Older Women Are Having More Sex Than Younger Ones

Middle aged women are often thought to be beyond their sexual prime, but a recent study has shown that the sexual wellness and wellbeing of this age group is likely to far exceed that of younger women. Those who are sexually active during middle age are also likely to keep having sex as they get older, even if they have been diagnosed with some form of sexual dysfunction.

 

Based at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Centre, the team of researchers looked at data from a group of 602 women aged between 40 and 65 which reported on their sex lives, how sexually active they were and how important they felt sex was to their lives.

 

The lead author of the study, Dr. Holly Thomas, said that there was a popular preconception in the public that when women get older, sex becomes less important, and also that women stop having sex as they get older. Based on the study, it appears that most women continue to have sex during middle age.

 

Sexual dysfunction is a label that is frequently applied to women in this age group, but doctors and psychologists have long debated how useful it is to use this label at all. There is a test called the Female Sexual Function Index which is meant to test women’s sexual problems. There are 19 questions in the test, centring around orgasm, arousal, vaginal lubrication and any pain felt during sex.

 

As part of the recent study, the middle aged women who were sexually active took the test and then took it again four years later. Over 85 percent of the women who reported that they were sexually active when they first took the test, were still sexually active when they took the test again the second time.

Categories: age group, aged women, Dysfunction, female, middle age, Middle-Aged, sexual, sexual dysfunction, sexually active, Test, Women

Irregular Periods: What Causes Them And Are They Harmful?

While for every woman menstruation isn’t a fun time of the month, they realise that it is an important process. When, one month, it suddenly doesn’t show, it highlights the importance even further. What are the causes of irregular periods and do they signify a problem? In order to understand why this happens, we need to have a good understanding of the menstrual cycle as a whole. During a woman’s fertile life, the eggs that are released in a menstrual cycle mature within the ovaries in a cycle that typically lasts 28 days. This does vary between women though. On day five of the cycle, about twenty eggs begin to mature in the follicles of the ovaries. Each follicle is like a small fluid-filled sac, and as day fourteen approaches one follicle has generally matured earlier than the others and releases an egg to be fertilised. The other follicles shrivel up and absorbed by the body again. But the mature follicle transforms into a corpus luteum, which produces the hormone progesterone to prepare the uterus for a fertilised egg. If the egg isn’t fertilised, it disintegrates and dies. And the corpus luteum also withers away. This leads to the uterus shedding its lining, which is the bleeding we associate with menstruation and periods.

A regular menstrual cycle means that the interval between periods is consistent, which as previously stated lasts around 28 days. It can however range from every 20 days to 35 days. An irregular menstrual cycle means that those intervals between periods varies each month, so sometimes they may be 28 days and others may be 20 or 30. Irregular periods are very common and there are a number of causes for this to happen. For example, in teenagers, it is the imbalance of hormones – it is normal for girls to experience irregular periods because of this or for a period to not arrive for a month. However, it is important to remember that a period not arriving is usually a sign of pregnancy, so if you’re sexually active then you should check that you’re not pregnant. The most common causes of irregular periods are eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia; excessive weight gain or weight loss, which can both lead to an irregular menstrual cycle or for periods to disappear completely; stress or emotional problems; hormonal problems such as thyroid malfunctions; travel; over exercising; breastfeeding; drugs such as birth control pills, or problems with pelvic organs.

 

Irregular periods or the stop of your menstruation can also be due to a condition called premature ovarian failure, which can lead to women stopping their periods before the age of 40. This can be because of a number of problems, including radiation, surgery or chemotherapy in the case of a woman with cancer. But if you don’t want to get pregnant and are sexually active, you should use a birth control device  that you can trust so that you know  irregular periods aren’t to do with pregnancy. But if your periods do stop for whatever reason, don’t think that you can’t get pregnant – you will still be at risk! It’s important to still use a contraceptive if you don’t want to get pregnant, such as a condom or the birth control pill. If you’re worried about your periods for any reason, or think that there may be something wrong, you should speak to your GP as soon as possible for advice and testing, if need be.

Categories: Birth Control, corpus luteum, cycle means, irregular, irregular menstrual, Irregular Periods, menstrual cycle, Menstruation, Periods, sexually active, Women

Are Teens Becoming Confused by Birth Control Options?

