Go Ask Alice!: Sexual Health

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Sexual Health

	Safer Sex
	Allergic to latex AND polyurethane — other condom options? Tell partner I think I have HIV? Olive oil as anal sex lubricant? Differences between polyurethane and latex condoms Why is testing of asymptomatic STIs not routine? An explanation of condom failure rates Let's go condom shopping! Brands, sizes, textures — what to buy? My partner's condom keeps coming off inside me — why? Safer sex between women What is a female condom? Five kinds of condoms: A guide for consumers Is safer sex possible in a swimming pool or hot tub? Where can I get dams for oral sex? Oral sex and herpes — a triple header Is pulling out safe? Are two condoms better than one? Sex in a hot tub safe? Can one get an STI from safer sex with a sex worker? How to use a condom properly — avoid breakage or slippage
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	Contraception
		Condoms
		Allergic to latex AND polyurethane — other condom options? Differences between polyurethane and latex condoms Condom sizes... how do I know what fits? Condoms in wallets — safe? Condom expiration dates Small penis — will my condom fall off? Can't find a condom with an elastic ring that fits me! Bathroom birth control — Are condoms from vending machines safe? Camping with condoms: Are they biodegradable? Environmentally-friendly condom disposal Putting a condom on a penis with a foreskin An explanation of condom failure rates Silicone-coated condoms — Cool? Condom fun and games Let's go condom shopping! Brands, sizes, textures — what to buy? My partner's condom keeps coming off inside me — why? Condom comes off and takes hair with it — ouch! Do textured condoms heighten sexual pleasure? Are polyurethane condoms as effective as latex ones? What is a female condom? Five kinds of condoms: A guide for consumers Are thinner or ultra sensitive condoms as effective as regular ones? Is safer sex possible in a swimming pool or hot tub? Condoms with nonoxynol-9 (N-9) — do they increase HIV risk? Allergic to latex condoms Refrain from using frozen condoms? Can condom stay if erection went away? When's the right time to put on a condom? Condom too tight -- Worried about breaks Petroleum jelly — Good or bad as lube for condoms? Do polyurethane condoms protect as well against STIs as latex? Are two condoms better than one? Embarrassed about buying condoms Yeast infection with condom use? Decisions, decisions — condoms, sex, etc. Common reasons for condom failure Condoms too small? How to use a condom properly — avoid breakage or slippage Graceful way to take off condom? Four week relationship — Time to stop using condoms? Condom broke and I’m feeling itchy Two virgins -- Use condoms?
		Birth control pills
		Probiotics and birth control effectiveness Why do I menstruate while on birth control? Extended-cycle birth control pills: Putting periods on hold I need free birth control! Please? The birth control pill and smoking What are the long-term effects of birth control pills? Switching birth control pills - Pregnancy risks? Questions about going off of birth control pills What are the differences among birth control pills? Do birth control pills cause brain aneurysms? Birth control pill for acne: Will it also protect against pregnancy? I took two birth control pills in a day -- What now? Birth control pills causing my low sex drive? Yasmin: A new birth control pill Can oral contraceptives cause an abortion? Need birth control pills, but scared of visiting the gyno Male birth control pill — available? Can the pill cause skin discoloration? Cost and coverage of birth control pills at Columbia Can you order birth control pills over the Internet without a prescription or examination? The pill — where do I get it and do my parents have to know? Does taking the pill increase the size of your breasts? Birth control pill -- effective in first month? Birth control pills to regulate period and acne? Tetracycline and the Pill Sex during period... on pill... Safe? The Pill and Infertility? Risk of Blood Clots with the Pill? Antibiotics and the birth control pill The pill and orgasms The birth control pill and breast cancer Birth control pills and weight gain How many birth control pills can be taken after unprotected sex for emergency contraception? The pill and Zantac? Going off the pill — when will period come? Lost a birth control pill — what to do? Birth control pills for non-CU partner?
		Other hormonal options and choices
		Mirena: Is it safe for a woman without children? Effectiveness of hormonal birth control while on antibiotics? New contraceptive implant for American women? New partner = New IUD? Contraceptive ring and oral pleasuring: Will the hormones affect oral sex giver? Mirena: Another new birth control option New contraception: Implanon? The NuvaRing — another birth control option The contraceptive patch: A new birth control option Hair loss with Depo-provera? IUD (Intrauterine Device): Another birth control option Getting off Depo-provera — How long will it take for me to get pregnant? Depo-Provera, less sex drive? Depo-Provera Current contraceptive choices for men?
