Risks associated with oral sex: Oral sex refers to sexual activities involving the stimulation of the genitalia by the use of the mouth, tongue, teeth or throat. ‘Cunnilingus’ refers to oral sex performed on females. ‘Cunnilingus’ comes from a Latin word for vulva (a woman's exterior sex organs), cunnus, and from the Latin word for licking, lingere. ‘Fellatio’ refer to oral sex performed on males. Fellatio comes from the Latin word fellare, meaning to suck. ‘Analingus’ refers to oral stimulation of a person's anus. Oral stimulation of other parts of the body (as in kissing and licking) is usually not considered oral sex. What are the Risks of Oral Sex? There is a commonly held belief among many lay people that oral sex carries little or no risk. In fact, some consider oral sex a safer sex alternative. But the truth is, like any other sexual activity, oral sex carries a risk of transmitting – •Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) •Chlamydia •Gonorrhea •Herpes •Hepatitis •HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) If the receiving partner has wounds or open sores on their genitals, or if the giving partner has wounds or open sores on or in their mouth, or bleeding gums, this poses an increased risk of STDs transmission. Brushing the teeth, flossing, undergoing dental work, or eating crunchy foods, such as chips relatively soon before or after giving oral sex, can also increase the risk of transmission, because all of these activities can cause small scratches in the lining of the mouth. These wounds, even when they are microscopic, increase the chances of contracting STDs that can be transmitted orally under these conditions. Such contact can also lead to more mundane infections from common bacteria and viruses found in, around, and secreted from the genital regions. The risk is even greater in serodiscordant couples (one partner is HIV positive while the other is negative), people who are not monogamous, or in people who inject drugs and/or share needles and syringes. Which Behaviors are the … [Read more...]
Circumcision does not protect men from sexual diseases
Another sexual health myth was busted. Contrary to popular opinion, Circumcision does not protect men from Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs). This was revealed in a study by New Zealand researchers on 499 men of which 40% were circumscribed. 23.4% of circumscribed men reported having had any type of sexual disease by age 32. This was 23.5% in uncircumcised men. Researchers took sexual behaviours and socioeconomic factors into consideration. Most common Sexual Transmitted diseases: 1. Genital warts. 2. Chlamydia. 3. Genital herpes. This research study was published in the Journal of Pediatrics. Another study by New Zealand researchers found 50% reduction in getting STDs in circumscribed men. Scientific community has divided opinion on the health benefits of Circumcision and its role in attaining sexual satisfaction. Nerve rich foreskin plays vital role in getting sexual orgasm in uncircumcised men but it also cause pain in some men during intercourse. … [Read more...]
Sex Survey on low testosterone levels
25% of US men over 30 years have low testosterone levels but only 5% of men have shown symptoms, according to a latest survey on sexual health. More than 4.5 million Americans suffer from low testosterone symptoms. This survey highlighted the fact that all men with low testosterone do not show symptomatic androgen deficiency. This survey was conducted on 1,500 men in Boston area by New England Research Institute researchers. This sexual research report was published in the “Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”. Even though sex hormone levels fall gradually with ageing (from 30 years onwards), unlike women, men do not symptoms of hormone deficiency. From 30 years onwards, testosterone levels decline by 1% a year. Androgen deficiency symptoms: These occur in 3-7% of men under 70 years age and around 20% in men over 70 years age. By 2025, more than 6.5 million American men will suffer from androgen defeciency symptoms. 1. Erectile Dysfunction. 2. Lack of sex drive. 3. Bone loss or osteoporosis. 4. Sleep disturbances and lethargy. 5. Depression. 6. Diminished physical performance. Low testosterone: It is defined as 300 ng/dl of total testosterone and less than 5 ng/dl of free testosterone. Who need testosterone replacement therapy? Men with symptomatic androgen deficiency clearly benefit from testosterone replacement therapy. Contraindications: 1. Men with prostate cancer. 2. Symptom less testosterone decline. 3. Fall in testosterone levels with age. Who are at high risk for androgen deficiency? 1. Men with a waist line over 40. 2. Uncontrolled blood pressure. 3. Signs of Insulin resistance. All the above points fall under Metabolic Syndrome. Testosterone replacement therapy may protect these men from coronary artery disease and other harmful effects of metabolic syndrome. Men with low testosterone levels without any disease or anatomical abnormality should receive treatment as it prevents bone loss in them. … [Read more...]
Viagra for women – Is it enough?
German drugmaker Boehringer Ingelheim accidentally discovered Viagra for women. The company is originally doing research on Anti depressants. But, clinical trials provided surprise results. The drug actually increased sexual urge. Business week published an article on Viagra for women. Read it. According the Pfizer, the drug's manufacturer, Viagra has been prescribed for some 150,000 women. Female sexual dysfunction is characterized by a lack of desire, arousal and orgasm. Hypertension, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, thyroid disorders, neurological diseases and autoimmune disorders like lupus can all contribute to a woman's lack of sexual desire. But, Women's lack of sexual desire is mainly attributed to psychological reasons instead of physical reasons. Viagra works for both men and women by increasing the blood flow to the genitals. Women need this blood flow, just as men do, to achieve sexual arousal. But, psychological aspect is need to be addressed through the advice of psychiatrist or sexologist. Please comment on this article. … [Read more...]
Smoking leads to infertility
Smoking can cause infertility by changing the sequence of DNA in sperm cells. These changes could be inherited to their offspring and make them infertile. So smokers not only damage themselves but also their children. According to a research study published in the American cancer association journal, smoking causes mutations in the DNA which were inherited by their children and suffer from infertility in the adulthood. Potential damage is directly proportional to the duration of exposure. Most frightening thing is these mutations are irreversible. Smoking mother harm their foetuses while smoking father cause infertility. It is still not known whether these changes are inherited to their grand children. Smoking accounts for 10% of medical deaths worldwide. Lung cancer is the major disease due to smoking. Smoking people are in declining in developed countries due to health education. Asian countries are experiencing unexpected rise in smoking habits due to little knowledge about its harmful effects. Please stay away from this killing bad habit. … [Read more...]