The worries of birth control side effects concern many young people, but there are so many options that are safe, effective and reliable. Contraception offers a number of options to suit you, whether you want something daily, monthly or even every decade. Yet nearly half of pregnancies are unintended, and its because of confusion and uncertainty according to experts. According to research, we now have an entire generation of young adults who are sexually active for the most part, but completely in the dark about what contraceptive to use. They don’t know enough about what’s out there to make a reliable and informed decision, so many either don’t use it at all or don’t use it correctly. The result is unplanned pregnancies and a higher abortion rate. In a recent study in America, 42 per cent of unmarried 18 to 29 year olds said they didn’t know very much about birth control pills, and two-thirds said they knew even less about effective long-lasting contraceptives. Around a third said that they believed there is a good contraceptive for their needs, but that they didn’t know what it was.

It’s not just teens and young adults who don’t know the answers to questions like how long contraceptives last, and which one is most suited to them. If you consider that half of all girls are sexually active by the time they reach 17 years of age, and that menopause hits around 50 for most women, that’s several decades of contraceptive use to avoid unplanned pregnancy. The right choice at 20 might not stay the right choice when you’re in your 40s. Surprisingly, the most popular form of birth control in the U.S is a vasectomy for men and tube tying for women. When it comes to the most popular reversible contraceptive, the pill is number one for many women. However, this is only reliable when it’s taken properly – sickness or missing a dose can lower the chance of it being effective. There are other benefits too, such as long-term users having a lower risk of ovarian cancer, less chance of menstrual cramps and less chance of acne.

When it comes to reliability, the two long-lasting products that are the most effective are also the two that most women haven’t heard of. These are the IUD and the implant. The former is a T-shaped device that sits in the uterus to block sperm. The implant is a matchstick-sized rod that emits hormones to prevent pregnancy, and this sits in the arm. The implant can sit happily in the arm for three years, and the IUD can last either five or ten years depending on the brand. Each is ideal for women who aren’t ready to think about pregnancy just yet, but also don’t want to be thinking about contraception on a daily basis. And if you change your mind, you can just have it removed sooner. While some women may experience a little pain, the newer brands on the market offer less side effects and is more appealing to women. Only a fraction of women in the U.S use these forms of contraception, despite them being effective and hassle-free – just 5.6 per cent according to the latest data. They seem to be more common in Europe though. There are so many varieties of contraception that finding one to suit you perfectly is easy. It’s simply a case of speaking to your GP and talking through your options.

Categories: birth, Birth Control, contraception, contraceptive, effective, long lasting, sexual health, sexually active, teens, Women, young adults

Warning: Stem Cell Transplants Could Damage Your Sex Life

A new study has shown that receiving bone marrow or blood stem cell transplants can damage the sexual wellness and wellbeing of cancer patients. This type of transplant is on the increase, as it is becoming a more and more effective way to treat patients who are suffering from various types of blood cancer such as lymphoma, myeloma and leukaemia. Researchers say that whilst this used to be a really risky procedure, the survival rates for those who undergo stem cell transplants are on the increase. There is now enough of a survival rate for people to start to look at what the quality of life is like for those who have undergone the treatment, and their sexual health is part of this.

 

Up until now, transplant teams will not have had to have a conversation with a potential patient about how the treatment could have an impact on their sexual wellness, even after they have recovered, but the recent research shows that this is very much a conversation that should be had. Doctors and patients will now have to talk about the realities of sexual dysfunction, and put patients in touch with specialists who may be able to help them deal with the problems that may occur.

 

The study looked at a group that included 152 men and 125 women who were an average of 48 years old, all of whom underwent stem cell transplant surgery between 2001 and 2005. The group was followed for a period of three years. Before the surgery, the men were asked if they were sexually active, and the percentage fell from 64 percent to 54 percent after the surgery. Interestingly, the women who were asked the same question revealed and increase in sexual activity, with the sexually active participants rising from 37 percent to 52 percent.

Categories: cell, cell transplants, Patients, percent, Sex, sexual, Sexual Wellness, sexually active, stem, Stem Cell

Could HSV-1 Infection be More Risky for Teens?

