22, female, bisexual. i got tested for stds about three months ago after a few one-night stands, and i ordered the whole battery of tests. planned parenthood never called me, which i assume meant i was negative for everything. i have not had sex since being tested, but today i found a red bump down around my genitals. there also appears to be another red bump forming. it's probably just ingrown hairs, since i shave down there, but now i am really worried its herpes. what are the chances that planned parenthood didn't catch the herpes and never called me? are herpes red? please help, i can't find anything online, and i can't get to the doctor for another week!

There is a blood test that detects the presence of genital herpes, but the best and most accurate test is to take a sample from a potential sore. The sores or lesions are red, but when fully developed (be cautious, NSFW image), they are pustule and very painful. Oftentimes during an outbreak, urinating can be painful too.

If these red bumps are not painful and look like a typical ingrown hair, then it probably is, but the only way you’ll know for sure is to see a doctor.

And let me give you 1000 standing ovations for getting tested. You are being responsible with your health. I wish more were like you.

female, straight, 15
ok i'm confused about this. if two virgins have unprotected sex can either one get an STD? or can you only get an STD from someone who's carrying one? stupid question i know :)

Typically you can only get an STD if your partner has one. However, there are some STIs even virgins are at risk for like herpes and bacterial vaginosis. Oral herpes can easily be turned into genital herpes. All it takes is for someone with a present cold sore to either touch the sore and then their or their partner’s genitals or perform oral on someone else.

After a first time cherry popping, even fresh non-virgins can be susceptible to other un-fun infections that aren’t STIs. Most common is probably the urinary tract infection.

17 f straight
after my guy fingered me he very candidly told me his hand smelled.
how should i react to this?

Did he say what you smelled like? All ladies have a smell, and it’s important to know your own. An odd odor can sometimes mean a sign of an infection or STI. I’m not quite sure how you should react to a comment like his. Maybe a thank you? Maybe ask him if you smell like fish? Maybe you smell sweet. It’s rumored eatting pineapple will do that to you.

Hello! I just want to make a comment on orgasms caused by showerheads and douching. Over doing the two, or either/or can cause Bacterial Vaginosis = unhappy inner temple. Don't really know how to remedy this.

Douching is never a good idea. When I referred to the shower head, I meant using it in a bath with only water. Douching actually kills all kinds of good bacteria in our vagina. Without it, we would easily get a yeast infection, and there’s no reason why you would want or need your vagina to smell like Summer’s Eve.

As for the BV, that is something your doctor has to treat. Usually you get prescribed a jelly-like antibiotic you insert into your vaginal canal. It comes in a contraption similar to a tampon applicator.

Hi, I want to have sex with someone who has had sex with around 300+ people. We have been talking for a little over a year now and i've gotten to know him pretty well. I have an enormous crush on him and i wouldnt mind taking the relationship to another level. He obviously is really interested in a sexual relationship, but considering he has had sex with so so so many other woman...im concerned he may not be all that clean (even though he says he is). Im not sure what i should do, so any advice will help. please and thank you :):) (female,straight,twenty)

Do you trust him? You’ve know him for a long time, but now you need to ask yourself if you really trust him. If you do, then you should feel comfortable taking his word. If you don’t, then it’s not unreasonable to ask him to get tested again (especially if he’s slept with people since his last testing). You could also offer to get tested yourself as well (which any sexual active lady should do at least once a year).

And of course, should the two of you decide to have sex, then use protection and be safe. Becoming sexually active means accepting a responsibility. It means you’re willing to be honest with partners, keep their safety in mind, and stay on top of your health by getting tested. People with 3, 30, or 300 partners should adhere to these rules because numbers are simply irrelevant.

I'm a male. If I go in for a standard STD test, what procedures should I expect to have done to me?

Once again, another answer provided from the male perspective by Andrew.

Typically, you can expect a blood test and/or a probe into the urethra via cotton swab. It doesn’t hurt too much. In fact, some men actually like it. They have a word for it just to describe the practice of entering the male urethra for pleasure. It’s called “sounding.” For those of you men who enjoy urethral insertion, rest assured that you aren’t alone in this fetish.

Can i still get a sexually transmitted disease even if i use a condom. I mean i know they say it doesnt protect you from it...but how likely is it?

When used correctly, condoms are 99% effective in preventing STD/STI transmission and pregnancy. If your partner has and STI that is centered on the outer genitals, then a condom will not be effective. These infections include scabies, herpes, genital warts, and pubic lice.

Hello! I'm a 17-year-old straight female from Texas. My boyfriend and I want to have sex, but we're making sure to try to take all the precautions we can. It would be the first time for the both of us. I'd like to start taking birth control. The thing is, I don't know where I could get some. I live in a small town and there are no Planned Parenthood places or anything like that. My mom isn't too keen on me taking birth control, or having sex at all, really. Where could I discretely get some contraceptives? Is it possible to get them online?

My computer is back which means I can start posting regularly once again. Sorry for the hiatus.

Unfortunately, you cannot get birth control online. Is there a public clinic in your area? Depending on the laws and services available in your county, you may be able to get birth control at public clinics. Just do a Google search for “[your area] public clinics,” or go to your city website. You should be able to find something.

If you can’t get birth control, then use condoms. They are easy to get, and don’t have age restrictions. You might be deterred by them because some people say sex doesn’t feel the same without one. I think that’s a lame excuse for preventing safe sex. Not only do they prevent pregnancy, but they also prevent STDs/STIs (something the pill does not). And if you are both virgins, you won’t even know what sex without a condom feels like. If you don’t know, then you don’t have anything to compare it to. I utilize this thinking as well.

I've had BV (diagnosed by my doctor) off and on since I was around 14 and a virgin. I'm now 22 and not a virgin. Have you heard of virgins getting BV before?

(I'm female & hetero)

A study done in 2001 found a 17-year-old female virgin constantly suffering bacterial vaginosis — even after treatment. Turns out she actually had something called Gardnerella vaginalis. You might want to talk to your doctor about this as it could be the solution to your problem.

Also, are you douching? If so, stop because it can also cause BV. Don’t flush out that good bacteria. It only causes problems.