What is sexual health frequently asked questions ?

What is masturbation and is it OK to do it?
Masturbation is when a man or a woman stimulates their own genitals. It is a natural way to explore your own sexual urges and desires and masturbating allows you to learn about your body. There are no medical or health consequences associated with masturbating, however care should be taken if using sex toys.

Never share sex toys without first thoroughly cleaning them or using a condom. Some religions forbid it, but masturbation is generally regarded as a normal activity.

How can you tell if someone has a STD?
It is often not possible to tell if someone has an STD. Sometimes you may see sores or warts around the genital area, but not everyone has these signs. Most people pass on STDs without knowing that they are infected, so it is advisable to use a condom everytime you have sexual intercourse. Sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV or chlamydia do not show any visible signs in the early stages, and a test is the only way of identifying infection.

Can you get pregnant by swallowing semen?
Semen contains millions of sperm which, in order to fertilise an egg, have to travel up the vagina, through the cervix and uterus to the awaiting egg in the fallopian tubes. The egg cannot be fertilised by semen that has travelled down the throat.

How do you know if you are pregnant?
A woman can fall pregnant by having unprotected intercourse or having a man ejaculate near the vaginal opening. Missing a menstrual period is usually the first sign of pregnancy. But some women may have a period that is shorter, with less bleeding, than normal. If a period is missed or is unusual, pregnancy is possible.

Other signs of pregnancy include: tender breasts, the need to urinate more than normal, nausea (not restricted to mornings) tiredness and an increase in weight. If pregnancy is suspected, it should be checked by a doctor, a family planning clinic or with a home pregnancy test. The only way to be sure you are pregnant is to have a proper test.

What is a head job?
A head job or blow job are slang terms for oral sex or fellatio. Oral sex is when the mouth, tongue and lips are used to suck and caress the penis until orgasm is reached. There is some debate about the likelihood of contracting HIV from oral sex, so to be totally sure always use a condom. The risk of HIV transmission through oral sex is generally considered to be very low.

What is an erection?
An erection occurs when a man is sexually aroused or 'turned on' either by physical or visual stimulation. During this stimulation the penis becomes rigid as blood rushes to the genital area and fills the erectile tissues. When boys are going through puberty they can experience erections caused by nothing more than overactive hormones.

How do you lose your virginity?
Having sexual intercourse is the only way of losing your virginity. In girls, the traditional symbol of virginity is the unbroken hymen. The hymen is the membrane that covers part of the inside of the vagina. Not all girls are born with a hymen. Apart from intercourse the hymen can be broken by using tampons, or in some sports such as horse riding or cycling. Many women are unaware of ever having a hymen - they were either not born with one, or it broke when they were very young.

What does frigid mean?
Frigid is a word that is used to describe someone who doesn't like or doesn't want to have sex. It is often used to pressure a person into having sex by making them feel abnormal. Saying no to sex is not abnormal and nobody should be pressured into having sex because friends do it or because someone might call you frigid if you don't agree to it.

Do all women have orgasms?
No, there are some women, who, because of physical or emotional problems never have an orgasm. Most women find it difficult to orgasm purely by vaginal stimulation during intercourse. Clitoral stimulation is the most successful way for most women to experience an orgasm. Problems having an orgasm are treatable so if you think you have a problem seek help.

Why does my vagina smell?
The vagina is self-cleansing, the normal bacteria that live inside it produce lactic acid. This acid environment keeps the vagina healthy. At certain times of a woman's cycle the secretions may have a slightly stronger odour. This is normal and natural, however if the odour becomes stronger than usual an infection or STD may be present so medical advice should be sought. Vaginal deodorants are not advised as they can affect the balance within the vagina and cause infections. The vulva and vaginal opening should be washed daily with a mild soap.

Is it OK to have sex during my period?
There is no medical reason why you shouldn't have sex during menstruation. Some people don't like sex while menstruating, others do. It's purely a personal preference. A condom should always be used because you can still fall pregnant during your period and the transmission of HIV through menstrual blood is possible.

Why does my vagina sometimes get wet when I kiss my boyfriend?
Just as men have a sexual response to stimuli with an erection, women have a message sent to their genitals to prepare for sex. The wetness is the vagina producing a lubricant in readiness for intercourse.

If you don't have sex can you still get AIDS?
There are two major causes of HIV infection:

1. Vaginal or anal intercourse, or oral-genital contact with an HIV infected person.
2. Sharing a hypodermic needle or syringe with an HIV infected person.

HIV can also be transmitted from a mother to her baby during pregnancy, childbirth or while breast-feeding. Prior to 1985 and the introduction of compulsory screening of all blood products, HIV could be transmitted through medical procedures that involved exchanging blood or blood products or semen, such as transfusions, organ transplants or sperm donation.

Four events must take place before a person can become infected with HIV:

1. HIV must leave the body of an infected person.

2. HIV must survive in the environment outside the person's body. It is a fragile virus and cannot survive outside a human cell for much more than 4 hours under ideal conditions. HIV is also destroyed by bleach, soap and other disinfectants.

3. HIV must enter the bloodstream of another person - either by being pushed into an opening or injected directly. This entry is made easier if tiny cuts, sores or abrasions or inflammation caused from infections like STDs are present on parts of the skin.