New study data suggests that an increasing number of adolescents in American lack the antibodies to protect them later in life against a significant cause of genital herpes. According to the study, fewer teens have been exposed to their childhood herpes simplex virus known as HSV-1, a common cause of cold sores, than they were years previously. Without these antibodies, teens could be more at risk when they become sexually active, leading to genital infections that are also caused by the virus, particularly oral sex. HSV-1 and a similarly related virus, the herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), both cause lifelong infections and there is currently no cure – it can go through periods where the infection is dormant after an initial outbreak. Most people develop this strain in childhood, through skin-to-skin contact with an infected adult. However, HSV-2 is only contracted sexually. Recent research has discovered that HSV-1 is becoming a significant cause of genital herpes in certain countries, according to new studies.

In the most recent study, Heather Bradley PhD looked into the prevalence of HSV-1 and 2 in 14 to 49 year olds in the U.S, using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, including blood samples. The data found that an increasing number of U.S adolescents lacked the antibody at their first sexual encounter, making genital herpes more of a risk from that strain. The combination of increased oral sex behaviours among young people and the increased likelihood means that adolescents could be more likely to acquire HSV-1 than previous generations. The study’s key finding is that HSV-1 seroprevalence among 14 to 19 year olds has dropped by almost 23 per cent between 1999 and 2004, and 2005 to 2010. The difference that has occurred over the past ten years represents around a nine per cent decrease in the percentage of adolescents who’ve already had oral HSV-1 as they enter their sexually active years. During this time, exposure to the virus genitally is increasingly common, meaning that the risk of genital herpes is also common.

Teens could be making the problem worse by changing their sexual practices. An unintended consequence of the success of public campaigns which aim to limit the spread of HIV have led to some people believing that oral sex is safer. Naturally, this form of sex has its own set of sexually transmitted diseases and has increased the risk of genital herpes. Up to 30 per cent of infected infants will die from this infection if they have the most severe form of the disease, according to researchers. Sexually transmitted diseases are more common now, as young people are becoming sexually active earlier than they used to and are doing so with less understanding of contraception and safe sex practices. Although many teens don’t use it, there are many forms of contraception to make sex safer, both penetrative and oral sex. Finding the right form of contraception and following safe sex practices is important for anyone who is sexually active. The best advice if you’re unsure about contraception or how to use it correctly is to speak to your local GUM clinic or book an appointment with your GP who can advise you of the best forms of contraception for your needs. They will  be able to speak to you about how to use contraception correctly, which forms are available to you and also offer regular check-ups to ensure that you remain healthy and free of sexually transmitted diseases.

Categories: genital herpes, increasing number, oral sex, safe sex, Sex, sex practices, sexually active, sexually transmitted, teens, transmitted diseases, year olds

Could HIV Meds Prevent the Spread of the Virus?

New research has suggested that HIV treatments could be used to prevent the spread of disease in healthy people as well as those already infected. In a previous trial, targeting women in the commercial sex trade who are particularly at risk of contracting the virus, interesting information was gathered. The researchers conducting the study found that despite counselling the women on the dangers of unsafe sex practices, providing them with condoms and providing them with regular HIV testing, the women still became infected at a higher risk than most people. With the treatments for HIV as advanced as they could be at the time, there was little that could be done. There was good news to come though. In 2001, the US Food and Drug Administration approved a new anti-HIV drug known as tenofovir, which had advantages over other drugs on the market for this condition. It offered fewer side effects and was a daily pill. It was believed that it could not only treat HIV but also prevent it – it seems that that belief was well founded. The drugs used to counter the symptoms of HIV have proven to be effective in treating it in healthy people as well.

Many people believed the concept of giving the medication to people who were healthy and uninfected, as well as potentially risking their health in the process. But it has worked, and offers the most valuable theory that researchers have had in the entire fight against the HIV epidemic. The evolution of the HIV epidemic saw a turning point where the thinking behind treatment and prevention sees a vital shift. Researchers believe that they have finally begun to see the light at the end of the tunnel in the bid to combat AIDs – 30 years after the human immunodeficiency virus was first identified. According to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV-AIDS, we have now reached record levels for people living with HIV. This is owing in a large part to the great advances in better drugs and treatments, as well as better ways of getting drugs to people who need them most. However, it isn’t possible to treat every infected person, and the potential for the number of infected who act as a reservoir for the disease keeps the disease alive. There are still areas of health care and sexual health risks that remain unresolved. There is still much that needs to be done in the fight against HIV and AIDs, but researchers feel that this news is promising and offers real hope for the hopefully not-too-distant future.