		Non-hormonal options and choices
		Contraceptive "gold" for men? Hormonal birth control not an option — blood clotting disorder Does washing immediately after intercourse prevent pregnancy? New partner = New IUD? Diaphragm discomfort Are there alternatives to nonoxynol-9 spermicide? Non-surgical contraception options for men — new methods coming? Tubal ligation IUD (Intrauterine Device): Another birth control option Vaginal contraceptive film Sponge... worthy as form of contraception? Is pulling out safe? Reversible vasectomy? Spermicide effectiveness Diaphragm effectiveness Current contraceptive choices for men? Where are contraceptive sponges? Condom slipped off — will spermicide prevent pregnancy?
		Emergency contraception
		Plan B side-effects? Is emergency contraception effective if I've had unprotected intercourse many times on one occasion? Is repeat use of emergency contraception safe? Where can you get the morning after pill? Emergency contraception basic information Emergency contraception? Morning after pill How many birth control pills can be taken after unprotected sex for emergency contraception?
	Implanon and bleeding between periods
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	Reproduction
		Fertility
		Trying to conceive — why am I not pregnant yet? Sperm motility How do I tell my girlfriend I'm sterile? I want to be fertile when I'm ready to have a baby Is it possible to menstruate without ovulating? What health effects will a woman with one ovary experience? Why does it take millions of sperm to fertilize an egg? Is it risky to have a baby after turning thirty-five? Can ovarian cysts cause infertility? Are men born with sperm? Women and their eggs: How many and for how long? Semen Goes Where? Sex in a hot tub safe? Boxers or briefs? Fertile times?
		Pregnancy
		Intercourse just before child birth? Pumping breast milk on campus at Columbia Trying to conceive — why am I not pregnant yet? Probability of having twins hereditary? Is there any lubricant that's safe for baby-making sex? Unbearable morning sickness Fetal alcohol syndrome Anal sex: Safe with baby-on-the-way? Resuming intercourse after childbirth — How long do we need to wait? Is it risky to have a baby after turning thirty-five? Smoking pot while pregnant — will it harm the baby later on? It's a bird! It's a plane! It's super sperm? Finding a name for my baby-to-be Morning sickness while pregnant Pregnant from semen in mouth? Lower chance of pregnancy if woman is on top during sex? Diabetes during pregnancy (Gestational Diabetes) We're pregnant: Can we still have sex? Episiotomy, childbirth, and vaginal tightening Free from pregnancy worries Pregnancy test — how soon after sex? Running okay when pregnant? Successful sperm Woman masturbates alone — Pregnant? Anal sex — Pregnant? Odds that she’s pregnant? Options if she is? Oral sex — Pregnant? Masturbation before intercourse: Pregnant? Pregnant from pre-cum? Pre-pregnancy planning at Columbia Can you get pregnant the first time? Trying to get pregnant Morning sickness Late period Light period = Pregnant? Pregnant without intercourse?
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	Pregnancy options
	Pregnant and studying abroad where abortion is not legal Does having an abortion hurt? Why can't a woman have sex for a few weeks after an abortion? Parental consent for abortion? Effects of multiple abortions Where can pregnant women get adoption information? Are there safe ways to induce a miscarriage? Abortion two weeks after sex -- Possible? Odds that she’s pregnant? Options if she is? Abortion after 26 weeks?
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	Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
		General
		Urine STI test What STIs are "testable" — and who is infected, anyway? Blood test for STI Why is testing of asymptomatic STIs not routine? Sores on vaginal area — scared to visit a health care provider Safer sex between women Foaming after sex Is there a difference between bacterial and viral STIs? Where can I get dams for oral sex? Is pulling out safe? What's an STD? What happens if you eat your own sperm? Burning urination How to ask your honey if they have any infections Is ejaculating on breasts considered safer sex? Oral sex risks with no condom? Ex has an STI — tell my current partner? Questions about sex, pregnancy, and STIs at Columbia Can one get an STI from safer sex with a sex worker? Burning when I pee?