4. There has to be a sufficient quantity of HIV to cause infection. The only body fluids that can carry enough HIV to cause infection are: blood (and blood products like pus), semen, pre-cum, vaginal secretions or breast milk. The smallest amount of these fluids can cause infection.

Body fluids that may contain small amounts of HIV but not enough to cause infection are:

* saliva
* urine
* faeces
* vomit
* tears
* sweat

What does it feel like to have sex?
Having sex for the first time may leave you disappointed, and may make you feel that it is all a little over rated. Apart from the clumsiness and embarrassment, there may be a little discomfort and some bleeding for the girl. This is normal if the hymen is broken during penetration. The subsequent experiences should be enjoyable as long as both of you are ready for it and have discussed the impact it will have on your lives and your relationship.

How do you use a condom?
Putting on a condom can be fun and could play a part in foreplay. Before using condoms always check the use-by date on the packet as latex deteriorates. The penis must be erect before a condom can be put on. Squeeze the air out of the teat at the end of the condom to allow space for the semen and gently roll the condom down over the penis. Be sure to roll it as far as it will go. Only use water-based lubricants with condoms. Oil-based lubricants can weaken the rubber which can lead to the condom splitting or tearing.

After ejaculation withdraw the penis before the erection is lost, holding the rim of the condom to the base of the penis to ensure no semen escapes before withdrawal and the condom does not slip off in the vagina. Take the condom off and be careful not to spill any of the semen. Tie a knot at the top. Never dispose of the condom in the toilet, throw it in the bin. If used correctly and everytime you have intercourse condoms are 99% effective.

Should you have a pap smear if you have sex?
Yes. A pap smear should be taken every two years once you have had intercourse. The first smear should be taken about two years after the first intercourse. Early detection of cancerous or pre-cancerous cells can save your life because early detection is critical to effective treatment. Cervical cancer is the sixth most common cancer in Australian women. Condoms may reduce the risk of cervical cancer by eliminating the transmission of STDs which may be one of the factors which cause abnormalities in the cells of the cervix.

My penis doesn't hang straight and it has a slight curve to the right. Is this normal?
It is quite normal for a man's penis to hang to one side, and the slight curve should be of no concern. If you have a chronic bend when your penis is erect, however, you should talk to your doctor and perhaps a urologist.

One of my testicles hangs lower than the other. Is there something wrong with me?
This is quite normal and there is nothing wrong with you. If you find any lumps or swelling in your testicles see your doctor as soon as possible.

When I have sex with my girlfriend I sometimes lose my erection. Do I have a problem? It is important to discuss this problem with your girlfriend and you may find that this is not as big an issue with her as it is with you. Performance anxiety can have a lot to do with this problem and once you realise that you are both pleasuring each other enough, the rest will happen naturally. If this really does become a problem see a doctor. Erection difficulties can be effectively treated so seek help.

How do I persuade my partner to perform oral sex on me?
If your partner is uncomfortable with performing oral sex, you should discuss the reasons. If they have a problem with hygiene assure them that there are more germs in the mouth than on the vagina or penis. Discuss what you both like or dislike and don't feel pressured into doing something you do not want to. If your partner is not interested in performing oral sex, enjoy the many other pleasures you can share together.

How do you insert a tampon?
Make sure that you wash your hands before and after inserting a tampon. Remove the wrapper and handle the tampon as little as possible. There are a few different positions that can be used for easy insertion, you may need to try which suits you best. You can sit, squat or put one foot up on a chair or toilet - remember that in these positions the vagina slopes backwards at about 30 degrees so the tampon needs to be angled to follow the back wall of the vagina. The position needs to allow for the easiest angle to push the tampon into the vagina. Hold onto the base of the tampon and the string and gently push it into the vagina as far as it will go. It is impossible for the tampon to go too far or get lost. If it is difficult to push the tampon in use a little lubricant on the end. There may be some pressure on insertion - this is caused by the muscles that will hold the tampon in place. You will know your tampon is ready to change when you pull lightly on the string and feel the tampon dislodges easily. However never leave a tampon in position for more than about 4 hours. It is recommended that a sanitary pad be used at night instead of a tampon.

Is anal sex a good idea? Unprotected anal sex is one of the high risk behaviors associated with HIV/AIDS. The anus has a more fragile lining than the vagina that can tear very easily. If infected semen or blood enter the body here the chance of contracting HIV is extremely high. Use of a condom whenever performing anal sex is vital.

Can a man control his erection?
A man can have an erection by thinking of or seeing something that stimulates him. He can also be turned off by an outside distraction or thought, thus losing his erection. Boys going through puberty who have overactive hormones sometimes have no control on where, when or why they may have an erection. It's not necessary to ejaculate to make an erection go away.

Is it safe to have sex with an uncircumcised man?
Whether a man is circumcised or not makes no difference to whether sex is safe or not. The only way to have safe sex is to use a condom.

Do condoms make a difference to how sex feels?
Some men say that condoms reduce the sensitivity of the penis. Some women find the dryness of a condom uncomfortable. Both of these problems can be overcome by using lubricant on the inside of the teat of the condom and over the outside of the condom to reduce friction. The level of pleasure is only reduced slightly by using a condom.