HIV is something that still remains a threat in people who are sexually active – the lack of urgency that has permeated the modern world has taken the edge off the importance, but it remains a serious health concern. If you are sexually active, you should always use protection and get checked for sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV, regularly. The more of an interest people take in the prevention of HIV, the closer researchers can get to combating the condition and putting an end to the spread of this virus. The plan for routine HIV checks could also work in conjunction with this new prevention method, to help people most at risk to maintain good health. For the first time in its history, researchers could be on the cusp of genuine treatments and methods – this is a promising turn of events that could save millions of people from life-long treatments and health risks.

Categories: drugs, health, Health Risks, healthy people, HIV, hiv epidemic, new study, people, Researchers, sexual health, sexually active, Treatments

Can You Tell the Difference Between STD Symptoms?

Once you become sexually active, the risk of sexually transmitted diseases becomes an issue you need to be aware of. If you have an STD, chances are you’ll also have symptoms on your skin which could determine what form of disease you have. Some don’t display any signs, but if you’re lucky enough to catch the signs early you may be able to treat the problem before it becomes a serious issue. Safe sex practices should always be carried out in order to prevent STDs, and your GP or local GUM clinic can offer advice on how to have safer sex. Barrier methods of contraception, such as condoms, are the best protection against STD’s, along with being checked regularly with a sexual health check. Here are some of the more common diseases and what you should be keeping a check on.

 

Chlamydia

Chlamydia doesn’t usually have any symptoms, although women sometimes have an increased discharge and men often notice a discharge from their penis. Lower abdominal pain or pain in the testicles may occur, along with pain when you urinate. This is one of the most common STDs, with many sexually active teens spreading the infection through not using protection in bed.

Gonorrhea (GC)

If you’ve caught gonorrhea then you’ll notice symptoms between two and ten days after the exposure. However, in some people, months may pass before you see anything. You may find a thick, cloudy or bloody discharge from the vagina or penis. Men sometimes notice painful or swollen testicles, and both men and women can sometimes experience anal itching. Often mistaken as a urinary infection, burning when you urinate could also be a sign.

Syphilis

There are four stages to the development of syphilis. Primary syphilis can occur ten days to three months after you’ve been exposed to it. You’ll notice a small sore on your genitals, anal area or mouth, depending on where the infection entered the body. Sometimes multiple sores develop, and your lymph nodes swell up. With secondary syphilis, sores the size of a penny which are red or brown in colour erupt all over your body, including your palms. People with this type of syphilis may experience fatigue or soreness. Latent syphilis is the next and may not actually show any symptoms. Lastly, tertiary syphilis is the final stage and can lead to serious cardiovascular and neurological problems – in serious cases, it can be fatal.

Genital Herpes (HSV-2)

Genital herpes doesn’t usually have symptoms or mild ones at best. Most people associate small red bumps or blisters on the genitals or anus with this particular STD, as well as painful itching or blisters with open vesicles. Genital warts may develop in the form of flesh-coloured swellings around your genitals.

Hepatitis B (HBV)

There may be no symptoms to hepatitis B, although your skin and the whites of your eyes may become yellow from jaundice. Other symptoms that some people experience include dark urine, muscle and joint aches, and fatigue.

HIV

There are several stages to the development of HIV, and there aren’t any specific symptoms. Between two to six weeks after the infection is caught you may notice a flu-like illness, including sore throat, swollen glands, night sweats and canker sores in the mouth. Some people find they also have a non-specific rash. As the diseases becomes stronger, infected people notice swollen lymph nodes, which is often the first sign, as well as weight loss, diarrhoea, a cough and shortness of breath from very basic activities.

