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Sexual Health 

Questions and Answers

Questions & Answers

For this section we did our own research and interviewed Cleveland Clinic OBGYN Dr. Gretchen Fisher in order to best answer your questions.

Dr. Gretchen Fisher's Credentials: Case Western Reserve (BS), Harvard Medical School, Magee Women's Hospital, Cleveland Clinic OBGYN 24+ years.

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Q1

How can you protect yourself from STDs?

Q3

Can LQBTQ+ people get STDs?

A1

The best way to protect yourself from STDs, aside from abstinence, is by using condoms properly. There are male condoms made for the penis and internal condoms made for inside the vagina or anus and dental dams made for vaginal/anal oral sex. Other forms of birth control do not prevent STDs. There is also a pill called PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) that can be taken up to three days after a possible interaction with HIV. There is a similar pill called PrEP that is supposed to prevent HIV. If you think you need PEP go to the doctor, ER, or a planned parenthood center ASAP.

A3

Yes, STDs do not descriminate. STDs can be transferred through vaginal, anal, and oral sex through fluids such as cum, pre-cum, vaginal fluids, and blood. They can also be transferred simply through genital skin contact. Different STDs are transferred through these different forms of contact. It is important that you still wear condoms (male, internal, or dental dams) when having sex even if pregnancy is not an issue. 

Q2

What are some signs of STDs

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Q4

How can you protect yourself from sexual assault?

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A2

Many people are asymptomatic when it comes to STDs, so it is important to get tested often if you are having sexual relations with multiple partners. 

  • General signs/symptoms: pain during urination and sex, itchiness/ burning sensation in the genitals, unusual bumps,sores, or inflammation, abdominal pain, and cold/flu symptoms

  • Gonorrhea/chlamydia/trichomonas: Vaginal/penile discharge, odor, irritation, and/or abnormal bleeding/bleeding with sex

    • If those infections get into the uterus, its called PID, and it can include abdominal pain and fever

  • HPV: bumps (warts)

  • Crabs:  itchiness

  • Syphilis: painless ulcer

  • HIV: sickness (blood diseases)

A4

There is no way to 100% protect yourself from assault, however, it is important to stay cautious, especially as we move into a college or workplace setting. Never go to a party alone, especially if you will be drinking. Do not drink anything you did not see the entire time it was being made and you were drinking it. Pepper spray and some self defense tools are a good thing to carry around with you in case of an assault. And make sure you always have a safe way home before you go out. It is always okay to leave immediately if you feel uncomfortable in the situation you are in (just make an excuse and leave).​

Q5

Where can you go/who can you tell to report sexual assualt?

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Q7

What are some birth control methods that will not effect transgender people taking hormones?

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A5

If you have been sexually assaulted and choose to report it, you can go to a hospital or to the police. If you have any immediate medical concerns you should go to the doctor and they can help you. At your visit you can request a rape kit. A rape kit will gather evidence such as DNA and medical analysis in order to use if you decide you would like to go forward with charges at some point. Rape kits will be more effective the sooner you go to the police/ hospital and the less you change your physical state. Some people may feel uncomfortable talking to the police for a multitude of reasons, so a doctor, rape counselor, or someone you trust can help you report the assault. The Victim's Compensation Fund can help you pay for your medical bills after an assault if money is an issue.  There are also many support groups and therapists geared towards helping people you have gone through sexual assault.

A7

You can use non-hormonal (copper) IUD's . These will not effect testosterone or estrogen levels and are an effective form of birth control for men with female organs. Also the different forms of condoms as well.

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Q6

Where do you buy Plan B and Pregnancy Tests?

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Q8

How effective are the different methods of birth control?

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A6

You can buy pregnancy tests and Plan B (aka the morning after pill) at any pharmacy such as CVS and Rite Aid. You do not need a prescription or ID to buy either of them, but sometimes they are locked or behind the counter so you may have to ask someone that works there for help. You can also get them at many family planning and health department clinics (ex. Planned Parenthood. 

A8

All birth control methods have similar amounts of effectiveness, however, for methods such as condoms and the pill the effectiveness goes down due to user error. If you have an IUD for instance you do not have to remember to use it everyday at the right times. If you are a forgetful person it is recommended to use methods such as IUDs or implants.

Q9

How and when can you talk to a sexual partner about STDs?

Q11

Are abortions legal?

A9

Talk to a partner about STDs before you start your sexual relations. It is important to value your body and in order to do this you should ensure that you are safe with your partner. It will ease a lot of the stress and worry that can come before, during, and after sex if you have safe sex which includes the use of the different types of condoms and having this talk. This video that planned parenthood released can help you feel more comfortable with the safe sex conversation. If you have an STD you can still have a sex life, however, you have to be safe and you have to have the conversation as soon as you know you have an STD. It is not enough to just wear a condom and call it a day. Be honest with your partner because if you were in their situation I'm sure you would want to know.  

A11

Abortions are legal in the United States, however the length of its legality differs depending on each state. For example Ohio recently passed a heartbeat bill which states that abortions are illegal once a heartbeat can be detected through an ultrasound (around 6 weeks after conception) unless it is for a medical reason. If you wish to have an abortion outside of the criteria in one state you can go to a different state and get an abortion there at an abortion clinic, planned parenthood, or doctor. 

Q10

Where are some safe places to talk about sexual health?

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Q12

Is Plan B safe to take multiple times?

A10

You can talk with your doctor about sexual health, especially after you turn 18 because they are legally obligated to keep any information about you private (even from your parents). 

  • If you feel awkward asking for STD testing planned parenthood has scripted some ways to start the conversation with your doctor

    • “I’ve never been tested for STDs. Do I need to be?”

    • “Have you ever tested me for any STDs during my checkups?”

    • “What STDs should I watch out for? How will I know if I need to get tested?”

do not stress or be embarrassed by these conversations because they're trained to have them. 

A12

Plan B is safe to take as many times as necessary and will not effect future desires to get pregnant. However, it is a costly method of birth control (around $50 per pill at a normal pharmacy) and can mess with your menstrual cycle and cause some short term problems such as abdominal pain.

Q13

How can you help a friend/ loved one if they have lived through sexual assault

A13

Here is a helpful video that addressing the best way to approach the topic of sexual assault if someone has decided to share their story with you. Showing compassion and understanding rather than judgement and disbelief is very important when it comes to the topic of sexual assault.

Q14

What are some signs that I, or someone I know has been roofied?

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A14​

How to know when you’ve been drugged...

  • Difficulty breathing

  • Feeling drunk when you have consumed little to no alcohol

  • Loss of bowel or bladder control

  • Nausea

  • Sudden body temperature change that could be signaled by sweating or chattering teeth

  • Sudden increase in dizziness, disorientation, or blurred vision

  • Waking up with no memory, or missing large portions of memories

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