		AIDS/HIV
		Tell partner I think I have HIV? How effective is at-home HIV testing kit? Sunken cheeks — HIV? Herpes increases risk of getting HIV? HIV-Positive visitor — What are the risks? HIV risk from finger in vagina? Confused about HIV transmission statistics Waiter, there's blood in my soup — does the chef have any diseases? HIV from a needle stick? Dating someone who's HIV-positive Why can't men who have sex with men donate blood? False-positive HIV test? Condoms with nonoxynol-9 (N-9) — do they increase HIV risk? HIV testing at Columbia: Can unaffiliated partners of students be tested? HIV transmission through urine? HIV from lap dancer's hands? Should I get tested for HIV? Blood donor has false positive HIV test result -- What does this mean? No rejected blood donations = No HIV? Oral sex, HIV,... and braces HIV Transmission: When Does it Show up on a Blood Test? HIV scared How long does an HIV test take? HIV antibodies at 3 or 6 months Can you get HIV/AIDS from raw meat? AIDS from handjob? HIV and Heterosexual intercourse HIV transmission from receiving oral sex? Sex with prostitute — HIV? HIV transmission and cunnilingus AIDS from mosquito bite? Falling in love with a person who is HIV-positive HIV from kissing? Condom = safer male to male oral sex? Karposi's sarcoma? What is AIDS? Kissed by someone with HIV — infected? HIV from oral sex with no condoms? Risk of oral sex with no ejaculation? AIDS: Flu-like symptoms? Signs and symptoms of AIDS
		Chlamydia
		Nongonococcal urethritis (NGU) Someone got chlamydia on my bed! Chlamydia on sex toys Chlamydia? Chlamydia from a toilet seat? What is chlamydia?
		Genital warts/HPV/Condyloma
		Will masturbating spread genital warts? HPV vaccine for genital warts and cervical cancer Clear of HPV symptoms — clear of virus? Scrotum condoms to prevent genital wart transmission? How to tell mollusca from genital warts Another treatment option for genital warts Dormant genital warts? Inactive? Gone? No symptoms, but concerned about genital warts Long term effects of genital warts for women What do genital warts look like? Transmission of genital warts AND medical reference book
		Hepatitis
		Waiter, there's blood in my soup — does the chef have any diseases? Hep C and sexual transmission Hep B vaccine — how often? Chronic Hep B carrier? Hepatitis C Hepatitis B lowdown
		Herpes
		Herpes — Home remedies for symptoms? Herpes increases risk of getting HIV? Misdiagnosed with herpes? Possible herpes outbreak on shoulders and legs? I became intimate with someone before telling him I have herpes — Now what? Clearing the confusion over herpes types 1 and 2 Surprise, my partner gave me herpes! Herpes transmission from sharing soap? Herpes info for lesbians Oral sex and herpes — a triple header Partner's last herpes episode was more than 3 years ago - Am I at risk? Now that your partner knows you have herpes... How to tell partner about herpes? Once is enough for Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (HSV1) Scared and hopeless with herpes, too Infected with herpes — can I donate blood? Shedding light on viral shedding Herpes from a tanning bed? Cold sores vs. canker sores — Oral sex risks? Testing for asymptomatic herpes Oral sex with canker sores Herpes recurs more often in the wintertime? Scared and hopeless with herpes What is herpes? Herpes on the mouth — contagious? Pus-filled vaginal sores
		Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
		Frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs) - Help! Sex with urinary tract infections (UTIs)? Finger from anus into vagina: Okay? Recurring UTI — what can I do? Ouch! Burning pee! Is this a urinary tract infection (UTI)? Do I have a UTI? How do I know? Urinary-yeast infection cycle?
		Yeast infection
		Jock itch and yeast infection: Is there a connection? Concerned about partner's yeast infection Embarrassed to see gyn for possible yeast infection Chronic Yeast Infections? Yogurt for yeast infections? Yeast infection with condom use? Yeast infection prevention Getting rid of a yeast infection Urinary-yeast infection cycle? Sexual transmission of a yeast infection?
		Other STIs
		Nongonococcal urethritis (NGU) Molluscum still contagious after treatment? Chancroid — what's that? How to tell mollusca from genital warts What is cervicitis? What is bacterial vaginosis? Gonorrhea Tricky trichomonas Crabs and nit-picking Pubic lice/crabs... get them off me! Symptoms of gonorrhea
	Too old for HPV vaccine — am I at risk?
