How could you Not wear a Condom?

FDA Issues Final Rule on Condom Labeling

After an extended review, the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently published final rules governing the labeling of male latex condoms. Following the evaluation of both clinical and epidemiological research as well as public comments on proposed changes to labeling, the FDA concluded that “scientific evidence today continues to fully support the overall effectiveness of latex condoms in reducing the risk of transmission of common STIs.”

Changes to condom labeling were originally proposed in 2005. Among the proposed changes at that time included language specific to STDs: “Condoms provide less protection for certain STDs, including genital herpes and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, that can also be How to Use A Condom spread by contact with infected skin outside the area covered by the condom. Condoms cannot protect against these STDs when they are spread in this way.”

When the FDA solicited public comment on the suggested changes in 2005, they received more than 100 responses from consumers, health professionals, industry, academia, state and Federal government agencies, as well as professional societies and organizations. After a review of public comment, as well as current research on condom effectiveness, the FDA concluded that recent studies confirmed that latex condoms can reduce transmission risk, and cited recent studies on HPV specifically that provided additional evidence to support this conclusion.

As stated in the federal register, “The benefit of this final rule is that establishing the labeling guidance as a special control ensures that manufacturers will provide consumers with the information they need to make an informed decision regarding the use of latex condoms and to use them safely and effectively. The labeling guidance helps ensure that information provided to consumers does not undervalue the overall STI-risk reduction provided by latex condom use, but does not exaggerate the effectiveness of latex condoms against certain types of STIs.”

This final rule will go into effect January 9, 2009. While latex condoms that were legally marketed prior to the effective date of this final rule will have 11 months from that date to comply with the new labeling requirements, new products will be required to comply immediately upon the rule taking effect.

My Life is Not Over - Part 2

It has been more then a year after my diagnosis with HSV2. I simply wanted to update what’s been going on with my life.

I am currently working with HIV positive clients as a Case Manager, and  I enjoy it. Since being diagnosed I’m still with my partner and engaged.

He has never mentioned to me my H status and it’s as if I didn’t have it. We don’t use condoms since he doesn’t care of my H status.

Keep in mind people that I’m Asymptomatic, meaning I have never had symptoms or outbreaks (THANK GOD), yet I can still infect my partner. He chooses not to use condoms.

I simply want to let people in here know that H is a simple Virus, a second chance from having become infected with HIV. With H many people live normal lives. If you are newly diagnosed simply read read and read.

Become educated on H and how it can be transmitted. I’m lucky my partner loves me regardless of my H status. I don’t know why he is so okay with it. I have educated him, but I think he doesn’t mind my status since I’m Asymptomatic. That doesn’t mean he will be if he ever became infected.

We have been trying to have a child, and I do worry about my H status if and when I become Pregnant. In the other hand I know there is medication and steps to take to protect my children to come.

Well take care, become educated on H.  Don’t be ashamed of your H status. - G

My Life is Not Over - Part 1

Olympic Condoms!

A man is out shopping and discovers a new brand of Olympic condoms. Clearly impressed, he buys a pack.

Upon getting home he announces to his wife the purchase he just made.

‘Olympic condoms?’ she blurts, ‘What makes them so special?’

‘There are three colors,’ he replies, ‘gold, silver and bronze.’

‘What color are you going to wear tonight?’ she asks cheekily.

‘Gold of course,’ says the man proudly.

The wife responds really, ‘Why don’t you wear silver. It would be nice if you came second for a change!’

I’m sure she forced you to have sex with her too

i am a 32 year old male my girlfriend age 40 gave me herpes she did not tell me she had it she hid it from me i would have used protection

I got this note today thinking they actually wanted my advice on the matter. I tried to write the person back but was unable to because of some sort of blocking mechanism going on. I’m not THAT much of a computer geek so I just assumed the person rigged it that way on purpose.

In any case, I thought I would go ahead and post my thoughts anyway:

Dear 32 year old male,

I’m almost positive that your 40 year old girlfriend did not put a gun to your head and force you to have sex with her.

How do you know that your girlfriend even had herpes in the first place? What if you already had herpes and you didn’t know it?

What kind of protection would you have used? There isn’t any kind of protection that I know of that will 100% keep you from getting herpes. Condoms don’t cover the entire genital area so it’s still possible to contract herpes even if you did use protection.

The facts remain that you and your girlfriend probably did not sit down and talk about STDs OR make a date to go and get tested for STDs. In fact, you probably didn’t even know that herpes isn’t included in the routine STD testing process. You have to actually request a herpes test in order to have one and that’s only IF your doctor is even up-to-date on his/or her herpes facts.

Besides.. how do you know that you didn’t already have it prior to meeting your 40 year old girlfriend?

How to protect yourself from HIV

The only sure way to prevent HIV infection is not to have sex. If you do have sex, use a latex condom every time. Sharing needles is very dangerous. If you do share needles, call the National Rug and Alcohol Hotline (1-800-662-4357) to learn how to clean needles and works.

You can help protect yourself form HIV by following the safer sex guidelines for other STDs. Use condoms every time you have sex, no matter what kind of sex it is. If you use spermicides, use them with condoms, not in place of them.

How you don’t contract HIV

Is it possible to pass herpes back and forth?