Categories: genital herpes, infection, ll notice, lymph nodes, notice, people, sexual health, sexually active, STDs, Symptoms, Syphilis

Six Facts to Include When Giving Your Daughter “The Talk”

Having ‘the talk’ with your daughter can be awkward, but not knowing what to include in that talk can have a huge impact on her sexual health and wellbeing. Here are six facts about sexual wellness that you should talk about with your teenage daughter.

 

1. Using a condom isn’t as easy or as effective as you think. According to Paul Fine, MD, associate professor of gynaecology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, ‘A couple may not put on a condom until the last minute, and in the heat of passion, he might not have the control he usually has, so that’s never foolproof.’ You can get pregnant before he ejaculates, Dr Fine adds, as pre-ejaculate is ‘loaded with sperm.’

 

2. Emergency contraception is available if you have unprotected sex or the condom breaks. You might want to purchase it in advance of needing it, just so you have it on hand in an emergency.

 

3. The young adult age group has a high risk for STDs. 15-24 year olds represent 25% of the sexually active population, but 50% of new STD cases. STD expert H. Hunter Handsfield, MD, a clinical professor of medicine at the University of Washington, says, ‘Young people ought to get tested once a year for HIV, syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhoea.’

 

4. The symptoms of STDs aren’t always apparent. You can have gonorrhoea, chlamydia, hepatitis, HIV, and syphilis without having any obvious symptoms, but these diseases can be very destructive to your wellness over a long period of time. Jeanne Marrazzo, MD, an STD specialist at the University of Washington medical school, advises annual chlamydia screenings for younger women.

 

5. More than 30 types of the human papillomavirus (HPV) are sexually transmitted, and chances are, if you’re a sexually active adult, you’ve contracted several of them without realising. Dr. Handsfield notes that all women should get annual Pap smears to screen for precancerous abnormalities, and women under 26 should also consider getting the HPV vaccination.

 

6. There’s more to the Pill than pregnancy prevention; it also – depending on the form of medication – can reduce menstrual bleeding and painful periods, clear up acne, treat PMS mood wings and lessen your risk of uterine infection and ovarian cancer.

Categories: Chlamydia, Condom, Condoms, human papillomavirus, nbsp, sexually active, talk, The pill

Which Medical Tests Do You Need to Book Now?

When it comes to your health early detection of any disease or ailment is advisable, yet most people don’t take advantage of the various health checks and tests available to them. Such tests could prove to be life-saving, and the majority of them are quick and easy to undertake. These are the top tests which could help to keep you healthy and highlight any potential problems early on, which could make treatment far more effective.

 

Mammogram

The American Cancer Society has always claimed that women should begin annual breast cancer screening at the age of 40 with mammograms, but the new thought on the matter is that women should wait until their 50. This is because younger and denser breasts are more likely to develop benign cysts, which means that aggressive testing on innocent lumps in the tissue is unnecessary. However, most doctors stand by the early tests in order to be on the safe side – get tested every year from 40, or earlier if there is a history of breast cancer in your family. if this is the case, you should start screenings 10 years earlier than the age your relative was when she was diagnosed. So, if your mum was diagnosed at the age of 42, you need to be getting annual screenings from the age of 32.

 

Breast examinations

Breast exams are very quick, painless and free – self exams have been proven to reduce the number of cancer-related deaths. Women often discover their own cancers through noticing the symptoms early, so as long as you don’t worry about every lump and bump you find (menstruating will mean you’ll find some lumps which are harmless) then there is no harm in doing regular breast checks. Being familiar with your breasts and knowing what is right for you makes this a lot more effective, and regular checks are one of the best ways to do this.

 

Pap smears

Cervical smears are advised from the age of 21, with follow-up tests every other year until the age of 30, when it becomes every three years if the results are normal. It depends on your risk factor – if you’re healthy and HPV negative, and either not sexually active or have just one partner, you can be screened every three years. If you have other risks, such as smoking or sleeping with multiple partners, then your risks increase and you should be screened annually.

 

High cholesterol

If you’re over the age of 20, a total cholesterol exam which is carried out with a simple blood test could assess your risk of heart disease. This is done every year if your LDL, which is referred to as the ‘bad’ cholesterol, measures over 130. If your result is lower, then you only need to be tested every five years.