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	Men's sexual health
	Prostate cancer seed implant — stay away from pregnant women? Traumatic Masturbatory Syndrome (TMS)? Condoms and a headstrong foreskin Connection between ejaculation frequency and prostate health Frenulum breve, foreskin doesn't fully retract when penis is erect — surgery? Circumcision and sex Holding your pee — will it damage the prostate? Can breaking my penis affect it's size? Epididymitis Urethritis, or what? Men's hot flashes: Andropause? When a man sounds like a woman... Is it possible to "break" your penis? Penis pain could be phimosis Retrograde ejaculation: Can it be 'reversed'? Do no testicles mean no erection? (Testicular torsion) Tired of waiting for puberty A penis with two holes (Hypospadias) Will just one testicle tamper with sex life and fatherhood? Kicked between his legs — Pain? Sterility? Testicular self-exams — how? What's up with morning erections? Testicle pressure, blood in semen — serious? Foreskin rocks Blood in semen White spots on penis and tight foreskin More About Bumps and Lumps on Penis Bumps/lumps on penis Bumps on inner thighs? Warts? Molluscum? Varicose vein in testicle Testicle hurts Mumps and swelling of the testes — Affect fertility? Prostatitis Reddish lesions on penis Pain after masturbating at night Purple mark on penis? Two streams of urine?
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	Women's sexual health
	Pregnant and studying abroad where abortion is not legal Yeast infection with every menstrual cycle? Microperforate hymen hurts! Breast lump appears each month — problem? Mirena: Is it safe for a woman without children? Probiotics and birth control effectiveness Plan B side-effects? Pumping breast milk on campus at Columbia Why do I menstruate while on birth control? Frequent cycling — reduced sexual sensation for women? Too old for HPV vaccine — am I at risk? Baths — OK for the vagina? Cunnilingus and sore throat? Thongs — cause UTIs or yeast infections? Circumcision and sex Addicted to lube? When is it okay to start having intercourse after a LEEP? Heavy bleeding during period Nervous about nipple-play’s effects on nursing Showerhead fun: Safe? I've had my period for three straight months! Is it possible to menstruate without ovulating? Dermoid cyst Lumpy breasts What health effects will a woman with one ovary experience? Breast reduction surgery Too early pubic hair? Vaginal smegma? What causes menstrual cramps? I did not have sexual intercourse in a while, and had a vaginal bleeding after a recent intercourse — why? When is the first day of a woman's menstrual cycle? More about Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) What?s the connection between DES and dysplasia? Egg donation — what's the process and is it safe? Tilted uterus Pelvic congestion - Is it a real condition? What is vulvodynia and vulvular vestibulitis? Hymen replacement surgery Breast tenderness related to menstruation Paget's disease is real (but rare), not another e-mailhoax Testing for premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) Mammogram Natural lifts for sagging breasts? Foods that minimize menstrual cramps? Interstitial cystitis Can ovarian cysts cause infertility? What is cervicitis? What is bacterial vaginosis? Polycystic ovary syndrome My vagina won't stop dripping — Help! Hysterectomy Gastrointestinal upset worsens around the time I get my period Labia lump is bartholin cyst Menstrual synchrony: Fact or fiction? Safer sex between women How soon after a miscarriage can you have sex? Mismatched breasts Sagging breasts I fear, from not wearing brassiere It's a desert down there: Help for vaginal dryness Finger from anus into vagina: Okay? Douching Is it okay to have a Pap test during your period? What is normal vaginal discharge? Can I reschedule my period? After intercourse or sex play, vaginal bleeding for days... Normal? Loss of periods from intense workouts? Less painful Pap smears? The ins and outs of menstrual cups — How do they differ from tampons and pads? Fourteen and still boobless Must I have a bust? If my family has a history of breast cancer, when do I need to get a mammogram? Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP) What is Colposcopy? Lost Tampon Multiple sex partners = greater risk of cervical cancer? What is dysplasia? Chocolate cravings and PMS Missed periods Cyst on ovary Does a virgin need a pap smear? Ovarian cysts Spotting between cycles Saline breast implants Tampons or Pads? Menopause Gynecologist for the first time Swimming when menstruating — without tampons? Fibroadenoma Coffee and breast cysts PMS is driving me crazy! Woman's menstrual cycle The birth control pill and breast cancer Bleeding from Pap smear — normal? Letting my vagina breathe at night Did I have a miscarriage? Going off the pill — when will period come? First gynecological exam Bloated and sick around period
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	Miscellaneous
	Frequent cycling — reduced sexual sensation for women? Olive oil as anal sex lubricant? Circumcision and sex Depo lupron and premature puberty: Are there any other treatments? Hypogonadism? Too early pubic hair? Birth control pills causing my low sex drive? The distinction between male and female circumcision Castration effects Nipple "erections" — why? Foaming after sex Douching Bled from rough sex — Should I see a doctor? Allergic to semen?
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