I have had cold sores for years and believe I have given my partner genital hsv 1 thru oral sex (when no symptoms present) and than caught it back from him (genitally).

It is possible to pass herpes to your partner via oral sex. That’s how a lot of people wind up contracting genital HSV-1.

You can not contract HSV-1 over and over again the way that you described. In other words, you don’t keep passing the virus back and forth.

He has had no symptoms.

Not everybody that has herpes will get symptoms that they can see OR feel. That is why testing specifically for herpes in routine std testing is so important. But, you have to be carefully because not all facilities will automatically test for herpes during the routine STD testing process which is why you have to be proactive and ask for one.

Herpes Testing

I have been diagnosed positive for HSV1 but negative for HSV2. He has been diagnosed positive for HSV also.

Since you have a history of coldsores then it’s safe to say that your herpes is probably oral herpes type-1. You say that your partner tested positive for herpes but you don’t mention if he has HSV-1, HSV-2, OR both.

My question is: Is this possible?

People are either going to have herpes OR they won’t have herpes. Type specific herpes antibody testing will tell you if you have HSV-1, HSV-2, both OR nothing at all.

I’m not sure what you mean when you ask if proper testing is possible. Maybe you can leave an anonymous comment to this blog post clarifying what you meant.

Herpes Type-1 and Type-2

Some sites say this is not possible because I would have had antibodies to the strain and would not have caught it back genitally.

Ok, now I know what you meant by your question as to if “it” was possible OR not.

You don’t pass herpes back and forth the way that you described in the beginning of your question. Once you contract herpes you keep it. It’s possible to have HSV-1, HSV-2, both OR nothing at all.

Also if we are both positive now do we have to use protection still?

That depends on the two of you and what your status is. I think it’s probably a good idea for your partner to be fully aware of his status and type, etc. I know lots of couples that have herpes together don’t use protection. I also know of couples where one has it and the other doesn’t and they don’t use protection. It just depends on the couple, what they want to do, and the ultimate goal.

If you are trying to keep an uninfected partner from contracting herpes then not only is it a good idea to use condoms but it’s also a good idea for the person that has herpes to be on suppressive therapy. Suppressive therapy is said to reduce transmission by about 50%. You add condoms to that mix and that’s pretty good protection.

Also I had unknowingly had a very small lesion and had unprotected sex with my already infected asymptomatic partner, could this cause him to now have symptoms or now cause worse outbreaks in the future for me? Thanks. - N

Like I said, you just have to figure out if he has HSV-1, HSV-2, both OR nothing at all. Knowing the location of the virus is helpful as well. As far as passing it back and forth goes.. that’s not likely.

Herpes Help

See how condoms are made?

Next time you use a pair of rubber gloves, you’re going to smile when you think of this:

A dentist noticed that his next patient, a little old lady, was nervous so he decided to tell her a little joke as he put on his gloves.

“Do you know how they make these gloves?” he asked.

“No, I don’t,” she replied.

“Well,” he spoofed, “there’s a building in Canada with a big tank of latex and workers of all hand sizes walk up to the tank, dip in their hands, let them dry, then peel off the gloves and throw them into boxes of the right size.”

She didn’t crack a smile.

“Oh, well. I tried,” he thought.

But five minutes later, during a delicate portion of the procedure, she burst out laughing.

“What’s so funny?” he asked.

“I was just envisioning how condoms are made!”

Gotta watch those little old ladies! Their minds are always working!

How can I make sex safer?

• Before you have sex, talk with your partner. Agree to use condoms (rubbers).
• Use a latex condom every time you have vaginal sex, oral sex or anal sex. Male and female condoms are now available.
• Be prepared. Both men and women should carry condoms.
• Don’t use lotions, creams or Vaseline with latex condoms. The oil in these products can weaken the condom. Use water-based lubricants such as K-Y Jelly.
• Spermicides, especially those with N-9 are not effective in preventing STDs, including HIV. N-9 may increase your risk for infection with HIV. If you use a spermicide for birth control, use it along with condoms, not in place of condoms.
• Know that you are more likely to get an STD if you have more than one partner.
• Get tested for STDs if you or your partner have had other partners.

How do you prevent STDs?

ASHA Recognizes National Condom Week

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, ASHA recognizes National Condom Week 2008 (February 11-16) and emphasizes the importance of safer sex. Safer sex practices have never been more critical: Despite hundreds of millions of tax dollars spent on abstinence-only education programs, there are approximately 19 million new cases of sexually transmitted infections (STI) in the U.S. each year, about half of which occur among youth ages 15-24. The evidence is overwhelming that among those who are sexually active, consistent and correct condom use greatly reduces the risk of contracting infections like HIV, chlamydia, and gonorrhea. Research has also shown that young women whose male partners use condoms regularly cut their risk of acquiring HPV significantly. One hurdle to safer sex is negotiating condom use with partners. Sometimes this is difficult if a lover thinks that using condoms diminishes intimacy or lessens the spontaneity of sex. ASHA’s website has a special page with tips on talking with partners who might be reluctant to use condoms, and explains how the best sex is safer sex. You can also download free Condom Week posters in English and Spanish on ASHA’s site. Condoms are inexpensive, readily available, and easy to use. More importantly, used correctly they offer a significant level of protection against STIs. Use condoms from start to finish, every time: This is one “no brainer” no one ever regrets.

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