience. A person may experience a variety of emotions, ranging from disbelief to anger, due to the stereotypes that surround sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and the incurable nature of this specific disease.1 Genital herpes is a common…
Author: The Sexperts
Drug Treatments to Control Herpes
Transmission of the herpes simplex virus (HSV) often goes undetected. This is because HSV has an incubation period that can range from a few weeks to over a year. Most people infected with the virus discover their condition either from an initial outbreak or from the results of a blood test.1 The realization that a person is…
Sexual Abuse Indicators in Children
Disclaimer: We acknowledge that there are many different words that individuals use to describe themselves after experiencing sexual assault. In this article we use the term “victim” for the sake of consistency. We acknowledge that there are many different ways of processing sexual violence, and we believe each individual person should choose the language that they…
Different Types of Sexual Assault
Disclaimer: We acknowledge that there are many different words that individuals use to describe themselves after experiencing sexual assault. In this article we use the term ‘survivor’ for the sake of consistency. We acknowledge that there are many different ways of processing sexual violence, and believe each individual person should choose the language that they are…
The Aftermath of Sexual Violence
The aftermath of sexual assault is different for each individual survivor. Some survivors face a lifetime of long-term effects, while others are able to move past the traumatic effects of the attack in several years. Some survivors find it helpful to talk about their experiences, while others do not. In either case, survivors, as well as friends and family of survivors,…
Pearly Penile Papules
Pearly penile papules, also known as hirsuties coronae glandis, hirsutoid papillomas, or simply PPP are small protrusions that form a ridge on the glans or “head” of the penis. The papules most commonly appear as one or several rows of small, pearly or flesh-colored, smooth, dome-shaped bumps situated circumferentially around the corona, or “rim” of…
Oral Sex and STIs
Oral sex is a sexual activity that uses the mouth, lips, or tongue as a way to stimulate a partner.1 There are many reasons why individuals enjoy oral sex, and it is a much more common sexual activity than people are led to believe. In fact, a statistic from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that more…
HIV Treatment
Treatment for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) consists of taking a combination of medicines daily to suppress viral activity and slow the progression of the virus.1 HIV is classified as a retrovirus, a class of virus using RNA as genetic material and replicates through integrating to the host DNA. While there is no current cure for HIV, there is…
Talking To Your Parent About Sex
What Is “The Talk?” Some call it the tale of the “birds and the bees;” others call it “the talk.” Regardless of the name, it is almost always associated with feelings of awkwardness, anxiety, and uneasiness. “The talk” consists of a discussion between parents and their child(ren) about sex and sexuality. Many young people are…