 

Under or overactive thyroid

This is also tested with a blood test, and the condition itself can lead to symptoms of weight gain or indicate an autoimmune disease. If you’re over the age of 35, you should get tested every two years – however, if you’re showing symptoms you should speak to your GP earlier to see if you have the condition.

 

Chlamydia or other STDs

Regular sexual health screenings are advised to anyone who is sexually active, regardless of their age. In particular, tests for chlamydia and gonorrhoea can help reduce the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease – the tests are quick, relatively painless and offer peace of mind that you’re not spreading infection. If you’re sleeping with multiple partners and are under 25, this is especially important.

Categories: Blood Test, breast cancer, health, medical tests, multiple partners, sexually active, Symptoms, tests

Warning: Teens And Parents Not Talking Enough About Sex

A study into the population of East Asians in Canada has found that teens are unlikely to talk about sexual health with their parents, which is putting their wellness and wellbeing at risk. Although it was found that East Asian students were less likely to be sexually active, those who were sexually active were more likely to indulge in risky sexual behaviour.

 

The study has emerged from the University of B.C in Vancouver, and suggests that language and cultural barriers may be to blame for the lack of frank and open dialogue between parents and their children on the topic of sex. The study was published in The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality and has opened up further discussion about why East Asians may feel this taboo about sexual discussion between parents and teens.

 

It has become more commonplace for young people to be sexually active – in North America, around half of all students in Grades 9 and 10 say that they have had sexual intercourse. This 50 percent drops to only 10 percent, however, when looking solely at young people of East Asian heritage living in America and Canada.

 

Despite the low percentage of those actually engaging in sexual intercourse, those who do are at higher risk of unsafe practices. Around 70 percent of young East Asians who do have sex have some kind of other high risk behaviour. Around one in four say that they use alcohol or drugs as part of their sex life, over a third of them had had sex with multiple partners in the past 12 months, and over half of those surveyed had had sex without using a condom.

 

And seven out of those 10 reported high-risk behaviour, according to the study. One in four reported using drugs or alcohol, more than one third reported having had multiple partners in the last year, and more than half the girls surveyed had not used a condom.

 

It is thought that the more traditionally conservative cultures could be contributing to the problem, as children of this heritage were less likely to speak to their parents at home about sex or to be given advice about safe sexual practices.

Categories: Asia, condom nbsp, culture, east asian, east asians, high risk, language, multiple partners, risk behaviour, sexual intercourse, sexually active, young people

What Do You (and Your Teenager) Need to Know about STDs?

It’s important for anyone to get their facts straight about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), but this is especially important if you’re a teenager or the parent of one. If you have ever never taken your clothes off and had skin to skin contact with another person, your wellness is at risk of an STD, so what do you need to know?

Scare tactics should never be used to make you avoid risky sexual health behaviour, but as people aged 15 through 24 account for half of all new, reported infections, it’s important to be in the know about STDs, and how you can guard your wellbeing against them. Let’s start with a common STD; gonorrhoea. This STD often doesn’t present with any symptoms, which makes it very easy to spread, unnoticed, unless you use a condom. Among the reported cases of gonorrhoea, the highest rate of infection is in 15 to 19-year-old girls and men in their early 20s, and 75% of all reported cases of gonorrhoea are in young people aged 15 to 29.

If you’re a parent of a teenager, you might not like to think about them having sex. However, not only is it likely that they are, but you need to acknowledge this fact to help protect them against STDs. Communication is key in helping teenagers stop taking risks with their health. 50% of teenagers are sexually active, but only 30% report using condoms – and even then that doesn’t mean they use them every time. You may not be able to stop your son or daughter having sex, but you can educate them about protection.

Another thing which is important for teenagers to know is that STD testing is crucial if you are sexually active. Many people think this only applies to HIV, which is why only half of adults under the age of 45 have been tested for any other STD. However, as many infections, such as gonorrhoea, chlamydia and genital herpes, may be symptom less, you should be tested for STDs at least annually if you are sexually active. Any teen that has had sexual intercourse, whether once or 100 times, is potentially carrying an STI.

What Do You (and Your Teenager) Need to Know about STDs?

Categories: active, Gonorrhoea, people aged, Protection, reported cases, sexually, sexually active, STDs, teenager, Teenagers